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Market Update

Housing Market Update | Week of July 7th

Last week, the unemployment rate dropped from 4.2% to 4.1%, surprising economists and sending the 10-year yield + mortgage rates higher before the three-day weekend. Wednesday’s ADP employment report showed 33,000 job losses, which made economists expect similarly underwhelming numbers in Thursday’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, job growth exceeded expectations on Thursday morning, which caused the 10-year to spike heading into the weekend. Another headline from last week was the passing of President Trump’s tax & spending bill, also referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Although this bill will likely increase the U.S. deficit, it shouldn’t have much impact on mortgage rates. There are some tax benefits that you can pass on to your past buyers, which we’ll touch on in the next section. Last Week's Mortgage Rate Recap Rates Dropped Slightly Last week’s jobs reports gave economists plenty to consider. The BLS reported that 147,000 jobs were created in June, which was significantly higher than the estimated 110,000. This was a bit of a shock, especially considering that the ADP report released the day before showed 33,000 job losses. When you dive into the specifics of the BLS report, it shows that the labor market isn’t as healthy as the report suggests. Of those 147,000 jobs, 73,000 were in state and local government. This was our final jobs report before the next Fed Meeting on July 30th, effectively ending any chances of a rate cut later this month. The markets closed early on Thursday and didn’t have much time to react to this report, which meant that rates still finished the week lower than they started. Another headline from last week was the passing of President Trump’s controversial tax & spending bill. Currently, this bill has limited influence over mortgage rates, although there are longer-term concerns about the potential increase in the U.S. debt level. There are a few extensions and increases in real estate tax deductions that you and your buyers should be aware of. Increased SALT Deduction Cap: The maximum deduction cap for state and local taxes (SALT) will increase from $10,000 to $40,000 per household from 2025 to 2029. Permanent Mortgage Insurance Deductions: Borrowers can now permanently deduct mortgage insurance premiums (PMI, FHA MIP, VA funding fees, and USDA guarantee fees), subject to income limits. Mortgage Interest Deduction Caps: Homeowners now have a permanent $750k cap on Mortgage Interest deductions. This Week's Mortgage Rate Forecast Rates Should Be Steady This week is a quieter week in terms of raw economic data. So far today, the 10-year has inched higher as markets continue to react to Thursday’s BLS report. One thing to keep an eye on is any headlines regarding tariffs. Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the U.S. plans to impose 10% tariffs on approximately 100 countries, with a new deadline for deals to be struck set for August 1st. Another round of trade war headlines could impact the 10-year. Beyond that, we’ll want to pay attention to our weekly initial jobless claims report. Last Thursday’s report showed that initial claims dropped for the second consecutive week. With the variables and caveats evident in Thursday’s BLS report, these initial claims reports will provide us with some much-needed context when analyzing the true health of the labor market. As always, if you have any questions throughout the week regarding rates or specific products for any of your buyers, make sure to make sure to stay in touch with your UMortgage Loan Originator for timely updates and expert insight!

