You are here: Home / Blog

Good News on Rates?

Good News on Rates?referQuoteBubbles

Good news on rates? Maybe…but not yet really! Even though President Trump ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to start buying Treasury Bonds in bulk (up to $200 Billion!) the anticipated corresponding drop in mortgage rates has not fallen enough for most people to take that refinance jump. If you are purchasing a home right now, it’s nice to know you might have saved a few dollars on discount points, but overall, it didn’t help much! But the good news (at least to me) is that Fannie and Freddie have just begun this buying program, so we actually should see some downward movement fairly soon on mortgage rates! Time will tell, but you can call me, Michael E. Mitchell and see if a purchase or a refinance would make sense. If you have questions about Reverse Mortgages, I handle that too!  Call 707-337-5970 mobile or 530-406-2200 & 707-259-1117 landlines. Talk to you soon!

A 50 Year Mortgage?

A 50 year mortgage?!referQuoteBubbles

Can the Trump administrations newest idea of a 50 year mortgage help you to afford a new home? Maybe! If the 50 year mortgage comes to pass it will certainly lower your required minimum payment for principal and interest. Most people do not pay off their entire mortgage, either selling the home or refinancing to a lower rate before they complete the original term of the loan.  Therefore, I am sure the 50 year mortgage is an idea to keep payments down making it possible for more buyers to enter in to the real estate market.  Just so you know, there are already 40 year loans out there and some offering interest only payments.  These are also good options to keep your overall mortgage payments low.  What usually happens though is because of the longer term the mortgage holder is presenting, the higher the interest rate.  Since the 50 year mortgage is not a reality yet, we will all have to wait and see what the final product will be.  If you can’t wait that long to find out, then call me, Michael Mitchell at 707-337-5970 Mobile, or 530-406-2200 and 707-259-1117 landlines!  Mitchell Mortgage, “Where the Broker is ALWAYS working on your home loan”!

Furloughed Pay

Furloughed Pay! (update)

Good news on furloughed pay! One of my lenders will use your last paystub received before the government shutdown! Not only that, but when the lender verifies that you work for one of the impacted agencies that temporarily laid you off, they will waive the “VOE” (verification of employment). This is big news because all lenders want to make sure you still have a job before they fund your mortgage! This will not work for FHA or VA, but will for all other conforming and jumbo products. So, if you are subject to furloughed pay right now, and want to purchase a home or refinance, then call me, Michael E. Mitchell, at Mitchell Mortgage, “Where the Broker is ALWAYS working on your home loan”! 707-337-5970 mobile, 530-406-2200 or 707-259-1117 land lines. Talk to you soon!

Overthinking Fed Rate Drops!

Overthinking Fed Rate Drops!

Did you get caught overthinking the most recent Fed rate drop? Me too! For the second time in a row, short term rates dropped and mortgage rates rose or remained stagnant. This recent trend is, in general, not what used to happen. You could almost count on long term rates following short term rates after the Federal Reserve took action. But what’s been true in late 2024 and with the most recent 2025 rate movement is borrowers would have been better off locking an interest rate in the days leading up to the actual event! Because afterwards, the mortgage rates either went up or up or up slightly and then stagnant. So no overthinking from now on!  My recommendations moving forward, until proven wrong, will be to lock your rate in the week preceding the expected Federal Reserve action! Just call me when you are pondering purchasing or refinancing and I can explain the whole process. I am waiting for your communication at Mitchell Mortgage, “Where the Broker is ALWAYS working on your home loan”! Ask for Michael Mitchell at 707-337-5970 Mobile, or 530-406-2200 and 707-259-1117 landlines. Talk to you soon!

The Fed & Tariffs & Russia Oh My!

The Fed and Tariffs and Russia Oh My!

