Blog

Resources and guidance to help first time homebuyers navigate the complexities of home financing, including budgeting, mortgages, and the home buying process.

Castleigh Johnson - CEO Castleigh Johnson - CEO

Falling Mortgage Rates: Your Smartest Time to Buy a Home is Now

After years of high rates making homeownership feel impossible, the environment is finally shifting. Mortgage rates are trending downward, and the Federal Reserve has signaled a rate-lowering cycle, creating real savings for everyday buyers. A one-percentage-point drop in rates can save you hundreds monthly and significantly improve your ability to qualify for a loan. This, combined with specialized, below-market rate programs and down payment assistance (DPA), means the moment to act is now. My Home Pathway provides the personalized roadmap to leverage these falling rates and access the funds you need.

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Castleigh Johnson Castleigh Johnson

Why More Americans Are Moving Money Out of Savings, and What It Means for Homebuyers

Many Americans are moving funds from low-interest savings to higher-yield accounts, revealing more financial flexibility for down payments than traditional data shows. This strategic reshuffling helps buyers reach milestones faster, despite persistent affordability challenges. It highlights a growing financial awareness, requiring balancing liquidity and growth, and impacting how lenders evaluate buyer readiness.

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Castleigh Johnson Castleigh Johnson

Inflation Jitters Nudge Mortgage Rates Higher

As of July 23, 2025, 30-year fixed mortgage rates are 6.625%, influenced by inflation concerns keeping rates in the 6-7% range. Zillow anticipates rates will end the year near the mid-6% range, with increasing inventory offering buyers more bargaining power. Improving credit scores, increasing down payments, and lowering DTI can help secure better rates for homebuyers.

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Castleigh Johnson Castleigh Johnson

Home Sales May Fall to New 30-Year Low in 2025 as Mortgage Rates Remain Elevated

Mortgage rates are now projected to remain elevated, averaging 6.7% in 2025, leading to a potential 30-year low in home sales. Home prices are still expected to grow modestly by 2.5%, and inventory will significantly increase, especially in the South and West. This indicates an ongoing affordability challenge for homebuyers, requiring strategic market navigation.

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Castleigh Johnson Castleigh Johnson

HUD offers foreclosure relief to Texans saddled by floods

Following severe storms and flooding, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a 90-day foreclosure moratorium for homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages in the federally declared disaster area of Kerr County, Texas.

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Castleigh Johnson Castleigh Johnson

Student Loan Delinquencies Could Hurt Your Credit Scores

According to Investopedia, federal student loan borrowers are facing some tough new challenges now that missed payments are starting to affect credit scores for the first time since the COVID-19 payment pause kicked in back in March 2020.

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Castleigh Johnson Castleigh Johnson

Buy Now, Pay Later Loans to Impact Credit Scores

Starting in October 2025, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans will start showing up on credit reports, marking a big change announced by the major credit bureaus: Transunion, Equifax, and Experian.

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