September Real Estate Roundup: The Latest on the Fed, Rates, Trigger Leads, and More
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why the Fed finally lowered its rate this week
Trigger leads bill signed into law
DSCR loans: The investor’s secret weapon
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why the Fed finally lowered its rate this week
Trigger leads bill signed into law
DSCR loans: The investor’s secret weapon
With national average rates hovering at their lowest point all year, we’re off to a great start this fall. There’s also been a lot of housing market news, so let’s dig into that below, along with some other important updates to help you and your buyers!
The Fed Lowers Its Funds Rate
After months of debate, and heavy pressure from the Trump administration, the Fed lowered its funds rate by a quarter-point at its September 17th meeting. At this time, at least one more cut is predicted before year-end.
As you know, the Fed rate is not a mortgage rate, but it does affect consumer products like credit cards, autos, and student loans. Supporters of the cut believe the move will free up more consumer credit and spending.
The central bank held off cuts this year as they’ve monitored inflation, tariffs, and the jobs market – the latter having likely tipped the scales toward a cut. Stalling job growth in August, and a sharp downward revision to 12-month job data through March, increased the push for the Fed to support the labor market – and it looks like they did just that.
So what does this mean for mortgages? It depends on the buyer.
Mortgage rates are more directly tied to the 10-year Treasury yield, so buyers seeking a variable-rate mortgage could see some savings.
But increased buyer demand from lower rates can drive up home prices, potentially increasing the overall cost of buying a home despite lower borrowing costs.
However, for existing homeowners, that can mean more equity.
Bottom line, mortgages are about much more than rates. I’m here to walk your buyers through their unique circumstances to find the right loan product for them.
The End of Trigger Leads
At long last, trigger leads are going away!
On September 5, the President signed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act into law, ending those unsolicited phone calls, texts, and emails your clients get when they apply for a mortgage (except in limited circumstances). It takes effect March 5, 2026. Here’s why this helps your buyers:
When they apply for a mortgage – the trigger – credit bureaus can then legally sell their information to other lenders.
The idea was to give your clients more buying power.
But all those sudden offers can be confusing, and not all companies are legit.
Now, clients will only be contacted if they have a prior relationship with the lender or give written consent.
So while we wait for March 5, remember, your clients can reduce unwanted offers by registering with OptOutPreScreen.com and the Federal Do-Not-Call Registry. I’ve got details and materials I’m happy to share on those.
DSCR Loans
If you have investor clients looking to start or grow their rental property portfolio, DSCR loans — short for Debt Service Coverage Ratio — could be a great option for individual borrowers and LLCs.
DSCR loans are for business-only properties and are based on the property’s monthly cashflow, not the client’s personal income. You don't have to be a seasoned investor to use a DSCR loan; it's a great option for those new to real estate investing.
In addition to DSCR loans, Atlantic Bay offers Conventional, FHA, and VA investment products. If you’d like to co-host an event for potential clients, I have a presentation and materials to share.
I’m always here to help with these topics or any questions you and your buyers have - just give me a call!