Larry Gonzales

Your offer was accepted… now what? 🏡

In this YouTube Short, Larry explains what happens after your offer is accepted, from the home inspection and appraisal to loan processing, underwriting, and closing.

Buying a home can feel like “hurry up and wait.” You move quickly to get pre-approved, find a home, and submit an offer—then wait as each step moves forward. Timelines vary, but you should know what’s happening along the way.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage and homebuying education.

#OfferAccepted #HomeBuyingProcess #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #MortgageTips #Shorts

Mortgage rates are above 7%, but this is bigger than the Fed.
Conventional 30-year fixed rates are around 7.25% or higher, while VA rates are averaging approximately 6.89% nationwide. Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury has climbed to around 5.17%, its highest level since 2007.

So why are mortgage rates still so high?

In this week’s Monday Rate Update, I break down why this isn’t just a Federal Reserve story—it’s also a bond market, debt, inflation, and oil story.

We’ll look at why Treasury yields have surged, how the massive amount of government and corporate debt competing for buyers can push yields higher, and why that ultimately puts pressure on mortgage rates.

We also have a big week ahead with PCE inflation, ADP employment, jobless claims, and the September jobs report.

And most importantly, I break down what buyers, sellers, and homeowners can actually do in this market—including seller credits, rate buydowns, 5/1 ARMs, VA loan assumptions, and protecting a low fixed mortgage rate.

🏠 CURRENT RATE SNAPSHOT
🇺🇸 VA: ~6.89%
🏡 Conventional: ~7.25%+
📈 10-Year Treasury: ~5.17%

📌 VIDEO CHAPTERS

00:00 Why Are Mortgage Rates So High?
00:40 Conventional Rates Above 7% & VA Near 6.89%
01:40 This Is a Bond & Debt Problem
02:40 How We Got Here
04:00 The Fed, Inflation & Higher Bond Yields
04:40 Oil Prices & Inflation Pressure
05:20 The Bigger Problem: Too Much Debt for Sale
06:00 Why Bond Supply Pushes Yields Higher
07:40 What Could Bring Rates Down?
08:40 What to Watch This Week
09:20 ADP Jobs Report & PCE Inflation
10:20 September Jobs Report
11:20 What Buyers Can Do Right Now
11:40 Seller Credits & Rate Buydowns
12:20 Oʻahu Buyers Have Negotiating Power
13:00 What Sellers Need to Do Differently
13:40 VA Loan Assumptions
14:00 Homeowners: Protect Your Low Rate
15:20 Pay Down High-Interest Debt
16:20 Bottom Line: This Is Bigger Than the Fed
17:00 Control What You Can Control

Whether you're buying, selling, or staying put, run the numbers and focus on what you can control.

👍 SUBSCRIBE for weekly mortgage rate updates, VA loan education, Oʻahu housing market news, and strategies to help you become a successful homeowner.

#mortgagerates #valoan #MortgageRateUpdate #housingmarket #hawaiirealestate #oahurealestate #interestrates #LarryTheLO

H.R. 6047 would expand benefits for certain severely disabled veterans and surviving families but it also includes changes to VA home-loan fees.

CBO estimates the legislation would create a new $833 monthly benefit for certain veterans receiving aid and attendance while changing fees associated with some VA-guaranteed loans.

🎙️ Watch the full episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style on YouTube for the discussion.

🔔 Subscribe and listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

#veterans #valoan #vabenefits #military #shorts

Does a VA appraisal replace a home inspection? No.

A VA appraisal helps establish the property's value and also checks whether the home meets VA's Minimum Property Requirements. But it is not a substitute for a detailed home inspection.

The inspection is where a buyer can get a much deeper look at the home's condition before moving forward.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly VA loan, mortgage and homebuying education.

#valoan #homeinspection #homeappraisal #veterans #shorts

Should an active-duty service member refinance when mortgage rates fall?

A lower payment can be attractive, but your refinance costs, monthly savings, break-even point, and remaining time on station all matter.

If a PCS could happen before you reach the break-even point, the refinance may not deliver the financial benefit you expected.

🎙️ Watch the full episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe and listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

#valoan #VARefinance #ActiveDuty #PCS #military #shorts

Mortgage rates took another turn higher this week, with conventional rates around 7.03% and VA rates around 6.81%. So what's driving rates higher—and when could we realistically see them return to the 6% range?

In this week's Housing Market Update, Larry Gonzales breaks down how Iran, oil prices, inflation, and the 10-year Treasury are impacting mortgage rates and what buyers should be watching next.
We also cover what happens after your offer is accepted, including earnest money, inspections, underwriting, and appraisals. Plus, Larry explains what buyers can do when an appraisal comes in low and shares how a recent VA Reconsideration of Value helped overcome a $34,000 appraisal shortage.

Larry also highlights insights from housing economist @LoganMohtashami of HousingWire on the relationship between Treasury yields and mortgage rates and why 6% mortgage rates may not be coming back as quickly as many buyers hope.

📊 Mortgage Rate Snapshot
🇺🇸 VA: ~6.81%
🏠 Conventional 30-Year: ~7.03%

📲 Have Questions?
Thinking about buying a home in Hawaiʻi or using your VA home loan benefit? Let's talk about your options and what today's rates mean for your buying power.

👉 Connect with me at LarryTheLO.com
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly mortgage rate and Hawaiʻi housing market updates.

📌 Video Chapters
00:00 Mortgage Rates Hit Their Highest Level in Over a Year
01:20 Iran, Oil & the Bond Market
03:20 Oil Above $100 & Inflation
04:00 10-Year Treasury Pushes Rates Higher
05:00 New Home Sales & Affordability
07:40 What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted?
08:20 Earnest Money & Escrow
09:00 J-1 Inspection & Home Inspection
10:00 VA Appraisal & Underwriting
11:40 Hawaiʻi Closing Process
13:20 What If the Appraisal Comes In Low?
15:00 VA Reconsideration of Value
16:00 How a $34K Low Appraisal Was Saved
20:20 Current VA & Conventional Rates
21:40 What Higher Rates Mean for Oʻahu Buyers
23:00 Inflation, Jobs & What's Next
24:40 Why 6% Rates May Not Return Soon
25:20 Logan Mohtashami: Mortgage Rate Spreads
28:00 What Needs to Happen for Rates to Fall
29:00 Is This Another 2008?
32:00 Mortgage Rate Outlook

#mortgagerates #valoan #hawaiirealestate #housingmarket #oahurealestate #vahomeloan #LarryGonzales #LoganMohtashami

Mortgage rates are steady for now—but oil prices and Middle East tensions could change the picture.

Recent attacks and disruptions involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen have increased concerns about global oil supplies, with Brent crude recently approaching $110 before pulling back.

If higher energy prices contribute to inflation pressure, that can matter for Treasury yields and mortgage rates.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage rate and housing market updates.

#mortgagerates #oilprices #housingmarket #homebuying #shorts

Home builders are cutting prices and increasing incentives.

September's NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell to 32, the lowest level in a year. Meanwhile, 38% of builders cut prices and 66% offered sales incentives.

If you're considering new construction, don't just look at the advertised price. Ask what incentives are available.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage and homebuying updates.

#newconstruction #builderincentives #homebuying #housingmarket #shorts

Mortgage rates are back near 7%. What should buyers expect next?

Larry breaks down where conventional and VA mortgage rates ended the week, the Fed's first rate increase since 2023, the 10-year Treasury, and the next major inflation reports that could influence rates.

The Federal Reserve raised its target range by 25 basis points to 3.75%–4.00% on September 16.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage rate and housing market updates.

#mortgagerates #valoan #housingmarket #homebuying #shorts