South Florida Mortgage Report

In this episode of the South Florida Mortgage Report, hosts Craig Garcia and Billy Mei sit down with Florida State Representative Chip LaMarca to break down several major issues impacting homeowners, buyers, and the real estate industry in 2025.We dive deep into the conversation around property tax reforms, including the rising momentum behind property tax waivers, questions about potential proper...

This week on The South Florida Mortgage Report, Billy “Hat Dude” Mei and Craig A. Garcia unpack the buzz around mortgage portability — the idea of taking your low-rate mortgage with you to your next home. They break down how mortgages are really funded, why bond investors matter, and why “just letting people keep their 3% rate” isn’t as simple (or harmless) as it sounds. The guys touch on affordab...

Are you a South Florida real estate agent or investor trying to grow your business and stay out of legal trouble? In this episode of the South Florida Mortgage Report, Billy “Hat Dude” Mei and Capital Partners Mortgage President Craig A. Garcia sit down with Marine Corps veteran and attorney A.J. Yolofsky of Yolofsky Law to talk about how to PROTECT your real estate business the right way.👨‍⚖️ WH...

Welcome back to the South Florida Mortgage Report! In today’s mid-week episode, Craig Garcia (President of Capital Partners Mortgage) and Billy “The Hat Dude” Mei break down two big mortgage headlines making waves:🔹 1. Fannie Mae Drops the 620 Minimum Credit Score — But What Does That Really Mean? There’s been a lot of buzz about Fannie Mae eliminating the long-standing 620 minimum FICO requireme...

In this week’s South Florida Mortgage Report, your “hat dude” Billy Mei and Craig A. Garcia, President of Capital Partners Mortgage, dive into what’s happening right now in the mortgage and real estate world — from rising rates to property tax pitfalls and the truth behind all that “South Florida housing crash” talk online.💡 In this episode:📈 Mortgage rate update — Freddie Mac’s latest survey an...

Craig Garcia and Billy Mei wrap up an incredible conversation with South Florida real estate legend Hap Pomerantz — and dive right into what’s happening with mortgage rates this week after the latest Fed meeting . 💡 In this episode: Why the Fed doesn’t actually control mortgage rates What Jerome Powell said that made rates tick up again Why South Florida’s housing market remains strong and steady...

🎙️ South Florida Mortgage Report: Real Estate Wisdom with Hap Pomerantz — 45 Years of South Florida Experience! In this very special episode of the South Florida Mortgage Report , hosts Billy Mei and Craig A. Garcia , President of Capital Partners Mortgage , sit down with South Florida real estate legend Hap Pomerantz of The Keyes Company. Hap has been selling homes in South Florida for over 45 ye...

Episode Description: Craig Garcia and Bill are back for another Finance Friday , broadcasting from sunny Wilton Manors to break down this week’s biggest housing and mortgage stories. 📉 Mortgage rates hit their lowest point in over a year — what’s driving it, and how long might it last? 🛢️ Oil and inflation: an unexpected connection that can move mortgage rates. 🏡 Fixer-uppers are trending — but...

Condo Lending Deep Dive + Rate Update (South Florida Mortgage Report) Craig Garcia (Capital Partners Mortgage) and Billy Mei unpack two things shaping South Florida buyers right now: Rates: why the recent dip into the low-6s happened—and how to think about locks. Condos: the must-know differences vs. single-family loans: the 10% reserve budget test, project approvals, limited/streamlined reviews,...

In this episode of The South Florida Mortgage Report , hosts Bill Mei and Craig Garcia of Capital Partners Mortgage Services break down one of the hottest topics in today’s housing market — the 2/1 temporary interest rate buydown — and what it really means for buyers, sellers, and agents in 2025. They cover: 🏠 Mortgage Rate Update — Where rates are trending and how the government shutdown is impa...

Happy Finance Friday! In this South Florida Mortgage Report (Oct 3, 2025), Craig Garcia (President, Capital Partners Mortgage) and co-host Billy dig into a wild week for rates and real estate: a federal government shutdown, softer jobs data, stocks at highs, and why “bad news” can sometimes be “good news” for mortgages. We break down how closings are affected (or not), practical flood-insurance wo...

It’s Aloha Friday and the gents are back form the closing table with a full breakdown of this week’s mortgage headlines and market insights. In this episode, Craig and Billy dive into the latest Freddie Mac rate survey, explaining why mortgage rates can move opposite of Federal Reserve decisions and what that means for buyers heading into Q4.They also unpack a major change in lending guidelines: F...

