Larry Gonzales

We are almost 1/6 of the way through 2026 — are you on track with your goals?

This week could bring volatility to mortgage rates, and here’s why:

• Factory Orders
• China Rate Decision
• Case-Shiller Home Price Index
• Consumer Confidence
• 2, 5, and 7-Year Treasury Auctions
• State of the Union Address
• Producer Price Index (PPI)
• Construction Spending

The big report of the week is PPI (Producer Price Index) — the “cousin” to CPI. If producers are paying more, inflation pressure builds. If inflation pressure builds, mortgage rates react.

Current Rates:
• VA: 5.65%
• Conventional: 6%–6.25%

The good news? Rates ended the week exactly where they started. Stability is healthy. Slow downward trends are better than sharp drops and spikes.

We’re watching:
• Treasury auction demand
• Consumer confidence
• Inflation signals
• Global political tensions

If you're buying this year, this is a week to stay informed.

Prayers for peace globally because geopolitics impacts markets whether we like it or not.

Subscribe for weekly mortgage rate updates and market breakdowns.

#mortgagerates #vahomeloans #housingmarket #interestrates #marketupdate

Buying a home in Hawaii as a military member can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re unsure how the VA loan really works.

In this conversation, Sarah Lockwood-Sepulveda shares her real-world experience using a VA loan and the lessons that helped her family make confident decisions in Hawaii’s competitive market.

We cover:

How using a VA loan changed her family’s life

Advice for military members new to Hawaii

How to choose the right location and home type

What to consider if you’re only stationed for 2–3 years

Why education and flexibility matter more than timing

Whether you’re active duty, relocating to Hawaii, or exploring your VA benefits for the first time, this conversation will help you move smarter — not harder with clarity and confidence.

👇 Comment below: What’s your biggest question about buying with a VA loan?

📍 Hawaii | VA Loan | Military Homebuying

👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔔 Subscribe for real Hawaii real estate insights

Pending home sales fell 0.8% month-over-month and are 0.4% lower than last year.

Current pace: 3.91 million. We need over 5 million for a healthy market.

That said — this looks seasonal.

The Northeast has been frozen. Literally. As weather improves, we should see activity rebound.

#housingmarket #PendingHomeSales #realestateupdate #homebuying #marketupdate

Every $100,000 you put down can lower your mortgage payment by about $500 per month.*

Bigger down payment =
• Lower monthly payment
• Better interest rate
• Immediate equity
• Smaller loan balance
• No PMI at 20% down (conventional)

More skin in the game = less risk to the bank = better terms for you.

*Ballpark example. Always scenario-specific.

#downpayments #mortgagetips #homebuying #pmi #realestateeducation

Home builder sentiment just dropped again.

Second month in a row.
37 → 36.

Future sales expectations?
49 → 46.

Buyer traffic?
24 → 22.

That’s not strength. That’s hesitation.

When builders feel it first, the market usually follows.

This doesn’t mean panic.
But it does mean pay attention.

👉 Watch the full breakdown on YouTube.

Link in bio.

#housingmarketupdate #realestateupdate #marketshifts #homebuilders #mortgageupdate

VA mortgage rates are near 3-year lows.

The last time we were here?
February 2023 — and rates bounced fast.

This time is different.

The trend down has been steady, not volatile.

If this continues, we could see 5.5% VA rates.

👉 Watch the full Hawaii Market Update on YouTube for the full breakdown.

Link in bio.

#valoan #vamortgage #mortgagerates #veterans #homebuying

VA rates are near 3-year lows as we head into spring.

Builder sentiment is down. Inventory is rising. Pending home sales are soft — but a rebound is coming.

If you're self-employed, be careful:
Your tax write-offs could reduce your buying power by $150,000+.

Before you file, let’s run the numbers.

Message me “Tax Plan.”

#vahomeloans #hawaiirealestate #mortgagerates #housingmarketupdate

Honolulu, this is not theory, this is field-tested insight.

I sat down with Erik Taniguchi, one of Oahu’s top-performing real estate agents, to talk about what actually drove success in 2025 and what buyers and sellers need to understand heading into 2026.

Here’s what we break down:

• Why we are officially in a buyer’s market
• How sellers are covering permanent rate buydowns into the 4s
• Why the holidays may be the biggest opportunity window
• The power of sphere of influence and consistency
• What new agents (and buyers) get wrong

If you're renting and frustrated…
If you're thinking about listing in 2026…
If you're watching rates and waiting…

This episode gives you clarity.

Opportunity doesn’t wait and neither does Hawaii real estate.

📲 Reach out if you want to build a strategy for 2026.

#oahurealestate #HonoluluHousingMarket #hawaiihomesforsale #ErikTaniguchi #buyersmarket #realestate2026

Mortgage rates are hovering near three-year lows — and we may be knocking on the door of 5%.

Last week’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation dropping from 2.7% to 2.4%, which is great news for interest rates. But this week, we’ve got several major reports that could move the market:

• FOMC Meeting Minutes (Wednesday)
• Jobless Claims + Leading Indicators (Thursday)
• PCE Inflation Report (Friday)
• GDP Update

The big question: Will the Fed cut rates in March?

Right now:
• Conventional rates are just over 6%
• VA rates have dropped from 5.87% to 5.64%
• We’re seeing a steady downward trend — not a cliff drop, which is healthy

If inflation keeps cooling and the data cooperates, we could see continued improvement.

Have questions about how this impacts your buying power? Reach out anytime.

Aloha 🌺

#mortgagerates #rateupdate #vahomeloans #interestrates #housingmarket