Mortgage: The Death Pledge
Mortgage: ‘mortuus’ meaning ‘dead’ and ‘gage’ meaning ‘pledge‘
Cryptocurrency just became further entrenched in the mortgage world thanks to a new partnership between Better and Coinbase. The two companies have collectively launched a “token-backed mortgage” that adheres to the standards of Fannie Mae. That means it’s a conforming mortgage that enjoys favorable underwriting guidelines and lower mortgage rates...
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Published on: 2026-03-26
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
If my prediction is right, mortgage rates will soon be above levels seen a year earlier. The biggest positive for the housing market lately was the fact that mortgage rates were markedly lower this year versus last. But that changed in an instant once the Middle East conflict broke out,...
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Published on: 2026-03-25
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The Truth About Mortgage
One of the most significant recent changes is Fannie Mae’s updated risk credit level assessment within Desktop Underwriter® (DU). This new framework is now in effect and represents a major shift in how loan risk is evaluated across the industry. FICO Scores Are No Longer Part of the Underwriting Overall...
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Published on: 2026-03-25
Source:
Mortgage Depot
There are charts floating around (again) claiming that the 30-year fixed mortgage is back to 7%. These are hyperbolic and misleading and being used to sow fear and doom related to the recent uptick in rates. In reality, mortgage rates are about a half-point higher than they were a month...
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Published on: 2026-03-24
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The Truth About Mortgage
Mortgage rates are finally moving lower today due to two separate beneficial forces. First, 10-year bond yields are falling due to “very good and productive conversations” with Iran. This according to President Donald Trump, who said as much on his Truth Social account. In addition, there is word of new...
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Published on: 2026-03-23
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
Mortgage rates took another leg up today, rising ever closer to 6.50%. The culprit once again has been the conflict in the Middle East, which has sent oil prices surging higher. That leads to inflation, whether it’s higher gas prices or higher input costs on goods and transporting said goods....
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Published on: 2026-03-19
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
Here’s something new I haven’t seen this cycle. A home builder is offering to cover your first 12 mortgage payments if you purchase one their homes. This goes beyond those big mortgage rate buydowns we’ve seen where you can get a temporary interest rate of 0.99% the first year. The...
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Published on: 2026-03-18
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
Exclusive Home Financing for Medical Professionals MortgageDepot’s Doctors Program, also known as a Physician Loan, provides a path to homeownership with up to 100% financing and no private mortgage insurance (PMI). Medical professionals often face unique financial circumstances, including high student loan balances, delayed income growth during training, and the...
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Published on: 2026-03-18
Source:
Mortgage Depot
Well, the housing market appeared to be warming up in February, but it might prove to be temporary. The National Association of Realtors reported that pending home sales unexpectedly rose 1.8% month-over-month versus a median forecast of -1%. So aside from not being negative MoM, they also beat expectations, which...
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Published on: 2026-03-17
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
Want to talk about a double whammy, just in time for the spring home buying season? Well, it occurred to me that thanks to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, both gas prices and mortgage rates have spiked higher. And the irony is they both have a 6-handle again,...
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Published on: 2026-03-16
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
A new self-service option from mortgage lender Beeline could mean loan officers are one step closer to extinction. For years, we’ve heard that mortgage loan officers were at risk of being replaced by automation. And now it appears we’re getting closer to that reality, at least on straightforward loan scenarios...
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Published on: 2026-03-13
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
I track mortgage rates over time on this website and aside from the weekly rate change, I also indicate whether they’re rising or falling. Today, I decided to change the “mortgage rates are currently trending…” question from down to UP. That’s the first time I’ve done that in months. In...
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Published on: 2026-03-12
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
Somehow mortgage rates went from being the best since 2022 to the worst this year, all in the span of about a week and change. Talk about a rough stretch for mortgage rates, driven by the ongoing (and uncertain) conflict in the Middle East. The long and the short of...
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Published on: 2026-03-11
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
It’s been a topsy-turvy couple weeks for the markets, leading to wild swings in stocks, bonds, and mortgage rates. The driver has been the Iranian conflict, which has also led to unprecedented movement in the price of a barrel of oil. In fact, the cost of a barrel nearly doubled,...
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Published on: 2026-03-11
Source:
The Truth About Mortgage
As digital assets continue to gain mainstream acceptance, many borrowers are surprised to learn that most mortgage lenders still do not recognize cryptocurrency holdings during the loan qualification process, especially for reserves or asset verification. We now allow eligible cryptocurrency assets to be used in the mortgage qualification process, giving...
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Published on: 2026-03-11
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Mortgage Depot
We are expanding our commercial lending platform significantly. We’re now offering Fannie Mae Multifamily financing with loan amounts ranging from $1 million to $100 million. This is a transformative opportunity for investors, syndicators, and commercial property owners seeking long-term, stable financing for multifamily assets nationwide. A New Level of Multifamily Financing...
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Published on: 2026-03-04
Source:
Mortgage Depot
We’ve expanded our approach to the three-year continuance requirement for distribution income. Meeting the 3-Year Continuance Requirement When a borrower uses distributions from a retirement account, we must verify that the account has sufficient funds to continue payments for at least 36 months. But what happens when the primary account doesn’t show enough...
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Published on: 2026-02-25
Source:
Mortgage Depot
Simple, Unsecured Financing for Home Upgrades Our Home Improvement Loan program is for homeowners who need fast access to capital for renovations, repairs, or upgrades, without using home equity and without refinancing their mortgage. This is not a mortgage. It’s an unsecured loan based on credit and income, making the...
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Published on: 2026-02-17
Source:
Mortgage Depot
Our borrowers can use IRA funds as income when applying for a mortgage. This financing option opens doors for retirees, self-employed borrowers, and individuals with substantial assets but limited reported income. Borrowers can now use funds from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to help qualify for a mortgage. These funds can...
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Published on: 2026-02-11
Source:
Mortgage Depot
Helen Chang is a dedicated Mortgage Loan Originator with a strong background in lending, banking, and client-focused financial services. With hands-on experience guiding clients from application through closing, she provides tailored mortgage solutions designed to meet both short-term needs and long-term financial goals. Known for her clear communication, responsiveness, and...
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Published on: 2026-02-09
Source:
Mortgage Depot
As a reputable mortgage broker, we excel at providing financing for real estate investors who flip properties for a living. We have programs for investors with experience and for those just starting in the business. Below are bullet points about our Fix-and-Flip mortgage program. Loan Amounts Up to $7.5 Million From single-family homes to...
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Published on: 2026-02-04
Source:
Mortgage Depot