Stars, Stripes & Sold:

July Keys, Closings & Opportunities

 Empowering 2,000 Women and Families to achieve homeownership in 2025 

Breaking Barriers, Building Dreams – Helping 2,000 Women and Families Become Homeowners in 2025!

 Do You Know Someone Ready to Buy a Home?

At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to empowering women and families on their journey to homeownership. While you’ve already taken that step, you might know a friend, family member, or colleague who dreams of owning a home but doesn’t know where to start.

In 2025, our goal is to help over 2,000 women and families achieve this dream. By providing expert guidance, support, and resources, we’re breaking down barriers and making homeownership more accessible than ever.

If someone you know is ready to take the next step, we’d love to help! Send them our way—we’ll walk alongside them every step of the journey.

Let’s make homeownership happen—together

Times are tough right now, especially for those with high interest debts. What if I told you that by using your mortgage to your advantage, you could eliminate your revolving debts and have more money in your pocket every month? Use some or all of that extra cash to make additional principal payments, shorten the length of your mortgage, pay less in interest over time, and own your home sooner. Even with a higher interest rate, you could potentially shorten your term and build your wealth faster than you are right now. 

Financial News

How a Rising National Deficit Could Affect You

As your trusted lending partner, we want to keep you informed about financial trends that might impact your borrowing power and investments.

• The U.S. debt is climbing: Recent tax cuts passed in May are expected to push the national debt to $53 trillion (Source: U.S. Treasury).
• Why it matters to you: A higher national deficit can lead to increased interest rates on loans — including mortgages, auto loans, and more.
• How it works: Loan rates often track the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds. When the deficit rises, investors may demand higher yields, which can push up borrowing costs.
• What this means for investors: Rising Treasury yields cause bond prices to drop, which can reduce the value of bond investments in your portfolio.
• What you can do: If you’re thinking about buying, refinancing, or investing, it’s a great time to review your options. We’re here to help you navigate these changes and find the best solutions.

Feel free to reach out anytime — your financial goals are our priority!

MORTGAGE IQ

Buying Sooner with an Interest Rate Buydown

Mortgage rates continue to be unpredictable, and experts like the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) expect rates to stay near 6.6% through 2025.

But if you’re ready to buy now, don’t wait! Many sellers are offering incentives like mortgage rate buydowns — a smart way to lower your initial interest rate for the first few years of your loan.

Here’s how a 2-1 buydown works:

• Year 1: Interest rate is reduced by 2%
• Year 2: Interest rate is reduced by 1%
• Year 3: Interest rate returns to the original rate

This helps new homeowners save money early on — freeing up cash for things like furniture and home improvements. Sometimes, sellers even pay the buydown fee to close the deal faster.

Want to learn if a buydown makes sense for you? Reach out anytime for a no-pressure conversation.

The Holly Walther Lending Team — Your Lending Partner for Life
We’re here to help you reach your goals — from planning your financial future to buying your next home. Contact us today!

Housing Market Snapshot – What’s Happening Now?

The latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) gives us a glimpse into how the housing market is moving as we head into the summer season. While market activity is showing signs of improvement, inventory challenges continue to drive home prices to new highs.

Key Takeaways from May’s Existing Home Sales Report
(Source: National Association of Realtors, June 2025)

Sales on the Rise—But Still Below Last Year

• Sales of previously owned homes increased 0.8% from April, reaching an annualized pace of 4.03 million units.
• Compared to May 2024, sales are still down 0.7%, showing there’s room for further growth.

Regional Market Breakdown

• Northeast led the pack with a 4.2% jump in sales.
• The Midwest and South also experienced steady growth.
• However, sales in the West cooled off, dropping by 5.4% month-over-month.

Inventory & Pricing Trends

• The number of homes on the market rose to 1.54 million, representing a 4.6-month supply—still considered low by historical standards.
• Limited supply continues to support price growth, with the median home price hitting a record $422,800, up 1.3% year-over-year.

