Churchill in the News

09-25-2026 Forbes

Mortgage Rates Rise Above 7%—What It Means For Home Buyers

Jordan Del Palacio's commentary on current mortgage rates was featured in Forbes.

The bigger pieces are, first, the feeling that inflation is not under control, driven by the increase in crude oil prices, and secondly, that the United States is having trouble selling Treasury bonds,” says Jordan Del Palacio, home loan specialist at Churchill Mortgage, a mortgage lender.

Jordan Del Palacio | 840396
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/jordan-delpalacio

09-22-2026 Money.com

Is Your Super-Low Mortgage Rate Keeping You From Moving? Here Are 4 Solutions

Rose Krieger's commentary on assumable loans was featured in USA Today.

This route has drawbacks. Krieger points out that a lot has to fall into place for an assumable loan to work. These loans also typically take longer to process than a typical mortgage — potentially up to six months compared to the 30 to 45 days of a non-assumable loan. Plus, the cash amount due to cover the difference between the assumable loan and the sale price can be substantial.

Rose Krieger | 1376145
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/rose-krieger

09-17-2026 USA Today

Mortgage rates are still high. How to get an affordable home loan

Kevin Watson's commentary on how to get an affordable home loan amidst high rates was featured in USA Today.

Kevin Watson | 590092
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/kevin-watson

09-17-2026 Investopedia

With Mortgage Rates Above 7%, an ARM Could Cut Your Monthly Payment by $220—But Is It Worth the Risk?

Ray Hicks's commentary on how adjustable-rate mortgages can trim monthly payments while rates sit above 7%.

ARMs look more appealing because they give you a better interest rate,” says Ray Hicks, a home loan specialist at Churchill Mortgage. “It’s a very challenging market for most folks wanting to buy a home. When you can drop your interest rate a full 1%, that’s $260 in savings each month on a $400,000 mortgage.

Ray Hicks | 2105672
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/ray-hicks

09-15-2026 Mortgage Pro America

Top destinations for Gen Z and millennial movers revealed

Mark Worthington's commentary on ways to cut the cost to homeownership was featured on Realtor.com.

Mark Worthington, a branch manager at Churchill Mortgage in the US, previously told Mortgage Professional America that millennial buyers are being "extremely cautious," a disposition now shaping which cities they pursue, not just which properties.

Mark Worthington | 293239
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/mark-worthington

09-15-2026 Realtor.com

4 Underused Housing Hacks To Cut the True Cost of Homeownership

Rose Krieger's commentary on ways to cut the cost to homeownership was featured on Realtor.com.

Rose Krieger, a senior home loan specialist at Churchill Mortgage, says assumable mortgages appear great at first, but the struggle lies in a couple of areas.

“Coming up with the difference between the sale price and the seller's remaining balance can be difficult,” Krieger says. “Also, these loans take longer than the average of 30 to 45 days when using a more traditional loan. If the seller is relying on the sale to purchase a new home, the extended time added on may not work for them.

Rose Krieger | 1376145
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/rose-krieger

09-11-2026 National Mortgage News

Wholesale rate sheets reprice higher on bond turmoil: what to do next

John Ortega's commentary on rates and predictions was featured in National Mortgage News.

This isn't what most people want to hear, but short term pain is very likely," said John Ortega, a home loan specialist at Churchill Mortgage.

Originators should get ready for a reduction in refinancing activity. "Longer term persistent inflation and higher energy costs are driving this, not to mention the federal deficit, which will push rates higher — and for a longer period of time," Ortega said.

He does also expect purchase mortgage volume will be affected but more modestly. However, while home values will be softening, "I don't see a sharp drop in home prices due to inventory constraints.

"As long as those concerns remain in place, mortgage rates could stay elevated, even if the Federal Reserve eventually eases

short-term rates," Ortega said.

John Ortega | 461624
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/john-ortega

09-01-2026 WSJ Buyside

How to Get Preapproved for a Mortgage

Ray Hick's commentary on preapprovals was featured in WSJ Buyside.

