Mastering Your Mortgage Journey: Essential Do's and Don'ts for Success, Part 4

Should You Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates in the Central Valley?

With all the buzz out of Washington about potential rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, many Central Valley homebuyers are asking themselves the same question: Should I wait for lower mortgage rates before I buy a home? Here’s the truth: Avoid the hype. Focus on the facts.

After the July jobs report, headlines screamed things like “Mortgage Rates Plunge!”—but let’s be real. A .25% drop is more of a toe dip than a plunge. And history is a great teacher: in late 2024, the Fed cut rates three times (.50% in September, .25% in November, and .25% in December). By January 2025, mortgage rates were actually at their highest levels since 2023. The same market forces—labor, inflation, and investor sentiment—still drive the numbers. Bottom line? A Fed cut doesn’t guarantee lower mortgage rates.

So, while the headlines make great clickbait, the smartest buyers in Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings Counties focus on what they can control: the mortgage process itself. Which brings us to…

Part 4: The Do’s and Don’ts of the Mortgage Process (Central Valley Edition)

The “Dos” are real tips that can save you headaches, time, and money. The “Don’ts” are tongue-in-cheek (though based on real-life stories that unfortunately happened to someone’s mortgage).

Do: Discuss the right earnest money deposit amount with your agent.
Don’t: Ask if your realtor can “forget to deposit the earnest money check” until your next paycheck clears.

Do: Specify in writing if appliances are included in your offer.
Don’t: Try to throw in the seller’s antique flatware, vintage recliner, or 85” TV as part of the deal.

Do: Work with your loan officer on your rate lock and closing timeline.
Don’t: Schedule your closing the day your rate lock expires, then call from Vegas asking to push it back “a week or two.”

Do: Go with your home inspector and ask about your potential new home’s condition.
Don’t: Ask if the $395 inspection fee comes with free use of his pickup truck on moving day.

Do: Remind your teenager to pick up his room before the appraiser’s photos.
Don’t: Ask if the appraiser can “just clean it up really quick” while he’s there.

Do: Confirm when your first payment is due.
Don’t: Blow it off because you just bought $7,500 worth of new furniture.

Do: Bring questions to closing and double-check your terms.
Don’t: Show up expecting to renegotiate the loan on the spot.

Do: Verify county property taxes are correct.
Don’t: Demand a background check on your future neighbors “just in case.”

Do: Give your lender your full two-year employment history.
Don’t: Omit the detail that you quit last Thursday and now work for your dad’s three-month-old business.

Do: Take a family photo with the “SOLD” sign in front of your new Central Valley home.
Don’t: Plant your own “SOLD” sign in front of a home you hope to buy.

Don’t Jeopardize Your Loan Approval

In the Central Valley housing market, stability is everything. Avoid big purchases, career changes, or opening new credit lines until your mortgage closes. Even small shifts in your finances can derail your approval—or cause costly delays.

And remember closing day is just the start. Owning a home in the Central Valley comes with new responsibilities, from maintenance to fully understanding your mortgage terms. Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Don’t let media noise or Fed speculation hold you back. Whether you’re buying in Fresno, Madera, Tulare, or Kings County, I’ll help you secure the right loan and make the process smooth (and maybe even fun).

To get more information click here

Call me today at 209-227-7745
Email: rbrtclark53@gmail.com
Visit: robertclarkloans.com

Let’s make your Central Valley homeownership goal a reality—with the right advice, the right loan, and a few laughs along the way.