THE MORTGAGE REBELLatest Articles
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Utah Real Estate Update: How to Navigate the October 2026 Buyer’s Market: A Playbook for Buyers AND Sellers
Utah has been in a buyer’s market for nearly all of 2026, and that changes the playbook for both buyers and sellers this fall.
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How to Buy a Home With Your VA Loan Benefits
The math favors VA loans more than most veterans realize. On September 3, 2026, the national 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.88% — and the 30-year VA index sat lower at 6.46% on the same day. That combination is why VA loans so often win the cost comparison. As a fellow veteran and a mortgage…
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VA Loans in Utah: 7 Things Veterans Should Know
I’m Kris Matyas — the Mortgage Rebel at Barrett Financial Group, and before I ran a mortgage shop I wore Army boots. Utah has one of the strongest housing markets in the country, and there’s no better tool for a veteran buying here than the VA loan. But the benefit only works if you know…
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First-Time Utah Homebuyer: What You Need in 2026
Stop waiting for the “perfect time” or a 20% down payment that feels impossible in today’s housing market. Homeownership in Utah is more accessible than the standard banking myths suggest, especially as the market shifts toward a more balanced landscape in 2026 where inventory is rising and competition is cooling.
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Should You Buy a Home Right Now?
Mortgage rates just jumped, home prices are still high, and every headline is screaming at Utah buyers to wait. I’m Kristopher “Kris” Matyas — The Mortgage Rebel — and after 25-plus years in this business, I’ll tell you the uncomfortable truth: waiting for a lower rate can cost you more than the higher rate ever…
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Drowning in Credit Card Debt? Your Home Equity May Be the Way Out
Compare a HELOC, home equity loan and cash-out refinance to see whether your home equity can help eliminate high-interest credit card debt.
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Zero-Down VA Loans in Utah: The 2026 Veteran’s No-BS Guide
Can you buy a Utah home with $0 down in 2026? Yes. Army veteran Kris Matyas breaks down VA loan myths, credit scores, and the 2026 funding fee math.