Recent Articles
This Week in Mortgage Rates: Buyers Are Back as Rates Hover in the Low 6s
Mortgage rates bounced around but stayed in a tight range near the low 6% area this week, while purchase applications hit their highest level since early 2023 and refinance demand more than doubled compared to last year. Here’s what that means if you’re thinking about buying or refinancing.
Published on 12/06/2025
The 2026 Guide to New Orleans Homeowners Insurance Cost: What First-Time Buyers Must Know Before They Shop
The #1 Homebuying Blind Spot in New Orleans If you’re preparing to buy a home in New Orleans and the surrounding 50-mile region, you’ve probably been thinking about mortgage rates, down payment, or credit requirements. Those matter, but here’s the #1 blind spot first-time buyers rarely expect: The elevated cost of homeowners insurance premiums in New Orleans can impact your monthly payment more than the interest rate itself. As someone who has been originating mortgages for more than 20 years, I can tell you this: insurance is the most common surprise my buyers encounter. Not because they weren’t prepared, but because premiums in our region can vary dramatically based on risk, location, and insurance carrier. And in a market like New Orleans, where older homes, storm exposure, and flood zones play a significant role, understanding insurance costs early will make you a far more educated buyer, and may even determine what you can truly afford.
Published on 12/05/2025
Stronger Data Last Week Caused a Slight Rate Bump
Stronger jobless-claims and durable-goods data from last week pushed the average 30-year fixed slightly higher, but mortgage rates are still near recent lows. Here’s what that means for buyers and homeowners
Published on 12/01/2025
What Today’s Jobs Report Means for Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates held steady after a mixed jobs report, with unemployment rising and job growth coming in stronger than expected. Learn what this means for homebuyers and what to watch next.
Published on 11/21/2025
📘 The Ultimate 2025-26 Guide to New Orleans and Surrounding Areas Homeowners Insurance Costs (and What First-Time Buyers MUST Know Before Shopping for a Home)
Introduction: The #1 Cost Factor New Orleans and Surrounding Areas Homebuyers Overlook — And Why It Can Make or Break Your Monthly Payment When most first-time buyers in New Orleans and surrounding areas start planning to purchase a home, they focus on interest rates, down payments, loan types, and credit scores. And while those are important, there’s one cost that has quietly become the biggest factor affecting affordability: Your homeowners insurance cost in New Orleans and surrounding areas can influence your monthly payment more than your mortgage rate. Depending on the home’s age, elevation, roof condition, flood risk, and location, insurance can swing your monthly payment by $300–$600+ per month — sometimes even more. That’s why “New Orleans and surrounding areas homeowners insurance cost” is one of the most frequently searched real estate questions locally right now. As a mortgage broker and creator of the Ultimate Mortgage Loan Experience, I help first-time buyers understand this hidden cost upfront so they don’t fall in love with a home that doesn’t fit their true budget. My goal is simple: give you clarity, eliminate surprises, and help you buy with confidence. This guide breaks everything down step-by-step.
Published on 11/14/2025
50-Year Mortgages? Here’s What You Need to Know
The Trump administration says it’s exploring 50-year mortgage options to help with affordability. Learn what this could mean for homebuyers, monthly payments, and long-term costs.
Published on 11/11/2025
Fannie Mae’s Big Update: You May Qualify Even With a Credit Score Below 620
Fannie Mae’s new credit score policy lets lenders use automated approvals even for borrowers below 620. Here’s what that means for homebuyers who thought they couldn’t qualify.
Published on 11/08/2025
What’s Going On With Mortgage Rates? (Explain-It-to-a-5th-Grader Version)
Mortgage rates dipped, then jumped after the Fed’s cut. A $15B corporate bond sale and stronger economic reports added pressure. Here’s the simple, kid-level way to understand what’s happening and what it means for buyers.
Published on 11/06/2025
Mortgage Rates Jump After the Fed’s Rate Cut — Here’s Why
The Federal Reserve cut rates again, but mortgage rates actually rose. Learn why this happens, what Powell said, and what it means for homebuyers.
Published on 10/29/2025