Larry Gonzales

Hidden costs of homeownership hit fast! As a first time home buyer, my AC broke the first weekend. Unexpected home repairs taught me to budget beyond the mortgage.

🏡 My first house. Virginia Beach. Fourth of July weekend.

We had a three-month-old baby at home, the weather was hot and humid… and suddenly, no air conditioning! 🥵

That was my welcome to homeownership.

The lesson? Being able to afford the mortgage is only part of being ready to own a home. Leave room for maintenance, repairs, and surprises.

🎥 Watch the full Housing Market Update on our YouTube channel.

🔔 Subscribe to Larry The LO for more homebuying tips, VA loan education, and Hawaiʻi housing updates.

#FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HiddenCostsOfHomeownership #LarryTheLO #Shorts

Mortgage rates dropped for the THIRD straight week! 📉

VA mortgage rates are below 7%, and conventional rates are improving. But could this week’s Fed decision change that?

In this Monday Rate Update, I break down what’s moving rates, what to watch this week, and where Hawaiʻi homebuyers may find opportunities.

🏠 RATE SNAPSHOT | OCTOBER 26, 2026
🇺🇸 VA: ~6.90%
🏡 Conventional 30-Year Fixed: ~7.33%
📊 10-Year Treasury: ~5.00%

We’re covering the Fed, Big Tech earnings, rising oil prices, and inflationplus builder incentives, Oʻahu new construction, and VA loan strategies.

My takeaway? Know your numbers and have a plan before you lock. Your payment, closing costs, and long-term goals all matter.

📌 VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Mortgage Rates Fall for the Third Straight Week
00:45 Current Conventional and VA Mortgage Rates
01:30 What Lower Rates Mean for Your Payment
02:10 Fed Decision: What Could Move Mortgage Rates?
03:40 Big Tech Earnings and the Bond Market
05:10 Rising Oil Prices and Inflation Risks
06:20 This Week’s Economic Calendar
07:00 Geopolitical Risks and Global Central Banks
08:10 Builder Price Cuts and Buyer Incentives
09:00 Oʻahu New Construction: What to Consider
09:30 VA Loan Options and 5/1 ARMs
10:45 Locking Your Rate vs. Floating
11:30 Final Outlook and Next Steps

📲 Buying, refinancing, or planning a PCS move? Let’s look at your options together.

Contact Larry Gonzales — Larry The LO
🌐 https://larrythelo.com
🏠 Explore your payment: https://larrythelo.com/mortgage-calculator/

👍 Like this video if it helped.
💬 What’s your biggest homebuying question?
🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage updates, VA loan education, and Hawaiʻi housing insights.

Disclaimer: Rates are figures discussed in this October 26, 2026 update, not guaranteed offers. Actual rates and terms vary by borrower, property, and market conditions. Adjustable-rate mortgage rates and payments can increase after the initial fixed period.

#mortgagerates #MortgageRatesToday #valoan #hawaiirealestate #firsttimehomebuyer #LarryTheLO

Can seller credits help you pay closing costs and buy down your mortgage rate?

In this Housing Market Update, Larry Gonzales explains how homebuyers can negotiate seller credits to reduce upfront closing expenses and potentially secure a lower mortgage interest rate.

Larry reports that approximately 75% of his clients are receiving seller credits.

In the transactions discussed, sellers are helping cover eligible closing costs, and some buyers are using additional credits toward mortgage discount points.

The video also discusses conventional rates around 7.5%, with certain clients securing rates in the high 5% to low 6% range through negotiated buydowns.

Your actual rate and costs will depend on credit, loan type, market pricing, seller contributions, and other financing factors.

🏡 Buying a home in Hawaiʻi or using a VA loan? Understanding seller credits can help you evaluate more than just the purchase price.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage rate updates, VA loan tips, and Hawaiʻi real estate education.

#SellerCredits #MortgageRateBuydown #closingcosts #homebuying #shorts

Why are Gen Z and Millennials hesitant to buy a home? It's not just about affordability.

In this Housing Market Update, Larry Gonzales discusses financial anxiety, homebuying education, and why many younger buyers feel overwhelmed by the mortgage process.

The research figures discussed in this video suggest:

🏠 66% experience financial anxiety related to buying a home.

📚 60% feel overwhelmed by the homebuying process.

🤝 37% are hesitant to seek expert guidance.

One of the biggest barriers may be not knowing what questions to ask—or whom to trust.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a young professional, or a military family considering homeownership, education is an important first step.

