The Listing Team • Mortgage & Market Watch
South Florida Real Estate Insights
PROPERTY SEARCH
What’s New in Mortgage Market Updates (August 2025)
Scott Lehr, P.A. — Team Leader, The Listing Team at RESF
Call 954-342-6180 • Email scott@reallistingagent.com
Loan Program Highlights You Can Use Right Now
From first-time buyer options to investor-focused loans, here are the standouts this week:
- Conventional (8–30 year) — significant pricing wins across the board.
- ONE% Down Payment — 2% grant (forgivable) via Rocket Mortgage; ideal for first-time buyers.
- HomeReady / Home Possible — up to $3,500 in credits for first-time buyers.
- Home Equity Loan (to $500k) — fixed 30 & 15 options; $795 origination fee waived; AVM, no appraisal.
- FHA (30-year & 5/1 ARM) — very aggressive pricing.
- VA (30-year & 5/1 ARM) — aggressive pricing remains.
- Jumbo Smart (to $3M) — big wins at ≤80% LTV (max 89.99%; appraisal required).
- Jumbo 7/6 ARM (to $2M) — often better than 30-year fixed; max LTV 80%; DTI 45%.
- Jumbo Interest Only (40-year) — 10 years IO, then amortized over 30 years.
- Non-QM (Bank Statement / Asset Depletion) — competitive pricing; investor-friendly.
- Temporary Rate Buydowns — 3-2-1, 2-1, 1-0 options; seller, builder, or agent can fund.
- Non-Warrantable Condos — yes, there are solutions.
- DSCR & Bridge Loans — popular with investors looking to scale.
Pricing Enhancements (Buyer-Friendly)
- +40 bps on Conv/FHA/VA.
- -30 bps on all cash-out and rate/term refis.
- -75 to -100 bps on investment & second homes.
- -100 bps on HomeReady / Home Possible.
- $795 origination fee waived on Home Equity Loans.
Thinking about selling or refinancing? Get an instant estimate:
Fort Lauderdale home valuation,
Oakland Park home valuation,
Weston home valuation,
Pembroke Pines home valuation.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a free consultation.
Market Watch: Trade, the Fed, and Inflation
Trade Snapshot
- President Trump extended a trade truce with China for 90 days.
- Analysts expect faster inflation normalization with more stable tariffs.
Fed Chair Watch
Among the names discussed: Michelle Bowman, Philip Jefferson, and Lorie Logan, with Kevin Hassett and Christopher Waller also noted. Markets are monitoring the selection process for rate-path clues.
Inflation Data
- Headline CPI is running about 3.1% year-over-year, a tick hot versus expectations.
- Shelter remains the primary driver, with a notable monthly increase.
- Despite the uptick, the report was within a market-friendly range and did not jar rates.
The Week Ahead
- Tuesday: Three Fed speakers.
- Thursday: PPI release.
- Friday: Retail Sales report.
How This Helps South Florida Buyers & Sellers
If you’re comparing neighborhoods, start with our community pages:
Fort Lauderdale,
Oakland Park,
Weston, and
Pembroke Pines.
When you’re ready, we’ll guide you through down payment assistance, Jumbo options, non-warrantable condo solutions, and more.
Schedule a Free Consultation
How much is my Fort Lauderdale home worth?
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Questions about financing, rates, or buydowns?
Text or call 954-342-6180 or email
scott@reallistingagent.com.