- Kreg & Nick - Weekly Mortgage Update
- Authors
- Nick Steinhauer
The End of Trigger Leads Is Here — And That’s Great News for EVERYBODY
A new law finally kills off those annoying trigger leads that flood buyers with spam calls, Trump’s rumored Fannie & Freddie IPO could either drop rates or shake up the market, and I’ve discovered a loan program that lets asset-rich, income-light buyers finally qualify.
The "Spread" and Why It Matters
I'm de-mystifying the real reason mortgage rates are still high—the spread between the 10-year Treasury and 30-year mortgage rates—and why that gap matters more than the Fed. I also reflected on the legacy of Hulk Hogan and what I've learned from his larger-than-life personality. Plus, don't miss your early shot at Rebel 2026 VIP tickets (Aug 5) and the Big Summer Bash on Aug 12.
Big Win for Buyers: New Credit Score Approved for Mortgages
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now accept VantageScore 4.0, giving lenders a real alternative to FICO. Only 1.1M first-time buyers purchased homes in 2024—the lowest since 1989. Rumors of Powell's resignation are swirling, but a premature exit could shake market stability.
Bitcoin Might Soon Help You Buy a House
From Bitcoin potentially counting toward mortgage assets, to Buy Now, Pay Later loans creeping onto credit reports, the game is changing fast. Plus, NAR’s top economist just laid out a playbook for finishing 2025 strong—and it’s packed with opportunity if you know where to look.
⛽️ Conflict, Crude, and Closings: How the Israel-Iran Tension COULD Affect Rates
Geopolitical tension is heating up—and it’s not just overseas. Oil prices, inflation risk, and Fed policy are all on the table as conflict in the Middle East threatens global markets (and mortgage rates). Plus: why the MBA’s credit report reform won’t move the needle for buyers, and a fresh look at inflation data that’s cooler than expected—but still not cool enough for the Fed to cut.
🏛 Fannie & Freddie: Time to Release or Keep Them on a Leash?
Fannie and Freddie might finally break free from government control—and the fallout could shake up rates, guidelines, and your closings. The HELPER Act is gaining steam, offering VA-style perks to teachers and first responders. Plus, a simple strategy to spark listings without making a single cold call.
🚨 Big Changes Coming to OHFA Assistance on July 1st!
OHFA is cutting back its down payment assistance—meaning less help for buyers and more need for strategy. Lower.com just acquired Movoto, setting the stage for a fully integrated home search + mortgage experience—and opening new lead-gen doors for plugged-in agents. Both changes could seriously shift how we help buyers win—so now’s the time to get ahead of it.
4 Jobs Reports. 1 Message: The Labor Market is Softening
🚨 The job market just blinked—and mortgage rates may start to listen soon. From a sharp drop in job openings (JOLTS) to weaker private hiring (ADP) and rising unemployment claims, the labor market is starting to cool. That’s good news for rate watchers—and we break down what it means.
What Happens if Trump Fires Jerome Powell?
The Trump/Powell feud is really starting to escalate. Buy Now/Pay Later could soon have a major impact on credit reports. And in a major legal twist, Ohio’s AG is taking UWM—the nation’s largest wholesale lender—to court, accusing them of manipulating brokers and steering borrowers into higher-cost loans.
Wait, What’s a Tariff? Let’s Break It Down 👇
Tariffs enveloped the news last week bringing uncertainty to markets, investors went full risk-off but interest rates have pulled back. Rocket + Mr. Cooper is BIG but here's how to stay relevant. The March jobs report was better than expected, which is a win!