Learn about mortgage pre-approval, monthly housing costs, down payment options, and the steps involved in purchasing a home.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage education, VA loan tips, and Hawaiʻi housing market updates.

#genz #millennials #firsttimehomebuyer #mortgagetips #shorts

Mortgage rates are dropping AGAIN—even after hotter-than-expected inflation reports! Could President Trump's proposed executive order bring even lower VA mortgage rates and refinancing costs?

In this October 23, 2026 Housing Market Update, Larry Gonzales (Larry The LO) explains why mortgage rates have fallen to five-week lows, what's happening with the 10-year Treasury yield, and why slowing home sales could create major opportunities for homebuyers in Hawaii.

📉 Mortgage Rate Snapshot
- 🏠 Conventional 30-Year Fixed: Approximately 7.33%
- 🇺🇸 VA Mortgage Rates: Below 7% with most of Larry's lenders
- 📊 10-Year Treasury Yield: Below 5% during the week
Here's what we're covering:

✅ Why mortgage rates dropped despite rising CPI and PPI inflation
✅ Trump's proposed executive order and its potential impact on VA loans, PMI, and refinancing
✅ Pending home sales plunge 7.3% as buyer opportunities grow
✅ Builder confidence hits a major low, with more incentives and price reductions
✅ Why homebuyers need emergency savings—even with zero down
✅ 15-year vs. 30-year mortgages: Which makes more sense?
✅ How the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and oil prices could affect mortgage rates

For veterans, active-duty military families, first-time homebuyers, and anyone considering buying a home in Hawaii, understanding today's market could help you make a smarter financial decision.

📌 VIDEO CHAPTERS

00:00 Mortgage Rates Drop Despite Hot Inflation
00:40 Housing Market Headlines & Trump's Proposed Executive Order
02:30 CPI, PPI & Why Treasury Yields Are Falling
04:00 Federal Reserve Meeting & Oil Price Risks
05:20 Proposed Executive Order: VA Loans, PMI & Refinancing
07:20 Pending Home Sales Plunge 7.3%
09:00 Builder Confidence Hits New Lows
11:00 Why Homebuyers Need Cash Reserves
14:00 15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage Explained
15:40 Current Conventional & VA Mortgage Rates
17:00 Fed Outlook & What Could Happen Next
18:20 Homebuyer Strategy: Take Advantage of Today's Market

🏡 READY TO BUY A HOME IN HAWAII?

Don't make your homebuying decision based on fear or headlines. Get pre-approved, understand your monthly payment, and know your buying power before making a move.

👉 Connect with Larry: https://larrythelo.com

🔔 Subscribe for weekly Housing Market Updates, VA loan education, Hawaii real estate insights, and mortgage rate news.

👍 LIKE this video if you found it helpful.
💬 COMMENT: Are you waiting for mortgage rates to fall further before buying?

Mortgage rates vary by lender, borrower qualifications, loan terms, and market conditions. The executive order discussed in this video was a draft and had not been signed as of the recording.

#mortgagerates #valoans #housingmarketupdate #hawaiirealestate #LarryTheLO

Oʻahu homes are selling near asking price, but buyers may still be negotiating significant seller credits.

In this Housing Market Update, Larry Gonzales breaks down September's Honolulu Board of REALTORS® housing market report and explains why the final sale price doesn't always tell the whole story.

🏠 Single-family home sales increased 6.2% year over year.

💰 Average single-family sale price was approximately $1.6 million, according to the figures discussed.

📊 Homes were selling for nearly 100% of their listing prices.

But here's what buyers need to know: some sellers are agreeing to contribute toward closing costs and mortgage rate buydowns—even when the home sells at asking price.

These concessions may not be apparent from the headline sale price.

Whether you're buying your first home, relocating to Oʻahu, or using a VA loan, understanding seller credits can help you evaluate the entire transaction.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly Hawaiʻi housing market updates, mortgage tips, and VA loan education.

#OahuHousingMarket #SellerCredits #hawaiirealestate #mortgagetips #shorts

Existing home sales are rising, but is the housing market really recovering?

In this week's Housing Market Update, Larry Gonzales breaks down the latest existing home sales report and what the numbers could mean for buyers and sellers.

According to the figures discussed in the update:
🏠 Existing home sales: 4.08 million annualized pace
📈 Monthly sales growth: +1.5%
📉 Year-over-year sales: -2.2%
💰 Median home price: +1.3% year over year
📊 Housing inventory: 4.8 months of supply

While sales have improved slightly, inventory is higher than a year ago, and price growth remains modest.

