Mortgage Research Network Podcast

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Tim Lucas breaks down three very different forces affecting today’s housing market. First, why has it become so expensive to build new homes? Tim looks at research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and NYU’s Furman Center showing how rising material costs, skilled-labor shortages, difficult building sites, financing costs, and regulatory requirements can make adding new housing supply far more complicated than simply finding land and starting construction.Then, Tim explores an unexpected question: could the enormous amount of money being invested in artificial intelligence put upward pressure on mortgage rates? AI companies are spending trillions of dollars on data centers, semiconductors, power infrastructure, and other projects, with some of that investment financed through corporate bonds. That means corporate borrowers are competing for investor capital alongside the U.S. Treasury and mortgage-backed securities. Tim explains how that competition can affect bond yields, why some economists think AI could eventually help push rates lower, and why the timing is anything but certain.Finally, the episode turns to deed theft. Tim explains how fraudulent deeds can enter public records, why vacant and non-owner-occupied properties tend to be more vulnerable, and what homeowners can do to protect themselves. One particularly useful step is checking whether your local recorder or clerk offers a free property-recording alert service, which can notify you when a new deed, mortgage, lien, or other document is filed under your name or property.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Which of these three stories surprised you most: rising construction costs, AI’s connection to mortgage rates, or the way deed theft works? Let us know in the comments.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:53 – Why New Homes Cost So Much2:28 – Skilled Labor Is Adding to Construction Costs3:13 – Why Financing Makes New Housing More Expensive5:04 – Can Construction Costs Come Down?6:04 – How AI Could Affect Mortgage Rates7:09 – Corporate Bonds Join the Competition for Investor Money8:49 – Could AI Eventually Push Interest Rates Lower?9:28 – Why the Timing of an AI Rate Drop Is Uncertain12:04 – How Deed Theft Works13:55 – How Common Is Deed Theft, and Who Gets Targeted?15:04 – How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves16:07 – Strange Mail, Suspicious Documents, and Other Warning Signs16:32 – What to Do If You Find a Fraudulent Filing17:07 – Final Takeaway------#MortgageRates #HousingMarket #DeedTheft

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Mike Pearson, Senior Vice President at AD Mortgage and newly named President of the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals, about what non-QM loans really are and why they should not be confused with subprime lending. Mike explains how non-QM mortgages fall outside certain qualified-mortgage requirements and why borrowers may use them when their income or documentation does not fit neatly within conventional lending guidelines.The conversation also explores who typically uses non-QM financing and why the borrowers may be stronger than the name suggests. Mike says many non-QM borrowers have credit scores above 760, substantial down payments, and experience purchasing real estate. He discusses why self-employed borrowers and real estate investors are two of the largest groups using these loans, as well as how bank statements, profit-and-loss statements, and business cash flow can sometimes provide a more useful picture of income than traditional tax-return underwriting.Mike also breaks down the potential tradeoffs, including situations where non-QM rates may be higher than conventional financing and others where investment or second-home borrowers may find better pricing. He explains why non-QM is usually not the first choice for typical first-time homebuyers, but may still provide flexibility for borrowers who fall just outside standard guidelines. He closes by encouraging buyers to understand all of their available mortgage options and work with an experienced loan originator who can help determine which structure makes the most sense.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Before this episode, did you associate non-QM mortgages with subprime lending?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With Mike Pearson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-pearson-1880408/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro1:11 – What Is a Non-QM Loan?2:32 – Why Non-QM Isn’t Subprime3:20 – Who Uses Non-QM Financing?5:18 – How Non-QM Loan Terms Differ6:01 – Are Non-QM Interest Rates Higher?6:33 – Why Non-QM Lending Is Growing7:35 – Who Should Consider a Non-QM Loan?8:07 – Advantages for Self-Employed Borrowers9:31 – Drawbacks of Non-QM Loans10:16 – Are Non-QM Loans Good for First-Time Buyers?11:31 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers12:28 – Outro------#NonQMLoans #MortgageOptions #Homebuying

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, Tim Lucas examines whether growing anxiety in the bond market could send mortgage rates sharply higher. With the national debt crossing $40 trillion, long-term Treasury yields rising, and investors paying closer attention to inflation and federal spending, warnings about “bond vigilantes” have returned. But is the bond market genuinely revolting—or simply registering concern?Tim explains why fixed mortgage rates are more closely connected to the bond market than to the Federal Reserve’s short-term policy rate. He breaks down the relationship between Treasury yields and mortgage-backed securities, why investors demand higher returns for taking on additional risk, and how the bond market can pressure governments when investors become concerned about fiscal policy. The episode also looks at previous bond-market selloffs and considers whether today’s conditions are truly comparable.Finally, Tim examines what the current outlook could mean for homebuyers and homeowners. Major forecasts do not point toward 9% or double-digit mortgage rates, but they also provide little reason to expect a return to 3%. The more realistic possibility may be an extended period with mortgage rates in the mid-to-upper 6% range. Tim identifies the indicators he’ll be watching and explains why there is an important difference between a warning sign and an evacuation order.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Which concerns you more—mortgage rates moving sharply higher or remaining near today’s levels longer than buyers expect?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------00:00 – Could Mortgage Rates Reach Double Digits?01:07 – Why the Bond Market Matters to Mortgages02:04 – Mortgage-Backed Securities vs. Treasuries03:27 – The Scale of $40 Trillion in Debt04:57 – What Are Bond Vigilantes?06:20 – Is This a Warning Sign or a Crisis?07:25 – Can the Treasury Calm the Bond Market?08:47 – The Mortgage Rate Outlook09:46 – Five Indicators Tim Is Watching10:29 – The Bottom Line------#MortgageRates #BondMarket #HousingMarket

Fannie Mae reportedly dismissed roughly a dozen senior officials in a sudden leadership shake-up, raising questions about how much institutional knowledge the mortgage giant may have lost. The immediate market reaction was limited, but the longer-term concern is whether major staffing changes could affect Fannie Mae’s ability to manage risk and support mortgage-market stability. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the reported role of artificial intelligence in the firings, the broader cost-cutting context, and what the changes could ultimately mean for mortgage rates, availability, and the housing market.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw⁠In this episode you'll learn:Why Fannie Mae matters: Along with Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae plays a central role in the U.S. mortgage system by purchasing loans, packaging them into securities, and helping support the availability of long-term fixed-rate mortgages.Who was reportedly dismissed: The leadership changes affected senior officials, including Fannie Mae’s Chief Economist and other high-ranking executives.What role AI may have played: A source said artificial intelligence is now handling some of the work previously performed by the dismissed executives, though replacing senior decision-makers with AI would be highly unusual.Why the timing is drawing attention: The firings came shortly after Fannie Mae’s Chief Economist published a mortgage-rate forecast predicting that remain elevated.How cost-cutting fits into the story: FHFA Director Bill Pulte has a reputation for reducing headcounts, adding broader context to the leadership changes.How markets reacted: Fannie Mae’s stock initially declined before recovering somewhat, while bond markets showed little immediate reaction.Why mortgage rates have not moved because of this: Mortgage rates are driven primarily by bond-market conditions, and the episode notes that investors did not appear to treat the firings as an immediate threat to mortgage pricing.What a potential brain drain could mean: Losing multiple senior officials at once could make it harder for Fannie Mae to respond to market developments, manage risk, and execute its mortgage-market responsibilities.Why operational stability matters: Because Fannie Mae is so deeply embedded in housing finance, significant internal disruption could have broader implications if it affects the company’s ability to function effectively.The big takeaway: There is little evidence so far that the firings have directly affected mortgage rates or availability, but the scale of the leadership changes raises legitimate questions about Fannie Mae’s long-term stability and execution.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/fannie-mae-firings-mortgage-rates/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Jaime Dunaway-Seale, content writer at Clever Real Estate, about where homebuyers have the most negotiating leverage and why some markets are much more favorable to buyers than others. Jaime breaks down Clever’s analysis of the 50 largest U.S. metros, which ranked markets using sale-to-list price ratios, the share of listings with price reductions, and the size of those discounts.The conversation explores why cities such as Detroit, San Antonio, Austin, Pittsburgh, and Houston currently offer buyers more negotiating power, while markets including Hartford, San Francisco, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Boston remain more favorable to sellers. Jaime explains how housing supply, new construction, buyer demand, and geographic constraints can influence whether sellers are willing to negotiate, and why some Midwest markets are showing signs of becoming increasingly buyer-friendly.Jaime also discusses the signals buyers can watch for when evaluating a local real estate market, including growing inventory, price cuts, and longer time on market. She explains why repeated price reductions on an individual property may create an opportunity but can also warrant closer investigation. She closes by encouraging first-time homebuyers to research their local market, negotiate when conditions favor buyers, and be prepared to move quickly when sellers still have the advantage.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Does your local housing market feel like it favors buyers or sellers right now?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Jaime Dunaway-Seale:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-dunaway-seale-660028158/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:15 – What Makes a Buyer’s Market?1:29 – How the Markets Were Ranked2:26 – Where Buyers Have the Most Leverage3:58 – Markets That Still Favor Sellers5:20 – The Biggest Surprise in the Data7:32 – Markets Shifting Toward Buyers8:40 – Red Flags Buyers Should Watch For9:45 – Signs of a Potential Buying Opportunity10:51 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers11:54 – Outro------#HousingMarket #Homebuying #RealEstate

The income needed to afford a starter home has surged since 2019, while higher-end buyers continue to fare much better in today’s market. That split is creating a K-shaped housing market, where affluent buyers are still active while many entry-level buyers remain priced out. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine what Realtor.com, Zillow, and Redfin data reveal about the growing divide between starter-home and luxury buyers, and why improved negotiating conditions have not solved the affordability problem.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:How much starter-home affordability has changed: The average household income needed to afford a starter home has risen from about $43,000 in 2019 to roughly $78,000 today.What a K-shaped housing market means: Higher-income buyers are generally holding up better, while many entry-level buyers are struggling with elevated prices, mortgage rates, and limited purchasing power.Why lower-priced home sales are falling faster: Realtor.com data shows a much sharper decline in sales of homes under $200,000 than in the $1 million to $2 million segment.How buyer interest has shifted: Lower-priced homes now account for a smaller share of listings and listing views than they did several years ago.Why the luxury market looks different: High-end inventory and buyer activity have remained comparatively resilient, with cash buyers making up a large share of million-dollar transactions.Why renting can still be cheaper: Across the 50 largest metro areas, renting costs an average of $858 less per month than buying.Why more starter-home inventory has not translated into more sales: Zillow found that starter-home availability increased year over year even as sales declined, suggesting affordability remains a major barrier.Where buyers may have more leverage: Some markets, including former pandemic hotspots such as Nashville and Austin, are giving buyers more options and stronger negotiating power.How far incomes still lag behind home prices: Redfin estimates that a household needs about $110,000 in annual income to afford a typical U.S. home, around $22,000 more than the typical household earns.The big takeaway: Buyers may have more negotiating power than they did during the most competitive years of the housing boom, but affordability remains a major obstacle, especially for those trying to enter the market at lower price points.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/k-shaped-housing-market-2026/

