Building Wealth Through Homeownership

☕ A Little Thursday Morning Mortgage & Housing Market Update —
October 8, 2026

If you’ve been watching the housing market lately, you may be wondering what’s happening with mortgage rates and whether now is a good time to buy or sell a home.

Let me break it down in everyday language! 😊

📈 First, what’s happening with mortgage rates?

Mortgage rates have been under upward pressure, and there’s a lot happening in the economy that’s contributing to it.

Inflation, the job market, government borrowing, and even events happening overseas can influence mortgage rates.

Here’s something many people don’t realize: The Federal Reserve does NOT directly set mortgage rates.
Mortgage rates are heavily influenced by the bond market, particularly mortgage-backed securities and longer-term Treasury yields.

🏠 So.........what does this mean if you’re buying a home?

When mortgage rates rise, your monthly payment generally increases, even if the price of the home stays exactly the same.

That’s why it’s so important to look beyond just the interest rate and focus on your total monthly payment.

But here’s the good news!

There are financing strategies that may help make purchasing a home more affordable, including:

✅ 2-1 Temporary Buydowns — Potentially lower your interest rate for the first two years of your mortgage.

✅ 1-0 Temporary Buydowns — Potentially lower your interest rate for the first year.

✅ Seller Concessions — Negotiate with the seller to help cover closing costs or fund a temporary rate buydown.

✅ Down Payment Assistance Programs — Qualified buyers may have options to reduce the cash needed upfront.

What about homeowners thinking of selling? 🤔

Higher mortgage rates can cause some buyers to pause, which means sellers may need to be more competitive.

Offering closing cost assistance or a temporary rate buydown could help make your property more attractive to potential buyers.

💡 Here’s what I want buyers and sellers to remember:

You cannot control the economy, inflation, or mortgage rates.

But you CAN control how you prepare, what financing options you explore, and who you have helping you navigate the process.

As a mortgage broker, I work with multiple lenders and a wide variety of loan programs to help my clients explore financing options that fit their individual circumstances.

Don’t let the headlines make your housing decisions for you. Let’s look at the actual numbers and see what makes sense for YOU!

Reach out anytime. I’m always happy to answer your mortgage questions!

Hi! I’m Bryn Harrington, a Mortgage Loan Originator with Barrett Financial Group, and I wanted to take a moment to re-introduce myself and share a little about what I do.

I’ve spent 30 years in the mortgage industry, and today, as a mortgage broker, one of the biggest advantages I can offer my clients is CHOICE.

Instead of being limited to the products and pricing of one bank or lender, I have access to 200+ lending partners. That allows me to shop for financing options based on your situation and goals—not try to fit every borrower into the same box.

And mortgages are definitely not one-size-fits-all! 🏠

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, Veteran or active-duty military family, move-up buyer, investor, self-employed borrower, or someone who simply wants to know what options are available, I’d love the opportunity to help!

I offer everything from VA, FHA, USDA and conventional financing to down payment assistance, DSCR, bank statement loans, jumbo, construction, renovation, land/lot, investment and specialty programs, SBA loans, Commercial loans and more!

I love being able to serve buyers, homeowners, Realtors and neighbors right here in our community throughout North Carolina with a team across the US.

My goal isn’t simply to get you a mortgage. It’s to help you understand your options and find financing that makes sense for your bigger financial picture.

If we haven’t met yet—hi, I’m Bryn! 👋
And if you have a mortgage question, even if you’re months away from buying, my door is always open.

📱 (413) 271-0454
📧 [email protected]
NMLS #2034900

🏡 SAME-DAY APPROVAL! 🎉

There’s nothing quite like being able to call a client and say, “You’re approved!” — especially when it happens the very same day the loan is submitted! 🙌

Today was one of those days. ❤️

As a mortgage broker, one of the advantages I can offer my clients is access to multiple lenders and loan programs, allowing me to find the financing option that best fits their individual situation — and sometimes, things move FAST!

If buying a home is on your radar, whether it’s your first home, next home, second home, or investment property, I’d love the opportunity to help you too.

📲 Reach out to me to get pre-approved and find out what options may be available for you.

Your next big move might be for your BUSINESS! 🏢✨

Thinking about buying the building you currently rent? Purchasing an existing business? Expanding or finally turning that business idea into reality?

I have SBA financing options available to help qualified business owners take that next step.

✅ Purchase a building for your business
✅ Buy an existing business or franchise
✅ Start or expand a business
✅ Purchase equipment and inventory
✅ Access working capital
✅ Refinance eligible business debt

Loan amounts from $500,000 to $5 million are available through this lending program, with up to 100% financing for certain qualifying business expansion and building purchases for businesses operating at least two years.

You may know me for home loans, but I can also help you explore financing for your business goals!

📩 Message me and tell me what you’re planning. My team and I would be happy to answer your questions and help you explore your options.

Financing subject to credit approval, SBA eligibility, and lender requirements. Financing percentages vary by transaction.