Field Notes Studio

Rates started last week on a positive note, then moved higher after the PCE report and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech. Read my thoughts on the situation as a whole and what we can likely expect.

Rates started last week on a positive note, then moved higher after the PCE report and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech. Here's what actually moved the market, and what it means for you.

Core PCE, the Fed's favorite inflation gauge, held at 3.3% annually in July while consumer spending stalled. Here's the plain-language read on what it means for mortgage rates right now.

Pre-approval isn't a formality, it's the number that tells you what you can actually do. Here's the honest version of what happens and why it matters more than people think.

Boca Raton's median sale price is up 4.6% year-over-year, but homes are taking longer to sell and a third of listings have cut price. Here's what the data actually means for buyers and sellers right now.

Nobody thinks about resale value while they're buying. But if there's an active builder still selling nearby, your future asking price is already being shaped by their incentive playbook, whether you know it or not.

A lot of veterans think using a VA loan once means the benefit is gone. It's not. You can often hold two VA loans at the same time after a PCS, and even full entitlement can be restored without losing the benefit for good.

Builder incentives on new construction are funded by the price staying firm, not handed to you for free. The bigger risk is the property tax reassessment that follows closing, a mechanism that's now the subject of active federal litigation.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac just retired the streamlined condo review process, effective for loan applications dated August 3, 2026 and later. Here's what changed, why trade groups are pushing back, and what it means if you're buying a condo on the FL or SC coast.

A new Bankrate watchdog report finds homeowners 55 and older are steered into pricier refinances than their financial profile warrants, averaging roughly $52,000 in lifetime overpayment. Here's what the data shows and how to avoid becoming a statistic.

The VA doesn't set a minimum credit score. The 580 or 620 you keep hearing quoted is a rule your lender added, not a VA requirement, and a different lender can see the same file differently.

A walkthrough of how credit utilization actually gets measured, why disputes are risky right before a mortgage, and how it all shows up in your rate. Not a checklist, just the mechanics.

Gold's near $4,300 an ounce right now, up from $35 in 1971. Here's the quick, no-drama history of how the dollar got here, and why it still matters today.

The US and Japan just jointly defended the yen for the first time since 1998. Here's the actual mechanism connecting that to the rate you'd get on a mortgage in Florida or South Carolina.

Rates aren't set by a coin flip at your bank. Here's the plain-language version of what actually moves them, and why chasing the 'perfect' week is a losing game.

From first thought to front door keys, here's exactly how home buying works in Florida and South Carolina, no jargon required.

Your credit score is not your personality, and qualifying for a loan isn't the same as being comfortable with the payment. Here's what actually matters.

Vacation rentals up and down the FL and SC coast can help pay for themselves. Here's how DSCR loans qualify the property instead of your personal income.

The US and Japan just pulled off their first joint yen-buying intervention since 1998. Here's the plain-language version of what happened, and how it connects to your mortgage rate.

UMortgage is rolling out a low down payment option for first-time buyers, as little as 1% down with a matching grant on top. Here's what it means for buyers in Tampa and Fort Myers, plus this week's actual rate news.

Palm Beach's ultra-luxury market is sending mixed signals: median sale prices down year-over-year, homes sitting longer, but transaction volume climbing. Here's what the data actually shows.

Before you start scrolling listings, know these five numbers cold. They'll shape every decision you make — from what you offer to how comfortable you feel at night.

Coastal homeownership comes with hidden costs that can derail a budget. Here's what to check before you fall in love with a beach house.

You know the VA loan exists. But in this market, the details matter more than ever. Here's what veterans should understand before they use their hard-earned benefit.

The contract is signed — now the real work begins. A clear walkthrough of the mortgage process from contract to closing, so you always know what's coming.

Affordability isn't just about what you qualify for — it's about what you can actually carry month to month without sacrificing the life you want. Here's how to think about it clearly.

A pre-approval letter is powerful, but it's not a guarantee. Here's what it actually tells you, what it doesn't, and how to use it strategically in a competitive market.