The Fed and Tariffs and Russia Oh My! So much to think about as President Trump attempts to make America…OZ! With the President leaning on the Fed Reserve Chairman to lower short term interest rates, and tariffs being a boom or bust, and oh yeah, can Whitehouse pressure make the Russians stop the war against Ukraine…how is a person supposed to plan for anything?!!! Well, I have a feeling, that much like Dorothy on her way to the Emerald City, that all these factors (no matter how they turn out) will not affect the results of your near term financial decisions to any great extent. This is a very long explanation that in short says, “what will be will be”. Or if you are a Doris Day fan, “Que sera, sera”! To help you navigate today’s news for tomorrow, just follow the yellow brick road or if you want a quicker route, call me, Michael Mitchell, Owner/Broker of Mitchell Mortgage (I’m the guy behind the curtain) and we’ll run the numbers for your next real estate purchase or refinance. If you are 62 and over with an adequate amount of equity in your property, then you may even consider a Reverse Mortgage! For all others, Mitchell Mortgage handles conventional financing, FHA, VA, Home Equity, Hard Money and more! Simply call 707-337-5970 mobile or 530-406-2200 & 707-259-1117 landlines. Mitchell Mortgage is where “The Broker, is always working on your home loan”! Talk to you over the rainbow soon!

Rates Trend Down

Rates Trend Down!

For the first time in months, mortgage rates have slightly dropped! It all depends on what your purchase or refinance situation looks like, but in general, the current trend down mortgage rates are a welcome sign to everyone who has been waiting to buy real estate or refinance their present home! Overall, at this time, the drop is right around 1/4%, but that is still a savings when you are going through the largest financial transaction that most people will experience in their lifetime! If you want to know how this mortgage rates trend down might affect you, then call Michael Mitchell at 707-337-5970 Mobile, or 530-406-2200 & 707-259-1117 landlines. Let’s talk about fixed, adjustables, hard money, Reverse Mortgages and more! Mitchell Mortgage is where “The Broker is always working on your home loan”!

Scenario Calls Encouraged!

Scenario Calls Encouraged!

Scenario calls are encouraged at Mitchell Mortgage so you can quit wondering about when and if you qualify for a new home purchase mortgage or refinance on an existing residence! Let’s stop the confusion and uncertainty by calling Michael Mitchell, the Broker/Owner of Mitchell Mortgage who will listen and then give you the best avenue to proceed. If you don’t qualify now, you will be given a path to take that will put you in home buying or refinancing status at the earliest opportunity. Scenario Calls Encouraged! Conventional, Jumbo, Reverse, FHA, VA, Hard Money, Bridge and Commercial questions answered! Let’s talk! Call Michael at 707-337-5970 mobile, 530-406-2200 & 707-259-1117 landlines today…after hours and weekends okay to talk too!

President Trump and Fed Chair Powell

President Trump and Fed Chair Powell

President Trump and Fed Chair Powell, do not see eye to eye on what should happen to interest rates! President Trump would like to see short term rates drop, which, he believes would put pressure on long term (mortgage rates) to finally drop. Federal Reserve Chaiman Jerome Powell feels differently. Powell believes the economy is doing well and doesn’t feel the need to rock the boat, or, in his mind, create an inflationary market by lowering short term borrowing rates. President Trump thinks lowering rates will create an economic boom far outweighing inflationary concerns. The battle continues and we will have to see who wins out. One things for sure…the two titans will have until May 26 of next year to see if a middle ground can be found…otherwise, I am quite sure that President Trump will not renew Current Chairman Powell’s Federal Reserve Chairmanship!  If you have questions about this subject or would like to discuss a purchase, refinance or even a Reverse Mortgage, call Michael Mitchell today at 707-337-5970, 530-406-2200 or 707-259-1117!

62 and over can think about Reverse!

62 and over can think about Reverse!

62 and over can think about Reverse Mortgages! Once you hit that age and you find yourself with a large amount of equity, but not much cash flow…then a Reverse Mortgage might help. You can use the money for any reason you choose! Reverse Mortgages aren’t for everybody, but if your circumstances fit the program, then Reverse can help you stay in your home and give you financial independence! Call Michael Mitchell today and set up and appointment to go over your scenario! 707-337-5970 mobile, 530-406-2200 or 707-259-1117 landlines. Talk to you soon!

May is Listing Month!

May is Listing Month!

Typically the month of May is the largest listing month for Real Estate 1-4 family homes! So if you are looking for a home, your choices should be greatest, right now! Interest rates are not moving, up or down, and that means you can budget with confidence at the current levels. You can’t buy your dream home if you don’t take the time to make some appointments with your realtor to see what’s out there and May is the time to do that. Who knows? By this time next month, you could be sitting in your new backyard sipping that first margarita! Michael Mitchell will pre-qualify you, hand that to your realtor, and off you go! Call today at 707-337-5970 mobile, or 530-406-2200 & 707-259-1117 land lines! Talk to you soon!