Mortgage Magic
My name is Russell McDonald and I'm a mortgage broker, real estate broker and inventor in the SF Bay Area. I've been working in these fields for more than 30 years. This has given me certain insights into finance, credit and technology and I want to share some of that information with you here. I have two mortgage companies and a software company that provides very niche solutions inside the mortgage space. Basically if we ever need a specific tool first we try to just find it in the open marketplace. It's a lot easier to buy a program than create one. If we cannot find what we want then we go about creating it. Sometimes these tools are only used in-house at my other companies and sometimes we make them available to the public.
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital, Inc. | NMLS 18766
TRADMOR.COM, Inc. | NMLS 1637088
Mortgage Magic
Do you actually know your refinance strike rate? 🎯
Most homeowners don’t. And that is exactly how people leave thousands of dollars on the table without realizing it.
Your strike rate is the point where refinancing finally saves you real money. It factors in your current mortgage rate, today’s market, whether you can drop PMI, and most importantly, whether you can do it without paying a single dollar in closing costs.
Here is the part almost nobody talks about. If a lender is willing to give you a lower rate than you have right now and also pay every dollar of the closing costs for you, it almost always makes sense to move forward. 🙌 Why? Because you instantly improve your cash flow without adding fees to your loan. Zero cost, lower rate, lower payment. That is how you win.
I have helped thousands of California homeowners run the math the right way and avoid unnecessary fees while still lowering their payments. And I can walk you through your numbers in minutes.
If you want to know your personal strike rate, send me a quick message. A smarter refinance can save you money no matter where you live, but if you are in California I can help you directly. 💬🏡
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital Inc | NMLS 18766 | Broker CA DRE 01121628
Real Estate Broker - CA Dept of Real Estate
#MortgageTips #RefinanceSavings #LowerYourRate #Homeowners #MortgageBroker
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
Mortgage rates rose after a Fed cut. Sounds backward, right? Here is what actually happened. 📈
💡 Powell said a December cut is “not a foregone conclusion.” Traders quickly reduced the odds of more cuts.
💡 The 10-year Treasury moved up on that guidance, and mortgages tend to follow the 10-year.
💡 When volatility spikes, investors demand a bigger cushion to own mortgage bonds, so MBS spreads can widen.
💡 The headline cut matters less than the path. Markets care about the level of rates in early 2026, not just this week.
What it means for buyers and owners:
✅ Today’s rate is still lower than midsummer, which can save real dollars vs July levels.
✅ The next several months of data and Fed messaging will drive spring 2026 mortgage pricing.
✅ Strategy beats headlines. If you are shopping, focus on payment, credits, and float-down options. If you own, watch the 10-year and spreads, not just the Fed funds rate.
I help people turn this noise into a plan that saves money. Follow for clear mortgage strategy, and if you are in California, I can run numbers for your situation.
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
Mortgage rates just hit 6.13%, the lowest level we’ve seen in nearly three years. 📉 This is a big deal ahead of the Fed meeting tomorrow. Don’t forget—these are national averages. What really matters is what YOUR lender can lock in for you. Rates don’t move in a straight line, so don’t wait until the Fed makes their announcement to find out where you stand.
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital Inc | NMLS 18766 | Broker CA DRE 01121628
Real Estate Broker - CA Dept of Real Estate
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
📉 Mortgage rates just fell to their lowest levels since Fall 2024.
✅ 30yr Fixed: 6.29%
✅ 15yr Fixed: 5.60%
✅ FHA: 5.95%
✅ Jumbo: 6.25%
✅ VA: 5.97%
This drop came right after today’s very weak jobs report. On the surface, that’s great news for buyers and homeowners thinking about refinancing.
But keep this in mind: these are national averages. The rate you can lock depends on your lender, your credit, and your loan program. Always check your actual numbers instead of assuming you’ll get “the average.”
Here’s what makes this moment even more interesting: the last time mortgage rates were this low, the 10-year Treasury was around 3.60%. Today it’s at 4.08%. That means the spread has narrowed dramatically — a sign that markets are gaining confidence in the economy.
Looking ahead, as the Fed begins to cut rates aggressively, we should see mortgage rates fall even further. Don’t be surprised if we’re back under 5% before too long.
📍If you’re in California, I can help you plan your strategy. Even if you’re outside the state, following my advice will put you in the best position to save.
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital Inc | NMLS 18766 | Broker CA DRE 01121628
Real Estate Broker - CA Dept of Real Estate
#mortgagerates #housingmarket #refinancetips #mortgagebroker #realestate2025
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
📉 Mortgage rates have officially slipped to their lowest levels in nearly a year.
✅ 30yr Fixed: 6.45%
✅ 15yr Fixed: 5.81%
✅ FHA: 6.03%
✅ Jumbo: 6.40%
✅ VA: 6.05%
On the surface, that’s great news for buyers and homeowners thinking about refinancing. Lower rates = lower payments.
But here’s the important part 👉 these numbers are national averages.