Published July 7, 2025

Blog Post
Mortgage

Your Guide to UMortgage's 1% Down Payment Program

In this guide, we’ll share how you can qualify for our 1% down payment program, the benefits homebuyers get with only 1% down, and how this exclusive option is making homeownership more accessible for everyday buyers. How Our 1% Down Payment Program Works With our Homeownership for All program, eligible buyers can purchase a home with just 1% down—and we’ll cover the rest, up to 2% or $7,000 in assistance. With our 1% Down Program, you’ll get: Up to $7,000 in down payment assistance A low-cost conventional loan with cancellable private mortgage insurance (PMI) once you reach 20% equity Financial flexibility with the option to use gift funds or a local first-time homebuyer grant program to cover your 1% down payment No additional second lien or repayment terms on the 2% or $7,000 down payment contribution See the full guide below to learn how our 1% down payment program works and helps you decide if it's the right path to homeownership for you. Why Consider 1% Down Here’s why eligible buyers choose our 1% down payment program: Lower Upfront Cost The biggest obstacle for many buyers is saving for a down payment. This program removes that barrier and lets you get in the door sooner. More Affordable Than an FHA Loan Unlike FHA loans, this program gives you access to a conventional loan with PMI that can be removed once you hit 20% equity. Room in Your Budget for Move-In Costs Save money for furniture, moving expenses, appliances, or even a rainy-day fund. Gift Funds Flexibility Friends or family can gift the entire 1% down and help you cover closing costs. No minimum borrower contribution required. How to Qualify for 1% Down Payment Program Income: Income at or below 80% of Area Medium Income (AMI) Credit Score: 620 FICO Down Payment: 1% (or remaining amount if 2% down payment assistance exceeds the $7,000 maximum) Debt-to-Income (DTI): Less than 50%, exact amount varies by borrower. Property Types Allowed: Primary home. Q: Can I buy a home with no money out of pocket? A: In some cases, yes! If you combine this program with local or state grant programs or receive gift funds, you may be able to buy with little to no money due at closing. Use our affordability calculator to get a snapshot of your homebuying budget Compare 1% Down vs. Conventional vs. FHA Loans Q: Which loan is best for low down payment buyers? A: If you have a 620+ credit score and qualify based on income, the 1% Down Program gives you the best of both worlds: low upfront costs and a conventional loan with cancelable PMI. How to Apply for the 1% Down Program Step 1: Pre-Qualification (60 Seconds) Answer a few quick questions online or with a UMortgage Loan Originator. Step 2: Get Custom Loan Options We’ll check your eligibility, show you rates, and explain how much assistance you qualify for. Step 3: Lock Your Rate Once you're happy with your rate, you can lock it in and start gathering documents for underwriting. Step 4: Close with Confidence We'll guide you every step of the way and help you close on your new home quickly and clearly. Frequently Asked Questions Q: How does the 1% down program work? A: You put down 1% of the purchase price, and UMortgage provides 2% of the down payment (up to $7,000). That gives you 3% equity, which is enough to qualify for a low-cost conventional loan. Q: Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for 1% down? A: No. You don’t need to be a first-time buyer, you just need to meet the income and credit qualifications. Q: Is this available in my state? A: Yes! This is a nationwide program. Your UMortgage loan expert can help you confirm your eligibility based on your location and income. Q: Can I combine this with other assistance programs? A: Yes! If you qualify, you can stack this program with local or state first-time homebuyer grants to reduce your total upfront costs. The 1% down payment program can also be combined with our Temporary Rate Buydown product, giving you the option to secure a lower interest rate for the first few years of your loan. Talk to your UMortgage Loan Originator to see exactly what you qualify for. Q: Can I use gift funds for my portion? A: Yes. Your entire 1% down payment and closing costs can be covered by gift funds. Ready to learn more? Fill out this form to connect with a UMortgage Loan Originator in your area. *For informational purposes only. This program is available only for income-qualified borrowers and subject to eligibility under HomeReady® and Home Possible® guidelines. A minimum FICO score of 620 is required. UWM provides lender-paid assistance of 2% of the home’s purchase price (up to $7,000) toward the down payment; the borrower must contribute 1% of the purchase price. Total down payment must meet a minimum 3% requirement with a maximum 97% LTV. Available only for 30-year fixed-rate, primary residence purchases originated through the broker channel. Program is not available for condos, PUDs, or TRAC-eligible properties. Homeownership education is required for first-time homebuyers. Incentives such as the $2,500 pricing benefit for borrowers at or below 50% AMI are subject to specific criteria and may be removed upon any change of circumstance. Down payment assistance programs are subject to eligibility requirements and availability. Not all borrowers will qualify. This is not a commitment to lend. Terms and conditions apply. UMortgage LLC | NMLS ID 1457759 | Equal Housing Lender. For licensing information, visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.*

Published July 1, 2025

Blog Post

Mortgage

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Market Update, Mortgage

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Purchase

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Experience is
Everything.

If an industry leading 95 Net Promoter Score isn't enough, take it from borrowers that have worked with us.

Kristy Lynn
K

Kristy Lynn

David is absolutely wonderful! He made this entire process in getting a VA Loan as simple as it could have possibly been for my first mortgage! I have and will continue to recommend him to every Veteran I know. Thank you for everything, David.

