Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Americans now hold more wealth in stocks than in their homes. But with much of the stock market's recent growth tied to artificial intelligence, what could a major market downturn mean for buyers saving for a down payment? Tim Lucas examines the risks and why the timing of your investments matters.

Thinking about buying your first rental property? A DSCR mortgage could offer another way to qualify based on the property's rental income. Tim explains how these loans work, walks through a real-world calculation, and discusses the expenses and financial risks that new landlords need to consider.

And what about the Bank of Mom and Dad? Financial help from parents can make homeownership possible, but gifts, family loans, and co-signing come with different responsibilities. Tim breaks down the mortgage requirements, tax considerations, and potential financial pitfalls families should understand.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: If you were buying a home within the next year, would you keep your down payment savings invested in stocks or move them into a lower-risk account?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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00:00 Introduction

00:38 Stocks Overtake Homes in American Wealth

02:12 Tim's Take: Protecting Your Down Payment

02:55 DSCR Mortgages: Financing Your First Rental

05:11 Tim's Take: The Real Costs of Being a Landlord

05:45 Mortgage Rates

06:00 The Bank of Mom and Dad

08:17 Final Thoughts

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#MortgageNews #DSCRLoans #Homebuying

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Jeffrey Ruben, President of WSFS Home Lending, about navigating today's challenging housing market and preparing financially for homeownership. With mortgage rates remaining elevated and affordability putting pressure on buyers, Jeffrey explains why understanding your local market, knowing what you can comfortably afford, and having a financial plan are more important than trying to predict where interest rates will go next.

The conversation explores how buyers can evaluate their finances before purchasing a home, including calculating debt-to-income ratios, building savings for a down payment, and maintaining a strong credit profile. Jeffrey also discusses why qualifying for a mortgage doesn't necessarily mean you should borrow the maximum amount available, and how leaving room in your budget for unexpected expenses can help make homeownership more sustainable.

Paul and Jeffrey also examine mortgage options that may help buyers manage costs, including adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) and how they compare with traditional fixed-rate loans. They discuss why your future plans should influence your mortgage decisions, how getting preapproved can strengthen an offer, and why higher mortgage rates may actually create negotiating opportunities for buyers in some local markets.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: Would you rather buy a home now with less competition and potentially more negotiating power, or wait for mortgage rates to fall?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Jeffrey Ruben:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-ruben-983165379/

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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0:00 – Intro

0:36 – Meet Jeffrey Ruben

1:04 – Understanding Your Local Housing Market

2:57 – How Much Home Can You Afford?

3:32 – Debt-to-Income Ratios Explained

5:09 – Down Payments and Credit Scores

5:58 – Qualifying vs. Comfortably Affording a Mortgage

7:23 – Mortgage Options and Adjustable-Rate Loans

9:54 – Choosing a Mortgage Based on Your Future Plans

11:12 – Preparing Financially to Buy a Home

12:38 – Why Mortgage Preapproval Matters

13:23 – First-Time Homebuyer Advice and Negotiating Power

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#Homebuying #HousingMarket #MortgageTips

Mortgage rates could remain above 7% through the end of 2027, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Fannie Mae has also raised its forecast, leaving homebuyers wondering when borrowing costs might finally come down. Tim Lucas examines what's keeping mortgage rates elevated, why Federal Reserve rate cuts don't necessarily mean lower mortgage rates, and what buyers should consider before making decisions based on rate predictions.

Meanwhile, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are making a comeback as buyers look for ways to lower their monthly payments. Tim explains how ARMs work, why their initial rates can be attractive, and what borrowers should understand about future rate adjustments.

New data from ICE also reveals how borrowers are managing higher mortgage costs through discount points and temporary rate buydowns. Plus, some homeowners with existing ARMs could face substantial payment increases when their loans reset. Tim breaks down the numbers and what they mean for borrowers.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: Would you consider an adjustable-rate mortgage to get a lower initial payment?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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0:00 – Intro

0:43 – Mortgage Rates Above 7% Through 2027?

