Written by Chase Majerus
A lot has happened since we last talked, and if you stepped away for even a second, you might have missed something big. From market shake-ups to new housing policies that could hit your wallet, we’re breaking down everything you need to know—fast, smart, and maybe even a little fun. Let’s get into it.
A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, lets you borrow against your home’s available equity. Applying for a HELOC with Synergy One Lending is fast and easy. Our application is fast, easy, and all online. If pre-approved, you’ll be instantly presented with your offer options.
The new administration just dropped the tariff hammer: 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico starting March 4, with no tak
Homebuilders are sweating because steel, aluminum, and lumber are all in the crosshairs, and construction costs could jump 10-15% like they did in 2018, adding billions to the industry’s tab. That means fewer homes, higher prices, and an even nastier affordability crisis, especially for first-time buyers already drowning in a market short on supply. The Federal Reserve might have to jack up interest rates in response, pushing mortgage rates even higher and making that dream home even harder to reach.
Small construction firms, which make up 80% of the industry, could be hit hardest. Margins are thin, and rising costs don’t help.
On the flip side, current homeowners might see property values go up, but expect higher property taxes and pricier renovations to follow.
Video:
Touring the most expensive house in San Francisco – Watch here!
Video:
Renovating A $100K Abandoned High School Into Apartments – Watch here!
Video:
This could be the next greatest financial power play – Watch here!
Read:
This absurd home equity stat – Read here!
Most renters do not realize this, but your monthly rent payments usually do not impact your credit score unless you actively sign up for a rent reporting service or fall behind on payments. Rent reporting can help people with little to no credit history build their score, with an average increase of 60 points according to TransUnion.
However, if you miss payments or your landlord sends unpaid rent to collections, it can damage your credit significantly. In some cases, a collection account can drop your score by more than 100 points and stay on your report for up to seven years.
This matters because your credit score plays a major role in your financial life. A strong credit score makes it easier to qualify for loans and credit cards with lower interest rates, which means keeping more of your money instead of paying extra in interest. Your credit score also affects your ability to rent an apartment, secure good insurance rates, and get a great mortgage rate (you can read more about this here).
Already a homeowner? Now is the Time to Tap into Your Equity with a HELOC.
And speaking of credit, good credit is essential for getting approved for a HELOC. Lenders look at your credit score to determine your interest rate and borrowing limit.
A higher score means better terms and lower costs, while a lower score can make it harder to qualify or lead to higher interest rates. If you are thinking about tapping into your home’s equity, checking your credit and making improvements where necessary can help you secure the best deal.
Checkout our website to see if you qualify for a HELOC today!
S1 FinFit is a FREE app that provides a roadmap to help you reach your financial and lifestyle goals, no matter how big or small! Free credit monitoring with alerts, set financial goals, create budgets, and keep track of your spending to see where your money is going.
Download the app on the appropriate app store with the links below!
On top of swinging the tariff hammer, the new administration also swung the executive order axe: demanding more U.S. timber production to cut reliance on foreign lumber and (hopefully) lower housing costs.
White House executive order puts the pedal to the metal on U.S. timber production, telling federal agencies to cut the red tape and start cutting trees.
Agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forestry Service (USFS) now have marching orders to speed up logging approvals, streamline environmental reviews, and set clear targets for timber sales. The order also shrinks administrative costs for forest management and wildfire prevention while making it easier to thin out overgrown forests and salvage usable timber.
Plus, it takes aim at the Endangered Species Act and other regulations that might slow down logging, pushing for faster approvals. Basically, more trees coming down, more lumber hitting the market, and hopefully cheaper housing down the line.
Department of Housing and Urban Development Declining Employee Count
Department of Government Efficiency Task Force, aka DOGE (no, not the meme coin), a government cost-cutting squad that claims to have found $1.9 billion in “misplaced” Biden-era funds. And right now, DOGE has the HUD in its sights, with rumors swirling that half of its workforce (about 4,300 jobs) could be axed, hitting the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Ginnie Mae the hardest.
The Urban Institute warns that slashing 40% of FHA’s staff could delay help for struggling homeowners, push up mortgage rates, and even bankrupt some lenders. How?
While reforming these agencies isn’t a bad idea, experts warn that slashing their ranks without a clear backup plan could send mortgage availability into a tailspin.
Written by: Allie Nelson (Loan Officer || NMLS #2500666)
Hi! I’m Allie Nelson with Synergy One Lending. I made a cool video about everything you’ll read below so you can check it out here!
Did you know that homeowners across the U.S. are sitting on more than $35 trillion in home equity? That’s a staggering amount of untapped potential, and if you’re a homeowner, that means your house could actually be working for you, not just as a place to live, but as a financial tool.
One of the best ways to access that equity? A HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit).
A HELOC allows you to tap into the value of your home and use that cash for whatever you need. Whether it’s consolidating high-interest debt, funding a home renovation, or even kickstarting your own business, this is an option that puts your home’s value to work for you.
If you’re curious about how much equity you have and what you could do with it, click here to see what’s possible. Let’s make your home work for you!
Thank you for reading! We hope you have a wonderful day! See you next week!
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