If you’re [targeting] $500,000 homes but you can only qualify for a $300,000 home, that is a devastating realization once you’ve already mentally lived out your dreams and planned your future in a specific home you’ve found,” Hicks said. “If you make an offer on a home, put earnest money down and then find out you don’t qualify, you can find yourself in a position to lose deposits.

Ray Hicks | 2105672
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/ray-hicks

08-31-2026 USA Today

LendingTree Review: Overview, mortgage options, pros, cons & More

Isaac Schultz's commentary on how LendingTree works, what mortgage products and rates are available and whether or not it’s a good option for securing a mortgage was featured in USA Today.

Generally speaking, if your credit score starts with a 7, you're going to [qualify] across the board,” said Isaac Schultz, Home Loan Specialist at Churchill Mortgage. “Your underlying credit report is just as important as your score, though. A DTI of 45% or less is going to have you able to use just about any product you'd want to pursue.

Isaac Schultz | 1842734
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/isaac-schultz

07-24-2026 Travel + Leisure

9 of the Best Small U.S. Cities to Move to Right Now, According to Real Estate Experts

Jordan Del Palacio's commentary on the best small cities to move was featured in Travel + Leisure.

“Homes in Caldwell are priced less than Boise proper, with new construction being built and sold for reasonable prices,” he says. “Traffic is generally low in the metro, and everything from downtown to the airport is a reasonable drive. Additionally, there have been major business investments in the area, such as the semiconductor industry, which provides good, higher-paying jobs relative to the area’s cost of living.”

Jordan Del Palacio | 840396
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/jordan-delpalacio

08-18-2026 CBS News

Will mortgage rates drop below 6% in 2026?

Andrew Veilleux's predictions on the chances of a sub-6% mortgage rate in the end of 2026 was featured in CBS News.

"There are simply too many external factors right now keeping rates high," says Andrew Veilleux, home loan specialist at Churchill Mortgage. "Three major issues are the current conflict in the Middle East, persistent inflation, and our growing national debt."

"Any changes we'll see in rates the remainder of the year will be marginal," Veilleux says. "I personally think the chances are very low that we see mortgage rates below 6% before the end of the year."

"I do see ways clients can get their rate under 6%," Veilleux says. "Primarily, capitalizing on seller concessions, using different buydown strategies, or even using 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage products to buy additional time to see where rates go in the future."

Andrew Veilleux | 2732674
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/andrew-veilleux

08-17-2026 CBS News

Is a HELOC or home equity loan better for borrowers now?

Matt Kroon's commentary on HELOCs vs. home equity loans was featured in CBS News.

"Rates between the two are very close, but HELOC rates are just slightly lower in most instances," says Matt Kroon, home loan specialist at Churchill Mortgage.

"HELOC rates are tied to the prime rate; therefore, the rates typically change according to the Federal Reserve, plus a margin," Kroon says. "They can change very quickly."

"HELOCs can be dangerous for people who like to spend money," Kroon says.

Matt Kroon | 1119369
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/matt-kroon

07-29-2026 CBS News

What is the mortgage rate forecast for fall 2026? Here's what experts expect.

John Ortega's mortgage rate forecasts for fall 2026 were featured on CBS News.

"Inflation has remained elevated and the Iran conflict continues to drag on, which are key factors keeping rates from dropping," says John Ortega, a senior home loan specialist at Churchill Mortgage. "I am actually surprised oil hasn't gone to higher levels, but my gut tells me that could be coming in the near future."

John Ortega | 461624
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/john-ortega

07-27-2026 Realtor.com

Stock Wealth Surges Past Real Estate: Should First-Time Buyers Hold Off To Build a Down Payment?

Denese Carty's commentary on evaluating stocks vs. homeownership was featured in Realtor.com.

“Your portfolio value fluctuates daily—sometimes your assets are higher, while other times they can be lower—and depending on when you need to liquidate them, your available down payment funds can vary significantly,” Denese Carty, the East Coast divisional director at Churchill Mortgage, tells Realtor.com®.