Buy-now-pay-later loans are expanding beyond discretionary purchases and are now being used by some consumers to cover essentials such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and groceries. While BNPL can provide short-term breathing room, relying on borrowing to cover basic living expenses can be a warning sign of deeper financial strain. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine how BNPL works, why its use has expanded, the risks of depending on it for housing costs, and what borrowers can do if they are struggling to keep up with their monthly expenses.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:How BNPL works: Many buy-now-pay-later plans split a purchase into an upfront payment followed by several installments, often without interest when payments are made on time.Why its use is changing: BNPL was once associated mostly with discretionary purchases, but some consumers are increasingly using it for groceries, utilities, rent, and mortgage payments.What affordability pressures have to do with it: Rising living costs and reduced purchasing power can leave households with less room in their budgets when unexpected expenses arise.Why housing costs are different: Using short-term borrowing to make a rent or mortgage payment can indicate that regular income is no longer covering essential monthly expenses.How debt can become harder to manage: Repeatedly borrowing to cover basic expenses can create overlapping payments and make it increasingly difficult to regain control of a household budget.Why consumer advocates are concerned: The episode discusses worries about limited oversight of BNPL providers and the risks for borrowers who are already financially vulnerable.When BNPL can still be useful: Buy-now-pay-later financing is not necessarily harmful in every situation, but it is better suited to manageable short-term purchases than ongoing financial shortfalls.What struggling homeowners can do: Borrowers having trouble making mortgage payments may benefit from contacting their lender early rather than waiting until the situation becomes more serious.Where to look for additional help: Nonprofit debt counselors, budgeting tools, and a closer review of household expenses can help consumers identify ways to stabilize their finances.The big takeaway: Using BNPL occasionally can be manageable, but relying on it to pay for housing or other essentials may be a sign that it is time to address a larger budget problem.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/buy-now-pay-later-mortgage-rent-payments/

Homeowners insurance premiums are still climbing, but the pace of those increases may finally be starting to moderate. Even so, most homeowners continue to pay more, and rising construction costs, severe weather, and underinsurance are keeping pressure on household budgets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine what Matic’s 2026 Home Insurance Report says about premiums, why some insurers are becoming more competitive, and how insurance costs are increasingly affecting housing affordability.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why premium increases may be slowing: Insurers appear to be shifting some of their focus from restoring profitability back toward growth, helping bring more competition into the market.How many homeowners are actually paying less: Only 11.7% of homeowners saw their premiums decline in the first half of 2026, meaning most policyholders still paid the same or more.How much premiums are increasing: New policies rose 5.9%, while existing policyholders saw a 10.6% increase, both well above the broader inflation rate.What continues to drive insurance costs: Higher construction expenses, costly reinsurance, and major catastrophe losses are keeping upward pressure on premiums.Why severe weather still matters: Winter storms, hail, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and wildfires continue to generate billions of dollars in insured losses.Why shopping around can help: Increased competition among insurers may create better opportunities for homeowners to compare premiums, coverage, and deductibles at renewal.Why underinsurance is a major concern: Matic estimates that a large share of U.S. homes may not carry enough coverage to fully rebuild after a major loss.How AI is changing insurance pricing: Insurers are increasingly using detailed property data, satellite imagery, and other technology to assess risk at the individual-home level.How homeowners may be able to reduce risk: Maintenance issues, overhanging trees, and other visible property conditions can affect an insurer’s assessment of a home.The big takeaway: Home insurance trends may be moving in a better direction, but affordability remains a serious problem. Most homeowners are still paying more, and in high-cost states such as Texas, rising premiums can meaningfully affect whether a home is affordable at all.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/homeowners-insurance-premiums-rising-more-slowly/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with John Dickson about how homeowners and homebuyers can better understand their flood risk and determine whether flood insurance makes sense for their property. John explains why FEMA flood maps may not always reflect current conditions, how changing development and weather patterns can affect flood exposure, and why being outside a designated high-risk flood zone does not necessarily mean a property is safe from flooding.The conversation also covers when flood insurance is required by a mortgage lender and why homeowners may want to consider coverage even when it is optional. John discusses the differences between the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private flood insurance, including how homeowners can evaluate their options rather than assuming there is only one source of coverage.John and Paul also discuss the financial consequences of flooding, rising insurance costs, and the importance of looking beyond a property's current flood-zone designation when evaluating risk. John explains how homeowners can take steps to mitigate potential flood damage and why buyers should investigate a property's flood exposure as part of the homebuying process rather than waiting until after closing to think about insurance.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Is flood risk something you would investigate before buying a home, even if the property isn't in a high-risk flood zone?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with John Dickson:Website: ⁠https://www.aonedge.com/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-dickson-4168143/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:28 – Why Flood Maps May Be Outdated2:39 – How Many Homes Face Climate Risk?4:13 – Proposed Changes to Federal Flood Insurance6:30 – NFIP vs. Private Flood Insurance8:19 – How Much Flood Insurance Do You Need?10:40 – Why Flood Insurance Premiums Are Changing12:50 – Is Flood Insurance Required?14:14 – Should You Ever Skip Flood Insurance?16:39 – How to Protect Your Home From Flooding18:00 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers------#FloodInsurance #FloodRisk #Homebuying

Existing home sales slipped in July as mortgage rates climbed, but the housing market has remained surprisingly resilient. At the same time, slower household growth could ease some pressure on housing supply, while new research suggests building more homes near public transit could help California pursue its climate goals. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine these three housing trends and what they could mean for buyers, homeowners, and the broader market.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why existing home sales declined: Sales fell 1.7% in July as mortgage rates climbed to their highest level in a year, adding to affordability challenges for prospective buyers.Why the housing market remains resilient: Despite elevated borrowing costs, year-to-date existing home sales were still higher than during the same period a year earlier.How much lower rates could matter: NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun suggested that mortgage rates closer to 6% could significantly improve housing market activity.Why affordability varies so much by location: Some smaller cities, particularly in the Midwest, remain considerably more affordable than expensive coastal housing markets.How condos and co-ops are performing: Sales remained relatively steady while prices continued rising, even as many condo owners face higher dues and other ownership costs.Why household growth is slowing: Lower immigration and longer-term demographic trends are expected to reduce the pace at which new U.S. households are formed.How slower household formation could affect housing: Weaker demand growth could give home construction more opportunity to catch up after years when household formation outpaced new supply.Why California wants more housing near transit: Researchers say concentrating development around mass transit could reduce driving while adding homes in areas connected to jobs and services.How transit-oriented housing could support climate goals: Building more homes near transit could reduce statewide vehicle miles traveled per person, although additional measures would still be needed to meet California's targets.The big takeaway: Housing demand, affordability, demographics, and development patterns are all shifting at the same time. High mortgage rates continue to restrain sales, but slower household growth and more strategic housing development could reshape the balance between supply and demand in the years ahead.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/housing-finance-news-roundup-august-14-2026/

Americans are spending more even as debt rises and savings shrink, leaving some homeowners looking to their record levels of home equity for financial relief. With credit card rates far above most home equity borrowing costs, HELOCs and home equity loans can offer a way to manage high-interest debt without giving up a low-rate first mortgage. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the record amount of tappable equity available to homeowners, why cash-out refinancing has become less attractive, and why shopping among lenders can make a meaningful difference.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why consumer spending is still growing: Spending increased sharply year over year in June, including discretionary purchases rather than just necessities.Why strong spending doesn't necessarily mean strong finances: Rising household debt and declining savings suggest some consumers may be spending even as their financial cushions become thinner.How homeowners can tap their equity: Home equity loans and HELOCs allow qualified homeowners to borrow against their property without replacing their existing mortgage.Why cash-out refinancing has become less attractive: Homeowners with older, lower-rate mortgages may be reluctant to refinance their entire balance at today's higher rates just to access cash.How much home equity Americans have accumulated: Mortgage holders collectively held a record $18 trillion in equity during the second quarter of 2026, including $11.7 trillion considered tappable.Why home equity can help with high-interest debt: Borrowing against a home may offer substantially lower interest rates than credit cards, potentially reducing interest costs for homeowners who use the strategy carefully.Why not every homeowner can tap equity: Hundreds of thousands of borrowers remain underwater, particularly some recent buyers and homeowners in markets where property values have declined.How much borrowing costs vary between lenders: Even borrowers with similar credit profiles can receive meaningfully different interest rates depending on which lender they choose.Why government-backed borrowers may see larger differences: Rate spreads can be especially wide among FHA and VA borrowers and consumers with lower credit scores or higher loan-to-value ratios.The big takeaway: Home equity can be a valuable tool for managing expensive debt, but borrowing against a home comes with real risks. Homeowners should compare lenders carefully, consider the total cost of borrowing, and make sure using secured debt fits their broader financial situation.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/home-equity-record-high-credit-card-debt/

HOA and condo residents are facing growing financial pressure as higher costs, underfunded reserves, and stricter lending requirements collide. At the same time, HOA-related foreclosures have jumped nearly 40% in two years, raising concerns about what happens when struggling associations pass their financial problems on to homeowners. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the new condo reserve requirements, why dues could rise, and how unpaid HOA assessments can ultimately put a homeowner’s property at risk.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/4w8CiVMHomebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why some condo owners could face higher dues: New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac requirements generally call for condo associations to direct more of their income toward reserve funding.Why reserve funds matter: Associations use reserves to pay for major repairs and replacements, helping reduce the need for large unexpected special assessments.How widespread underfunding may be: Only about one-quarter of condo reserve funds are considered well-funded, leaving many associations with limited financial cushions.What the new requirement could cost residents: Fannie Mae estimates the higher reserve contribution could add roughly $13 to $14 per month for some condo owners.Why ignoring the rules could affect property values: Condos that do not meet Fannie and Freddie requirements may be harder to finance, potentially shrinking the pool of prospective buyers.Why HOAs are under pressure too: Rising insurance premiums, maintenance costs, and inadequate reserves are putting financial strain on many community associations.How HOA-related foreclosures are changing: Foreclosures tied to unpaid association dues increased nearly 40% over the two years ending in the first quarter of 2026.How unpaid dues can threaten a home: Depending on state law and governing documents, associations may place liens on properties and eventually pursue foreclosure to collect delinquent assessments.Why foreclosure practices vary: Industry groups recommend giving homeowners notice and opportunities to resolve delinquent balances, but those guidelines are not legally binding on every association.The big takeaway: Stronger reserves can make condo and HOA communities more financially stable over the long term, but getting there may mean higher costs for residents today. Homeowners should pay close attention to their association’s reserves, dues, insurance expenses, and collection policies.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/hoa-condo-financial-pressure-foreclosures/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Vivek Sah, Director of the Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management at the University of Denver, about why homebuyers may have more negotiating leverage even as buying a home remains increasingly difficult. Vivek explains how higher mortgage rates, rising labor and material costs, land prices, property taxes, insurance, and other expenses have contributed to today’s housing affordability challenges.The conversation also looks at the mismatch between the homes many buyers can afford and the homes being built. Vivek explains why much of the available new construction is concentrated at higher price points, while demand remains strongest for more affordable homes. He also discusses why some buyers are turning to new construction because of builder incentives and mortgage rate buydowns, as well as how rising housing costs are contributing to delayed homeownership, greater demand for single-family rentals, and more multigenerational living arrangements.Vivek also shares his perspective on how first-time homebuyers can prepare financially for homeownership and why he still sees owning a home as an important long-term wealth-building tool for buyers who expect to remain in one place for several years. He discusses budgeting, reducing discretionary expenses, building equity over time, and how home equity can provide financial flexibility later in life.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: What has been the biggest challenge for you in today’s housing market: home prices, mortgage rates, monthly costs, or finding the right property?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connected With Vivek Sah:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivek-sah-phd-9b756714/⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:27 – Is It Really a Buyer’s Market?2:02 – Why Housing Affordability Got So Difficult5:27 – Where Have the Starter Homes Gone?7:34 – How Buyers Are Adapting11:13 – Builders Respond to Multigenerational Living12:07 – Is the American Dream Changing?14:23 – How Buyers Can Improve Affordability16:54 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers20:19 – Outro------#HousingMarket #Homebuying #FirstTimeHomebuyer

