Housing Pulse
Mortgage tips, rate updates, and homebuying insights for the Savannah area.
A new appraisal form becomes mandatory in November 2026, the first major redesign in nearly 20 years. Here's what's actually changing, and what it means if you're buying, selling, or working a deal right now.
September 14, 2026 · 6 min read
If a lender gives you a rate before pulling your credit, that number isn't real yet. It's a placeholder built on assumptions, not your actual file.
August 24, 2026 · 3 min read
Bad credit doesn't cost you once. It costs you on three separate lines of your mortgage, and most buyers never see the second or third one coming.
August 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Reverse mortgages get treated like either a scam or a magic bullet. Neither is true. Here's what they actually do, what they cost, and who they're really built for.
August 10, 2026 · 4 min read
A will still has to survive probate court, even when everyone in the family agrees. A revocable trust skips that process for your home entirely.
August 3, 2026 · 5 min read
Many agents push for an end-of-month closing. Here's why the beginning of the month, especially midweek, actually makes for a smoother, less stressful transaction.
July 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Cosigning a mortgage isn't a favor with no cost. Here's what it actually means for your credit, your debt-to-income ratio, and your future borrowing power.
July 20, 2026 · 4 min read
A closing delay doesn't mean you keep your locked rate for free. Here's what it actually costs to protect it, and what most buyers don't find out until it's too late.
July 15, 2026 · 4 min read
what is waiting actually costing you? Not in theory. In real dollars, on a real timeline. The answer might change how you are thinking about this.
May 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Here's what most people don't know: the best time to talk to a mortgage advisor isn't when you're ready to buy. It's a year or more before you think you'll be ready.
May 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Something interesting happened in the mortgage market last week, and most homebuyers have no idea it occurred. While overpriced listings have been coming back down to what the market actually supports, and headlines have been celebrating a shift in leverage toward buyers, the average purchase loan size quietly hit a record high.
May 11, 2026 · 2 min read
Remember when Savannah homes were getting multiple offers within 48 hours? When buyers were waiving inspections and paying $30,000 over asking just to compete? That market is over. And if you're a buyer, that's great news.
May 4, 2026 · 7 min read
Your 3.5% mortgage looks great on paper, but if you're carrying credit card debt at 21%+, your real cost of borrowing is nowhere near 3.5%. Here's the math most people never run.
April 27, 2026 · 7 min read
Published April 20, 2026 — market conditions are evolving rapidly; figures reflect data available at time of publication. Six weeks ago, the housing market was doing something it had not done in over three years. Mortgage rates were falling below 6%, buyers were cautiously re-entering the market, and there was a real sense that 2026 might finally be the year the affordability picture started turning around. Then, on February 28, the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran, and the rate environment shifted almost overnight.
April 20, 2026 · 4 min read
There is a version of this story that starts with a closing day photo. The keys are in hand, the builder paid the closing costs, the rate was bought down below market, and the upgrades were included at no charge. On paper, everything looked like a win. Fast forward two or three years, and that same homeowner needs to sell.
April 13, 2026 · 8 min read
Someone in the Mortgage Industry Told Me They Could "Get Away With It." Here's Why That Should Scare You.
April 6, 2026 · 7 min read
The headlines have been loud lately: renting is cheaper than buying. A recent analysis confirmed that across all 100 of the largest U.S. metro areas in 2024, renting was more affordable month-to-month than purchasing a home — with mortgaged homeowners paying roughly 37% more per month than renters when you factor in property taxes, insurance, and HOA fees. That's real, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. But here's what I know from working with buyers every day
March 30, 2026 · 6 min read
This post reflects conditions as of March 23, 2026. Given the rapidly evolving nature of this conflict, some specifics may change. Follow for updates. If you have been watching the news or your gas prices, you already know the world feels different than it did a month ago. On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran. We are now 24 days into what has become one of the most significant geopolitical conflicts in a generation, and the ripple effects are already hitting your wallet, your home purchase plans, and the broader mortgage market.
March 23, 2026 · 8 min read
What This Actually Means for Savannah Buyers
February 9, 2026 · 10 min read
For the past three years, the housing market has been frozen by one dominant force: the mortgage rate lock-in effect. Millions of homeowners locked in 2-3% rates during the pandemic, and when rates jumped to 6-7%, they simply refused to move. Why would anyone trade a $1,800 monthly payment at 3% for a $2,800 payment at 7% on the same home? That reluctance has starved the market of inventory, propped up prices, and left buyers frustrated with limited choices.
January 12, 2026 · 9 min read
The Trump administration's proposal for a 50-year mortgage has ignited one of the most contentious debates in housing finance. Critics call it a "wealth killer" that traps borrowers in decades of interest payments. Fox News' Laura Ingraham even told President Trump the proposal "has enraged your MAGA friends". But here's what nearly everyone is missing
January 5, 2026 · 8 min read
If you're waiting for mortgage rates to drop back to 3% or 4%, you're going to be waiting a long time, and every month you wait is costing you real money. Here's the math on why.
December 29, 2025 · 6 min read
If you're waiting for mortgage rates to drop back to 3%, or hoping the housing market will suddenly become "affordable" again, I need to level with you: 2026 won't be the year those things happen. But that doesn't mean it's a bad year to buy or sell—in fact, it might be one of the most realistic and opportunity-rich markets we've seen in years. Here's what you actually need to know as we head into 2026.
December 22, 2025 · 6 min read
Rates rarely fall in a straight line, and waiting for the "perfect" moment usually means missing it. Here's how to set a target rate so you know exactly when to lock in your refinance.
December 15, 2025 · 3 min read
What Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com Don’t Tell You
December 8, 2025 · 4 min read
A DSCR loan qualifies you based on the property’s ability to pay its own mortgage. Instead of digging through your personal finances, the lender looks at whether the projected rent covers the new mortgage payment.
December 1, 2025 · 4 min read
If you’ve been house-hunting online lately, you’ve probably used Zillow. It’s one of the most recognizable names in real estate—but right now, it’s also at the center of several major lawsuits. As a homebuyer, this matters because it directly affects how your information is used, how you’re connected with real estate professionals, and how much control you actually have in the process.
November 24, 2025 · 4 min read
The current government shutdown is creating uncertainty across many parts of the economy, and the mortgage industry is no exception. While some loans will continue to move forward without interruption, others, particularly those tied to federal agencies, may experience delays or complications. For homebuyers and homeowners, understanding how this may affect preapprovals, loans in process, and even existing mortgage payments is critical to protecting both timelines and finances.
October 7, 2025 · 5 min read
This week was pretty calm in the mortgage world, with rates still hanging out near the lowest they’ve been all year. Here’s what stood out:
September 26, 2025 · 2 min read
Your credit score is one of the biggest levers on your mortgage rate. Here's what actually moves it before you apply, and the common mistakes that quietly cost buyers thousands.
September 19, 2025 · 4 min read