John Lake's (johnlake2) Blog

If there’s one word defining the market right now, it’s Volatility.Lately, it seems the market is being driven by headlines and 'loose lips' rather than actual economic data. Just look at the rollercoaster we’ve been on since last Friday: The Global Spark: European central banks hinted at raising...

We are currently seeing the 'Cost of Conflict' translate directly into the economy and home affordability.Despite global efforts to release oil reserves, crude prices have surged—Brent is up over 55% since the conflict began, climbing above $113 a barrel. At the pump, we’ve seen prices jump over ...

Here is what I'm telling my refinance clients. We have discussed a target rate that makes sense for them to refinance. Because dips are short lived, we have the advantage of striking when the time is right for them. I wanted to reach out with a quick update on the direction of mortgage rates.A li...

This is a critical moment for the market. As of today, March 9, 2026, we are seeing a classic "geopolitical tug-of-war" that has ended our brief stay in the 5% range. After a "flash sale" last week where rates dipped to 5.98%, the start of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran on Februa...