Foreclosures Are Rising ⬆️

Thanksgiving week is here 🦃

Woohoo! But don’t worry, Big Nick and I aren’t taking a break! We’re here to break down rising foreclosures, Ohio’s emerging market, and the government keeping key data under wraps. And those rumored mortgage changes? They may still be a ways off.

Let’s dive in!!

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Read time: ~5 minutes

Rates ended FLAT compared to last week, and volatility was MODERATE. Rates remain in the low 6% range for most loan types without paying discount points. Paying discount points can get you in the high 5's.

Foreclosures Are Rising ⬆️

One thing I can’t stand about our industry is how quickly it becomes the target of sensational headlines. The moment a slightly negative data point appears, the media jumps on it and makes it sound like the sky is falling. We all feel it, and it’s a big part of why Nick and I created this newsletter.  From day one, our goal has been to give you the most reliable, accurate mortgage and real estate news to help your business.

Now, with that commitment comes the responsibility to acknowledge market shifts, whether good or bad. And right now, there is a meaningful shift happening: foreclosure filings are on the rise.

As many of you know, Nick and I are true data nerds. To the point where we even track foreclosure filings in our home state of Ohio on a daily basis. And one trend is becoming increasingly clear…People are STRUGGLING!

According to a recent ATTOM report, Ohio now ranks #6 in the nation for foreclosure rates. In October 2025 alone, 1 in every 3,079 households received an initial foreclosure notice, which is a 14% jump compared to October 2024.

For context, we’re still far below the levels seen during the 2008–2011 crisis. But it’s a trend worth watching closely. Now may be a great time to brush up on your short-sale negotiation skills 🙂

Government Chooses to Withhold Crucial Data

The market and interest rates rely on economic data. Monthly inflation and employment reports often send rates sharply higher or lower. But during the recent government shutdown, we were left in a complete blackout mode with no data being released.

Last week, we finally saw the first bit of delayed information: the September Jobs Report. Thank you, Jesus! It showed 119,000 jobs created, beating expectations of 50,000, while the unemployment rate inched up from 4.3% to 4.4%.

However, here’s where things get very interesting: officials announced that the October and November jobs reports won’t be released until after the December 10 Fed meeting. Even more surprising, November’s inflation data will also be held until after the Fed makes its decision as well.

This means the Fed is about to make one of its most important decisions of the year without any updated jobs or inflation data. The timing is… interesting, to say the least. And it creates exactly the kind of uncertainty the market absolutely hates. Making rate decisions without fresh numbers looks less like a “data-driven approach” and more like guesswork, especially when the report card shows up days after the fact. Don’t be shocked if the market responds negatively to this lack of transparency.

50-Year, Assumable, and Portable Mortgages Coming Soon? Not So Fast…

The past couple of weeks have been packed with mortgage-market headlines. FHFA Director Bill Pulte was coming in hot and seemed to announce a new idea daily. From 50-year mortgages to assumable loans to even portable mortgages. But shortly after floating the portable-mortgage concept, Pulte suddenly went silent. 

Now we know why....

It was just revealed that Pulte is under investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly appointing unauthorized individuals to assist in mortgage-fraud inquiries involving two of Trump’s critics, Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. This likely explains why Pulte has gone dark within the past week.

If Pulte is indicted, it could derail many of the proposed changes he’s been pushing as of late. We may go from talk of sweeping mortgage-market reform to absolutely no changes at all. How this plays out is still unclear, but it’s definitely something we will be watching closely.

Ohio Emerging as a Magnet for New Residents!

As someone who’s called Ohio home for 42 years, it’s fair to say I’m a proud, tried and true, Ohio fan. So when I come across a report highlighting our great state, I get fired up! Recently, I saw a new visual breaking down migration trends across the U.S. As expected, major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago led the pack in attracting new residents.

But tucked just outside the top 10 was our beloved Columbus, Ohio. Not only did Columbus grow by 168,000 residents last year, but an impressive 16% of those newcomers came from out of state. It’s incredible to see our city holding its own among the heavyweights!

Rebel 2026 - Meet the Minds Behind Rebel

When Columbus Needed a Spark, We Built a Fire 🔥

Rebel didn’t begin in a boardroom — it began with an unlikely crew: three lenders (Ryan, Nick & Kreg), a sales rep (Justin) who traditionally competes with lenders, and the partners who believed in a dream that felt bold, messy, and bigger than any of us. We wanted more for Columbus. More community. More collaboration. More rooms where agents, creators, and entrepreneurs could access real strategy — not hype.

So we built the thing we couldn’t find.

Mark Your Calendars 📅 The big event will be on Thursday February 5th, 2026

Instagram Reels from the Week

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Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything at all. Have a wonderful week!