Wednesday, September 2, 2026

A Note From Joseph Brown

Weekly Market Update

Hello,

Welcome to this week's Mortgage Market Update!

Whether you're thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or simply keeping an eye on the market, staying informed can help you make better financial decisions.

This week, we're watching:

Current mortgage rate trends
Housing market activity
Economic news that may impact interest rates
Opportunities for first-time homebuyers and move-up buyers
Available down payment assistance programs

Mortgage rates can change daily, and even small movements can affect your purchasing power and monthly payment. If you're considering buying a home in the coming months, now is a great time to review your options and develop a strategy.

If you have questions about financing, credit improvement, down payment assistance, FHA, VA, Conventional, DSCR, or other loan programs, I'm here to help.

Feel free to reach out for a personalized mortgage review or pre-approval consultation.

Have a great week!

Joseph C. Brown
Mortgage Loan Originator
Empire Financial Group
Phone: 786-342-8999
Email: jbrown@mpirefi.com

Mortgage Market Update

Your credit score and your mortgage rate

Hi there, I hope you're having a good week. Today I want to cover something that affects nearly every borrower—and it's easier to manage than most people realize.

National Mortgage Rates · August 27, 2026

30-Year Fixed

6.66%

VA 30-Year

6.38%

Source: Freddie Mac PMMS & Optimal Blue via FRED

Rates shown are national averages and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual rates vary based on credit profile, loan amount, and market conditions. Please contact us for a personalized rate quote.

Check My Rate →

Smart Borrowing

Why your credit score matters more than you think

Your credit score isn't just a number—it's one of the biggest factors lenders look at when deciding whether to approve your loan and what rate to offer you. Even small differences in your score can add up to real money over the life of a mortgage. The good news is that credit improvement is something you can control. Paying bills on time, keeping credit card balances low, and avoiding new debt before applying are all proven moves that can help. If you're thinking about buying or refinancing soon, it's worth taking an honest look at your credit health now. I'm happy to walk through what lenders typically see and what steps might help you get the best terms possible.

Reach out if you'd like to talk through your credit situation and how it might affect your borrowing options.

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.

Tips for Homeowners

Understanding Mortgage Points

1.	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.

2.	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.

3.	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.

Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Joseph Brown team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Book a Call

Your Mortgage Advisor

Joseph Brown

Mpire Financial

jbrown@mpirefi.com

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