Saturday Strategy

Mortgage FAQ's, did you knows and much more...

Beware of Homeowner "Final Notice" Letters... Read the fine print

I recently received a call from a past client who received a letter similar to this one. Unfortunately, I was unable to prevent them from paying for a home warranty they didn't need.

I want to caution you about letters that arrive in the mail and use scare tactics to prompt action. These third-party entities may attempt to sell you unnecessary life insurance, home warranties, or even charge you for a copy of your deed of trust. In this week's Saturday Strategy video, I will share an example of a mailer I recently received.

It is crucial to carefully read the fine print and remember that you can always send us a photo of the mailer to obtain our opinion before taking any action.

P.S. Can I count on you to call us when any friends, family or coworkers are looking to buy, sell or refinance a home?  We'd love to help! You can just text/call me at 480.553.8770.

* Did you know we can finance in 45 states?

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Have Home Values Hit Bottom?

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 18, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 1.18.2023 Whether you’re already a homeowner or you’re looking to become one, the recent headlines about home prices may leave you with more questions than answers. News stories are talking about home prices falling, and that’s raising concerns about a repeat of what happened to prices in the crash in 2008. One of the questions that’s on…

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Think Twice Before Waiting for 3% Mortgage Rates

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 17, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 1.17.2023 Last year, the Federal Reserve took action to try to bring down inflation. In response to those efforts, mortgage rates jumped up rapidly from the record lows we saw in 2021, peaking at just over 7% last October. Hopeful buyers experienced a hit to their purchasing power as a result, and some decided to press pause on their…

A wooden model of houses sitting on top of a table.

What Past Recessions Tell Us About the Housing Market

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 16, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 1.16.2023 It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who closely follows the economy or not, chances are you’ve heard whispers of an upcoming recession. Economic conditions are determined by a broad range of factors, so rather than explaining them each in-depth, let’s lean on the experts and what history tells us to see…

A group of people standing in front of a house.

Is It Time To Sell Your Second Home?

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 12, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 1.12.2023 During the pandemic, second homes became popular because of the rise in work-from-home flexibility. That’s because owning a second home, especially in the luxury market, allowed those homeowners to spend more time in their favorite places or with different home features. Keep in mind, a luxury home isn’t only defined by…

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Today’s Housing Market Is Nothing Like 15 Years Ago

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 11, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 1.11.2023 There’s no doubt today’s housing market is very different than the frenzied one from the past couple of years. In the second half of 2022, there was a dramatic shift in real estate, and it caused many people to make comparisons to the 2008 housing crisis. While there may be a few similarities,…

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The Truth About Negative Home Equity Headlines

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 10, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 1.10.2023 Home equity has been a hot topic in real estate news lately. And if you’ve been following along, you may have heard there’s a growing number of homeowners with negative equity. But don’t let those headlines scare you. In truth, the headlines don’t give you all the information you really need to understand what’s happening…

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What Experts Are Saying About the 2023 Housing Market

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 9, 2023

Kevin Brierton 1.9.2023 If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home soon, you probably want to know what you can expect from the housing market this year. In 2022, the market underwent a major shift as economic uncertainty and higher mortgage rates reduced buyer demand, slowed the pace of home sales, and moderated home prices. But what about 2023?…

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Understanding the Steps of the Homebuying Process

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 8, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 1.8.2023 So you’re ready to buy a house, but you aren’t sure how the whole process works. While each real estate deal is different and can vary in a multitude of ways, for the most part, buying a house is pretty straightforward and follows the same timeline. It’s important to keep a…

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2023 Housing Forecast: What to Expect With Rates, Prices, and the Economy!

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 7, 2023

The U.S. housing market in 2022 was a rollercoaster. The year started with home prices at record highs and interest rates still closely holding the all-time lows that were set over the previous two years. This all changed in the summer of 2022 when rates began to tick up to the highest they had been…

A magnifying glass over the word " rental ".

How much does it impact your credit score to have your credit pulled for a new lease or rental?

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 6, 2023

Having your credit checked as part of the rental application process can potentially impact your credit score. Credit checks for rental applications are known as “soft inquiries,” which means they are not visible to lenders and do not affect your credit score. However, if you have a lot of soft inquiries in a short period…

P.S. Can I count on you to contact me if you hear that a friend, family or coworker is looking to buy, sell or refinance? Call/Text 480.553.8770 - We'd be honored to help them too!