Raymond Gummer
Raymond Gummer

Raymond Gummer

I had a difficult mortgage due to county issues etc. Fortunately I also had the best people working for me. You'll never regret a moment having Corey on your side. He's so dedicated to the customer, keeps you up-to-date on everything, and is just one hell of a guy. I have my first home because Corey made it happen, and I couldn't thank him enough. This guy is truly top of his game and I'm blessed to have had him on my team.

Susan Lenhardt
S

Susan Lenhardt

I can't say enough good things about Vinnie. If you want someone that contacts you right away and is there for you and your buyers the entire time through the whole process then you have to talk to Vinnie and see for yourself. My buyers are always very pleased with his professionalism and efficiency. He definitely goes the extra mile for them. They appreciate it and so do I.

Dominique Bell
Dominique Bell

Dominique Bell

Nicole was an absolute pleasure to work with! From the first conversation we had I knew we were going to be a great team for our buyer. She is thorough and communicates each step throughout the entire process up until closing day and she got my buyer $10k in grants! Thank you Nicole for all your hard work!

Yuritt Pasos
Yuritt Pasos

Yuritt Pasos

Brian and his team are amazing. From the first time I met Brian, he took the time to explain every step of the process with great patience and knowledge. I can honestly say I never expected for this process to feel so easy but Brian made it possible. I will always be thankful for all the support provided.

Meredith Smith
Meredith Smith

Meredith Smith

My family had a fantastic experience with Sunnie! Extremely capable and supportive, she helped us through the whole process with ease and a personal touch. We can't thank her enough! Even years after we closed our home, she still provides us with advice and encouragement. Thank you Sunnie!

Miranda Adams
Miranda Adams

Miranda Adams

I went through UMortgage using a VA home loan, and the agents I worked with were amazing! They worked all hours to help us get into a house and we were able to close in under 30 days! Amazing communication from both team members involved, Melly and Andy. They really made the difference in us being able to buy our first home. Huge thank you to the UMortgage team!

Nathalie Montes
Nathalie Montes

Nathalie Montes

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Lisa over the past year, and I can confidently say she is one of the best lenders in the industry. Her expertise with a wide range of loan products and dedication to finding the best solutions for my clients truly set her apart. Lisa goes above and beyond to secure excellent rates while ensuring a smooth, professional, and timely process from start to finish. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, responsive, and trustworthy lender, Lisa is the one to call! I look forward to continuing our partnership and highly recommend her to anyone in need of a top-notch mortgage expert.

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Who is UMortgage?

UMortgage is a national mortgage company that connects you with experienced mortgage brokers in your area. UMortgage's local Loan Officers use UMortgage's vast portfolio of lenders and loan products to ensure you get the most affordable mortgage possible that is tailored to your individual financial needs and homeownership goals.

How does a mortgage work?

A mortgage is a loan used to buy a home, with the house serving as collateral until the loan is repaid. You make monthly payments that cover both the loan amount and interest across the life of the loan, which most commonly spans between 15-30 years.

How do I get pre-approved?

Getting pre-approved with UMortgage is easy! You can get connected with a local UMortgage Loan Officer who will do all the heavy lifting for you by filling out some basic information in this form.

How do I find out how much I can spend on a home?

Your UMortgage pre-approval will provide you with an accurate estimate of your buying power to help you shop for homes within your budget. You can use our free affordability calculator for a more general estimate of your budget.

What are the benefits of working with a UMortgage Loan Officer?

UMortgage's Loan Officers help you access the most affordable mortgage by shopping for the lowest rate on your behalf and offering a mortgage specifically tailored to your financial needs. UMortgage prides itself on its exceptional customer experience—exemplified by our industry-best 95 Net Promoter Score—and guides you through the homebuying process & beyond with care.

What types of mortgages does UMortgage offer?

UMortgage offers expert services for all the major mortgage types: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and Jumbo Loans. UMortgage also offers rate & term refinances, cash-out refinances, VA IRRRLs, and FHA Streamlines. Get connected with a UMortgage Loan Officer to learn what type of mortgage will set you up for long-term financial success.

How long does it take to get a mortgage with UMortgage?

Turn times vary from client to client, but UMortgage proudly gets clients from loan application (after you've had an offer accepted on a home) to the closing table in 2 weeks. You can read this blog for more insight into UMortgage's homebuying process.

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