Welcome to your monthly roundup of must-know mortgage, tax, and real estate news. Whether you’re a homebuyer, investor, Realtor, or industry partner, these updates will help you stay informed—and ready to take advantage of current opportunities.
Rates are still hovering in the mid-to high-6's ++. We won't see much improvement until we see inflation slow, a Fed move, or hints of recession. Only time will tell!
Student Loan Payments: New Rules Under the New
Administration
The new administration has rolled out a fresh wave of changes to federal
student loan repayment. Key points:
- Automatic Repayment Resumption: Most borrowers are back in
active repayment, and many who were in forbearance are seeing their loans
move toward collections.
- New Income-Driven Repayment (IDR)
Programs offer potentially lower monthly payments.
- Borrowers struggling with
delinquency should explore ombudsman services and federal
assistance programs before their credit is impacted. Ask us for help!!
Mortgage Tip: Student loan status directly impacts mortgage eligibility. We can help
navigate options that may improve your debt-to-income ratio and credit profile.
Tax Law Updates: Mortgage & Property
Impacts
Here’s what to know about current federal tax law changes and their
effect on real estate:
🔹 Mortgage Interest Deduction
- The cap on deductible mortgage
interest remains at $750,000 of qualified loan amount for those
not grandfathered under older limits.
- Second homes still qualify—under
specific conditions.
🔹 SALT Deduction (State and Local
Taxes)
- The SALT deduction cap has
been increased to $40,000, offering significant relief to homeowners
in high-tax states like California and New York.
- This adjustment could improve tax
outcomes for many homeowners and make certain high-cost markets more
attractive.
🔹 Mortgage Insurance is Tax-Deductible
- Borrowers can now deduct Mortgage
insurance premiums –including PMI, FHA MIP, VA funding fees and USDA
guarantee fees… subject to income limits.
- This is a real win for any borrower
putting down less than 20%!
🔹 1031 Exchange Watch
- No immediate changes—1031
exchanges remain a powerful tool for deferring capital gains on
investment property sales.
The Power of VA Loans: Benefits You
Shouldn’t Miss
As a Certified Veteran Lending Specialist, I am proud to help
Veterans, Active-Duty, and Reservists leverage one of the most powerful
financing tools available:
- $0 Down Payment (yes, really!)
- No Monthly Mortgage Insurance
- Flexible Credit Requirements
- Assumable Loans (huge when selling in a
high-rate market)
- Reusable Benefit – you can use your VA
entitlement more than once
Even if you’ve used a VA loan before—or think you’re not eligible—it’s
worth a conversation. We’ve helped countless Veterans get approved when others
said no.
💬 Let’s Connect
Got questions about the market, your current loan, or future plans? I’m
always here to help clients, agents, and partners make informed, confident
decisions.
Karen Card
Mortgage Expert | Veteran Lending Specialist
Serving Orange County & Beyond
