Oklahoma Mortgage Group - Mike David

If you’ve been wondering why mortgage rates remain stubbornly high, the answer lies in the strength of the U.S. job market and its impact on key financial indicators like the 10-year Treasury yield. Let’s break it down: Mortgage rates often follow the 10-year Treasury yield, which reflects investor sentiment about the economy. As of early 2025, the 10-year Treasury yield is holding near 4.6%, a level that continues to support elevated mortgage rates. But why is the yield so high? The resilience of the labor market plays a significant role. Recent data shows that jobless claims—an indicator of layoffs—remain low, with seasonally adjusted claims at just 211,000 in December 2024. This signals a strong job market, which reassures investors that the economy can withstand higher interest rates. As a result, the Federal Reserve has less incentive to cut rates, and bond yields stay elevated. This dynamic has a direct impact on mortgage rates. For prospective homebuyers, it means rates may not ...

If you’ve heard about the recent Federal Funds Rate cut by the Federal Reserve, you might think mortgage rates are set to drop immediately. However, mortgage rates are influenced by more than just the Fed’s actions. Factors like inflation, the job market, geopolitical events, and other economic variables all play a role. While the Fed’s moves may eventually lead to lower mortgage rates, the process will be gradual and potentially uneven. Rather than trying to time the market, focus on the aspects you can control to position yourself for success in today’s housing market. 1. Your Credit Score Your credit score significantly impacts your mortgage rate. Higher scores often lead to lower rates and better terms. Small improvements to your score can make a big difference in your monthly payment. Reach out to a loan officer to understand your current score and how to improve it. 2. Your Loan Type From conventional to FHA, USDA, and VA loans, each type offers different rates and terms. Explori...

With rising home prices and fluctuating mortgage rates, having access to the right resources can make all the difference. One resource you should know about is the growing number of Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs available to homebuyers. According to Down Payment Resource, 29 new programs were added in Q3 alone, bringing the total to 2,444. That’s 192 more programs than last year—an 8% increase in opportunities to help buyers like you achieve homeownership. Why does this matter? Many DPA programs provide significant financial assistance. The average benefit is roughly $17,000, which can go a long way toward covering your down payment and other home-buying costs. Whether you’re a first-time or first-generation buyer, or even looking into affordable housing options like manufactured or multi-family homes, there’s likely a program that fits your needs. Let’s make homeownership a reality for you! Call or text me today at 918-361-1550 , or click here to book a quick phone chat to d...

 You may have heard some recent buzz about the economy and concerns about a potential recession. It's completely understandable for this type of talk to raise worries about the possibility of a housing market crash. However, there's good news – there's no need to panic. The housing market is not set up for a crash right now, and here are two key reasons why. Demand for Homes Is Higher than Supply One of the main reasons the housing market crashed in 2008 was due to an oversupply of homes. But the situation today is quite different. A balanced real estate market typically has about six months' supply of homes. When there's more than that, it signals that supply outpaces demand, and prices could fall. However, when there's less than that, it means demand is higher than supply, which tends to keep prices stable or push them higher. The graph below shows that in the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis, there were 13 months of housing supply, which was far too much....

Are you worried about a Tulsa housing market crash? Don't be. Unlike 2008, today's Tulsa real estate market is different. Experts agree: a crash is not expected in the near future. Why Tulsa Home Prices Are Stable The key factor is Tulsa housing inventory . For a crash to occur, there would need to be an oversupply of Tulsa homes for sale . Currently, we're experiencing the opposite – an undersupply. This is true even with recent inventory growth. Three Key Factors Impacting Tulsa Real Estate Inventory Existing Tulsa Homes for Sale: While there are more existing homes on the market compared to last year, the overall supply remains low. This means there simply aren't enough homes available to cause a price drop. New Home Construction in Tulsa: Although new home construction has increased, it's not a cause for concern. Tulsa home builders are actually playing catch-up after years of underbuilding. Distressed Property (Foreclosures/Short Sales) in Tulsa: Tha...