Taxes and insurance are the payment story: send an escrow heads-up

Today's best hook is the part of the payment a rate quote leaves out. ATTOM data reported by National Mortgage News puts the combined cost of the mortgage payment, property taxes and homeowners insurance at 31.8% of pay, past affordability norms in 98% of counties, as taxes and insurance offset falling prices and wage gains. That gives you a sourced reason to talk about the full monthly number instead of the rate alone, and it is education rather than a pitch. The second hook is narrower: National Mortgage Professional reports UWM is waiving credit-score pricing adjustments on FHA and VA loans for borrowers at 580 and up through December 31. That is one wholesale lender's promotion, so it matters only if you broker to UWM, but if you do, it is a reason to reprice a few government files this week.

The rate context supports a steady message, not a celebration. Bankrate's 30-year reads 7.37%, unchanged since Tuesday, which on a $400K loan is about $2,761 a month in principal and interest. It sits in the upper part of its 90-day range of 6.67% to 7.57%, and Freddie Mac's PMMS was 0.45 points higher than a month ago as of last week. Bonds rallied this morning on Middle East headlines, but the surveys have not shown it yet, so build content on today's number and let any improvement be a bonus you share later.

The tactical move is a "what's in your payment" explainer for past purchase clients coming up on their first year. Servicers re-run escrow once a year, and a borrower whose taxes or insurance went up sees a higher payment with no change to their rate. A short note before that happens explains the three pieces of the payment, tells them what to expect, and offers to look at their numbers. It lands as a service touch, and it keeps you in the conversation if a re-shop of their insurance or a future refinance makes sense.