Trusted Mortgage Advisors: Robert Bajakian, Mortgage Broker NMLS #77324

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Rates fell for a second straight week, although the improvement was modest as peace talks with Iran continued to drag on without a final resolution. All other factors continued to take a back seat, with mortgage rates reacting almost solely to events in the Middle East.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
Rates will continue reacting to headlines about a potential peace deal with Iran, and that news was already volatile this morning. Unconfirmed reports that Iran may walk away from negotiations and fully block the Strait of Hormuz pushed mortgage rates higher to start the week. With markets closely tracking developments in the Middle East, rates will likely remain difficult to predict this week.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• The Middle East: Mortgage rates will continue to react to headlines about peace deal negotiations. When oil prices fall, rates tend to improve. When oil prices rise, rates tend to move higher. Expect some day-to-day volatility, and even changes during the day, as markets respond to new developments.
• Economic data: Although this is a big week for labor market data, it is unlikely the data will have as much impact on mortgage rates as usual.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Rates pushed to the highest levels this year on Tuesday, but then moved lower after news broke that negotiations with Iran were progressing.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 👍
Rates will continue to track oil prices and follow headlines about a deal with Iran that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Minor military skirmishes aren’t likely to hurt rates as long as they don’t derail negotiations, but if the ceasefire were to end, we would see rates jump.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• The Middle East: Peace talks continue with Iran, albeit slowly, as both sides push for concessions and compromises. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed to commercial traffic, and we are not likely to see mortgage rates move significantly lower from here until it reopens, though we could see modest improvement from recent highs.
• The Fed: Markets expect the Fed will be unable to cut rates this year and may even have to hike, as inflation continues to worry investors and traders.
• Economic data: It's a holiday-shortened week, but Thursday brings a few reports, including some inflation data. However, they shouldn’t cause any big moves in rates.

New 5.0-star Review: "We had a wonderful experience working with Robert throughout the home buying process. He was always available to answer questions and took the time to explain every detail thoroughly. His guidance and advice gave us a lot of confidence while making important financial decisions. We especially appreciated his patience, responsiveness, and professionalism at every step. My family truly values his insights and we are very grateful for all the support he provided."

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Rates moved higher last week, reflecting global market concerns about persistently high oil and energy costs and rising wholesale and consumer inflation. Although not yet reflected in mainstream media, mortgage rates ended the week averaging the highest levels of the year.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Rates are likely to move higher this week, and in the foreseeable future, unless a peaceful resolution is reached with Iran that reopens the Strait of Hormuz. The longer this drags on, the worse it could get for mortgage rates from here.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• The Middle East: Peace talks continue with Iran, albeit slowly, as both sides push for concessions and compromises. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed to commercial traffic, and we are not likely to see mortgage rates move much lower from here until it reopens.
• The Fed: Although newly confirmed Fed Chair Kevin Warsh replaced Jerome Powell and was expected to help lower the Fed's policy rate, markets now see a rate hike this year as more likely than any cuts due to rising inflation and a resilient labor market.
• Economic data: There is little data that will affect rates this week.

I see it all the time… 😬

A buyer falls in love with a home, then loses it because they financed a new car the week before closing. Or they skipped the pre-approval and got beat by a stronger offer.

Don't let that be you.

Here are 3 things every first-time buyer should know BEFORE house hunting 👆

Save this post. Share it with someone shopping for their first home. And when you're ready or have questions, I'm here.

New 5.0-star Review: "Robert and Ginny were amazing from start to finish. Being my first home purchase, I was originally worried about a lack of knowledge on my part on a number of things including not knowing what questions even needed to be asked. Robert was easy to talk to and more than willing to answer any questions I had even if it did not relate to the mortgage. I always felt that I could reach out with any concerns, and Robert made sure I felt comfortable and understood everything at every step. Full transparency and amazing communication. Highly recommend for any first-time home buyers."