🏡💰 Bitcoin to the Rescue? FHFA Pushes for Crypto in Mortgage Qualifying!

Happy 4th of July week! Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and enjoyable holiday as we celebrate freedom, family, and a little time away from the grind.

As we head into the second half of the year, there are a lot of big updates hitting the market—crypto-backed mortgages, changes to credit scoring, and insight from NAR’s Chief Economist on what to expect next. Let’s break it all down and help our clients stay ahead of the curve.

Read time: ~4 minutes

Rates ended LOWER compared to last week, and volatility was LOW. Rates are in the high 6’s for most loan types without paying discount points. Paying discount points can get you in the mid-to-low 6’s.

🏡💰 Bitcoin to the Rescue? FHFA Pushes for Crypto in Mortgage Qualifying!

If you’ve been sitting on Bitcoin or Ethereum and wondering if it could actually help you buy a home—your moment might be coming. FHFA Director Bill Pulte just told Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to start working on new rules that could allow crypto to count as an asset when applying for a mortgage.

No, you can’t make your mortgage payment in Bitcoin (not yet), but if your crypto is sitting on a U.S.-regulated exchange, it might soon help you qualify—without needing to sell it first.

Of course, nothing’s official until Fannie and Freddie’s boards sign off, and they’ll need to figure out how to manage crypto’s volatility. But this is a major step toward recognizing crypto as a real part of someone’s financial picture.

🧾 Buy Now, Pay Later... But Pay Attention 🚨

Buy Now, Pay Later has exploded in popularity over the past few years. It’s been a go-to option for people trying to space out their payments—whether it’s for shoes, furniture, or holiday gifts.

But soon, those BNPL loans will no longer be invisible to lenders. FICO is updating its credit scoring model to include them, and that could change the game for homebuyers.

✅ Here’s what that means:

• Lenders will be able to see every active BNPL loan you have.

• Too many stacked together—even if paid on time—can look risky.

• One missed payment? That’ll ding your credit just like a missed credit card or auto loan.

If you're planning to buy a home soon:

Start tracking your BNPL usage now. These aren’t “phantom” debts anymore. They’ll be treated like any other loan on your credit profile—and they could tip the scales on your mortgage approval.

📈 What’s Ahead for the Housing Market: 5 Big Insights from Dr. Lawrence Yun

If you’re wondering where the market is headed for the rest of the year, we got some clarity last week from one of the best in the business—Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR

1️⃣ Rate Cuts Are Likely—But the Market Won’t Wait The Fed might cut rates as early as July, but Yun reminded us: mortgage rates react to inflation and expectations, not just Fed policy. If buyers are waiting for a headline to act, they’ll probably miss their chance at locking in lower rates.

2️⃣ First-Time Buyers Are Getting Older—and Losing Out The average first-time homebuyer is now 38. That’s a lot of years missing out on home equity. With today’s affordability challenges, we should be pushing the “buy what you can afford now” message—don’t wait for perfect.

3️⃣ Boomers Are the Bottleneck Many boomers are choosing to stay put instead of downsizing. But lower rates could finally shake some of that inventory loose. If you’re not already having conversations with longtime homeowners, now’s the time.

4️⃣ Most Buyers Still Think They Need 20% Down And that myth is costing them. We’ve got to keep hammering home the truth: 3%–5% down is realistic for many—and down payment assistance can fill in the rest.

5️⃣ Stronger Finish Coming in 2025 Yun was optimistic: the worst may be behind us. He expects a stronger second half of the year, and even better momentum in 2026. We’re entering what could be a decade of real growth.

Two Ways My Team & I Can Help

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