Blog | DDA Mortgage

Mortgage News and Advice

Click on any of our videos below to learn more about your mortgage process. Subscribe to our blog and get notified of new videos.
Subscribe
By Didier Malagies November 28, 2025
 New conforming loan limits increase to $832,750, which is great considering we have had price decreases on homes this year. So if you put down 3% the purchase price would be $858,051, and 5% down would be $876,578. Why would that matter? Well, you go above, and you are in Jumbo territory, where you have to put 20% down vs the 3% or 5% down. So, really great news that there is an increase, and when rates do come down, there will be all the homeowners who have the low interest rates, probably make a move to either downsize or upsize on their home, which will create activity and an increase in home prices. So overall, exciting to see the loan amounts increase to help offset the higher home prices tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies November 24, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
By Didier Malagies November 18, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
By Didier Malagies November 17, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
By Didier Malagies November 17, 2025
What Does “No Credit Score Mortgage” Mean (for FNMA) Policy Change As of November 15, 2025, Fannie Mae’s automated underwriting system (Desktop Underwriter, or DU) will no longer require a minimum third-party credit score. Fannie Mae Instead of relying on a fixed cutoff (like “you must have a 620 FICO”), DU will use Fannie Mae’s proprietary risk-assessment model to evaluate credit risk. Fannie Mae That model considers more than just credit score: payment history, “trended” credit data, nontraditional credit sources like rent, utilities, and so on. Fannie Mae Nontraditional Credit Allowed Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide includes rules for “nontraditional credit” — that is, credit history documented without a standard credit score. Selling Guide When a borrower truly has no credit score, lenders must document nontraditional credit history. For example, they might look at 12 months of cash flow or payment history (rent, utilities, insurance, etc.). Fannie requires borrowers without any credit score to complete homeownership education before closing. Selling Guide Why This Could Be a Good Thing Greater Access to Homeownership This change will likely help people who are “credit invisible” (i.e., they don’t have a traditional credit score) get conventional mortgages. Historically underserved groups (such as those who rent, use nontraditional credit, or have limited credit history) could benefit. More Holistic Underwriting By removing the rigid score minimum, DU can look at the whole financial picture. This means more weight on things like debt-to-income ratio, reserves, employment, and nontraditional credit. Using more data (rent history, payment trends) can be more predictive of whether someone will make mortgage payments than just a credit score. Potential Cost Benefits for Some Borrowers If done right, borrowers with limited credit but solid finances could qualify for a conventional loan (which may have more favorable terms than some other high-risk or subprime options). It may reduce the need for more expensive or risky loan products for people who don’t fit the “traditional” credit profile. Risks and Downsides Higher Risk for Lenders → Possibly Higher Cost Without a credit score floor, lenders are taking on more uncertainty. They may require larger down payments, lower loan-to-value ratios (LTVs), or more reserves to compensate. If the borrower is truly “credit invisible,” the lender’s verification burden is higher (to safely assess risk), which could make underwriting more stringent in non-score cases. Potential for Higher Interest Rates / Pricing Risks Even if a borrower qualifies, the interest rate may be higher compared to someone with a very good credit score, because the risk model may not “discount” as heavily without a high score. There could be loan-level price adjustments (or other risk-based pricing) tied to the riskiness of nontraditional credit profiles. Performance Uncertainty This is a newer underwriting paradigm for Fannie Mae, so long-term performance is less “battle-tested” at scale for certain nontraditional credit borrowers. If default rates go up for these loans, it could have negative implications for lenders or investors (or for how such loans are underwritten in the future). Lender Overlays Just because Fannie Mae has this policy doesn’t mean all lenders will be aggressive in offering no-score loans. Some may add their own stricter requirements (“overlays”) that make it harder than it sounds. You’ll need a lender that is comfortable underwriting nontraditional credit and willing to do the extra documentation. Is It a Good Thing For You Personally? It depends on your situation: Yes, it could be great if: You don’t have a traditional credit score but have a solid financial picture (stable income, low debt, documented payment history for rent/utilities). You want access to a mainstream, conventional mortgage. You have enough reserves/down payment to satisfy lender’s risk assessment. Be cautious if: Your income or cash flow is marginal, because the lender may not be comfortable with “no score + limited reserves.” You don’t have much documentation of nontraditional credit (you’ll need to show 12 months or more of payment history). You’re not working with a lender that understands or is experienced with Fannie Mae’s nontraditional credit program. My Verdict Overall, yes — this is a positive shift by Fannie Mae toward more inclusive, flexible underwriting. It’s likely to help more people who’ve been shut out of conventional mortgages. But it’s not “free risk”: borrowers still need to show financial responsibility, and lenders will underwrite carefully. If you are considering this type of mortgage (or someone offered it to you), I strongly recommend: Talking to a lender experienced with Fannie Mae’s nontraditional credit program. Didier Malagies nmls212566 DDA Mortgage nmls324329 .
