Larry Gonzales

VA rates had an interesting day.

They actually started higher this morning — which is exactly what you’re seeing early on the chart.

But later in the day, President Trump announced that the GSEs — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — were directed to invest $200 billion into mortgage-backed securities.

Once that hit the market, rates fell.

By the end of the day, VA rates were around 5.75%, after being higher earlier.
Important clarification 👇

These are national average VA rates, not my specific client pricing.

Tomorrow?
Rates could go lower.
They could go higher.

It all depends on:
• Economic data
• Market reaction
• And how the media spins the numbers

That’s why timing and context matter — especially with VA loans.

Watcht the full insights here: https://youtu.be/sHKxXrWZCsQ

Is 2026 going to be the year of the first-time home buyer?

Traditionally, about one-third of all buyers are first-time buyers.

Today, the average age is 40 — which tells you just how hard affordability has been.

But that may start to change.

Here’s why 👇
Builders are adjusting.

In 2026, we’re seeing:

• More aggressive incentives
• Price reductions on select new homes
• Targeted discounts for entry-level properties

That directly lowers the upfront cost for first-time buyers.

We’re also seeing smaller, more efficient homes being built — the kind that actually fit a first-time buyer’s budget.

That’s real affordability.

Builders are under pressure:
• From buyers
• From policymakers
• From the market

They still need to make money — but they’re clearly getting the message.
This doesn’t mean it’s easy yet.

But it does mean the door may finally be opening.

Watch the full details here: https://youtu.be/sHKxXrWZCsQ

Interest rates had one of their best weeks in a long time — and Friday was the real headline.

Between weaker jobs data, major government moves into mortgage-backed securities, and inflation expectations coming into focus, we saw rates drop sharply to end the week.

Now the big question: what happens next?

This week we’re watching CPI, PPI, retail sales, housing reports, and bond auctions — all of which can move mortgage rates quickly. Historically, after a big drop, rates give some back early in the week… but inflation data could change everything.

As we start Monday, conventional rates are hovering in the high-5s to low-6s, with VA rates already under 5.75% — and if inflation cooperates, 5.5% is absolutely in play.

Add global uncertainty and geopolitical tension, and you’ve got a market that can move fast.

If you’re buying, refinancing, or using a VA loan, this is a week you want to pay attention to.

📊 Watch the full update and stay ahead of the market.


#MortgageRates #InterestRates #VAHomeLoan #HousingMarket #RateUpdate #Inflation #CPI #HomeBuying


✅ Here is how to contact me:

1️⃣ Take the first step to homeownership! Get pre-approved in under 2 minutes at my website: larrythelo.com
2️⃣ Give me a call 📞 808-348-5287

Social Media Handle:

👉 Instagram - larrythelo
👉 Facebook - LarrytheLO

All information contained herein is for informational purposes only and, while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is expressed or implied.

Any programs shown do not demonstrate all options or pricing structures. Rates, terms, programs and underwriting policies subject to change without notice.

This is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend.

All loans subject to underwriting approval.

Some products may not be available in all states and restrictions apply.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

The ADP private sector employment report came out this week — and it matters.

The number?

📉 41,000 jobs, well below forecast.

Even more important 👇

If you zoom out, the last seven months show negative private-sector job growth.

Now let’s talk wages.

• Job stayers → wage growth is flat
• Job switchers → wages up about 0.3%

That tells us something critical:

People aren’t changing jobs, and mobility is slowing.

And when you look at jobless claims:

📈 Initial claims are up
📈 Continuing claims are up

📍 Nearly 1.9 million people are now on continuing claims — close to that 2 million level

This isn’t panic data.

But it is signal data.

And signals like this matter for:

• Interest rates
• Fed policy
• Housing affordability

Context over headlines — always.

Watch the full insights here: https://youtu.be/sHKxXrWZCsQ

When President Trump talks, markets listen.

This week, he directed the GSEs — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — to invest $200 BILLION into mortgage-backed securities.

Short term?

📉 That helps push mortgage rates down.

And that’s good news for affordability.

But here’s the part people need to understand 👇

If this continues long term, it can create problems.

