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Showing posts with the label mortgage loans Oklahoma

Fed Holds Rates Steady in March 2026

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  Following the most recent FOMC statement, the Federal Reserve has maintained the Fed funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75%. This pause comes as the war against Iran continues to drive oil prices higher, sustaining inflationary pressures that make rate cuts difficult to justify in the immediate term. The Fed’s Dual Mandate and the Risk of Stagflation The Fed is currently navigating a complex "no growth, but no contraction" jobs market. With the BLS Unemployment Rate at 4.4%, there is a growing concern that the economy could enter a stagflation environment. If the labor market weakens while inflation remains high due to energy costs, the Fed’s dual mandate—balancing employment and price stability—will be put to an extreme test. This political and economic tension arrives as Jerome Powell’s chairmanship nears its end on May 15. The confirmation of Kevin Warsh as the next chair remains subject to political opposition, adding further uncertainty to the path of monetary policy. Strategic ...

A New Mortgage Option for Self-Employed Buyers!

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  Are you self-employed and thinking about buying a home, but worried you won’t qualify for a mortgage? You’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges for self-employed borrowers in Tulsa is that tax returns don’t always tell the full story. Business owners, freelancers, consultants, and 1099 earners often write off expenses to reduce taxable income. While that’s smart financially, it can make income appear much lower on paper when applying for a traditional home loan. That’s where the Statement Select loan program from Waterstone Mortgage comes in. What is Statement Select? Statement Select is a mortgage solution designed specifically for self-employed homebuyers. Instead of relying only on tax returns, this program allows a Tulsa mortgage lender to evaluate your real income using alternative documentation. This gives a more accurate picture of your financial situation and your ability to afford a home. How You Can Qualify With Statement Select, you may qualify using: 1...

Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead

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As we step into 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what an incredible year 2025 was for Oklahoma Mortgage Group and the families we were honored to serve across the Tulsa metro. Last year, our team helped 258 families achieve homeownership and funded over $72 million in home loans . Behind those numbers are first-time homebuyers, growing families, move-up buyers, relocations, refinances, and fresh starts, each with a unique story and goal. More Than Just Numbers While we’re proud of the milestones we reached in 2025, what matters most to us is how we reached them. Every loan represents trust; trust in our advice, our process, and our commitment to doing what’s right for each client. As a local Tulsa mortgage lender , we believe in educating buyers, clearly explaining options, and structuring loans that support both short-term affordability and long-term financial health. Whether a client is buying their first home or their fifth, our approach remains the same: people firs...

OHFA Expands Teacher Program in Oklahoma

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If you work for a school in Oklahoma, homeownership just became more accessible. The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency has expanded its OHFA Teacher Program, opening eligibility to many more school employees across the state. The program no longer requires a teacher certification. What changed? Any employee of an Oklahoma accredited public school or private or parochial school may now qualify using a paystub. Who may be eligible? This includes a wide range of school staff, such as: School counselors Administrative and office staff Paraprofessionals Cafeteria workers Custodians and maintenance staff Other support personnel Current program highlights As of today, the OHFA Teacher Program offers: A discounted interest rate of 5.375% 3.5% down payment assistance for qualified buyers Why this matters With lower rates and built-in down payment assistance, this program can significantly improve affordability for school employees who serve Oklahoma communitie...

Tulsa Homebuyers Gain More Options with New $819,000 Conventional Loan Limit

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  There’s exciting news for both realtors and homebuyers in the Tulsa area: the conventional loan limit has just increased to $819,000 (up from $806,500). This change applies to new locks with funding dates on or after September 24, 2025 . What This Means for Buyers If you’re shopping for a home in Tulsa, Bixby, Jenks, or Broken Arrow, this increase gives you more buying power . You can now consider homes in a higher price range while still staying within conventional financing guidelines. That means you’ll avoid the stricter requirements of jumbo loans and keep the benefits of conventional financing, such as competitive interest rates, easier qualification, and more flexibility. What This Means for Realtors For realtors, this loan limit increase is a valuable tool in guiding clients. Buyers who may have been capped by the old $806,500 limit can now explore more homes that fit their needs. This is especially important in today’s market, where prices can easily cross that threshold...

Mortgage Rates in the 6s Are Here to Stay — Now What?

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If you're sitting around waiting for mortgage rates to suddenly fall off a cliff... you might be waiting a while. According to the latest forecasts from Fannie Mae, MBA, and Wells Fargo, rates are expected to stay in the mid-6% range through early 2026. Not sky-high, not dirt-cheap—just… steady. The average projection for Q3 2025 is 6.68%, and even by mid-2026, we’re only seeing rates dip into the low 6s. That’s not bad news—it’s just realistic. The economy is holding up, inflation is being stubborn, and the Fed isn’t rushing to slash rates. So if you're holding out for a magical 4.5% again, you may want to reevaluate your timeline. Here’s the thing: if you find the right house and it fits your life and your budget, it may still make sense to move now. You don’t want to pass up a great opportunity waiting for a big drop that—according to all the data—isn’t likely to happen. And remember, you’re not stuck with the rate forever. Refinance options down the road are always a po...