More than 1,000 schools closed in 2025, reflecting demographic and enrollment shifts that could have consequences far beyond the classroom. Because school quality can influence where families choose to live and how much they are willing to pay for a home, closures can also affect property values and neighborhood stability. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why schools are closing, how changing demographics are reshaping enrollment, and what these trends could mean for homeowners.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why school closures matter for housing: School quality is often closely tied to homebuyer demand, particularly among families with children.How much buyers may pay for better schools: Research has found that stronger school performance can translate into higher home prices in surrounding neighborhoods.What can happen when a school closes: Closures can reduce neighborhood appeal, hurt nearby businesses, and potentially put downward pressure on property values.Why declining birth rates are a major factor: The U.S. fertility rate has fallen sharply, leaving many school districts with fewer children to enroll.How immigration trends affect enrollment: Slower population growth from international migration can further reduce the number of school-age children in some communities.Why public school enrollment is falling: Millions fewer students are attending public schools than just a few years ago, and national enrollment is expected to decline further.How homeschooling and private schools fit in: Some families who left public schools during the pandemic never returned, contributing to continued enrollment pressure.Why lower enrollment creates budget problems: Many school districts lose funding when student counts decline, even though fixed expenses such as buildings and administration remain.How aging in place affects neighborhood schools: When older homeowners remain in family-sized homes longer, fewer properties turn over to younger households with school-age children.The big takeaway: School closures are not just an education issue. Demographic changes, declining enrollment, housing turnover, and school quality are increasingly interconnected, and homeowners may feel the effects through neighborhood demand, local businesses, and property values.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/school-closures-could-hurt-home-values/

People who inherit a home may have the right to keep its existing mortgage instead of refinancing into a new loan. But some mortgage servicers have reportedly made that process difficult, potentially exposing heirs to higher payments, delays, and even foreclosure risk. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain the protections available under federal law, the problems some homeowners have reported, and what heirs can do if a servicer stands in the way.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why heirs may not need to refinance: Federal law can allow certain people who inherit or receive a home to assume the existing mortgage rather than replace it with a new loan.Who may be protected: The rules can apply to surviving spouses, children, people awarded a home through divorce, and certain other successors in interest.Why refinancing can be costly: Replacing an older low-rate mortgage with a new loan at today’s rates could significantly increase the monthly payment.What homeowners have reported: Consumer complaints include being denied access to mortgage accounts, having payments blocked, and being asked repeatedly for the same documentation.Why servicing delays can become dangerous: Long processing times can contribute to missed payments, legal expenses, delinquency, and potentially foreclosure.How divorce cases can become complicated: A servicer’s refusal to release a former borrower from liability can create financial and legal problems even after ownership has changed.Why domestic violence survivors may face added risks: Some servicing practices can expose account information or require involvement from an abusive former partner.What documentation heirs may need: Depending on the circumstances, servicers may request records such as a death certificate, will, or court order to establish the new owner’s rights.Why keeping detailed records matters: Saving copies of documents, communications, and attempted payments can help establish what happened if a dispute needs to be escalated.The big takeaway: Inheriting a home does not automatically mean refinancing its mortgage. People who believe a servicer is improperly blocking an assumption should understand their rights, document their efforts carefully, and consider legal help if their home is at risk.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/mortgage-servicers-pressure-heirs-to-refinance/

New federal guidance is putting greater scrutiny on mortgages made to borrowers who use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. Although the guidance does not ban ITIN mortgages, it could make some lenders more cautious about approving borrowers whose immigration or employment status may affect their ability to repay. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why regulators are focusing on this small segment of the mortgage market, what the guidance actually says, and how it could affect prospective homebuyers.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:What an ITIN is: The IRS issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to people who need to file and pay taxes but are not eligible for Social Security Numbers.Who may use an ITIN to get a mortgage: ITIN borrowers can include foreign nationals, non-resident investors, and people who are not legally authorized to work in the United States.Why regulators are raising concerns: Federal agencies have warned that deportation or changes in a borrower’s employment status could disrupt income and increase repayment risk.What the new guidance requires: Lenders are being reminded to identify, measure, monitor, and control risks through appropriate underwriting and risk-management practices.Why the guidance is not an outright ban: Banks and credit unions may still offer ITIN mortgages, but the added scrutiny could discourage some lenders from approving them.How small the ITIN mortgage market is: Only about 5,000 to 6,000 ITIN mortgages were issued in 2023, representing a tiny fraction of total mortgage originations.Why the risk remains difficult to measure: Regulators have not presented clear evidence that ITIN borrowers default at higher rates, and available research suggests many may be reliable borrowers.How immigration enforcement affects the debate: Stricter enforcement could increase the risk that some borrowers lose income or leave the country before their mortgages are repaid.Why the policy could affect local housing markets: Reduced access to ITIN mortgages could limit homebuying demand and homeownership opportunities in communities where these loans are more common.The big takeaway: The new guidance does not eliminate ITIN mortgages, but it may create additional hurdles for borrowers and make lenders more hesitant. Without better data on repayment performance, it remains unclear whether the added scrutiny reflects a meaningful credit risk or could unnecessarily restrict access to homeownership.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/new-government-guidance-itin-mortgages/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Shawn Yerkes, Group President of Financial Services at Genstone Companies, about when an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, may make sense for a homebuyer. Shawn breaks down how common ARM structures work, including the initial fixed-rate period, adjustment schedule, SOFR index, margin, and rate caps. He also explains how ARM underwriting compares with fixed-rate mortgages and why lenders generally want to make sure borrowers can handle the possibility of a higher future payment. The conversation also explores the situations where an ARM may offer an advantage over a fixed-rate mortgage. Shawn discusses how a lower initial rate can increase purchasing power, why borrowers who expect to move before the first adjustment may be better positioned to consider an ARM, and why future income, home equity, property values, and refinance options should all factor into the decision. He also explains why today’s adjustable-rate mortgages differ from many of the riskier products associated with the housing crash, including tighter underwriting, documented income requirements, and clearer adjustment caps. Shawn also covers the biggest risks borrowers should consider before choosing an ARM, including the possibility that rates could rise or property values could fall before they are able to refinance. He explains when refinancing into a fixed-rate mortgage may make sense and why ARM usage tends to increase when mortgage rates are higher. His main takeaway for first-time homebuyers is to understand their own financial profile, think through the worst-case scenario, and have a clear exit plan before taking on the additional uncertainty of an adjustable rate. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Would you consider an adjustable-rate mortgage for a lower initial rate, or would you rather stick with the certainty of a fixed-rate loan?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Shawn Yerkes:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnyerkes/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro1:03 – What the Numbers on an ARM Mean2:54 – How ARM Rates Adjust3:34 – ARM Qualification Requirements4:24 – When an ARM Can Make Sense5:25 – Who May Benefit From an ARM6:48 – Planning for the Worst-Case Payment8:03 – Are Today’s ARMs Safer Than Before 2008?9:33 – Can an ARM Increase Your Buying Power?10:22 – The Biggest Risks of an ARM11:39 – Can You Negotiate ARM Terms?12:15 – When to Refinance Out of an ARM13:49 – Why ARM Usage Rises When Rates Are Higher15:28 – Shawn’s Advice for First-Time Homebuyers16:46 – Outro------#AdjustableRateMortgage #MortgageRates #HomebuyerTips

Home prices reached another record high in June, yet housing affordability improved compared with a year earlier. This week’s Housing & Finance Roundup examines how lower mortgage rates helped offset higher prices, why foreign purchases declined, and how the Federal Reserve’s new leadership is changing its communication with markets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the economic forces behind these seemingly contradictory trends and what they could mean for buyers and investors.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:How affordability improved despite record prices: Housing affordability depends on more than a home’s sale price, with mortgage rates and household income also shaping the monthly cost of buying.Why wage growth offered limited help: Wages increased over the previous year, but consumer prices rose faster, leaving many households with less purchasing power after inflation.How lower mortgage rates supported buyers: Average 30-year mortgage rates were lower than a year earlier in June, helping reduce monthly payments enough to offset some of the increase in home prices.Why the improvement may be temporary: Mortgage rates moved higher again in July as energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty renewed concerns about inflation.Why national averages have limitations: Housing conditions vary widely among cities and regions, meaning affordability may be improving in some markets while worsening in others.Why foreign home purchases declined: International buyers purchased fewer U.S. homes and spent less overall, despite a somewhat weaker dollar making American real estate less expensive in some currencies.Who counts as a foreign buyer: The category includes both people living abroad and recent immigrants or visa holders already residing in the United States.How global perceptions could affect demand: Major international events may influence tourism, immigration, and foreign interest in U.S. real estate over time.Why the Fed’s new approach matters: Chair Kevin Warsh has moved away from traditional forward guidance, leaving investors with less direct insight into the central bank’s future interest-rate plans.The big takeaway: Record home prices do not automatically mean affordability is worsening. Mortgage rates, incomes, local market conditions, international demand, and Federal Reserve policy all interact to determine what buyers can actually afford.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/housing-finance-news-roundup-july-31-2026/

Converting vacant offices into apartments could help cities add housing, but these projects are far more complicated than simply redesigning the interior. Recent construction problems in New York City show how structural limitations, safety risks, and local building conditions can quickly derail even promising conversions. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why adaptive reuse has attracted so much interest, what can go wrong, and where office-to-residential conversions may still make sense.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why cities are turning to office conversions: The United States faces a major housing shortage while office vacancy rates remain elevated, making underused commercial buildings appear to be a natural source of new homes.What happened at 222 Broadway: New York City issued a stop-work order after inspectors found cracks in two concrete beams and learned that the contractor had not promptly reported them.Why another Manhattan project raised concerns: Steel columns buckled while developers were adding 11 stories to the former Pfizer headquarters, drawing widespread attention to the risks involved.Why not every office can become apartments: Commercial buildings were designed for different layouts, loads, plumbing systems, and uses, and some require extensive structural modifications before they can safely house residents.How local hazards complicate conversions: Developers may need to account for earthquakes in Los Angeles, hurricanes in Miami, flooding in other cities, and building-specific risks that vary by location.Why careful engineering matters: A thorough evaluation before construction begins can reveal whether a building is suitable for conversion and what upgrades will be required.How Los Angeles is encouraging adaptive reuse: The city has expanded eligibility and streamlined rules for converting older commercial properties and some parking structures into housing.Why these projects can support sustainability: Reusing an existing structure may reduce demolition waste and the environmental impact associated with building entirely from the ground up.How conversions can revitalize neighborhoods: Successful projects can bring residents into underused commercial districts and help create more active, mixed-use communities.The big takeaway: Office-to-residential conversions can add valuable housing, but they are not a shortcut or a universal solution. Their success depends on structural feasibility, skilled engineering, strong oversight, and a willingness to put safety ahead of speed.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/office-to-residential-conversions-construction-risks/