We saw this in 2021–2022:

• Too much intervention
• Too much liquidity
• Home prices inflated
• Inflation followed

This is not a long-term fix.

It is, however, a signal.

It shows the president is responding to the affordability crisis and trying to relieve pressure in the housing market right now.

As always — context matters more than headlines.

Watch the full details here: https://youtu.be/sHKxXrWZCsQ

Pending home sales are absolutely crushing it — and the reason is simple.
Mortgage rates are coming down.

That dark blue line?

Those are average conventional mortgage rates, and they’ve been steadily dropping since May.

When rates move closer to 6%–6.5%, affordability improves — and buyers who were sitting on the sidelines jump back in.

That’s the pent-up demand we’ve been talking about.

And here’s the part most people miss 👇

Because inventory is still elevated, sellers are giving major concessions.

📌 About 75% of my clients right now are:

✔️ Getting seller-paid closing costs
✔️ Buying down their interest rates
✔️ Moving in with little to no money out of pocket

Lower rates + motivated sellers = momentum.

This is exactly why pending sales are rising across Hawaii.

Hawaii housing inventory just dipped below a key level — and it’s not by accident.

New listings are down for the 8th straight month, and we’ve now had five months in a row with fewer than 1,000 new listings.

That’s completely normal for this time of year.

PCS moves are done.

Summer sellers already listed.

What we’re seeing now is the seasonal slowdown.

Single-family new listings were 398 in June — now they’re down to 186.

Condos dropped nearly in half as well.

As a result, total active inventory is under 3,000 for the first time since February, sitting around 2,800 homes — still elevated, but starting to tighten.

📉 Fewer new listings

📊 Inventory stabilizing

📍 Market shifting — not crashing

If you’re buying or selling in Hawaii, this context matters more than headlines.

Watch the full insights here: https://youtu.be/sHKxXrWZCsQ

The Honolulu housing market is kicking off 2026 with real opportunity — and buyers need to pay attention.

Inventory is near 10-year highs, prices are holding steady, and interest rates are finally moving lower.

Add in President Trump’s latest moves on housing affordability and mortgage-backed securities, and we may be entering the most buyer-friendly window Hawaii has seen in years.

In this video, I break down:

✔ Honolulu Board of Realtors December market data
✔ Why pending home sales are surging
✔ What Trump’s policies mean for mortgage rates
✔ VA loan rates and why they matter right now
✔ First-time buyer strategies that actually work in 2026

If you’re thinking about buying, waiting might cost you more than moving now. The hardest step is the first one — and this market is rewarding prepared buyers.

📍 Oahu | VA Loans | First-Time Buyers | Market Strategy

👉 Like, subscribe, and reach out if you want a game plan tailored to your situation.

Mortgage rates are starting the first full week of January 2026 with momentum — and we may see them move lower as the week begins.

Between major geopolitical headlines and a packed economic calendar, this week matters for buyers, homeowners, and VA borrowers.

We’re watching:
• Private payroll data
• Job openings (JOLTS)
• Manufacturing numbers
• Treasury auctions
• And Friday’s Jobs Report & unemployment rate

As of today, conventional rates are hovering in the low 6% range, with VA rates in the high 5s, and expectations remain that rates gradually trend lower through 2026.

📊 Knowledge is power — especially when it comes to mortgage timing.

👉 If this helped you, share it with someone, and let me know in the comments what topics you’d like covered next.

Like 👍 | Subscribe 🔔 | Stay informed
— Larry

#MortgageRates #VAHomeLoans #RateUpdate #HousingMarket #VAbuyers

✅ Here is how to contact me:

1️⃣ Take the first step to homeownership! Get pre-approved in under 2 minutes at my website: larrythelo.com
2️⃣ Give me a call 📞 808-348-5287

Social Media Handle:

👉 Instagram - larrythelo
👉 Facebook - LarrytheLO

All information contained herein is for informational purposes only and, while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is expressed or implied.

Any programs shown do not demonstrate all options or pricing structures. Rates, terms, programs and underwriting policies subject to change without notice.

This is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend.

All loans subject to underwriting approval.

Some products may not be available in all states and restrictions apply.

Equal Housing Opportunity.