3:08 – Why Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Are Making a Comeback

6:35 – Discount Points, ARM Resets & HELOCs

9:51 – Final Takeaways

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#MortgageRates #AdjustableRateMortgage #Homebuying

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Shawn King, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Arrive Home, about why some people struggle to qualify for a mortgage even when they have the income to afford the payments. Shawn explains how traditional mortgage underwriting can create challenges for self-employed borrowers, gig workers, and others with unconventional income or credit histories, and why alternative approaches to evaluating borrowers may help expand access to homeownership.

The conversation explores the differences between traditional and nontraditional credit, including how lenders verify income, evaluate credit scores, and assess a borrower's ability to repay. Shawn discusses the growing role of rent-payment history, how VantageScore differs from FICO, and why someone's credit profile doesn't always tell the complete story of their financial situation. He also shares the story of a renovated home that attracted 100 prospective buyers, none of whom could qualify for traditional financing despite paying comparable amounts in rent.

Paul and Shawn also examine ways to overcome common barriers to homeownership, including FHA loans, state and national down payment assistance programs, and Arrive Home's Earned Equity Program, which provides an alternative path for certain borrowers who cannot qualify for a traditional mortgage. Shawn explains how these programs work, who they may benefit, and why understanding the available options is important. He closes with advice for first-time homebuyers about affordability, building equity, and approaching homeownership as a long-term financial decision.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: Do you think a history of paying rent on time should carry more weight when qualifying for a mortgage?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Shawn King:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skingbogus/

Website: https://arrivehome.org/our-sales-team/shawn-king/

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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0:00 – Intro

0:27 – Meet Shawn King of Arrive Home

1:44 – What Is Traditional Credit?

2:49 – Who Are Nontraditional Borrowers?

4:37 – Can Rent Payments Help You Qualify?

7:18 – FICO vs. VantageScore

7:48 – How Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score

9:45 – Why You Don't Need 20% Down

10:37 – FHA Loans and Down Payment Assistance

12:54 – National Down Payment Assistance Programs

14:41 – Alternative Paths to Homeownership

16:45 – How the Earned Equity Program Works

17:41 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

20:54 – The Long-Term Value of Homeownership

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#MortgageOptions #DownPaymentAssistance #Homebuying

Cash wedding gifts could help you buy a home, but will your mortgage lender accept them? In this episode, Tim Lucas explains a little-known Freddie Mac rule that makes it easier to use wedding gifts toward a down payment or closing costs, including what documentation you'll need.

New construction may also be more affordable than you think. Recent data shows that new homes are selling for less per square foot than existing homes nationally, and builders in some markets have more incentive to negotiate. Tim looks at why that's happening and what buyers should consider when comparing new and older homes.

Plus, home equity borrowing is booming as homeowners look for ways to access cash without giving up their low mortgage rates. Tim breaks down how HELOCs and home equity loans compare with cash-out refinancing, along with the costs and risks to consider before borrowing against your home.

Comment below: Would you consider buying a new home instead of an existing one if it cost less per square foot?

Follow Mortgage Research Network for more mortgage and housing market news, insights, and practical homebuying advice.

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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00:00 - Introduction

00:35 - Using Wedding Gifts for a Down Payment

03:03 - Why New Homes Can Cost Less Than Existing Homes

06:03 - Mortgage Rates Update

06:24 - HELOCs, Home Equity Loans & Cash-Out Refinancing

09:02 - Final Takeaways

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#NewConstruction #HELOC #DownPayment

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani talks with Tom Hutchens, President of Angel Oak Mortgage, about the changing housing market and what it means for homebuyers.

With housing inventory growing, sellers facing more competition, and mortgage rates above 7%, buyers are navigating a market filled with both opportunities and challenges. Tom explains where buyers may have more negotiating power, why affordability remains a major obstacle, and whether waiting for lower mortgage rates is the right strategy.

They also explore alternative mortgage options, including non-QM loans for self-employed borrowers, gig workers, and real estate investors. Tom explains how products such as bank statement mortgages can help buyers qualify for financing, shares his outlook for mortgage rates heading into 2027, and offers advice for first-time homebuyers.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: Would you buy a home at today's mortgage rates if you found the right property, or would you rather wait?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Tom Hutchens:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhutchens/

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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00:00 Intro

01:01 The Current Housing Market

02:21 Where Homebuyers Have More Leverage

03:47 Rising Inventory and Seller Expectations

05:19 What's Holding Buyers Back?

