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Mortgage Market Update
Trey Camp
Edge Home Finance LLC
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
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Why builder confidence is stuck in neutral |
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This week we're looking at what's really happening in the housing market—from buyer demand to construction activity to home prices. Here's what matters for your wallet.
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Loan Programs
Not all mortgages are created equal
When you're shopping for a mortgage, the interest rate gets most of the attention—but the loan program itself matters just as much. A 30-year fixed, an ARM, an FHA loan, a conventional mortgage—each one has different rules, flexibility, and long-term costs. What works for your neighbor might not be right for your situation. The program you choose affects how much you pay over time, what happens if rates shift, and how much flexibility you have down the road. I'd like to walk you through the options that fit your timeline, budget, and comfort level so you're not just getting a good rate—you're getting the right loan.
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Tip of the Week
Your mortgage interest may be tax-deductible if you itemize. Check with your tax professional to see if it benefits you.
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Tips for Homeowners
Understanding Mortgage Points
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1.
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One mortgage point equals 1% of your loan amount. Paying points ("buying down the rate") reduces your interest rate — typically 0.25% per point, though this varies by lender and market.
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2.
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Calculate your break-even: divide the cost of the points by your monthly savings. If it takes 4 years to break even and you plan to stay 10 years, buying points makes sense.
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3.
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Points paid on a home purchase are generally tax-deductible in the year paid (if you itemize). Points on a refinance must be deducted over the life of the loan.
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Mortgage News Daily
Signed contracts on existing homes dropped 2.3% in July and hit their lowest point since January 2026, as homebuyers continue to struggle with high mortgage rates and record prices. This slowdown in pending sales is a leading indicator of what actual home sales will look like in the coming weeks, so it gives us a real-time snapshot of buyer appetite right now.
| Key takeaway: fewer signed contracts today means less inventory coming to market tomorrow, which could eventually benefit sellers—but right now it signals buyers are hitting their affordability wall. |
Read full article →
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Mortgage News Daily
Builder sales stumbled in July after gaining ground in June, as affordability pressures and elevated rates cooled buyer interest. The struggle tells us that even incentives and inventory aren't enough to overcome the math problem of high rates on high prices.
| Key takeaway: new home builders are watching the same headwinds as existing home sellers, so don't expect a quick turnaround in housing activity until mortgage rates come down meaningfully. |
Read full article →
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Mortgage News Daily
The National Association of Home Builders' sentiment index improved slightly in August, but confidence remains weak as construction costs stay high, mortgage rates stay elevated, and economic uncertainty persists. Builders have been pessimistic for 16 straight months, which tells you they're not expecting a quick fix.
| Key takeaway: when builders aren't confident about the market, they tend to slow down construction, which eventually tightens housing inventory—something to watch if you're thinking about buying sooner rather than later. |
Read full article →
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Mortgage News Daily
National home price indices show modest increases, but the gains are slowing and inflation is outpacing home value appreciation. More importantly, the national picture masks a growing divide between regions—some areas are appreciating faster than others, which affects your local market differently than the national trend.
| Key takeaway: don't rely on national home price trends to forecast your neighborhood—check what's actually happening in your specific market, because regional differences are growing. |
Read full article →
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Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Trey Camp team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
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5860 Baker Road Minnetonka, MN 55345, Individual NMLS# 1377038, Company NMLS# 891464 Equal Housing Opportunity
361.232.9117 | loansbytrey.com
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