That may create more negotiating opportunities for buyers in certain markets, especially when it comes to seller credits and closing costs.
But housing conditions vary significantly by location, property type, and price range.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage rate updates, VA loan education, and Hawaiʻi housing market insights.

#housingmarket #ExistingHomeSales #homebuying #realestate2026 #shorts

CPI inflation rose to 3.7%, above the expected 3.6%. So why didn't mortgage rates spike?

In this Housing Market Update, Larry Gonzales explains how higher gasoline prices, rising core inflation, and Federal Reserve expectations can influence mortgage rates.

According to the figures discussed in this update:

📈 Headline CPI: 3.7%

⛽ September gasoline prices: +9.1%

📊 Core CPI: Increased from 2.4% to 2.6%

Core CPI excludes food and energy, helping economists evaluate underlying inflation trends.

But mortgage rates don't move based on inflation numbers alone. Treasury yields, mortgage-backed securities, and market expectations also influence borrowing costs.

🏡 What does this mean for homebuyers, veterans, and military families considering a mortgage?

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage rate updates, VA loan education, and Hawaiʻi housing market insights.

#mortgagerates #cpi #inflation #housingmarket #shorts

Mortgage rates finally dropped but will the relief last?

After weeks of elevated mortgage rates, conventional 30-year fixed rates improved to approximately 7.37%, while VA mortgage rates fell to around 7.01%. But here's the surprise: inflation came in hotter than expected!

So why did mortgage rates go down?

In this week's Monday Rate Update, I explain how an AI and technology stock sell-off pushed investors toward bonds, helping lower the 10-year Treasury yield and mortgage rates despite stubborn inflation.

We also look at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, oil prices near $110 per barrel, global economic uncertainty, and why today's housing market is creating opportunities for homebuyers.

With more inventory and sellers willing to negotiate, buyers may be able to use seller credits to cover closing costs or buy down their mortgage rate. I also explain why eligible veterans and military families should compare VA loans with conventional financing before making a decision.

🏠 MORTGAGE RATE SNAPSHOT

🇺🇸 VA 30-Year Fixed: ~7.01%
🏡 Conventional 30-Year Fixed: ~7.37%
📈 10-Year Treasury: ~5.08%

IN THIS WEEK'S UPDATE

✅ Why mortgage rates dropped despite higher inflation
✅ AI stock sell-off and Treasury yields
✅ CPI and PPI inflation reports
✅ What to expect from the upcoming Fed meeting
✅ Oil prices and Middle East uncertainty
✅ Housing inventory and buyer negotiating power
✅ Seller credits and mortgage rate buydowns
✅ VA loans versus conventional loans
✅ How Realtors can help buyers navigate today's market

📌 VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome & Monday Rate Update
01:00 Mortgage Rates Finally Drop
01:40 Why the 10-Year Treasury Matters
02:00 CPI and PPI Inflation Update
03:00 AI Stock Sell-Off Helps Mortgage Rates
04:20 Will Mortgage Rates Rise Again?
04:40 Fed Rate Hike Expectations
05:40 Upcoming Fed Meeting & PCE Inflation
06:40 Oil Prices Near $110
08:00 Global Economic Risks & Bond Markets
09:40 This Week's Economic Calendar
10:40 Existing Home Sales & Housing Inventory
12:00 Seller Credits & Buyer Opportunities
12:20 VA Loans vs. Conventional Mortgages
14:00 Advice for Realtors & Homebuyers
14:40 VA Rates, ARMs & Seller Credits
15:20 Why Buyers Should Run the Numbers
16:00 Opportunities in Today's Housing Market
16:40 Final Thoughts

BOTTOM LINE

Mortgage rates improved last week, but inflation, oil prices, and the upcoming Fed decision could bring more volatility.

For buyers, especially here on Oʻahu, higher inventory and seller negotiations may create opportunities that weren't available a few years ago.

Don't focus only on the advertised interest rate. Find out what your actual monthly payment could be and what financing options are available.

👍 SUBSCRIBE for weekly mortgage rate updates, VA loan education, Hawaiʻi housing market news, and practical homebuying strategies.

Have questions about VA loans, seller credits, or mortgage pre-approval? Reach out and let's run the numbers.

#mortgagerates #valoan #MortgageRateUpdate #federalreserve #housingmarket #hawaiirealestate #oahurealestate #homebuying #LarryTheLO