When news breaks that a Federal Reserve Governor is being accused of mortgage fraud, it grabs attention fast. Reports suggest she may have taken out two mortgages simultaneously, each claiming to be for a primary residence. If true, that’s a big no-no in the mortgage world. As someone who has been in lending for over […]

This week my wife, Victoria, and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. For me, that’s the only topic on my mind today!

If you’re self-employed and have been waiting to file another year of tax returns before buying a home, the Southern California housing market (and parts of Washington) just handed you an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Traditionally, alternative documentation (Alt Doc) and bank statement mortgage programs came with higher rates — often 1% to […]

Mortgage rates just hit a four-month low—and the reason might surprise you. A surprisingly weak jobs report last Friday, including downward revisions of over 260,000 jobs from the previous two months, sent a clear signal to markets: the economy may be cooling. And while that’s not great for job growth, it is good for mortgage […]

The Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady again this week—disappointing to many, especially those in the housing and mortgage world. But is the decision really that surprising? In this week’s update, Bill from Franklin Loan Center breaks down the logic behind the Fed’s move. Despite political pressure from the White House and growing […]

The U.S. just finalized a major trade agreement with Japan, one of our largest global trading partners. Naturally, the financial markets took notice… or did they?Despite the significance of the deal, which included tariff updates and potential shifts in trade revenue, the bond market—the one that actually drives mortgage rates—barely flinched. In fact, rates ticked […]

The internet is filled with advice—some good, some bad, and some downright dangerous. When it comes to something as significant as buying a home, acting on bad information can cost you big time. In this week’s video, I dive into some of the worst real estate advice I’ve seen online, from TikTok myths to credit […]

The Big Beautiful Bill Act (BBBA)—or whatever you choose to call it—just dropped some tax updates that homeowners and real estate professionals across Southern California and Washington need to understand. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or simply owning real estate, there are several tax-related benefits that could positively impact your bottom line. Here’s what stood […]

Zillow has long been a household name in real estate. From buyers browsing listings in Southern California to sellers relocating to Washington state, their platform has become synonymous with real estate searches. But their latest policy shift is raising eyebrows among agents, brokers, and industry professionals alike. This week, Zillow rolled out a new policy: […]

If you’re 62 or older and sitting on substantial home equity, a reverse mortgage might be one of the most powerful tools you’ve never considered. At Franklin Loan Center, we’re excited to announce the launch of our in-house reverse mortgage division, built to help homeowners like you unlock equity—without the burden of monthly mortgage payments. […]