Optimal Blue’s Mike Vough on borrowers staying rate anchored into 2026
Optimal Blue’s Mike Vough says borrowers remain anchored to low mortgage rates as February’s refi share slipped to 41% and ARMs rose to 10%.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
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How homeowners benefit from massive equity and lower fixed rates
In 2025, strong home equity and fixed mortgage rates are key factors differentiating today’s housing market from the 2008 crash.
Optimal Blue: Rate-and-term refis soar 70% in August
Borrowers rushed to refinance in August as mortgage rates eased, pushing rate-and-term lock volume up 70% from July, according to Optimal Blue’s Mortgage Market Advantage report.
Click n’ Close pairs 5/1 ARM with down payment assistance for new homes
The program — called the SmartBuy 5/1 ARM Down Payment Assistance product — offers a first mortgage alongside a repayable second mortgage.
ARMs remain a small share of mortgage loans despite viral 41% claim
Adjustable-rate mortgages often get more attention when rates climb, but don’t fool yourself: their actual footprint in the U.S. housing market remains modest.