By Didier Malagies November 10, 2025
✅ the principal you borrowed ✅ all interest paid over the years ❌ It does NOT include taxes, insurance, or HOA unless noted. Because longer terms spread payments out more slowly, they lower the monthly payment but massively increase total interest paid. Below is a simple example to show how total payments change by loan term. ✅ Example: $300,000 loan at 6% interest 15-Year Mortgage Monthly payment: ≈ $2,531 Total paid: ≈ $455,682 Total interest: ≈ $155,682 30-Year Mortgage Monthly payment: ≈ $1,799 Total paid: ≈ $647,514 Total interest: ≈ $347,514 40-Year Mortgage Monthly payment: ≈ $1,650 Total paid: ≈ $792,089 Total interest: ≈ $492,089 50-Year Mortgage Monthly payment: ≈ $1,595 Didier Malagies nmls212566 DDA Mortgage nmls32432 Total paid: ≈ $956,140 Total interest: ≈ $656,140 ✅ Summary: Total Payments by Loan Term Term Monthly Payment Total Paid Over Life Total Interest 15-Year ~$2,531 $455,682 $155,682 30-Year ~$1,799 $647,514 $347,514 40-Year ~$1,650 $792,089 $492,089 50-Year ~$1,595 $956,140 $656,140 ✅ Key Takeaway A longer mortgage = lower payment, but the total paid skyrockets because interest accrues for decades longer. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies November 5, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
By Didier Malagies November 3, 2025
Here are the main types of events that typically cause the 10-year yield to drop: Economic slowdown or recession signs Weak GDP, rising unemployment, or falling consumer spending make investors expect lower future interest rates. Example: A bad jobs report or slowing manufacturing data often pushes yields lower. Federal Reserve rate cuts (or expectations of cuts) If the Fed signals or actually cuts rates, long-term yields like the 10-year typically decline. Markets anticipate lower inflation and slower growth ahead. Financial market stress or geopolitical tension During crises (wars, banking issues, political instability), investors seek safety in Treasuries — pushing prices up and yields down. Lower inflation or deflation data When inflation slows more than expected, the “real” return on Treasuries looks more attractive, bringing yields down. Dovish Fed comments or data suggesting easing ahead Even before actual rate cuts, if the Fed hints it might ease policy, yields often fall in anticipation. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies October 27, 2025
🏦 1. Fed Rate vs. Market Rates When the Federal Reserve cuts rates, it lowers the federal funds rate — the rate banks charge each other for overnight loans. That directly affects: Credit cards Auto loans Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) These tend to move quickly with Fed changes. 🏠 2. Mortgage Rates Mortgage rates are not directly set by the Fed — they’re more closely tied to the 10-year Treasury yield, which moves based on investor expectations for: Future inflation Economic growth Fed policy in the future So, when the Fed signals a rate cut or actually cuts, Treasury yields often fall in anticipation, which can lead to lower mortgage rates — if investors believe inflation is under control and the economy is cooling. However: If markets think the Fed cut too early or inflation might return, yields can actually rise, keeping mortgage rates higher. So, mortgage rates don’t always fall right after a Fed cut. 📉 In short: Fed cuts → short-term rates (credit cards, HELOCs) usually fall fast. Mortgage rates → might fall if inflation expectations drop and bond yields decline — but not guaranteed. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329 
Show More