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The Fed Cut 2025

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate by 0.25% at Wednesday’s meeting, a move fully anticipated by markets.

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A family in the front yard of their new home. A for sale sign next to them with a sold sign places over it.
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Don’t Stop Believing: Homeownership May Be Closer Than You Think…

This week’s inspiration comes from Journey’s 1981 anthem Don’t Stop Believin’. For many first-time homebuyers, the song’s title captures both the challenge and the hope of entering today’s housing market.

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Carol Ann from Poltergeist II on the phone.
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“They’re Back… Again”: The Return of No-Down Payment Loans

Normally, I draw inspiration for these articles from rock music, but today I turn to a classic film from 1986—Poltergeist II: The Other Side.

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Street view of a residential building with the sun shining through the trees. Lighting the street and the grass by the building.
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This Week’s Market Reflection: A Beautiful Day for Housing and the Economy

Inspired by U2’s 2000 hit “Beautiful Day,” this week’s economic outlook carries a similar message: after three turbulent years, the horizon is finally brightening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has pushed past the 45,000 mark

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40 year mortgage graphic with house keys and coins on a table in the background.
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40-Year Mortgages: Why Not?

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is an American institution—so ingrained in our housing finance system that many assume it has always existed. In reality, this product emerged in the mid-1930s to early 1940s, largely as part of New Deal

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Don’t Be Fooled Again: The Illusion of Improved Affordability in Atlanta’s Housing Market

Let’s turn back the clock to July 30, 2023. In Metro Atlanta, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was hovering just below 7%. Industry forecasts were awash with optimism. We were told rates would be falling soon—perhaps below 6% by year-end.

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This Week’s Market Reflection: Inspired by BTO Taking Care of Business

As many of you know, after seven rewarding years with BankSouth, I joined forces with Jeff Zulauf—one of the top-producing mortgage professionals in Georgia—to launch the Aiken Zulauf Mortgage Group, powered by CrossCountry Mortgage.

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This Week’s Market Reflection: Inspired by Guns N’ Roses – Patience

Despite a recent stream of economic data suggesting a decelerating economy, easing inflation, and subtle signs of softening in the labor market, last Thursday’s employment report delivered a sobering reality check.

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The Grateful Dead logo, in the background there is a landscape of mountains and storm clouds.
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This Week’s Market Reflection: Inspired by The Grateful Dead

Despite a recent stream of economic data suggesting a decelerating economy, easing inflation, and subtle signs of softening in the labor market, last Thursday’s employment report delivered a sobering reality check.

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This Week’s Market Reflection: Inspired by Timbuc 3

Despite today’s employment report showing a slight decline in the unemployment rate to 4.1% (down from 4.2%) and non-farm payrolls increasing by 147,000, markets responded with a marginal uptick in interest rates.

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