Many recent homebuyers counted on refinancing into a lower mortgage rate, but that relief has not arrived. With payments already stretching household budgets, even one financial setback could put some owners at risk of falling behind. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why buyers feel trapped, how rising rates disrupted their plans, and what the outlook could mean for homeowners waiting to refinance.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why recent buyers expected to refinance: Many people purchased homes at elevated mortgage rates believing borrowing costs would soon fall enough to reduce their monthly payments.How widespread the financial strain may be: Half of recent buyers surveyed said their mortgages could become unsustainable without a lower interest rate.Why one setback could create serious problems: Most respondents said a job loss, medical expense, or other financial shock could threaten their ability to keep making mortgage payments.What homeowners are sacrificing: Some buyers are cutting discretionary spending, while others report reducing spending on necessities such as food, healthcare, clothing, and personal care.How far people may go to keep their homes: Many respondents said they might take second jobs or withdraw retirement savings if refinancing remains unavailable.Why mortgage rates reversed course: Rates briefly fell below 6% before geopolitical conflict, renewed inflation concerns, and higher government borrowing pushed them upward again.How energy prices affect mortgage rates: Rising gasoline and diesel costs can fuel broader inflation, making bonds and mortgage-backed securities less attractive to investors.Why federal deficits matter: Increased government borrowing can compete with mortgage-backed securities for investor demand, contributing to higher yields and borrowing costs.What forecasts suggest about future rates: Major housing organizations expect mortgage rates to remain in the low-to-mid 6% range, although geopolitical and economic developments could quickly change that outlook.The big takeaway: Buying with the expectation of refinancing later can be risky because lower rates are never guaranteed. Recent buyers may remain under pressure until mortgage rates fall meaningfully, household incomes rise, or other financial relief becomes available.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/high-mortgage-rates-blocking-refinances/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Travis Hodges, Managing Director at VIU by HUB, about why homeowners insurance has become a growing part of housing affordability. Travis explains how climate-related losses, inflation, rising home values, supply-chain pressures, and higher rebuilding costs have made insurance risk more difficult to predict and premiums more expensive for many homeowners and buyers.The conversation also explores how a property itself can affect insurance costs and availability. Travis explains why the age and condition of the roof can play such a major role, how proximity to coastal areas, waterways, and wildfire risk may affect pricing, and why buyers should investigate insurance costs before committing to a home. He also breaks down the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value, including how choosing a policy based primarily on price could leave a homeowner responsible for a substantial portion of a future repair.Travis shares practical tips for comparing homeowners insurance, including working with a broker, requesting quotes from multiple carriers, reviewing available discounts, and considering whether bundling home and auto coverage provides better value. He also explains why insurance rates generally are not negotiable, what homeowners can do after a claim is denied, and why first-time homebuyers should give insurance shopping the same attention they give mortgage rates. The right policy is not necessarily the least expensive one, but the option that provides appropriate protection at a cost that fits the homeowner’s broader budget.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Have rising homeowners insurance costs affected where you would consider buying a home?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Travis Hodges:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-hodges-b4700a11/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:17 – How an Insurance Broker Helps Homebuyers1:18 – Why Homeowners Insurance Costs Are Rising3:48 – Are Some Homes Becoming Uninsurable?4:53 – Can Insurance Affect Mortgage Approval?6:20 – Property Features That Increase Insurance Costs7:41 – How to Avoid Coverage Gaps8:56 – Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value11:13 – How to Shop for Homeowners Insurance12:53 – Can You Negotiate Insurance Rates?14:02 – What to Do If a Claim Is Denied15:28 – Travis’s Advice for First-Time Homebuyers16:51 – Outro------#homeownersinsurance #firsttimehomebuyer #homebuyingtips

Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and expensive, placing growing pressure on homeowners insurance costs. At the same time, higher rebuilding expenses, construction labor shortages, and rising material prices are making claims more costly for insurers and homeowners alike. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why premiums continue to climb, how disaster-related losses are changing, and what homeowners may face in the years ahead.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:How costly extreme weather has become: The United States experienced 23 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2025, causing an estimated $115 billion in damage.Why the Los Angeles wildfires were especially significant: The fires became the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history and drove a sharp increase in fire- and lightning-related insurance losses.How disaster frequency has changed: Billion-dollar weather events now occur far more often than they did in previous decades, giving homeowners and insurers less time to recover between disasters.Why insurance claims are becoming more severe: Although overall loss costs declined slightly in 2025, the average severity of homeowners insurance losses reached a seven-year high.How homeowners are feeling the impact: Most homeowners surveyed said their premiums had increased in recent years, with many reporting substantial increases.Why rebuilding costs remain elevated: Repair and reconstruction expenses are roughly 50% higher than in 2019, even though their rate of growth moderated during 2025.How tariffs could increase insurance costs: Higher tariffs on Canadian lumber and wood products may make construction materials more expensive, raising the cost of repairing or replacing damaged homes.Why labor shortages matter: A shortage of skilled construction workers can delay rebuilding projects and push labor costs higher after major disasters.Why insurance losses vary from year to year: Wind, hail, and water-related losses declined in 2025, while fire-related costs surged, illustrating how unpredictable insurance expenses can be.The big takeaway: Extreme weather is only one part of the homeowners insurance affordability problem. More severe disasters, expensive building materials, labor shortages, and higher reconstruction costs are combining to keep upward pressure on premiums.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/extreme-weather-pushes-homeowners-insurance-costs-higher/

Real estate cyber scams can turn a home purchase into a financial disaster with a single convincing email. By impersonating lenders, agents, or title professionals, criminals may try to redirect a buyer’s down payment or closing funds into an account they control. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain how these scams work, why homebuyers are especially vulnerable, and the steps consumers can take to protect their money.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:How real estate cyber scams work: Criminals may gain access to emails or devices, monitor a transaction, and wait until a buyer is preparing to transfer a large amount of money.Why wire fraud can be so convincing: Scammers can imitate the language, timing, and communication style of a trusted loan officer, real estate agent, or closing professional.How one fake message can redirect your money: A fraudulent email may claim that wiring instructions have changed and direct the buyer to send closing funds to a criminal’s account.Why recovering stolen funds is difficult: Once money is transferred, it may be moved quickly through accounts or jurisdictions that are difficult for U.S. law enforcement to reach.How two-factor authentication can help: Requiring a one-time security code in addition to a password creates another barrier against unauthorized account access.Why stronger passwords matter: Password managers can generate and securely store unique passwords, reducing the risk that one compromised account will expose others.How to verify wiring instructions safely: Buyers should call a known and trusted phone number to confirm account details rather than relying on contact information provided in an email.Why clicking email links can be risky: Fake websites may closely resemble legitimate lender, title, or banking sites, making it safer to type known web addresses directly into a browser.How AI is making scams more sophisticated: Criminals can use AI to produce more believable messages, imitate communication styles, and operate scams on a larger scale.The big takeaway: Homebuyers do not need to become paranoid, but they should verify every request involving money. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, security software, and a direct phone call before transferring funds can dramatically reduce the risk of becoming a victim.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/cyber-scammers-target-home-buyers-sellers/

Inflation appeared to cool in June, but rising energy and supply costs could quickly change the picture. If inflation begins accelerating again, the Federal Reserve may face pressure to raise interest rates, potentially keeping mortgage rates elevated for longer. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the economic warning signs, the uncertainty surrounding the Fed’s next decision, and what it could all mean for homebuyers.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why inflation may not be finished yet: June’s encouraging inflation report could prove temporary as rising gasoline, diesel, food, and transportation costs work their way through the economy.How energy prices affect overall inflation: Higher fuel costs increase expenses for businesses that transport goods, potentially leading to higher consumer prices throughout the economy.Why geopolitical tensions matter: Conflict in the Middle East has disrupted energy and fertilizer supplies, creating additional risks for fuel and food prices.What markets expect from the Fed: Investors see relatively low odds of an immediate rate hike, but expectations rise considerably for a possible increase at a later meeting.Why the Fed has become harder to predict: Under Chair Kevin Warsh, the central bank has moved away from providing clear forward guidance about its future interest-rate decisions.How Fed officials are divided: Inflation hawks may favor acting before prices accelerate further, while more cautious policymakers could prefer waiting for additional economic data.Why the Fed may hold rates steady for now: With Warsh still early in his tenure and recent inflation data showing improvement, policymakers may be reluctant to raise rates immediately.How inflation influences mortgage rates: Mortgage rates can remain elevated even without a Fed rate hike because inflation reduces the appeal of mortgage-backed securities and other fixed-income investments.Why another rate hike could create volatility: An unexpected Fed decision could quickly affect financial markets, bond yields, borrowing costs, and consumer confidence.The big takeaway: The Fed may not raise interest rates at its next meeting, but renewed inflation pressures could put future hikes back on the table. For homebuyers, that uncertainty means mortgage rates may remain higher and more volatile than many had hoped.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/fed-rate-hike-next-week/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Ashley Harris (NMLS # 1106948), Director of Homebuyer Education at Neighbors Bank (NMLS # 491986), about how USDA loans can help eligible buyers purchase a home without a down payment. Ashley explains who may qualify, how USDA property eligibility works, why the program is not limited to isolated rural areas, and how household income limits can affect approval.The conversation also covers how USDA loans compare with FHA and conventional financing, including debt-to-income limits, guarantee fees, closing timelines, and the potential impact on a homebuyer’s offer. Ashley explains why lender experience matters, how buyers can strengthen an offer through faster timelines, and why a property’s exact address should be checked on the USDA eligibility map rather than relying only on the ZIP code.Ashley also clarifies that a loan requiring no down payment does not mean a buyer will have no upfront expenses. Earnest money, inspections, appraisals, closing costs, prepaid expenses, and other fees may still apply. However, she explains that strategies such as negotiating seller credits and using down payment assistance programs may help reduce some of those costs. She closes by encouraging first-time homebuyers to compare all available mortgage options before deciding which financing structure best fits their budget and goals.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Had you heard of USDA home loans before this episode, and would you consider using one if you were eligible?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connected with Ashley Harris:Website: https://www.neighborsbank.com/authors/ashley-harris/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyharrisnb/NeighborsBank.com | 800-220-0600 | 3621 Discovery Parkway, Suite 115, Columbia, MO 65201. Member FDIC. NMLS # 491986 (nmlsconsumeraccess.org) Equal Housing Lender.Neighbors Bank (NMLS #491986) is a Columbia, Missouri-based national lender. Equal Housing Opportunity. Neighbors Bank is an affiliate of Three Creeks Media, which operates this channel.First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:50 – How USDA Loans Work3:13 – USDA Income Limits Explained3:51 – USDA Loans vs. FHA Loans5:26 – Can a USDA Loan Weaken Your Offer?6:25 – How to Make a USDA Offer More Competitive7:09 – Checking Property and Income Eligibility8:21 – Credit Requirements and Lender Overlays9:08 – Why Keeping Savings May Matter11:05 – How to Choose a USDA Lender12:47 – Upfront Costs Beyond the Down Payment14:22 – Ashley’s Advice for First-Time Homebuyers16:17 – Other Programs That May Help With Closing Costs16:40 – Outro------#usdaloans #firsttimehomebuyer #homebuyingtips

Millions of homes sit empty across the United States, yet affordable housing remains out of reach for many Americans. This week's Housing & Finance Roundup explores the surprising forces shaping today's housing market, from vacant homes and the shrinking boomer wealth transfer to the growing affordability crisis facing renters. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine what these trends reveal about the challenges—and contradictions—within the U.S. housing market.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why 14.5 million homes are sitting vacant: Most empty homes aren't abandoned—they include vacation properties, homes between tenants, properties awaiting sale, and other homes temporarily out of use.How vacancy rates vary across the country: States with large numbers of seasonal homes have some of the nation's highest vacancy rates, while many high-demand western states have very few homes sitting empty.Why vacant homes don't automatically solve the housing shortage: Many empty properties aren't located where housing demand is strongest or aren't readily available for full-time occupancy.What's really happening with the $93 trillion boomer wealth transfer: Much of the projected wealth will be consumed by retirement expenses, healthcare costs, taxes, and debt before it ever reaches heirs.Why inheritances may widen the wealth gap: Most inherited wealth is expected to flow to households that are already financially well off, reinforcing existing wealth inequality.How unaffordable renting has become: A single minimum-wage worker cannot afford a modest one-bedroom apartment in any of America's 50 largest metropolitan areas while following standard affordability guidelines.Why housing costs create long-term financial challenges: When households spend an outsized share of their income on rent, they have less money available for savings, education, healthcare, and other essentials.How these housing stories are connected: Vacant homes, concentrated wealth, and rising housing costs all highlight broader structural challenges affecting affordability and economic opportunity.Why housing policy remains a balancing act: Policymakers continue searching for ways to increase housing availability without creating unintended consequences for homeowners, local economies, or tourism.The big takeaway: America's housing challenges extend far beyond a simple shortage of homes. Vacancy patterns, wealth distribution, and affordability all play interconnected roles, making meaningful solutions far more complex than they first appear.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/housing-finance-news-roundup-july-17-2026

