Paul Olbrantz, Mortgage Advisor

Paul Olbrantz, Mortgage Advisor As brokers, we do the rate shopping for you so you can focus on finding your dream house!

We pride ourselves on exceeding our customer's expectations in finding the best rates, service, and options for a home loan that's right for you. Whether you want the lowest rate possible, a large amount of guidance, or a more complex financing package, we realize you are unique and we'll work with you to form a loan that is exclusively for you. We distinguish ourselves from others in our industry by providing WOW service, communication, and knowledge of home financing. We realize that buying or refinancing a home can be a stressful process without guidance and expertise todays constantly changing lending world. As your professional loan team, we are up-to-date on current lending guidelines, practices, and programs so that we can offer you the best advice and help you through the home loan process stress-free. Our goal is that you will be so impressed with our way of doing business that you will gladly tell your friends and family; our business is built on your referrals and we aim to have our clients for life.

09/25/2026

Selling 3 seats together for 49ers vs. Cardinals this Sunday (9/27, 1:05 kickoff). Section 210, Row 14, Seats 22–24. $220 each, no fees. I also have a parking pass for $50, which is cheaper than paying at the lot. Buy 1, 2 or all 3. Message me.

09/23/2026

The Fed raised rates this week — the first hike in three years — and the 30-year fixed is back near 7%. Before you read that as bad news, here's what the numbers in our four counties actually say.

I break down where rates sit right now, why waiting for a lower one has cost buyers money two years running, and which of our local markets is actually giving buyers room to negotiate.

What's covered:

Rates as of September 2026 — 30-year at 6.95%, 15-year at 6.26%, and what the Fed's move to 3.75–4.00% does and doesn't mean for your mortgage.

The four-county scoreboard — Marin, Sonoma, Solano and Contra Costa side by side: median price, sale-to-list, share selling over asking, days on market and price cuts.

Where sellers still hold the cards — Marin at 102.3% of list and Contra Costa at 100.6%, both under 30 days. Come in clean here.

Where buyers have room — Sonoma and Solano both selling below asking with 40+ days on market and one in five listings already cut. Sonoma is the only one of the four cheaper than a year ago.

Why nationally half of sellers are paying concessions and here they barely have to — and how to create that leverage anyway.

Shopping in one of these counties? Comment or send me a message and I'll tell you what you can realistically ask for in that market.


� Paul Olbrantz — Clear2Close Brokers
� myhomeloanteam.com
NMLS
#468647

Sources: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (week of September 17, 2026); CNBC, "Fed rate decision September 2026"; Redfin seller concessions report (August 2026) and Redfin county market data for Marin, Sonoma, Solano and Contra Costa counties. Figures current as of September 18, 2026.

This video is for general information only and is not a loan offer, rate quote, or commitment to lend. Rates and market conditions change daily. Equal Housing Opportunity.

09/21/2026

The Fed raised rates last week for the first time in three years — and mortgage rates barely moved. Here's why almost everybody got this one backwards, plus the two stories that actually moved rates and what I'm watching this week.

� TODAY'S RATES
VA — 6.625%
FHA — 6.625%
Conventional — 7.125%
Jumbo — 6.875%

No points · 780 FICO · 25% down on Conventional & Jumbo. Rates change daily — message me for a quote on your scenario. APR in Video.

� THE BIG TAKEAWAY
The Fed does not set your 30-year mortgage rate. It sets a short-term rate that banks charge each other. Your mortgage rate follows the bond market — and the bond market had already priced this hike in weeks earlier. The 10-year Treasury hit its highest level since 2007 BEFORE the meeting, then eased after it.

Meanwhile, retail sales came in hot and oil pushed past $100 a barrel. Inflation is the real enemy of low mortgage rates, and that's the pressure we're dealing with.

� WHAT I'M WATCHING THIS WEEK
Thursday — Jobless claims + new home sales
Friday — Consumer inflation expectations
This Week— Fed officials speak for the first time since the hike

� HOPES & DREAMS STRATEGY SESSION
You don't have to be ready to buy or refinance today. This is just a conversation about where you are, where you want to go, and what would have to happen to get you there.

No application. No credit pull. No pressure.

� email me: [email protected]

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Paul Olbrantz | Clear2Close Brokers
20 years in the mortgage business
NMLS #468647

� myhomeloanteam.com
� [email protected]
�(707) 494-7017

New rate update every Monday. Subscribe so you're not guessing.

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This video is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice and depend on credit profile, loan amount, property type, occupancy, and other factors. Equal Housing Opportunity. Clear2Close Brokers, NMLS #468647. Nothing here should be taken as financial advice.

09/14/2026

Mortgage rates hit a one-year high last week after two hotter-than-expected inflation reports.

So, the big question: Will rates recover?

In this week’s update, I break down what pushed mortgage rates higher, why rising diesel prices are adding to inflation pressure, and what the Federal Reserve’s decision on Wednesday could mean for mortgage rates going forward.

One thing catching a lot of people off guard: markets are currently pricing in roughly an 80–85% chance the Fed raises rates at its September 16 meeting — not cuts them.