What This Means for You & Your Clients

• Higher inventory is a positive sign for buyers—but competition remains strong.

• Home values are holding steady and even setting new records, a plus for current homeowners and sellers.

• Mortgage strategies are key—whether your clients are buying or refinancing, our team is here to guide them through today’s market.

Questions about how this impacts your next move? Let’s connect, we’re always happy to help!

Did You Know?

 How to Train Your YouTube Feed

YouTube has become a bigger time magnet than Netflix for many Americans; and it’s packed with videos on just about every topic you can imagine. But sometimes, the recommendations can feel a little off. Watch a video on medieval royalty, and suddenly YouTube suggests something about the bubonic plague!

Here’s how to take control of what YouTube shows you:

• Like & Dislike: Use these buttons to tell YouTube what you want more (or less) of. Likes really help shape your feed, while Dislikes don’t always block content but still send a signal.

• Subscribe: Following channels you enjoy helps, but YouTube often prioritizes your newest subscriptions in recommendations.

• Click the Bell: This is the best move! It sends you alerts when your favorite creators post new videos, making sure you never miss out and helping creators connect with their audience.

The Lasting Impact of a Simple Thank-You Note

In today’s fast-paced world, taking a moment to write a heartfelt thank-you note can make all the difference, especially in real estate. As your trusted lending partner, we want to highlight how this small gesture can build stronger relationships, foster goodwill, and even create future business opportunities.

Why Thank-You Notes Matter

Strengthen Relationships: A handwritten or thoughtfully crafted thank-you note shows genuine appreciation, helping to deepen connections with clients and partners alike.

Stand Out from the Crowd: According to a 2022 study by Forbes, 81% of consumers say they are more likely to do business again with someone who sends thank-you notes.

Boost Referrals: Gratitude encourages positive feelings, which can lead to more referrals, repeat business and is a win-win for everyone involved.

Personal Touch: In an industry where trust is key, a personal note demonstrates care beyond the transaction, building long-term loyalty.

Tips for Writing Effective Thank-You Notes

• Be specific: Mention something memorable about your interaction.

• Keep it sincere: Genuine appreciation always shines through.

• Timely delivery: Send your note within a few days of the closing or meeting.
  

• Choose the medium: Handwritten notes feel more personal, but a well-crafted email can also be effective.

• Taking a few minutes to say “thank you” can turn a good experience into a great one. Let’s keep building success together—one note at a time!

Happy Independence Day!

As we gear up to celebrate America’s 248th birthday, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude — not only for the freedoms we enjoy, but for the opportunity to partner with incredible clients and real estate professionals like YOU. Helping people achieve the dream of homeownership is our version of the American Dream, and we’re honored to be part of your journey.

This 4th of July, whether you’re firing up the grill, watching fireworks light up the sky, or just relaxing with family and friends, we hope you enjoy every moment of what makes this country so special — freedom, community, and opportunity.

Fun 4th of July Trivia to Spark Your Celebration:

 Did you know…

• The Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed on July 4th? Most delegates signed it on August 2, 1776, but July 4th is when the final wording was approved.
• Americans will consume roughly 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day — enough to stretch from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times! 
• The oldest continuous 4th of July parade takes place in Bristol, Rhode Island, dating back to 1785.
• Fireworks became part of the tradition thanks to John Adams, who envisioned “illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.”

How We’re Celebrating Freedom:

Homeownership is a huge part of the American Dream, and we’re proud to help make that possible for so many families. Whether you're buying, refinancing, or just exploring options, we’re here to support you every step of the way — with gratitude, expertise, and a whole lot of red, white, and blue spirit. 

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, fun, and memorable 4th of July!

Fresh & Fun July Recipe: Watermelon Feta Salad 

Nothing says summer like a cool, refreshing salad that’s easy to make and bursting with flavor! Perfect for those July BBQs, client gatherings, or just a tasty snack after a busy day.