Congress has passed the biggest housing reform package in decades—but don't expect overnight changes. Will the new law meaningfully improve affordability, or is it simply the first step toward broader housing reform? Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine what the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act actually does, where it could help, and why many experts believe its impact may be more gradual than dramatic.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why this housing law is historically significant: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents the most comprehensive federal housing reform package in decades, passing with rare bipartisan support.How this law differs from past housing legislation: Unlike the landmark Housing Act of 1965, the new law focuses on regulatory reforms and reallocating existing resources rather than major new federal spending.Why federal housing reform has limits: Most zoning, permitting, and land-use decisions remain under state and local control, limiting how much Congress can directly influence housing supply.How construction could become more efficient: Reforms to environmental reviews for certain projects aim to reduce delays and lower development costs without eliminating key protections.Why manufactured housing received a boost: The law modernizes manufactured housing rules and expands financing options, potentially making one of the nation's most affordable housing types more accessible.How accessory dwelling units could benefit: Updated FHA financing rules make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs, creating more housing opportunities and potential rental income.Where affordable housing funding is changing: The legislation gives banks and local governments greater flexibility to invest existing funds in affordable housing and new construction projects.Why experts are tempering expectations: Housing economists say the reforms are meaningful but largely incremental, with affordability improvements likely to emerge gradually rather than immediately.How the law could shape future reforms: Many of the provisions establish a framework that lawmakers can build upon with additional housing legislation in the years ahead.The big takeaway: The new housing law won't solve the affordability crisis overnight, but it marks an important shift in federal housing policy. While its individual reforms are modest, together they could help reduce barriers to building more housing and lay the foundation for larger improvements over time.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/road-to-housing-act-becomes-law/

Conflicting forecasts are making it harder than ever to know where the housing market is headed. Will home prices continue climbing, barely keep pace with inflation, or lose ground in real terms? Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why leading economists disagree so sharply, what mortgage rates and inflation could mean for buyers and homeowners, and how to make smart decisions in an uncertain market.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you'll learn:Why economists disagree on home prices: Leading housing organizations are forecasting very different levels of home price growth, reflecting contrasting assumptions about inflation, mortgage rates, inventory, and buyer demand.How inflation affects real home values: Even if your home's value increases, homeowners can lose purchasing power if appreciation fails to keep up with inflation.Why mortgage rates remain the biggest obstacle: With 30-year mortgage rates expected to stay in the mid-6% range, affordability continues to limit buyer activity.How growing inventory is reshaping the market: More existing homes and new construction are giving buyers additional choices while creating more competition among sellers.Why investors are becoming more cautious: Higher borrowing costs and slowing rent growth are reducing the appeal of residential real estate for many investors.How today's market compares to recent years: The rapid home price appreciation of the past decade has given way to a slower, more balanced market driven by affordability constraints.The dilemma facing today's homebuyers: Buyers must decide whether to purchase now at higher mortgage rates or wait and risk paying more if home prices continue rising.Why housing remains a local story: National forecasts provide useful perspective, but local job markets, inventory, and demand ultimately determine home values in individual communities.How global events influence housing: Inflation, energy prices, and broader economic uncertainty continue to shape mortgage rates and housing affordability.The big takeaway: Housing forecasts provide valuable guidance, but no one can predict the market with certainty. Understanding the forces driving prices—including inflation, mortgage rates, and local market conditions—can help buyers and homeowners make more informed long-term decisions.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/housing-forecasts-all-over-the-map/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Bernie Frascarelli, Head of Realtor Relations at Best Interest Financial, to break down how mortgage rates, annual percentage rates, and discount points affect the true cost of buying a home. Bernie explains why the interest rate shown on a loan estimate is only part of the picture, what causes the APR to be higher, and how closing costs, credit, down payment, and loan structure can influence the mortgage options available to each borrower.The conversation also explores how mortgage payments are divided between principal and interest, why so much of an early payment goes toward interest, and strategies that may help homeowners pay off their loans faster. Bernie discusses biweekly payments, when purchasing discount points may make financial sense, how to calculate the break-even period, and why borrowers should compare the upfront cost of a lower rate against the amount they expect to save over time.Bernie also shares what homebuyers should provide when requesting an accurate mortgage rate quote and why generic online estimates may not reflect the rate or loan program they could actually qualify for. He closes with his perspective on waiting for lower mortgage rates, explaining why buyers should consider potential home-price growth alongside the monthly savings from a modest rate decline. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or preparing for another purchase, this episode offers practical mortgage education to help you compare offers, understand borrowing costs, and make a more informed decision.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Would you rather buy now and refinance later, or wait for mortgage rates to fall? Tell us what factors are shaping your decision.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Bernie Frascarelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardfrascarelli/Best Interest: https://bestinterest.com/our-team/bernie-frascarelli/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:47 – The True Cost of a 30-Year Mortgage1:24 – Is Waiting for a Lower Rate Worth It?3:19 – Mortgage Rate vs. APR4:00 – Can You Negotiate Closing Costs?4:30 – How Principal and Interest Divide Your Payment5:08 – Can Biweekly Payments Shorten Your Mortgage?5:31 – What You Need for an Accurate Rate Quote6:08 – What Determines Your Mortgage Rate?6:25 – When Buying Discount Points Makes Sense7:04 – How Discount Point Pricing Works7:36 – What Homebuyers Often Misunderstand About Mortgages8:34 – Bernie’s Advice for First-Time Homebuyers9:09 – Outro------#mortgagerates #firsttimehomebuyer #mortgagetips

Foreclosures are rising again—but today's market looks very different from the housing crash of 2008. While bank-owned homes can offer significant discounts for buyers, they also come with unique risks, hidden repair costs, and important considerations that every prospective homeowner should understand before making an offer. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why foreclosure activity is increasing, who is most at risk, and how buyers can determine whether a foreclosed property is truly a bargain.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why foreclosure activity is increasing: Foreclosure rates have reached a seven-year high as pandemic-era financial protections have ended and homeowners face higher housing costs.Why newer homeowners are especially vulnerable: Buyers who purchased recently have had less time to build equity, leaving them with fewer financial options if hardship strikes.How natural disasters can contribute to foreclosures: Communities affected by hurricanes and other disasters often experience prolonged financial hardship due to insurance delays, repair costs, and rebuilding challenges.Why foreclosed homes can offer substantial discounts: Bank-owned properties often sell below market value, creating opportunities for buyers willing to take on additional risk.The hidden repair costs buyers should expect: Deferred maintenance, vacant homes, and undisclosed damage can quickly erase the savings from a discounted purchase.Why thorough inspections are essential: A professional home inspection can identify expensive structural, mechanical, or environmental issues before you commit to buying.How buying a foreclosed home differs from a traditional purchase: REO listings often include limited property information, requiring buyers to perform much more due diligence.Why investors often dominate the foreclosure market: Experienced investors are typically better equipped to evaluate renovation costs and manage the risks associated with distressed properties.How rising foreclosures could affect local housing markets: An increase in bank-owned inventory may create buying opportunities while also placing downward pressure on home prices in some areas.What buyers should consider before purchasing an REO: Understanding repair costs, financing options, and the property's overall condition is critical before deciding whether the discount is truly worthwhile.The big takeaway: Foreclosed homes can offer excellent opportunities, but they're rarely easy bargains. Buyers who perform careful research, obtain thorough inspections, and realistically budget for repairs are far more likely to turn a discounted purchase into a successful investment.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/foreclosures-7-year-high-bargain-homebuyers/

Despite high home prices and elevated mortgage rates, Gen Z is proving that homeownership is still possible. Nearly one in five new mortgages now goes to Gen Z buyers, who are finding creative ways to overcome affordability challenges through alternative down payment sources, digital mortgage shopping, and careful financial planning. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how younger buyers are entering the housing market, the obstacles they still face, and what their growing presence means for the future of homeownership.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why Gen Z is entering the housing market earlier than many expected: Nearly 20% of all new mortgages in the second quarter of 2026 went to Gen Z borrowers, signaling a major generational shift.How younger buyers are overcoming affordability challenges: Many are relying on family assistance, investments, and other funding sources beyond traditional personal savings for down payments.Why Millennials and Gen Z now dominate home purchases: Buyers under age 45 accounted for roughly two-thirds of all purchase mortgages during the quarter.How credit scores affect younger borrowers: Gen Z borrowers generally have lower average credit scores than older generations, making shopping for the best mortgage rate especially important.Why comparing lenders can save thousands: Rate differences between lenders can be especially significant for borrowers with lower credit scores.How digital tools are changing the mortgage process: As digital natives, Gen Z buyers are increasingly using online resources to compare rates, research lenders, and simplify the homebuying experience.What recent home price trends mean for buyers: Home prices continue to rise modestly nationwide, with single-family homes generally outperforming condominiums.Why single-family homes remain in high demand: Ongoing appreciation and changing market conditions continue to make detached homes attractive to many first-time buyers.How today's younger buyers are shaping tomorrow's housing market: As more Millennials and Gen Z households purchase homes, their preferences are influencing lending, technology, and housing demand.What future homebuyers can learn from Gen Z: Creativity, preparation, and thorough mortgage shopping are helping younger buyers succeed despite challenging market conditions.The big takeaway: High mortgage rates and affordability challenges haven't stopped Gen Z from becoming homeowners. By adapting to today's market and taking advantage of every available resource, younger buyers are proving that homeownership remains achievable.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/gen-z-millennials-two-thirds-of-market/

Downsizing is often seen as the perfect retirement strategy—but it's not the right choice for everyone. While selling a larger home can unlock valuable equity and reduce monthly expenses, retirees also need to consider moving costs, taxes, emotional ties, and whether a smaller home truly improves their long-term financial picture. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore the financial and personal tradeoffs of downsizing, why more seniors are struggling with housing costs, and how to decide whether moving makes sense.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why more retirees are considering downsizing: Rising housing costs and fixed retirement incomes are causing many older homeowners to rethink whether their current homes remain affordable.How downsizing can unlock home equity: Selling a long-owned home may provide retirees with additional cash to strengthen their retirement finances.Which ongoing expenses may decrease: Smaller homes often mean lower property taxes, homeowners insurance premiums, utility bills, and maintenance costs.The hidden costs many retirees overlook: Real estate commissions, closing costs, moving expenses, capital gains taxes, and HOA fees can significantly reduce expected savings.Why location matters when relocating: State income taxes, property taxes, healthcare access, and overall cost of living can dramatically affect retirement budgets.The emotional side of leaving a longtime home: Downsizing often means leaving behind memories, neighbors, routines, and established support networks that took years to build.Why affordable senior housing is becoming a growing challenge: The number of senior households spending more than half their income on housing has nearly doubled over the past two decades.How America's aging population is reshaping housing demand: As more Baby Boomers reach their later retirement years, demand for affordable, age-friendly housing continues to increase.Why downsizing isn't always the best financial decision: In some situations, moving simply replaces one set of housing expenses with another rather than generating meaningful savings.How retirees can make a smarter decision: Carefully evaluating both the financial numbers and quality-of-life considerations can help determine whether downsizing is truly the right move.The big takeaway: Downsizing can provide meaningful financial relief for some retirees, but it's not a universal solution. The best decision balances both the financial realities and the personal impact of leaving a longtime home.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/should-you-downsize-in-retirement/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Tony Julianelle, CEO of Atlas Real Estate, to explain why buying your first home isn't just about finding a place to live—it's about acquiring an asset that can build wealth over time. Tony shares why first-time buyers should approach homeownership with an investor's mindset, focusing on long-term value rather than emotion. Whether you're preparing to buy your first home or simply looking to make smarter real estate decisions, this conversation offers practical homebuyer tips you can apply in today's housing market.The discussion covers why waiting for lower mortgage rates isn't always the best strategy, how to identify neighborhoods with long-term appreciation potential, and what buyers should know about home values, equity, and the risk of being underwater on a mortgage. Tony also explains why routine maintenance often delivers a better return than expensive renovations and how experienced investors evaluate real estate opportunities based on location, cash flow, and long-term appreciation.The episode wraps up with a look at today's real estate investing landscape, including why some investors are finding opportunities in distressed multifamily properties and what first-time buyers can learn from professional investors. Tony closes with his top advice for anyone considering homeownership: don't wait for the perfect market—buy wisely, think long term, and let your home work for you as an asset. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or planning your next move, this episode will help you approach the home buying process with greater confidence.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: What's one feature you'd be willing to sacrifice if it meant buying a home with better long-term investment potential? We'd love to hear your thoughts.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With Tony Julianelle:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyjulianelle/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:17 – Meet Tony Julianelle and Atlas Real Estate1:40 – Helping Renters Become Homeowners4:18 – Buy an Asset, Not Just a House5:35 – Should You Worry About Overpaying?7:41 – How to Choose a Neighborhood That Will Appreciate10:29 – What It Means to Be Underwater on Your Mortgage14:11 – Renovations vs. Maintenance: Where Should You Invest?16:12 – Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Real Estate?18:56 – Investing Before Buying a Home20:16 – How New Investors Can Get Started22:22 – Tony's Advice for First-Time Homebuyers23:39 – Outro------#firsttimehomebuyer #homebuyingtips #realestateinvesting