07:10 What Could Bring Mortgage Rates Down?

08:21 Alternative Mortgage Options and Non-QM Loans

12:08 Housing Market Outlook for 2027

13:11 Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

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#MortgageRates #HousingMarket #MortgageOptions

Buying can help you build equity, but does it make more sense than renting? In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, Tim Lucas walks through the costs beyond your mortgage payment, how much equity you build early on, and why your plans for the next few years matter.

For sellers, more buyer negotiating power means adjusting expectations. Tim explains how to price for today’s market, compare offers after concessions and selling costs, and consider your sale and next purchase together.

Plus, does a slower housing market mean a crash is coming? Tim examines insights from economists Lawrence Yun and Daryl Fairweather, explains how lending standards and housing supply differ from the last crisis, and shares his take on leverage and debt.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: Are you planning to buy, sell, or keep renting—and what’s driving your decision?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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00:00 — More negotiating power, but can you afford to buy?

00:39 — Buying versus renting: Compare the full cost

03:54 — Tim’s Take: Buy when it fits your life

04:36 — Selling when buyers have more options

07:20 — Tim’s Take: Adjusting seller expectations

07:59 — Why a nationwide housing crash appears unlikely

10:02 — Tim’s Take: Leverage and debt

10:28 — Final takeaways for buyers and sellers

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#HousingMarket #MortgageTips #Homebuyers

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Mikhail Burdeen, Regional Sales Manager at Cornerstone Home Lending, about what it takes to qualify for a mortgage when you're self-employed. Unlike traditional W-2 employees, self-employed borrowers often face additional documentation requirements and a more detailed review of their income, business expenses, and tax returns.

Mikhail explains why earning substantial business revenue doesn't necessarily translate into an equally high qualifying income. He discusses how lenders evaluate business cash flow, deductions, and net income, and why borrowers sometimes discover that they qualify for less than expected. He also explores alternative mortgage options, including bank statement loans, 1099 programs, asset-based financing, and DSCR loans for real estate investors.

The conversation also covers how down payment requirements and interest rates may differ between conventional and alternative mortgage products, along with common mistakes self-employed homebuyers make during the application process. Mikhail emphasizes the importance of keeping organized financial records, maintaining good credit, and working with both a mortgage professional and tax preparer before filing taxes or beginning the homebuying process.

Whether you're a business owner, independent contractor, freelancer, or real estate investor, this episode offers practical guidance on understanding your mortgage options and preparing to buy a home.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: If you're self-employed, what's been your biggest challenge when applying for a mortgage?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Connect with Mikhail Burdeen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhailburdeen/

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

------

0:00 – Intro

1:37 – Mortgages for Self-Employed Borrowers

2:27 – Income Documentation Requirements

4:30 – Mortgage Options for Self-Employed Buyers

5:29 – How Alternative Loans Compare

6:21 – Down Payment Requirements

7:39 – Interest Rates and Loan Costs

8:02 – Are Self-Employed Borrowers at a Disadvantage?

9:35 – How Business Revenue Affects Qualification

10:44 – Common Mistakes to Avoid

11:38 – Alternative Ways to Qualify

13:20 – How to Prepare for a Mortgage

16:19 – Advice for Today's Homebuyers

19:00 – Outro

------

#SelfEmployedMortgage #Homebuying #MortgageTips

FHA is changing the way lenders can evaluate credit, potentially opening another path to a mortgage for some homebuyers. But getting approved is only part of the equation. You still need to know whether the payment works for your budget — and whether the home itself could come with costs you aren’t expecting.

In this episode, Tim Lucas breaks down the FHA’s upcoming credit-scoring changes, including the addition of VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T. He explains how newer scoring models can look at things like trended credit data and reported rental payments, why they may help some borrowers with limited credit histories, and why buyers shouldn’t expect every FHA lender to adopt the new options immediately.