But here’s the important part: a Fed rate hike does NOT automatically mean mortgage rates go higher. I explain why in the video.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

� What the latest CPI and PPI inflation reports showed
� Why diesel prices are putting additional pressure on inflation
� How the bond market and 10-year Treasury influence mortgage rates
� Why the Fed does NOT directly control 30-year mortgage rates
� The three things I’ll be watching Wednesday that could move rates
� What buyers, sellers, and homeowners considering a refinance should be thinking about right now

TODAY’S RATES — SEPTEMBER 14, 2026

VA: 6.625% | APR 6.8745%
FHA: 6.375% | APR 7.103%
Conventional: 6.875% | APR 6.985%
Jumbo: 6.875% | APR 6.947%

Rates shown with no points, 780 FICO, and 25% down on Conventional and Jumbo.

I post a new This Week in Rates update every Monday morning.

No jargon. No hype. And no telling you to buy or refinance just because rates moved.

Just what happened, why it matters, what’s coming next, and what your options are.

WANT A PLAN INSTEAD OF A GUESS?

Book a Strategy Session — no application, no credit pull, and no pressure.

We’ll look at your actual situation, run your numbers, and build a strategy that works whether rates go up or come down — so you’re prepared either way.

�email me: [email protected]

� Subscribe for a new mortgage rate update every Monday.

Paul Olbrantz
Clear2Close Brokers | NMLS #468647


Rates shown are as of September 14, 2026 and are subject to change. Your actual rate and APR will depend on factors including credit profile, down payment, property type, loan amount, and loan program. This video is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Equal Housing Opportunity.

08/31/2026

� Happy Monday! Here’s your Mortgage & Housing Market Update.

We’re kicking off the week with rates around:

� VA: 6.25% | APR 6.492%
� FHA: 6.125% | APR 6.879%
� Conventional: 6.625% | APR 6.787%
� Jumbo: 6.50% | APR 6.625%

Rates shown with no points, 780 FICO, and 25% down on Conventional and Jumbo.

� FAQ MONDAY: What can I do with the equity in my home?

Your home equity can be a powerful financial tool. Depending on your situation, you may be able to use it to consolidate high-interest debt, access cash for major expenses, or restructure your overall finances.

That doesn't automatically mean refinancing your first mortgage. There are different ways to access equity, and the key is comparing the costs and figuring out which strategy actually improves your financial position.

� HOME VALUES

The latest Case-Shiller data showed U.S. home prices increased 0.4% from May to June and are approximately 1.5% higher than a year ago.

� INFLATION

PCE inflation came in roughly as expected, with both headline and core PCE increasing 0.2% for the month.

� BIG WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday: JOLTS Job Openings
Wednesday: ADP Employment + Mortgage Applications
Thursday: Jobless Claims
Friday: BLS Jobs Report �

Employment data can have a major impact on mortgage rates, so Friday will be one to watch.

Your mortgage shouldn't just be about getting a loan—it should be part of a bigger plan.

That’s why I offer a Hopes & Dreams Strategy Session. We talk about where you are today, where you want to go, and how real estate and mortgage planning can potentially help you get there.

No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation and a strategy.

� Message me to schedule your Hopes & Dreams Strategy Session.

08/27/2026

Morning hike. Great podcast. Even better reminder.

I was listening to Gavin Ekstrom from Impact Elite Coaching this morning, and two things really stuck with me:

1. Every day, do something hard AND something emotional.

The “hard” part makes sense to me. My ADD brain is really good at finding 15 other things to do when there’s one difficult thing I know I need to tackle. Then I wonder why I’m frustrated or not growing.

But the emotional part caught me off guard.

His example was simple: send someone a genuine text telling them what you appreciate about them.

That hit me.

2. Learn to genuinely compliment people.

I realized something about myself: sometimes I’m general with my compliments and very specific with my critiques.

“He’s a great guy, BUT…”

Why not reverse that?

Be specific about what’s GREAT in people. Tell them exactly what you appreciate. Tell them what they’re doing right.

And by the way, that doesn’t just apply to how we treat other people. It applies to how we talk to ourselves too.

So that’s my challenge today:

Do something hard.
Do something emotional.
Find something genuinely good in someone—and tell them.

Great way to start the morning.

Today, I already won. I woke up early, got outside, learned something, and now it’s time to go put it into practice.

08/24/2026

📉 MORTGAGE MARKET UPDATE | AUGUST 24, 2026

Here’s where rates opened this week:

VA: 6.375% | APR 6.402%
FHA: 6.25% | APR 6.987%
Conventional: 6.75% | APR 6.871%
Jumbo: 6.375% | APR 6.487%

Three things you need to know this week:

🏦 The Fed: Three Fed members voted to raise rates. Nobody voted to cut.

🏠 Buyer demand: Demand is pulling back, which could mean less competition and more negotiating power for buyers right now.

📊 Friday matters: We have a major economic report coming Friday that could make it one of the most important days for mortgage rates this year.

And remember: the lowest rate isn’t always the best deal. Rate, APR, fees, loan structure, and your long-term strategy all matter.

I break it all down in this week’s video.

▶️ Watch the full market update

Thinking about buying, selling, or refinancing? Reach out. We can run the numbers and build a strategy around your goals.

Smart people research. Brilliant people verify.

Paul Olbrantz
Clear 2 Close Brokers

Rates as of August 24, 2026. No points. Conventional and Jumbo scenarios assume 25% down and 780 FICO. Rates and APRs are subject to change and are not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Address

1425 N McDowell Boulevard Ste 213
Petaluma, CA
94954

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+17074947017

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