Extreme heat is becoming one of the most dangerous weather threats homeowners face—and preparing before temperatures soar can protect both your family and your home. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry discuss practical strategies homeowners can use to stay safe, reduce energy costs, and better prepare for increasingly frequent extreme heat events.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw⁠In this episode you’ll learn:Why extreme heat is becoming a growing threat: Recent heat waves have demonstrated how dangerous prolonged high temperatures can become, especially in communities without widespread air conditioning.What America can learn from France: French households often rely on passive cooling techniques like closing shutters, limiting daytime ventilation, and using fans to stay comfortable during extreme heat.How to reduce strain on your home's cooling system: Proper HVAC maintenance, insulation, weather stripping, and energy-efficient upgrades can help keep indoor temperatures lower.Why reducing electricity use benefits everyone: Lower energy consumption can reduce utility bills while helping prevent power grid failures during periods of peak demand.How to prepare for a power outage during a heat wave: Battery-powered fans, emergency supplies, cooling centers, and a 72-hour emergency kit can help families stay safe if electricity is lost.Why checking on neighbors can save lives: Older adults, people with medical conditions, and others without adequate cooling are especially vulnerable during prolonged heat events.How to protect pets during extreme temperatures: Pets need access to cool shelter, plenty of water, and protection from dangerous heat just as much as people do.Simple home improvements that help beat the heat: Switching to LED lighting and sealing air leaks can improve comfort while reducing indoor heat buildup.Why preparation matters before temperatures rise: Having a plan in place before a heat wave arrives is far easier than scrambling once dangerous conditions begin.How homeowners can stay safer during future heat waves: Combining practical home improvements with emergency planning creates multiple layers of protection when extreme weather strikes.The big takeaway: Extreme heat is becoming more common, but preparation makes a tremendous difference. A few simple steps can help protect your home, reduce energy costs, and keep your family and community safer during dangerous heat waves.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/protecting-your-home-during-heat-waves/

America faces a housing shortage today—but some economists believe the opposite problem could emerge within the next decade. A new forecast suggests demographic shifts could eventually leave the U.S. with more homes than it needs, raising important questions about affordability, home values, and the future of the housing market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why some experts believe today's shortage could become tomorrow's surplus, what assumptions drive that prediction, and why the future is far from certain.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why some economists predict a future housing surplus: A new forecast suggests slowing population growth, lower birth rates, and reduced immigration could significantly weaken housing demand by 2035.How today's housing shortage could eventually reverse: While the U.S. currently faces a shortage of millions of homes, continued construction could eventually outpace demand.Why demographics matter to housing markets: Aging populations and changing household formation patterns could reshape long-term housing needs.How immigration could change the outlook: Future immigration policy may become one of the biggest factors determining whether housing demand continues to grow.Why developers are unlikely to keep overbuilding indefinitely: Builders typically adjust construction activity as market conditions change, reducing the likelihood of prolonged oversupply.How housing affordability affects demand: Lower home prices can encourage more household formation, creating additional demand as homes become more affordable.Why housing markets remain highly local: A surplus of homes in one region does not necessarily solve shortages in another, making national forecasts only part of the story.How a housing surplus could affect homeowners: Falling home values could reduce household wealth, consumer spending, and overall economic growth if prices decline too sharply.Why policymakers must balance today's needs with tomorrow's risks: Addressing the current affordability crisis remains important while avoiding policies that could create long-term market imbalances.Why long-term housing forecasts should be viewed cautiously: Economic projections depend on assumptions that can change significantly over the course of a decade.The big takeaway: Today's housing shortage is real, but the long-term future is far less certain. Demographics, immigration, construction activity, and economic conditions will ultimately determine whether America continues facing a housing shortage—or eventually finds itself with a housing surplus.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/could-america-have-too-many-homes-2035/

Falling home prices usually sound like bad news—but the reason they're falling makes all the difference. While collapsing home values devastated cities like Detroit during the Great Recession, declining prices in markets like Denver may actually improve affordability, strengthen local economies, and create more opportunities for future homebuyers. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why not all housing price declines are created equal and what they can mean for homeowners, buyers, and communities.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why Detroit's housing collapse was so devastating: Home prices fell more than 80% during the Great Recession, leaving many homeowners underwater and freezing the local housing market.How housing downturns affect entire communities: Falling home values can impact jobs, local businesses, schools, lending, and long-term economic stability.Why Denver tells a very different story: Increased housing construction helped create more supply, allowing home prices and rents to moderate after years of rapid growth.How affordability can strengthen local economies: Lower housing costs allow residents to spend more money in their communities and make it easier for workers to relocate where jobs are available.Why housing supply matters: Building more homes can help relieve affordability pressures and support healthier long-term market conditions.How restrictive housing policies can limit economic growth: High housing costs can discourage workers from moving to areas with strong job opportunities.Why affordable housing benefits more than buyers: Communities with attainable housing often experience stronger economic activity, greater stability, and healthier population growth.How homeownership supports stronger neighborhoods: Homeowners are generally more likely to invest in their communities, participate in civic life, and build long-term neighborhood stability.Why context matters when home prices fall: A decline caused by economic collapse is very different from one driven by increased housing supply and improved affordability.What buyers and homeowners should watch: Understanding why prices are changing is often more important than focusing on price movements alone.The big takeaway: Falling home prices aren't automatically good or bad. The underlying cause determines whether they're signaling economic distress or creating healthier, more affordable housing markets for the future.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/falling-home-prices-bad-except-when-good/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Dave Meyer, Chief Investment Officer at BiggerPockets, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in housing: the belief that the Federal Reserve directly controls mortgage rates. While the Fed plays an important role in the economy, Dave explains why mortgage rates are actually influenced by a much broader set of factors, including Treasury bond yields, inflation, and investor demand for mortgage-backed securities. If you've ever wondered why mortgage rates don't always move the way you expect after a Federal Reserve meeting, this conversation explains what really drives borrowing costs—and what today's economic outlook could mean for anyone planning to buy or refinance a home.The conversation explores what came out of the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, why mortgage rates remain difficult to predict, and how inflation, employment, and global economic events all shape the housing market. Dave also explains why Treasury bond yields often provide a better indication of where mortgage rates may be headed than the Fed's latest announcement. Along the way, he breaks down complex economic concepts into practical mortgage education and real estate insights that every homebuyer can understand.Dave closes by sharing his outlook for mortgage rates through the remainder of the year and his perspective on today's real estate market. While affordability continues to challenge many buyers, he explains why today's market offers more negotiating power than buyers have had in years—and why waiting indefinitely for dramatically lower mortgage rates may not be the best strategy. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, planning your next move, or simply trying to better understand today's housing market, this episode will help you make more informed decisions.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Do you think mortgage rates will be lower a year from now? We'd love to hear your prediction and why.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Dave Meyer:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedatadeli/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-meyer-5660846/On The Market Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCxDXuLvtjJ9Est8PrG3i2VA BiggerPockets Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/biggerpocketsFirst Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:18 – What the Federal Reserve Actually Does1:00 – Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates?1:57 – Breaking Down the Latest FOMC Meeting4:43 – Why Treasury Bond Yields Matter More6:19 – Will the New Fed Chair Change Mortgage Rates?8:15 – What Could Trigger Rate Cuts or Rate Hikes?11:24 – Why the Fed Targets 2% Inflation12:51 – What Really Determines Mortgage Rates?15:15 – Dave's Mortgage Rate Outlook17:03 – Why Today's Housing Market Favors Buyers18:32 – Outro------#mortgagerates #housingmarket #homebuyertips

Buying a home is exciting—but the purchase price is only the beginning. While 93% of recent homebuyers say they're glad they became homeowners, most also admit they underestimated just how much repairs, maintenance, and ongoing ownership costs would add to their budgets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry discuss why so many buyers are caught off guard, how older homes contribute to unexpected expenses, and what future homeowners can do to prepare.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why so many buyers underestimate homeownership costs: Many new homeowners focus on the purchase itself without fully accounting for ongoing maintenance and repair expenses.How expensive unexpected repairs can become: More than half of surveyed homeowners spent at least $5,000 on unexpected repairs after buying their home, with many spending well over $10,000.Why younger buyers feel the biggest shock: Gen Z and Millennial homeowners were significantly more likely than Baby Boomers to say homeownership was more stressful than they expected.How America's aging housing stock increases repair costs: The median owner-occupied home is now 42 years old, making maintenance issues more common than in previous decades.Why emergency repair funds matter: Only a minority of buyers had money set aside for unexpected repairs before purchasing their homes.How home inspections can save thousands: Identifying potential problems before closing can help buyers avoid costly surprises after moving in.Why small maintenance issues shouldn't be ignored: Addressing minor problems early can prevent them from turning into much larger and more expensive repairs.How the overall cost of homeownership continues to rise: Insurance, taxes, maintenance, and repair costs are adding thousands of dollars to annual ownership expenses.Why older homes require realistic expectations: Buyers of existing homes should anticipate more maintenance than those purchasing newly built properties.Why most homeowners still believe it was worth it: Despite the unexpected costs and stress, the overwhelming majority say homeownership remains one of the best financial and personal decisions they've made.The big takeaway: Buying a home is only the first step. Preparing for maintenance, budgeting for unexpected repairs, and understanding the true cost of ownership can make homeownership far less stressful and far more rewarding.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/unexpected-home-repairs-and-maintenance/