Tim also looks at why mortgage lending remains difficult even as borrowers take on larger payments relative to their income. An approval tells you what a lender is willing to lend, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the payment is comfortable for your household. Finally, he looks at a different affordability risk: HOAs and condo associations that haven’t saved enough for major repairs. Reserve studies, association budgets, insurance problems, and special assessments can all matter before you make an offer — and in extreme cases, those issues can affect both what you owe and whether the property is easy to sell later.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: What’s one cost you think homebuyers overlook after they get approved?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

------

0:00 – Intro

0:42 – FHA credit score changes

2:51 – Tim’s Take: New credit scoring options

3:33 – Why getting a mortgage is still difficult

5:32 – Tim’s Take: Qualifying with a lower credit score

5:50 – Short break

6:11 – HOA special assessments and hidden costs

9:17 – Tim’s Take: Condo and HOA risks

9:47 – Wrapping up

------

#FHALoans #CreditScores #Homebuying

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Kara Ng, Senior Economist at Zillow, about what it really takes to become mortgage ready before you start seriously shopping for a home. Kara explains why buyers should begin preparing well before they find a property they want, including understanding their credit, building savings, and getting a realistic picture of what they can afford.

The conversation breaks down why credit plays such an important role in the mortgage process, how factors such as payment history, debt, and new credit activity can affect a credit score, and why improving your credit can expand your mortgage options. Kara also discusses rent reporting as one way some renters may be able to build credit history and explains why prospective buyers should understand their own financial situation rather than relying only on broad rules of thumb.

Paul and Kara also cover down payment planning, why buyers do not necessarily need 20% down, and the importance of budgeting for costs beyond the purchase price, including property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, maintenance, furniture, and appliances. Kara explains how buyers can use lenders and online affordability tools to better understand their buying power as mortgage rates change, and why getting pre-approved before seriously house hunting can help buyers focus on homes that fit their budget.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: What part of getting mortgage ready do you think buyers are most likely to overlook?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Kara Ng:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-alice-ng/⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.zillow.com/research/author/karan/⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

------

0:00 – Intro

0:51 – What Does It Mean to Be Mortgage Ready?

2:02 – How Early Should Buyers Start Preparing?

3:01 – Why Credit Matters

3:32 – What Goes Into a Credit Score?

3:53 – What Credit Score Should Buyers Aim For?

5:10 – What Can Raise or Lower Your Credit Score?

5:49 – Using Rent Payments to Build Credit

6:51 – Tools for Improving Your Credit

7:49 – Saving for a Down Payment

8:47 – Costs First-Time Buyers Often Overlook

9:20 – How Much Home Can You Actually Afford?

10:42 – When Should You Get Pre-Approved?

11:22 – Kara’s Advice for First-Time Buyers

12:12 – Outro

------

#Homebuying #MortgageReady #CreditScore

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Tim Lucas examines three housing trends that appear encouraging on paper but come with important trade-offs. Homebuyers finally have more listings to choose from, pending sales have slowed, and about 21% of listings recently had a price cut. That gives qualified buyers more room to negotiate over price, closing costs, repairs, and mortgage rate buydowns. However, a buyer’s market cannot make an unaffordable monthly payment affordable.

Tim also breaks down how making the equivalent of one extra mortgage payment each year could affect a $300,000, 30-year mortgage at 7%. The strategy could shorten the loan term by roughly six years and save around $100,000 in interest. But paying extra toward a mortgage may not be the best priority for someone carrying high-interest debt, lacking an emergency fund, or holding a very low mortgage rate. Tim explains the biweekly payment method, a simpler monthly alternative, and why borrowers should confirm that extra money is applied directly to principal.