07-27-2026 MPA

Mortgage payments are already unsustainable for half of new buyers

07-23-2026 WSJ Buyside

How to Choose a First-Time Home Buyer Loan

Jordan Heatherly's commentary on first-time home buyer loan options was featured in WSJ Buyside.

“There is a common misconception with first-time home buyer loans,” Heatherly said. “Yes, you can use them if you haven’t owned a home before, but a lot of first-time home buyer loan programs also consider you a first-time home buyer if you haven’t owned any real estate in the last three years.”

Jordan Heatherly | 1312244
http://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/jordan-heatherly

07-23-2026 HousingWire

Reverse mortgage market faces challenging second half of 2026

Rose Kreiger's commentary on reverse mortgages in the second half of 2026 was featured in HousingWire.

Rose Krieger | 1376145
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/rose-krieger

07-22-2026 NerdWallet

A Broker, Accountant and Economist Walk Into a Housing Crash — and Walk Out Wiser

Kevin Watson's commentary on takeaways from the 2008 housing market was featured in NerdWallet.

“It's not about timing the market, more about the time in the market,” Watson says. Risk can be easier to balance if you have more than one exit strategy, as well as the flexibility and patience to ride out the dips.

Kevin Watson | 590092
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/kevin-watson

07-21-2026 HousingWire

Mortgage rates hold near 6.85% ahead of Fed meeting

Mike Nielson's commentary on rates was recently featured in HousingWire.

Mike Nielsen | 1452655
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/mike-nielsen

07-16-2026 CBS News

What credit score do you need for the lowest mortgage rates right now? Experts weigh in

James Perfilio's commentary on credit score was recently featured in CBS News.

"My clients have been extremely excited ever since Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac removed their minimum FICO score requirement in November 2025," says James Perfilio, home loan specialist for Churchill Mortgage. "FICO scores have traditionally been one of the key points we consider when analyzing an application, and they could make or break the borrower getting approved for a loan. Now that the automated underwriting systems aren't as focused on the FICO score, we can look at their entire financial house more holistically."

James Perfilio | 945664
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/james-perfilio

07-15-2026 U.S. News & World Report

How Much Should You Put Down on a House?

Kevin Watson's commentary on down payments was recently featured in U.S. News & World Report.

"A simple way to look at the down payment question is like a seesaw: you have the down payment on one side and the monthly mortgage payment on the other," explains Kevin Watson, a senior home loan strategist with Churchill Mortgage in Brentwood, Tennessee. "The larger the down payment, the lower the monthly mortgage payment. And vice versa, of course."

Kevin Watson | 590092
https://www.churchillmortgage.com/loan-officers/kevin-watson

Churchill Mortgage In the News

Mortgage Rates Rise Above 7%—What It Means For Home Buyers

Is Your Super-Low Mortgage Rate Keeping You From Moving? Here Are 4 Solutions

Mortgage rates are still high. How to get an affordable home loan

With Mortgage Rates Above 7%, an ARM Could Cut Your Monthly Payment by $220—But Is It Worth the Risk?

Top destinations for Gen Z and millennial movers revealed

4 Underused Housing Hacks To Cut the True Cost of Homeownership

Wholesale rate sheets reprice higher on bond turmoil: what to do next

How to Get Preapproved for a Mortgage

LendingTree Review: Overview, mortgage options, pros, cons & More

9 of the Best Small U.S. Cities to Move to Right Now, According to Real Estate Experts

Will mortgage rates drop below 6% in 2026?

Is a HELOC or home equity loan better for borrowers now?

What is the mortgage rate forecast for fall 2026? Here's what experts expect.

Stock Wealth Surges Past Real Estate: Should First-Time Buyers Hold Off To Build a Down Payment?

Mortgage payments are already unsustainable for half of new buyers

How to Choose a First-Time Home Buyer Loan

Reverse mortgage market faces challenging second half of 2026

A Broker, Accountant and Economist Walk Into a Housing Crash — and Walk Out Wiser

Mortgage rates hold near 6.85% ahead of Fed meeting

What credit score do you need for the lowest mortgage rates right now? Experts weigh in

How Much Should You Put Down on a House?

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