What CPI Actually Is — and Why It Moves Your Mortgage Rate

What CPI Actually Is — and Why It Moves Your Mortgage Rate

Douglas Wilkerson
Published on: 03/10/2026

The September CPI lands Oct 14 — and history says a 0.2% surprise can move your mortgage rate nearly half a point in a day. Here's what CPI actually is, how it becomes your rate, and what to do before the print.

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Private Credit Default Rate Hit a Record 6.3% — What Homebuyers Should Actually Know

Private Credit Default Rate Hit a Record 6.3% — What Homebuyers Should Actually Know

Douglas Wilkerson
Published on: 29/09/2026

Private credit defaults hit a record 6.3% in August 2026, with redemption gates spreading across the industry. Here's what that means for homebuyers — and why your mortgage is a different animal. By Douglas Wilkerson, Mortgage Broker.

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Housing Market Frozen, Not Broken: The Real Story Behind 7% Mortgage Rates

Housing Market Frozen, Not Broken: The Real Story Behind 7% Mortgage Rates

Douglas Wilkerson
Published on: 29/09/2026

Mortgage rates above 7% have frozen home sales — but not broken them. With $34.1 trillion in equity, fixed-rate mortgages, and delinquencies near historic lows, this is a volume problem, not a credit problem.

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VA Loans in a 7% World: The 2026 Playbook for Veterans Who Want to Win on Rate, Cost, and Terms

VA Loans in a 7% World: The 2026 Playbook for Veterans Who Want to Win on Rate, Cost, and Terms

Douglas Wilkerson
Published on: 27/09/2026

Mortgage rates just crossed 7% — but VA buyers are still closing near 6.94%. The 2026 VA loan playbook: funding fee math, the no-PMI advantage, zero down up to $832,750, and the actual VA guidelines.

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