The rate you qualify for depends on:
🔹 Your credit score
🔹 Your down payment or equity
🔹 The loan program you choose
🔹 And which lender you’re working with
I’ve seen clients qualify below the “average” because they had the right strategy, and I’ve seen others pay more because they didn’t.
So while it’s exciting to see 11-month lows, don’t just read the headlines. Talk to your lender, check your real numbers, and know your options.
📍For Californians, I’ve been guiding clients through these cycles for over 30 years... and I can help you too. Even if you’re outside the state, following my advice will put you in a stronger position.
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital Inc | NMLS 18766 | Broker CA DRE 01121628
Real Estate Broker - CA Dept of Real Estate
#mortgagerates #housingmarketupdate #realestate2025 #refinancetips #mortgagebroker #homebuyingtips
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
📊 This week’s inflation reports are in — and they’re cooler than expected! But don’t get too comfortable... 👀
💥 CPI rose just 0.1% in May
💥 Core CPI is trending lower at 2.8%
💥 Producer prices (PPI) are also soft — up just 0.1%
🚗 Gas prices dropped
🏠 But housing costs are still climbing
📦 And tariffs? Haven’t even hit inflation yet…
So what’s the takeaway?
👉 Right now, the market thinks the Fed might start cutting rates as soon as September. That gives YOU a window of opportunity to lock in a better mortgage rate — especially before the full impact of tariffs and oil prices hit.
💸 I've been helping homeowners for 33 years. If you're buying, refinancing, or just want to get ahead of the market — let’s talk.
📲 FOLLOW me to MASTER your mortgage and stay ahead of the curve!
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital Inc | NMLS 18766 | Broker CA DRE 01121628
Real Estate Broker - CA Dept of Real Estate
#inflation #mortgagerates #fedmeeting #CPI #PPI #tariffs #recession
6 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
www.youtube.com/shorts/wWagQ8...
⚠️ Mortgage rates could get volatile this week — here’s what to watch:
📍 Geopolitical tension is rising — between Congress and national protests, the markets are already nervous.
📊 CPI drops Wednesday. PPI hits Thursday. These inflation reports are the biggest we’ve had in weeks — and they could sway Fed policy.
💰 Plus, key Treasury auctions this week will test whether global investors still have an appetite for U.S. debt. If demand drops, rates could spike quickly.
This is one of those weeks where being early matters.
📈 If you’re floating a rate, it may be risky.
📉 If you’re planning to buy or refi, it’s worth having a strategy now.
📲 DM me if you want help breaking down how this could affect your rate, approval, or timeline. I’m in California, but this advice applies nationwide.
6 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
📊 This week in finance — here’s what matters:
📉 The Fed confirmed fewer rate cuts are likely in 2025
🌏 Australia and China both cut rates to combat slowing growth
🌍 Geopolitical risks continue to shake confidence
🏠 Existing home sales dropped to a 15-year April low
🚧 But new home sales surged to a 3-year high
📈 Mortgage rates spiked in response
There’s a lot of conflicting signals in the market — and knowing what it means for your finances isn’t always obvious.
If you’re planning to buy, sell, or refinance, timing and strategy are everything.
Follow me for real-time breakdowns that keep you ahead of the curve — and DM me if you want a custom take on how this affects you.
#MortgageTips #HousingMarket2025 #WeeklyRecap #InterestRates #RealEstateTrends
7 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
www.youtube.com/shorts/P4ZPHA...
🏠 Home sales just dropped to their lowest April level since 2009 — and it's happening during what’s usually the busiest time of year.
Here’s what’s behind the slowdown:
📈 Mortgage rates near 7%
💰 Record-high home prices at $414,000
📦 Inventory up 20% year-over-year
😬 And affordability? Still out of reach for many buyers
But this isn’t a crash — it’s a reset.
And whether you're buying, selling, or refinancing, this kind of market calls for a smart strategy, not guesswork.
Swipe through these 4 quick slides for the full picture.
Then follow me for real-world mortgage advice that helps you save money in 2025.
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital Inc | NMLS 18766 | Broker CA DRE 01121628
Real Estate Broker - CA Dept of Real Estate
7 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Mortgage Magic
🏠 Builders are pulling back — and it’s starting to show in the data.
📉 In May, home builder sentiment dropped to 34, deep in pessimistic territory. Current sales expectations fell sharply, and buyer traffic is near the lowest we’ve seen all year.
At the same time, April’s new home construction numbers reveal:
🔻 Permits down 4.7%
🔻 Completions down 5.9%
🔻 Homes under construction down 14.3% YoY
Even though housing starts rose slightly, that uptick may be short-lived if builder confidence continues to erode.
This isn’t just a builder problem — it’s a supply problem, and it could affect home prices, competition, and mortgage affordability in the months ahead.
What do you think:
💬 Will this lead to more bidding wars this summer? Or are buyers too spooked by high rates?
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital Inc | NMLS 18766 | Broker CA DRE 01121628
Real Estate Broker - CA Dept of Real Estate
7 months ago | [YT] | 0
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