Mortgage rates dipped below 6.5% in the latest Freddie Mac survey, but what does the Fed’s recent rate cut really mean for homebuyers and homeowners? In this episode of the South Florida Mortgage Report , Craig Garcia and Billy May break down the Fed meeting, why mortgage rates didn’t improve as much as many expected, and what to watch for in upcoming economic data. We also cover specialty loan pr...

In this episode of The South Florida Mortgage Report , Craig Garcia of Capital Partners Mortgage Services breaks down what to expect from this week’s FOMC meeting , why mortgage rates don’t simply follow Fed cuts, and how buyers can use seller concessions to lock in rates in the low 5% range today. Whether you’re an agent, buyer, or homeowner, you’ll gain clear insights into market trends and acti...

In this episode of The South Florida Mortgage Report , host Craig Garcia of Capital Partners Mortgage Services goes solo to break down the latest in the mortgage world. Craig starts with an update on Freddie Mac’s Mortgage Rates Survey , explaining how the bond market – not just the Fed – drives changes, and why now may be a favorable moment for buyers and refinancers. He then dives into the newly...

South Florida Mortgage Report – Rates, Housing Data & Condo Insights Bill Mei and Craig Garcia kick off the long weekend with a mix of Dolphins football banter and an in-depth look at the latest trends in mortgages and housing. This week’s episode covers: Mortgage rates trending downward toward the mid-6% range and what’s driving the shift. The Florida Hometown Heroes Program update—why funds...

In today’s South Florida Mortgage Report , Craig Garcia and Bill Mei dive into the highlights from Jackson Hole, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s “friendly address” and its implications for the future of interest rates. The episode also covers Bill Pulte going after Fed member Lisa Cook on the topic of mortgage fraud, adding some fiery commentary to the mix. Plus, Craig shares his r...

In this week’s South Florida Mortgage Report , Craig Garcia and Bill Mei unpack the latest inflation report and its ripple effects on mortgage rates. They also break down recent commentary from Treasury Secretary Bessent and what it could mean for housing and finance professionals. Rounding out the discussion, Bill and Craig share smart strategies on how to buy your new home before you sell your c...

Join Craig Garcia and Bill Mei on this week’s South Florida Mortgage Report , featuring a special spotlight on Carlos Gonzalez of Atlantic Building Inspections. They break down the latest mortgage rate trends, share essential insights for real estate professionals and clients, and explain how a trusted home inspection partner can elevate your deals with confidence. Whether you're prepping a pr...

Florida Hometown Heroes Program returns! Plus the future direction of interest rates and The FED, the recent jobs report, and more! Helpful Links: • Housing Newsletter: Stay informed with curated mortgage and housing insights delivered straight to your inbox: Subscribe here • Pre-Approvals 24/7: Get started with mortgage pre-approvals anytime—whichever link works best for you: o Option 1 o Option...

Episode Description: In this week’s South Florida Mortgage Report , Craig Garcia and Bill Mei tackle your top mortgage and market questions with clarity and insight. This time around, they break down the latest mortgage rate updates, explain why the Fed isn’t lowering rates anytime soon, and dive into the pros and cons of closing on your home before starting a new job. Plus, they explore the My Sa...

On this week’s South Florida Mortgage Report , Craig Garcia and Bill Mei break down the latest mortgage market moves and what they mean for real estate professionals and their clients. From surprising shifts in rates to why seller concessions are showing up everywhere, we’ll explore the trends shaping today’s deals. Plus, we dive into a little-known VA borrower perk that could be a game-changer, a...

Tune in for a concise, timely breakdown of the mortgage rate landscape as of mid-July. In this episode, the hosts guide you through the most impactful current events—economic indicators, Federal Reserve signals, and industry news—that are shaping today’s mortgage rates. Whether you're buying, refinancing, or simply staying informed, this update equips you with the clarity you need to navigate...

Join Craig and Bill for a timely update on the latest mortgage rate trends, followed by an insightful conversation with Ryan Papy from Keyes Insurance. Discover the noteworthy developments in homeowners insurance—what’s shifting in the market, why it matters, and how it impacts your financial plans. Whether you're navigating buying, refinancing, or just staying informed, this episode offers cl...

In this week’s episode, hosts Bill and Craig dive into the latest developments in mortgage rates following the recent Federal Reserve meeting, offering timely insights that matter to homeowners and prospective buyers alike. They also unpack surprising changes to Florida’s Hometown Heroes Program—what’s shifted, what it means for residents, and what you need to know moving forward. Tune in for a co...