Churchill in the News

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

*The Churchill Certified Home Buyer program is not a commitment to lend funds and is not an approval but is a conditional approval subject to your acceptance of the terms and the conditions being fully satisfied prior to closing. All conditions are subject to final underwriting and final investor approval. The certification is subject to the financial status and credit report(s) of everyone on the application remaining substantially the same until closing, an acceptable contract of sale on a suitable property, collateral (the appraisal, title, survey, condition, and insurance) satisfies the requirements of the lender and loan selected is still available in the market. All closing conditions of the lender must be satisfied including the clear transfer of the title, acceptable and adequate title and hazard insurance, flood certification, and any inspections that are required by the real estate contract.

*Rate Secured is available on 30-year conventional conforming and high-balance fixed-rate loans. Rate Secured is not available on government high balance, construction to permanent, or investment property home loans.

William Kevin Watson NMLS ID # 590092; Company NMLS ID # 1591 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org); AL-56061; CO–100043565, Churchill Mortgage Corporation, 1749 Mallory Lane, Suite 100, Brentwood, TN 37027, Tel 615-370-8888, Regulated by the Division of Real Estate; FL-LO122972; GA–38371, under company license GA-23146; ID-MLO-14736; KY-MC907353; OH-LO.043671.000 under company license OH-RM.850178.000; RI-Mortgage Loan Originator License, Licensed under Rhode Island Licensed Lender License; SC-MLO - 590092; TN–112279; WA-MLO-590092; WI-590092; VA–MLO-14893VA, Churchill Mortgage Corporation of TN; All other states, Churchill Mortgage Corporation

As a responsible lender, Churchill Mortgage is committed to the principles outlined in federal and state lending laws ensuring all potential borrowers have access to the same information, services, and opportunities throughout the home loan process.

As a responsible lender, Churchill Mortgage is committed to the principles outlined in federal and state lending laws
ensuring all potential borrowers have access to the same information, services, and opportunities
throughout the home loan process.

For Licensing Information Go To: NMLS Consumer Access Licensing Privacy

CHURCHILL IN THE NEWS

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?