▶ VideoA Quick Anniversary Message
This week my wife, Victoria, and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. For me, that’s the only topic on my mind today!
Bill's weekly market update
246 articles and videos on mortgage rates, the housing market and smart home financing, in plain English.
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▶ VideoWhy Now is the Perfect Time for Self-Employed Home Buyers in Southern California and Washington
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…
▶ VideoBad Jobs Report = Good News for Mortgage Rates? Here’s What It Means for You
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…
▶ VideoFed Holds Rates Steady – What It Means for Buyers and Sellers in Southern California & Washington
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…
▶ VideoUS-Japan Trade Deal: What It Means (or Doesn’t Mean) for Mortgage Rates in SoCal and Washington
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…
▶ VideoDon’t Believe Everything You See Online: Real Estate Edition
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…
▶ VideoHow the BBBA Impacts Real Estate Owners in California and Washington
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…
▶ VideoZillow’s Bold Move: Game-Changer or Power Play for the Real Estate Market?
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:…
▶ VideoReverse Mortgages: A Smart Equity Strategy for Homeowners 62 and Up
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.…
▶ VideoWhy Perspective Is Everything—Especially in Real Estate
In the high-pressure world of Southern California housing and the dynamic markets of Washington state, it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day stress. Mortgage rates, inventory issues, buyer indecision—these are all real concerns. But what if we’re stressing about the wrong things? In this week’s video, Bill from Franklin Loan Center shares a deeply…
▶ VideoTariffs, Inflation… or Recession? What It Means for Real Estate in California and Washington
In this week’s market update, we’re diving into the renewed tariff discussion and the complicated web of impacts it may have on our economy—and by extension, on mortgage rates and the real estate market in Southern California and Washington. The conversation around tariffs often centers on inflation. After all, tariffs act as a tax on…
▶ VideoWhy Everyone in Real Estate Pros Should Care About the “Big Beautiful Bill”
The real estate market is buzzing with opportunities, but a recent federal development could impact mortgage rates—and therefore housing affordability—for years to come. Bill Provost of Franklin Loan Center breaks down what the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revealed about the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” According to the CBO, this new legislation could add more than…