Herrera May Wealth Management

08/13/2026

Mortgage rates recently climbed to their highest level since August 2025, creating another challenge for homebuyers.

The average contract interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a conforming loan balance rose to 6.65%, up from 6.58% the previous week.

Higher rates can affect affordability, as even a small increase can change a buyer’s monthly payment.

That pressure showed up in mortgage demand. Applications to purchase a home fell 7% from the previous week and were 2% lower than the same week one year ago.

Buyers are also still facing high home prices and a limited supply of affordable homes for sale.

Refinance applications rose this week, though refinancing remains less attractive for many borrowers because rates are not much lower than they were a year ago.

For households, mortgage rates are a reminder that borrowing costs can play a major role in affordability, timing, and monthly cash flow.


Source:

Mortgage rates moved higher last week, causing buyers to pull back, but refinancing did see small gains.

08/03/2026

What is it about August?

07/08/2026

Your finances have been on autopilot. Here's the fix. 🔧

Six months into the year is exactly the right time to pause and make sure your money is still working the way you intended.

A few things worth checking right now:

Your tax withholding. If your income changed this year and you haven't updated your W-4, you could be heading toward an unwelcome bill in April. A quick review now gives you time to course-correct.

Your investment mix. Markets have shifted significantly this year, and your portfolio's balance between stocks and bonds may have drifted from your original plan. Rebalancing mid-year helps you stay aligned with your actual risk tolerance, not just where the market happened to take you.

Your savings rate. Did you get a raise or bonus this year? If so, it's worth asking where that money actually went. Income increases tend to get absorbed into lifestyle spending faster than we notice. Redirecting even 1% more toward savings before you get used to spending it is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Small adjustments now. Stronger finish by year-end.

To learn more about building a smarter financial plan, hit follow.

Securities and advisory services are offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Herrera May Wealth Management and Mutual of Omaha Investor Services are not affiliated. For educational purposes only. MOIS does not provide Tax or Legal advice, please consult a licensed tax or legal professional before taking any action. The opinions in this video are those of the advisor and not those of Mutual of Omaha Investor Services.

06/30/2026

This month's chart tracks the Rolex resale market alongside the S&P 500. When the consumers start pulling back on luxury purchases, it can be a signal. What signals are you watching right now?

06/30/2026

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles for the upcoming year.

Here's a look at the new figures:
▪️Part B premium: $202.90 per month (previously $185)
▪️Part B deductible: $283 (previously $257) before Original Medicare begins covering services.
▪️Part A inpatient deductible: $1,736 (previously $1,676)

These updates take effect in January and reflect the latest adjustments from CMS. Individuals enrolled in Medicare may notice changes in their monthly costs or coverage details for the upcoming year.

06/16/2026

Your full Social Security check isn't guaranteed 🚨

The 2026 Trustees Report just moved the projected trust fund depletion date up to 2032, a year sooner than previously estimated.

If Congress takes no action by then, the fund may only be able to pay out around 83 cents for every dollar of scheduled benefits. That's an automatic cut hitting every retiree's check.

On top of that, the 2027 COLA is being watched closely. Projections range from 3.8% to potentially over 4.7%, pushed higher by rising gas prices and stubborn everyday expenses.

A bigger COLA sounds helpful, but it doesn't solve the bigger picture problem.

If your retirement plan is built around receiving your full projected Social Security benefit in 2032 or later, it may be time to revisit your assumptions.

The more conservative approach: plan around a reduced benefit scenario. If Congress steps in and fixes it, that's upside you didn't count on. If they don't, your plan still holds.

Hit follow for more on building a retirement income strategy that accounts for what's actually coming.

Securities and advisory services are offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Herrera May Wealth Management and Mutual of Omaha Investor Services are not affiliated. For educational purposes only. MOIS does not provide Tax or Legal advice, please consult a licensed tax or legal professional before taking any action. The opinions in this video are those of the advisor and not those of Mutual of Omaha Investor Services.

06/12/2026

The U.S. House has approved a bipartisan housing affordability bill aimed at addressing the role of large institutional buyers in the single-family housing market.

The bill passed by a 396-13 vote and would prevent institutional investors that already own more than 350 single-family homes from buying additional existing homes.

However, the measure would still allow those investors to build more housing units, a key distinction that helped gain support from rental, construction, and housing industry groups.

Supporters say the bill could help improve access to single-family homes, while critics argue that some provisions may not go far enough to address build-to-rent activity.

The measure still needs Senate approval before it can move forward, meaning additional changes or debate may follow.

For housing markets, the discussion highlights the ongoing tension between affordability, supply, rentals, and homeownership.


Source:

The U.S. House approved an updated housing affordability bill after removing industry-opposed requirements on selling build-to-rent homes.

06/11/2026

Your 401k ignores your will entirely. 👀

Most people spend time carefully updating their estate documents and assume everything is covered. But retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and transfer-on-death accounts operate by a completely different set of rules.

A beneficiary designation form controls where that money goes. Not your will. Not your trust. The form. And it overrides everything else.

One of the most common scenarios: a divorce happens, the will gets updated, but the 401k is never touched. Years down the road, an ex-spouse collects every dollar in that account. Legally. Because their name was still on the form.

There are three designation mistakes that come up again and again, and all three are completely fixable. But none of them fix themselves.

Take 15 minutes today to pull up your accounts and check who is named. It could save your family from an easily avoidable situation.

Securities and advisory services are offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Herrera May Wealth Management and Mutual of Omaha Investor Services are not affiliated. For educational purposes only. MOIS does not provide Tax or Legal advice; please consult a licensed tax or legal professional before taking any action. The opinions in this video are those of the advisor and not those of Mutual of Omaha Investor Services.

05/18/2026

Two out of every three S&P 500 companies mentioned AI on their Q4 earnings calls. That's not a trend. That's a signal.

The last time a technology shifted this many boardroom conversations at once? Smartphones. And we know how that turned out. Some sectors are all in. Others are barely speaking the word. That gap between the early movers and the quiet ones? It matters for investors.

05/12/2026

📣 Have you thought about your estate plan lately?

If the answer is "not really" — this one's for you.

On May 20th at noon, I'm joining forces with estate planning attorney Alexandria Goff Goff Legal, PC, for a live educational fireside chat. We're cutting through the confusion and talking real strategies to help protect what matters most to you.

✅ Free to attend
✅ Live & interactive
✅ Practical takeaways you can act on

📅 Wednesday, May 20th | 🕛 12:00 PM | 💻 Live Webinar

🔗 Register here: https://my.demio.com/ref/t0Q73fv5t5VsWzur

Tag a friend or family member who needs to hear this! 👇