Rates, Reality & My 2026 Plan to Get Back in the Room With You

People keep telling me things are "slow" at the end of the year… but honestly? This December feels pretty standard to me.

Let's be real, I stay busy, and I always find something to work on. Today, that includes getting your feedback on a piece of my 2026 business plan and discussing what the Federal Reserve just did.

After 35 years in this business, I still have the energy of a 25-year-old, and I truly want to help you more than you know.

Will I ever call you and ask for business if I don’t know you? Doubtful. LOL.

But if you call me, I will answer and show you I care. You get real information from someone who has closed over 15,000 loans and lived through almost every version of the Real Estate market.

What the Fed Actually Did

On Wednesday, the Fed lowered rates by 0.25%, and for once, Powell didn’t freak out the markets afterward. Inflation is still on their minds, but so are slowing job numbers and business activity, which means:

Rates improved on Wednesday. They improved slightly again today, and momentum is shifting in the right direction. This is excellent news for buyers, sellers, refinancers, and everyone planning for 2026.

My 2026 Plan: Getting Back in Front of People

I have many phases to my business plan, and I will share more in the coming weeks!

I used to host classes all the time, real estate, loans, strategy, market talk, all of it.

Life got busy, Covid hit, business got bad, and throw in a little personal crap, and I stopped doing lunches, and I kinda liked it! LOL!

But helping people is genuinely what I love, and in 2026 I’m bringing it back.

Starting in January, I’ll be hosting a 75-minute Lunch & Learn in my conference room 1 - 2 times a month.

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just honest conversations and real value.

And yes, I give my time for free, but there’s always a reason:

1. I can help you build and improve your business.
2. I might “earn” some business in return.
3. Can you see where we both win?

And before anyone says, "Well, my spouse is a lender…"

Perfect. Bring your spouse, too, because honestly, they should be working here anyway!

I am opening my lunch-and-learns to every agent, brand-new, 100 years in, or somewhere in between. If you want to learn, if you want clarity, if you’re going to feel confident in this market, I want you there.

So… Who Wants In?

Let’s sit down, have lunch, talk shop, shoot the breeze, and learn from someone with decades of experience and 15,000+ loans under his belt.

If you’re interested, reply "I’m in," and I’ll add you to the invite list for January.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you or any of your clients, friends, or family members need my guidance. I’m just a call, text, or email away.

📞 Direct Line: 661-291-2222 – Text OK

📞 Cell: 661-714-6258 – Text OK

📞 Office: 661-260-2970 ext. 2222 – Text OK

📧 Email: Mike@AugustaFinancial.com

But wait, there’s more…

Interest Rates

Slightly better to start the day, and we faded to a flat day! Rates were better a week ago, but are still in the range we have been in since September.

Loan Programs

• We do loans on Non-warrantable condos!
• We offer 12-day escrows for pre-approved buyers, including conventional, FHA/Jumbo/Bridge loans.
• We provide loans in all 50 states, so call me with anything you need.
• Government loans (FHA/VA/USDA) are in the 5s.
• Conventional loans up to $806,500 are in the high 5’s and low 6s.
• High-balance loans from $806,501 to $1,209,750 are also in the 6s.
• Jumbo loans above $1,209,750 are in the 6’s.
• ARMS in the 5’s and some in the 6’s
• Bank statement loans are available with 10% down again, with larger down payments in the 6’s++.
• Profit and Loss Statement loans require 20% down - no bank statements needed, only a profit and loss statement!
• 0 down loans are available in the high 6s, with a minimum credit score of 620, up to $1,300,000.
• Private Money lenders offer Hard Money Loans with 35% down.
• No-Ratio Loans require a 30% down payment.
• DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans are available with as little as 15% down.
• Bridge Loans typically have an interest rate of 7.99% with limited fees, helping you get where you need to go!
• 3/2/1 Buydowns, 2/1 Buydowns, and 1/0 Buydowns are available at great starting rates!

Please note that interest rates are subject to change without notice, and the information above reflects LA County Loan Limits.

**Good News for Condos:**   

Nothing New

**Bad News for Condos***     

Princessa Estates – Balcony Issues – HOA Dues raised to $540.00 monthly!

CONDO HELP!!!

If you have a listing or a buyer interested in a specific condo and are unsure whether it is warrantable or Non-warrantable, please call me, and we can look up Fannie’s list in real-time. We don’t know when something has changed, and it would be impossible to track everything day by day, but we don’t mind looking up a few items each day.

The full state of California’s naughty list has been added to: MikeMeena.com! See the link below:

https://mikemeena.com/non-warrantable-condos/

Let me know if you hear anything new about condos or townhouses.

I am available every day if you need anything.

📞 Direct Line: 661-291-2222 – Text OK

📞 Cell: 661-714-6258 – Text OK

📞 Office: 661-260-2970 ext. 2222 – Text OK

📧 Email: Mike@AugustaFinancial.com

Have a great day and an even better tomorrow! Please call me when you have a client who needs to borrow!