Housing affordability has become such a pressing issue that Congress overwhelmingly approved the largest housing legislation in decades. The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to increase housing supply, reduce construction delays, expand financing options, and limit the influence of large corporate investors—all in an effort to make homeownership more attainable. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what the legislation does, why it earned rare bipartisan support, and how it could affect future homebuyers.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why Congress acted now: Lawmakers from both parties agreed that the nation's housing affordability challenges require major legislative action.How the bill could speed up home construction: New provisions streamline environmental reviews and reduce regulatory delays for qualifying developments.What pre-approved building designs could accomplish: Communities can create "pattern books" that allow builders to accelerate new housing projects.How the bill targets large corporate investors: Companies owning hundreds of single-family homes would face new restrictions designed to preserve opportunities for individual buyers.Why smaller landlords are largely unaffected: The legislation focuses on institutional investors rather than local "mom and pop" property owners.How financing could improve for affordable housing: The bill expands support for small-value mortgages along with manufactured and modular home financing.Why increasing housing supply matters: Building more homes remains one of the most effective long-term solutions for improving affordability.What critics are concerned about: Some worry that reducing regulatory requirements could create unintended environmental or development consequences.Why housing groups broadly support the legislation: Many industry organizations view the bill as an important step toward addressing America's housing shortage.What still needs to happen: While the legislation represents significant progress, implementation and future policy decisions will determine its long-term impact.The big takeaway: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents one of the most significant federal housing reform efforts in decades, signaling broad recognition that improving housing affordability will require action on construction, financing, and housing supply.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/bipartisan-housing-bill-clears-congress-awaits-presidents-signature/

A stronger economy could translate into stronger housing wealth in 2026. Economists expect the U.S. to avoid a recession, add hundreds of thousands of jobs, and keep unemployment below 5%, creating conditions that could help the average homeowner add roughly $16,000 to their net worth. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why experts are optimistic, why mortgage rates may remain stubbornly high, and why local markets could tell very different stories.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why economists are optimistic about 2026: National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun expects continued economic growth and a stronger housing market.How homeowners could build more wealth: Rising home values could add an average of about $16,000 to homeowners' net worth next year.Why job growth matters for housing: Strong employment and low unemployment tend to support home prices and buyer confidence.Why real estate remains highly local: Conditions can vary dramatically from one city, neighborhood, or even street to the next.Why some homes sell quickly while others sit: Buyer demand, local inventory, and specific market conditions are creating uneven results across the country.Why mortgage rates may stay elevated: Economists expect 30-year fixed rates to remain around 6.5%, limiting affordability for many buyers.How inflation continues to shape housing: Persistent inflation and global events are likely to keep downward pressure on mortgage rates limited.Why supply chains still matter: Disruptions affecting energy, food, and commodities can ripple through the economy and influence housing markets.Why forecasts come with uncertainty: Economic predictions are based on assumptions that can change quickly as events unfold.How buyers and homeowners can use forecasts wisely: Understanding trends can help consumers prepare and make more informed decisions.The big takeaway: Housing market forecasts are never guarantees, but many economists believe a stable economy and continued job growth could create a stronger market environment in 2026—even if mortgage rates remain higher than buyers would like.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/national-association-of-realtors-stronger-housing-market-2026/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Rod See, Managing Director of Community Lending and Senior Vice President at Cornerstone Home Lending, to discuss one of the biggest misconceptions keeping people from buying a home: the belief that you need tens of thousands of dollars saved before you can even get started. Rod explains why many buyers who qualify for a mortgage never realize they may also qualify for programs that can significantly reduce the upfront costs of homeownership. If you've been waiting to buy because you think you don't have enough cash, this conversation may change the way you think about the homebuying process.Rod breaks down how down payment assistance programs work, the differences between grants and repayable assistance, and how local, state, and national programs can help cover down payments, closing costs, and other expenses. He also explains how buyers can find these programs, what lenders look for during the application process, whether using down payment assistance affects the strength of an offer, and why these programs are often far more accessible than many first-time homebuyers realize.The conversation also explores other affordability options like USDA and VA loans before Rod shares his biggest piece of advice for first-time homebuyers: start planning long before your lease ends. Through a real client success story, he demonstrates how combining smart financial planning with down payment assistance helped one family purchase the home they wanted while keeping more money in their pocket. Whether you're preparing to buy your first home or simply want to better understand your mortgage options, this episode is packed with practical mortgage advice and homebuyer tips to help you make more informed decisions.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: What's the biggest obstacle keeping you from buying a home right now? We'd love to hear your thoughts.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Rod See:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodsee/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:24 – What Community Lending Really Does2:43 – Why So Many Buyers Think They Can't Buy3:50 – How Down Payment Assistance Works5:17 – Grants vs. Repayable Assistance8:55 – Finding Down Payment Assistance Programs11:18 – How to Apply for DPA12:39 – When the Money Arrives14:06 – Does Down Payment Assistance Hurt Your Offer?17:04 – Other Programs That Help Homebuyers18:17 – Rod's Best Advice for First-Time Buyers20:05 – How One Single Mom Bought Her Dream Home22:28 – Outro------#downpaymentassistance #firsttimehomebuyer #mortgagetips

A fresh coat of paint can add value—or quietly cost you thousands when it’s time to sell. Zillow’s latest research found that certain colors can influence buyer perceptions and offers, with some shades adding value while others may reduce a home’s sale price by as much as $18,000. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why paint colors matter, which shades buyers prefer, and the simple updates that can help make a home more appealing.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why paint color can affect home value: Zillow found that buyers are willing to pay more for homes with certain colors and less for others.How one shade could cost sellers thousands: Homes with ochre yellow walls in multiple rooms could sell for up to $18,000 less.Which colors buyers prefer most: Pale blue, sage green, and charcoal gray tend to create a modern, inviting feel that attracts higher offers.Why trendy colors can quickly fall out of favor: Popular design choices can change rapidly, turning yesterday’s hot color into today’s buyer turnoff.Which rooms matter most: Fire-hydrant red bathrooms and pale pink kitchens ranked among the least appealing color choices.Why neutral doesn’t have to mean boring: The right shades can help buyers picture themselves in the home without sacrificing style.How decluttering can improve buyer impressions: Removing personal items and oversized furniture can make rooms feel larger and more inviting.Why kitchens deserve extra attention: Small upgrades and cosmetic improvements can deliver an outsized return when selling.How staging with future furniture can help: Buying furniture for your next home early can help showcase your current home more effectively.Why curb appeal and cleanliness still matter: A deep clean and attention to obvious defects can improve first impressions and buyer confidence.The big takeaway: Selling a home is part art and part science. Small details—from paint colors to staging—can influence buyer emotions and potentially add thousands to your final sale price.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/paint-colors-that-hurt-home-value/

The world’s wealthiest homebuyers are no longer focused solely on luxury—they’re investing in homes designed to help them live longer, healthier lives. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how the growing longevity economy is reshaping high-end real estate, why wellness features are becoming must-haves, and how luxury homeowners are designing properties that support both health and aging in place.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why longevity is becoming a major force in luxury real estate: The global longevity market is projected to reach $8 trillion annually by 2030, influencing how affluent buyers evaluate homes.How luxury buyers are redefining what “luxury” means: Wellness, health, and quality of life are increasingly taking priority over purely status-driven amenities.Why wealthy homeowners are investing in their future: High-net-worth individuals are viewing real estate as part of a broader strategy to extend healthspan and improve long-term well-being.What wellness features are most in demand: Yoga studios, meditation spaces, wellness gardens, and fitness facilities are becoming standard features in many luxury properties.How luxury homes are embracing advanced wellness amenities: Cold plunges, hammams, saunas, snow rooms, and specialized recovery spaces are gaining popularity among affluent buyers.Why emotional and spiritual wellness are influencing home design: Quiet reflection spaces, massage rooms, and restorative environments are becoming important considerations.How aging in place is reshaping luxury housing: More buyers are seeking homes that can comfortably support them as they grow older.What future-proofing looks like in luxury real estate: Elevators, single-story living, wheelchair accessibility, and adaptable floor plans are becoming increasingly desirable.Why location plays a role in longevity: Buyers are prioritizing climates and settings that encourage outdoor activity, healthy lifestyles, and year-round wellness.How technology is supporting healthy living at home: Advanced health-monitoring systems, telehealth integration, and smart wellness technologies are becoming part of luxury residences.Why water quality and environmental factors matter: Features such as advanced filtration systems and access to natural surroundings are gaining importance.How the pandemic accelerated the trend: Increased time spent at home highlighted the role that living environments play in physical and mental health.Why wellness-focused homes may become a lasting trend: Health, sustainability, and longevity continue to shape buyer priorities across the luxury market.The big takeaway: Luxury real estate is evolving beyond prestige and square footage, with affluent buyers increasingly seeking homes that support healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/luxury-homebuyers-investing-in-longevity/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Ralph DiBugnara, Senior Vice President at New American Funding, to discuss how homebuyers can make smarter decisions in today's competitive housing market. From choosing the right neighborhood to avoiding costly property issues, Ralph shares practical homebuyer tips for finding a home that fits both your budget and your long-term financial goals. He also explains why buyers shouldn't let bidding wars or fear of missing out influence one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make.The conversation takes a deep dive into FHA loans and how they compare with conventional mortgages. Ralph explains who FHA loans are designed for, why they're often easier to qualify for, and how down payment assistance programs, seller concessions, and budgeting strategies can improve affordability for many buyers. He also clears up common misconceptions about FHA appraisals, mortgage insurance, credit score requirements, and why these loans can be an attractive option for first-time homebuyers and buyers with less-than-perfect financial profiles.Ralph also shares his perspective on one of the biggest questions facing buyers today: should you wait for lower mortgage rates or buy when you're financially ready? He explains why focusing on a comfortable monthly payment, staying patient during the home search, and being willing to walk away from the wrong property often leads to better long-term outcomes. Whether you're exploring FHA loans for the first time or simply looking for smarter homebuying strategies, this episode is packed with mortgage advice and real estate insights to help you make more informed decisions.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Would you buy a home now or wait for mortgage rates to come down? We'd love to hear your reasoning.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Ralph DiBugnara:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dibug/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-dibugnara-9759096/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:28 – Buying in the Right Neighborhood1:48 – Homes to Avoid in Today's Market2:25 – How to Stretch Your Homebuying Budget3:55 – FHA Loans Explained5:12 – The Pros and Cons of FHA Loans6:35 – Why FHA Loans Can Offer Lower Rates7:06 – FHA Credit Score and Income Requirements8:08 – Who Should Consider an FHA Loan?9:14 – Ralph's Best Advice for First-Time Homebuyers10:09 – Why You Shouldn't Try to Time the Market10:48 – Outro------#fhaloans #firsttimehomebuyer #mortgagetips