Finally, the episode looks at the growing connection between data centers and local housing markets. Counties with many data centers have experienced higher home values and stronger appreciation, but that does not prove the facilities caused that growth. Tim explores the potential effects on permanent employment, electricity costs, water use, infrastructure, and the future resale appeal of nearby homes.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: Would you put extra cash toward your mortgage or keep it in savings?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

------

0:00 – Intro

0:44 – Homebuyers Gain More Leverage

2:18 – Finding Out What the Seller Values

2:46 – Making One Extra Mortgage Payment

3:31 – Biweekly Payments and Servicer Rules

4:16 – When Paying Extra May Not Make Sense

5:17 – Cash Is King

5:57 – How Data Centers Affect Housing

7:14 – Correlation Versus Causation

8:06 – Electricity and Water Concerns

8:34 – Research Before You Buy

9:17 – Final Takeaways

------

#HousingMarket #MortgageTips #Homebuyers

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Hector Amendola, president at SimplyPMG, about how homebuyers can shop around for a mortgage, compare competing offers, and make a more informed choice before committing to a lender. Hector explains why borrowers should focus on getting an accurate, personalized quote rather than simply chasing the fastest answer, and why factors such as credit, income, debt, and down payment can affect the rate and terms a lender offers.

The conversation also covers how many mortgage quotes buyers should get and how shopping around can create negotiating leverage. Hector recommends getting three quotes to get a good sense of the market and identify offers that may be out of line. He also explains which parts of a mortgage may have some room for negotiation and which costs, such as certain title, escrow, recording, tax, and insurance expenses, are generally outside a loan officer’s control.

Hector also breaks down what buyers should look at when comparing mortgage offers, including the difference between the interest rate and APR, the monthly payment, and how much money they will need to bring to closing. He explains why the lowest rate is not always the only factor worth considering and why communication, strategy, and trust in the loan officer can matter during a stressful home purchase. He closes with advice for first-time homebuyers navigating today’s market and explains why having more negotiating room with sellers can sometimes open the door to financing options that may be harder to use in a highly competitive market.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: When comparing mortgage offers, what matters most to you: the rate, the closing costs, or the lender you’re working with?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Hector Amendola:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamendola/

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

------

0:00 – Intro

1:30 – Preparing to Shop for a Mortgage

3:03 – How Long Does a Mortgage Quote Take?

4:40 – How Many Mortgage Quotes Should You Get?

6:53 – What Makes a Good Loan Officer?

8:53 – What Mortgage Costs Are Negotiable?

11:27 – How to Compare Mortgage Offers

12:38 – Choosing Between Similar Mortgage Offers

14:29 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

16:04 – Outro

------

#MortgageTips #MortgageRates #Homebuying

Americans are moving less than they once did, and housing affordability appears to be a major reason. But staying put is only one example of how costs beyond a home’s purchase price can shape where—and how—people live.

In this episode, Mortgage Research Network’s Tim Lucas examines why renters and homeowners are moving less, what California’s wildfire insurance disputes can teach homeowners everywhere, and whether relocating to a state without an income tax actually saves money.

You’ll learn why many renters still want to own but increasingly doubt they can afford it, how longer homeowner tenure could affect the mortgage market and broader economy, what to review in your homeowners insurance policy before disaster strikes, and why moving expenses can erase years of anticipated tax savings.

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

------

00:00 Housing costs beyond the home price

00:39 Why Americans are moving less

01:34 Homeownership feels further out of reach

02:18 Getting a mortgage feels increasingly difficult

03:10 Homeowners and renters are both feeling locked in

03:42 Could mortgages start lasting longer?

04:07 How fewer moves affect the economy

04:31 California’s wildfire insurance dispute

05:38 Why homeowners insurance deserves more attention

06:54 Tim’s take: Review your insurance coverage

07:38 Check today’s mortgage rates

07:53 Is moving for lower taxes worth it?

08:17 The 10-year break-even example

09:20 Tim’s take: Rent before relocating

09:38 Final takeaways

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#HousingMarket #HomeownersInsurance #HousingAffordability

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Noah Meier, Chief Appraiser at Single Source Property Solutions, about what a home appraisal actually measures and why it matters during the mortgage process. Noah explains how appraisers analyze a property, its characteristics, recent sales, market conditions, and other relevant data to develop an independent opinion of value. He also clarifies why an appraisal is different from a home inspection and why buyers should not treat the two as interchangeable.

