03
Dec
By Fred Gruber
Mortgage

Start the New Year with Strong Finances

The end of the year is the perfect time to review your finances and make smart moves that set you up for success. A few focused steps can strengthen your budget, improve your credit, and prepare you for major goals in the coming year.

Review Your Budget
Take a close look at your spending from the past year and note where your money went. Identify areas where you can cut back and redirect those funds to savings or debt reduction. Even small adjustments create real progress over time.

Check Your Credit Score
Your credit plays a major role in loan approvals, interest rates, and overall financial flexibility. Pull your score from a trusted source and verify that all reported information is accurate. If you find errors, dispute them right away so you start the new year on solid ground.

Organize Important Documents
Set aside tax forms, mortgage statements, insurance records, and financial documents in one place. This simple step saves time during tax season and reduces stress. Having everything organized also helps you track your long-term goals more easily.

Plan for Debt Reduction
List your current debts and decide which ones to focus on first. Many people choose the highest interest balances or the smallest balances to gain quick momentum. Creating a clear payoff plan now can lead to meaningful financial freedom next year.

Evaluate Homeowner Opportunities
If you own a home, this is a great time to review your mortgage. Refinancing may help you secure a lower rate, remove mortgage insurance, or shorten your term. A quick check with a trusted advisor can show you where you stand and how much you could save.

Start the New Year Strong
A little preparation now goes a long way. With a fresh financial plan and clear goals, you can step into the new year with confidence and peace of mind.

02
Dec
By Fred Gruber
Mortgage Tips

When and How to Save Money by Refinancing Your Mortgage

Refinancing can be a smart way to lower your monthly payment, reduce your interest rate, or tap into equity for financial goals. Many homeowners wait too long to reconsider their loan, but the right timing can put real money back into your pocket. Understanding when to refinance and how the process works helps you make a confident decision.

Understanding Why Refinancing Matters
Refinancing replaces your existing mortgage with a new one that may offer better terms. Homeowners often refinance to secure a lower rate, shorten their loan term, remove mortgage insurance, or consolidate high interest debt. Even a small rate improvement can add up to thousands of dollars saved over the life of the loan.

Ideal Times to Consider Refinancing
There are moments when refinancing becomes especially valuable. If interest rates drop below the rate on your current mortgage, it may be time to run the numbers. A refinance can also make sense if your credit score has improved since you purchased your home, or if your income has increased and you want to pay off your loan more quickly. Homeowners who purchased with a small down payment may also qualify to remove mortgage insurance once their equity has grown.

How the Refinancing Process Works
Refinancing follows a process similar to buying a home but often feels simpler. You start by reviewing your financial goals and pulling together documents such as pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements. Next, your lender reviews your credit and income, orders an appraisal if needed, and confirms that the new loan provides tangible benefits. Once approved, you sign closing documents, and your old mortgage is paid off with the new one. Most refinances close within a few weeks.

How to Decide If Refinancing Is Worth It
Before moving forward, it is important to look at the full picture. Consider how long you plan to stay in your home, the cost of refinancing, and how long it will take to break even. A refinance should provide meaningful monthly savings or help you reach long term financial goals. If the numbers make sense, refinancing can be one of the smartest financial moves a homeowner can make.

Ready to Explore Your Options
If you are wondering whether refinancing can save you money, now is the perfect time to review your situation. With the right strategy and guidance, you can take advantage of the best loan options available today.

01
Dec
By Fred Gruber
Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 1st, 2025

Many of the reports scheduled for release last week were delayed yet again, including the anticipated unemployment data. There is an expectation that they will be released next week. The only on-time release was the third-party Consumer Sentiment report from the University of Michigan, which aligned with expectations and generally indicated that consumers remain dissatisfied with the current state of things, citing high prices and consistently weakening incomes.

Univ. of Michigan Consumer Report
Consumer sentiment was little changed this month with a 2.6 index point decrease from October that is within the margin of error. After the federal shutdown ended, sentiment lifted slightly from its mid-month reading. However, consumers remain frustrated about the persistence of high prices and weakening incomes. This month, current personal finances and buying conditions for durables both plunged more than 10%, whereas expectations for the future improved modestly.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index
• 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.03% for this week, with the current rate at 5.51%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.03% for this week, with the current rate at 6.23%

MND Rate Index
• 30-Yr FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.08% for this week. Current rates at 5.86%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw a decrease of -0.07% for this week.Current rates at 5.88%

Jobless Claims
Initial Claims were delayed until the following week.

What’s Ahead
PPI and PCE Index inflation reports are the biggest data releases next week, along with the delayed unemployment data.