More than half of prospective homebuyers say they would be comfortable letting artificial intelligence handle their home purchase—and even more are willing to trust AI with mortgage shopping, loan applications, and sensitive financial information. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore why buyers are embracing AI in the mortgage process, where the technology can help, and why human expertise still plays an important role in one of life’s biggest financial decisions.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why so many buyers are embracing AI: A recent survey found that 53% of prospective homebuyers would be comfortable purchasing a home with no direct human involvement.How AI is changing mortgage shopping: Most respondents said they would trust AI tools to compare lenders, evaluate loan options, and identify competitive mortgage products.Why convenience is driving adoption: Buyers are increasingly attracted to AI’s ability to simplify paperwork, organize information, and speed up the mortgage process.How comfortable consumers are sharing financial data: A large majority of survey participants said they would trust a lender’s AI system with sensitive financial information.What mortgage experts find surprising: The speed at which consumers have become comfortable with AI represents a major shift in attitudes toward financial technology.Where AI performs best in the homebuying process: Tasks like comparison shopping, document organization, and preliminary research are particularly well suited to AI tools.Why AI still has important limitations: Mortgage guidelines, lender policies, and qualification rules can change quickly, making it difficult for AI systems to always stay current.What “AI hallucinations” mean for borrowers: Artificial intelligence can sometimes generate information that sounds convincing but is inaccurate or completely wrong.Why verification remains essential: Buyers should independently confirm any important financial or mortgage advice generated by AI.How accountability differs between AI and human professionals: Mortgage brokers, lenders, and other experts can be held responsible for errors, while AI platforms generally cannot.Why human expertise still matters: Complex financial decisions, legal issues, and lender-specific exceptions often require judgment that AI cannot fully replicate.What role AI is likely to play in the future: Rather than replacing mortgage professionals entirely, AI may become a powerful tool that works alongside human advisors.The big takeaway: AI can make the mortgage process faster and more efficient, but homebuyers should treat it as a helpful assistant—not a replacement for critical thinking and professional guidance.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/most-homebuyers-trust-ai-with-their-mortgage/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Ben Stef, Senior Loan Advisor at NEXA Lending and founder of Funding Freedom, to break down one of the most powerful financing tools available to real estate investors: Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans. Ben explains how these loans work, why they've become increasingly popular, and how they can help investors qualify based primarily on a property's rental income rather than relying solely on traditional underwriting standards. He also explains why understanding DSCR loans early can give both new and experienced investors more flexibility as they grow.The conversation explores the differences between DSCR loans and conventional mortgages, why these loans are far different from the risky lending practices that contributed to the 2008 housing crash, and how homeowners can use HELOCs to tap into their equity for a down payment without giving up low mortgage rates. Ben also discusses the importance of building a strong financial foundation before investing and shares his perspective on credit scores, down payments, reserve requirements, and what it takes to prepare for your first rental property.Ben then breaks down the BRRRR method and explains how value-add projects can help investors continue growing over time. He shares why he believes waiting for lower mortgage rates could backfire if demand picks up again and offers advice on finding a real estate niche that fits your strengths and goals. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer curious about investing or a more experienced investor looking to scale beyond conventional mortgages, this episode is packed with mortgage advice and real estate insights to help you make more informed decisions.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below and let us know: Have you used a DSCR loan, or is it something you'd consider for your first investment property?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Ben Stef:Website: https://www.fundingfreedom.net/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-stef-b0b741275/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYZIjA6JcV0DqLD-1q2iZbQFirst Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:40 – Helping Investors Scale Their Portfolios1:18 – What Makes a Good Real Estate Deal?3:09 – The Best Financing Tools for Investors4:03 – How DSCR Loans Help Investors Scale5:17 – DSCR Loans vs. Conventional Mortgages7:23 – Why Modern DSCR Loans Aren't Like 20089:01 – Home Equity Explained Simply10:12 – Common Misconceptions About Home Equity11:49 – Preparing to Buy Your First Investment Property15:25 – How Investors Keep Growing Without Running Out of Cash16:42 – The BRRRR Strategy and Value-Add Projects18:17 – Why Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates Could Backfire20:07 – Finding Your Real Estate Investing Niche21:32 – Outro------#DSCRLoans #RealEstateInvesting #MortgageTips

The average homebuyer will pay back more than twice the original purchase price of their home over the life of a 30-year mortgage—and most people have no idea just how much interest adds to the final bill. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the mortgage math that surprises many buyers, how interest rates dramatically affect long-term costs, and why factors like timing, location, and loan term can make hundreds of thousands of dollars of difference.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw⁠In this episode you’ll learn:Why many homeowners effectively pay for two houses: The average borrower can pay more in interest than the home's original purchase price over a 30-year mortgage.How much the typical mortgage really costs: A median-priced home financed with a traditional mortgage can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest payments.Why today's mortgage rates have such a massive impact: Current rates significantly increase the total cost of homeownership compared to the historically low rates seen just a few years ago.How much buyers would save with 2021-era rates: Mortgage rates below 3% could reduce monthly payments dramatically and save borrowers nearly a quarter-million dollars over the life of a loan.Why a one-percentage-point increase matters so much: Even a modest rise in mortgage rates can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total interest paid.How down payment size affects borrowing costs: Buyers putting down less money often face substantially higher lifetime interest expenses.Why some buyers choose 15-year mortgages: Shorter loan terms can dramatically reduce interest costs and help homeowners build equity faster.The trade-off between 15-year and 30-year loans: Lower total borrowing costs come with significantly higher monthly payments.How much borrowers can potentially save with a shorter loan: A 15-year mortgage can reduce lifetime interest costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars.Why geography plays a major role in mortgage costs: Homebuyers in expensive markets can pay well over $1 million in mortgage interest over the life of a loan.Which housing markets generate the highest interest costs: High-priced metros such as San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Honolulu produce some of the nation's largest mortgage bills.Why some Midwest markets remain far more affordable: Lower home prices translate into dramatically lower lifetime financing costs.How today's rates compare with historical extremes: While current rates feel high compared to recent years, they remain well below the double-digit mortgage rates of the early 1980s.Why inflation remains a key factor for homebuyers: Future mortgage rates will depend heavily on how successfully inflation is managed.The big takeaway: Mortgage rates, loan terms, down payments, and location can each have a profound impact on the true cost of homeownership, making informed planning more important than ever.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/mortgage-interest-exceeds-price-of-home/

Two of the biggest names in real estate are facing criticism over practices that some say prioritize profits over transparency. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the growing controversy surrounding Zillow and Compass, why both companies say they’re acting in consumers’ best interests, and whether their business models could be reshaping the housing market in ways buyers and sellers don’t fully understand.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why Zillow is facing scrutiny over its "Contact Agent" and "Request a Tour" buttons: Many consumers believe they are contacting the listing agent when they may actually be routed to agents who pay Zillow for leads.What a Wharton study found about consumer understanding: Researchers reported that the overwhelming majority of users did not realize who they were actually being connected to.How Zillow’s lead-generation model works: Buyer agents pay for access to prospective clients generated through the platform.Why critics argue buyers may be steered toward certain services: Some lawsuits and studies claim consumers may be directed toward mortgage products that are not always the lowest-cost option.How Zillow defends its approach: The company argues that connecting buyers with their own representation helps protect consumers during negotiations.What Compass’s "Private Exclusive" listings are: Certain homes are marketed only within Compass’s network rather than being broadly available to all buyers.Why some sellers find private listings attractive: Off-market marketing can offer privacy, flexibility, and the ability to test pricing strategies without public exposure.Why critics oppose private listings: Opponents argue that limiting exposure may reduce competition and prevent buyers from seeing all available homes.How private listings could affect sellers: Restricting a property’s audience may potentially reduce the number of interested buyers and competing offers.Why several states are taking action: Some states have already adopted restrictions on private listings, while others are considering similar measures.How market concentration factors into the debate: Because Zillow and Compass hold significant influence in real estate, their business decisions can impact the broader housing market.What supporters say about these practices: Advocates argue they represent innovation, consumer choice, and legitimate business strategies.What critics worry about: Concerns include reduced transparency, concentrated market power, conflicts of interest, and diminished consumer choice.The big takeaway: The debate over Zillow and Compass is ultimately about who benefits when major real estate companies control more of the home buying and selling process—and whether consumer protection and corporate interests are always aligned.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/are-zillow-and-compass-distorting-the-housing-market/

Homeowners are tapping into their home equity at the highest rate since 2008, driven by a simple reality: few people want to give up the ultra-low mortgage rates they locked in during the pandemic. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why HELOCs and home equity loans are surging in popularity, how global events and interest rates are shaping borrowing decisions, and what homeowners should consider before tapping their equity.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426GyawIn this episode you’ll learn:Why home equity borrowing has surged to levels not seen since 2008: Demand for home equity loans and HELOCs has reached nearly two-decade highs.How low mortgage rates created a "lock-in effect": Millions of homeowners secured mortgage rates below 3% and are reluctant to refinance or move.Why refinancing no longer makes sense for many borrowers: Replacing a mortgage with a significantly higher interest rate can dramatically increase monthly payments.How HELOCs and home equity loans offer an alternative: Borrowers can access cash while keeping their existing low-rate first mortgage intact.How many homeowners are already using this strategy: Nearly 3.9 million borrowers with low-rate mortgages have added home equity loans or HELOCs.Why rising home values continue to support borrowing: Strong home price appreciation has left many homeowners with substantial equity available to access.How global events are influencing mortgage rates: International developments, including tensions affecting energy markets and trade routes, continue to impact borrowing costs.Why interest rate uncertainty is complicating decisions: Homeowners must weigh the possibility of future rate declines against the risk that rates remain elevated or move higher.What role inflation plays in future borrowing costs: Persistent inflation could influence Federal Reserve policy and keep lending rates higher for longer.Why analysts remain cautious about mortgage rates: Treasury yields, inflation concerns, and economic uncertainty continue to create upward pressure on rates.How timing affects home equity borrowing decisions: Waiting for lower rates could save money—or result in higher costs if rates move in the opposite direction.What homeowners should consider before borrowing: Individual financial goals, cash needs, and risk tolerance all play important roles in choosing the right strategy.The big takeaway: Millions of homeowners are turning to HELOCs and home equity loans as a way to access cash without sacrificing the historically low mortgage rates they worked hard to secure.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/hel-and-heloc-demand-18-year-high/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Charles Goodwin, VP and Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending at Kiavi. With a decade of private lending expertise under his belt and having personally owned roughly 50 single-family investment properties, Charles pulls back the curtain on how to navigate today's housing market as both an investor and a first-time home buyer.Charles breaks down the exact formulas necessary to scale a real estate business safely, including a deep dive into the "75% rule" equation for backing into a profitable purchase price. He highlights the common pitfalls of the "HGTV movement", warning viewers not to let delusions of grandeur override objective logic—and shares essential advice on line-item contractor budgets. For rental property owners, Charles reveals his rule of thumb for checking big-ticket items like HVAC units and electrical panels to prevent compounding maintenance issues.Shifting gears to traditional home buying, Charles addresses the challenges buyers face in a competitive environment. He explains why move-in ready homes are triggering bidding wars while properties needing a little sweat equity sit on the market. Discover the affordability "sweet spots" of the Midwest—like Indianapolis, Columbus, and Pittsburgh—versus the high-competition zones of the Northeast. Whether you're trying to qualify for an FHA loan or negotiate mortgage rates with your team of lenders, this interview is packed with actionable insights to give you the ultimate edge in real estate.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Charles Goodwin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-goodwin-13027249/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw⁠⁠------00:00 Intro00:10 Meet Charles Goodwin from Kiavi 00:32 Kiavi's data-driven approach to investment lending00:53 What "Kiavi" stands for (The Italian word for key: chiave) 01:12 Private lending growth02:00 Charles’s personal journey: Scaling up to 50 single-family investment properties02:45 The ultimate advice for beginner investors03:22 Knowing your numbers03:40 The 75% Rule Explained: Backing into your maximum purchase price04:12 Factoring in hidden flip costs: Holding fees, interest rates, and closing costs04:46 The HGTV pitfall: Overcoming logic and emotional traps with objective data05:12 Consulting secondary valuation opinions and contractors05:43 The hidden joy of flipping06:21 Rental property due diligence07:02 The 6-to-8-year rule of thumb for replacing mechanical units07:22 Why looking outside the property walls matters (The pitbull test)08:00 2026 Market Analysis: Renovated homes vs. unrenovated opportunities08:26 Building sweat equity as a homebuyer to avoid bidding wars08:52 Alternative loan options: Utilizing FHA subsidies and low-down-payment programs09:30 Preparing your home buying profile: Credit health, income history, and pre-approvals09:50 Assembling your real estate dream team: How to find trusted agents and lenders10:20 Understanding the jargon: Overcoming the mortgage terminology learning curve10:41 The art of negotiation: How to leverage competing rates with for-profit lenders11:06 Affordable U.S. Sweet Spots11:51 High-Demand Bidding Zones: The seller's market dynamics of the Northeast12:01 Loan type options for first-timers13:05 The proper steps to get prepared14:10 Final takeaways: Charles Goodwin's top advice for first-time home buyers------#RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #HomeBuyerEducation