The conversation also covers when an appraisal may be required, why some borrowers may qualify for alternative valuation methods, and what can cause appraisal costs to vary from one property or market to another. Noah explains how location, property type, complexity, available market data, and even the number of appraisers working in an area can affect the process. He also discusses what appraisers look at when evaluating a home, including location, market conditions, zoning, property condition, improvements, size, and amenities.

Noah also breaks down what can happen when an appraisal comes in below the agreed purchase price. He explains how buyers may be able to request a reconsideration of value by identifying missing property features or providing more relevant comparable sales, as well as other potential outcomes such as renegotiating the purchase price or bringing additional money to closing. He closes by encouraging first-time homebuyers to look beyond simply getting the keys and make sure they are comfortable with both the financial commitment and the value of the home they are purchasing.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: Would you feel comfortable buying a home without an appraisal if your lender gave you the option?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Noah Meier:

Website: ⁠https://www.singlesourceproperty.com/team/noah-meier/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-meier-700290290/

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

------

0:00 – Intro

0:43 – What Is a Home Appraisal?

1:59 – Why Lenders Require Appraisals

3:03 – Do You Always Need an Appraisal?

4:11 – How Much Does an Appraisal Cost?

5:56 – Should You Ever Skip an Appraisal?

6:43 – What Appraisers Look For

8:54 – When the Appraisal Happens

9:27 – How Long Is an Appraisal Valid?

10:16 – Who Chooses the Appraiser?

12:00 – What Happens When an Appraisal Comes in Low?

14:54 – Options When There’s an Appraisal Gap

15:12 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

16:16 – Outro

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#HomeAppraisal #Homebuying #Mortgage

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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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0:00 – Intro

0:53 – Why New Homes Cost So Much

2:28 – Skilled Labor Is Adding to Construction Costs

3:13 – Why Financing Makes New Housing More Expensive

5:04 – Can Construction Costs Come Down?

6:04 – How AI Could Affect Mortgage Rates

7:09 – Corporate Bonds Join the Competition for Investor Money

8:49 – Could AI Eventually Push Interest Rates Lower?

9:28 – Why the Timing of an AI Rate Drop Is Uncertain

12:04 – How Deed Theft Works

13:55 – How Common Is Deed Theft, and Who Gets Targeted?

15:04 – How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves

16:07 – Strange Mail, Suspicious Documents, and Other Warning Signs

16:32 – What to Do If You Find a Fraudulent Filing

17:07 – Final Takeaway

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#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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With Mike Pearson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-pearson-1880408/

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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0:00 – Intro

1:11 – What Is a Non-QM Loan?

2:32 – Why Non-QM Isn’t Subprime

3:20 – Who Uses Non-QM Financing?

5:18 – How Non-QM Loan Terms Differ

6:01 – Are Non-QM Interest Rates Higher?

6:33 – Why Non-QM Lending Is Growing

7:35 – Who Should Consider a Non-QM Loan?

8:07 – Advantages for Self-Employed Borrowers

9:31 – Drawbacks of Non-QM Loans

10:16 – Are Non-QM Loans Good for First-Time Buyers?

11:31 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

12:28 – Outro

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#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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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00:00 – Could Mortgage Rates Reach Double Digits?

01:07 – Why the Bond Market Matters to Mortgages

02:04 – Mortgage-Backed Securities vs. Treasuries

03:27 – The Scale of $40 Trillion in Debt

04:57 – 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 Outlook

09:46 – Five Indicators Tim Is Watching

10:29 – The Bottom Line

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#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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw⁠

In 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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Jaime Dunaway-Seale:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-dunaway-seale-660028158/

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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0:00 – Intro

0:15 – What Makes a Buyer’s Market?

1:29 – How the Markets Were Ranked

2:26 – Where Buyers Have the Most Leverage

3:58 – Markets That Still Favor Sellers

5:20 – The Biggest Surprise in the Data

7:32 – Markets Shifting Toward Buyers

8:40 – Red Flags Buyers Should Watch For

9:45 – Signs of a Potential Buying Opportunity

10:51 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

11:54 – Outro

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#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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

In 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/