The rate passed the important psychological boundary just as the spring buying season is set to begin, Freddie Mac said. 

The Fed said that while economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace, job growth has remained low, and inflation is “somewhat elevated.”  

The mortgage veteran has been in the industry for more than 23 years. 

Smith will split his time between Rate’s offices in Chicago and South Florida.   

The move was expected, but came amid increasing dissention among Fed officials, who voted for the cut by the sharpest division in six years.

Leaders from Chicagoland lenders Rate, A&N, Chase and Wintrust Mortgage share their mortgage-lending predictions.

As part of the relaunch, Rate announced the results of a study it conducted, which found almost seven in 10 homebuyers said homeownership keeps them up at night. 

The Federal Reserve trimmed its federal funds rate from 4% to 3.75% as it seeks maximum employment and inflation of 2%. 

Fannie Mae also reduced its forecasts for home sales in 2025 and 2026. 

Rate has launched the first fully integrated Spanish-language mobile app from a U.S. mortgage lender. 

The move was widely anticipated and is expected to be followed by additional cuts this year. 

The jump in mortgage activity was driven in large part by refinancings, which surged 58% in the week ended Sept. 12. 

The surge comes as the rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to its lowest level since October 2024. 

Despite the decrease in borrowing costs, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Market Composite Index showed a decrease in mortgage applications in the week ended Aug. 29. 

The law helps delinquent VA borrowers and allows them to pay buyer-agent commissions when house shopping. 

The loan officer originated almost $30 million in mortgages last year.