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

Can someone buy a new home with a home equity loan versus a mortgage if they put enough down?

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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How Taxes, Leverage, and Diversification Work Together to Build Wealth

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 16, 2026

When most people think about building wealth, they focus only on saving more or paying off debt faster. But real wealth is usually built by understanding how taxes, leverage, and diversification work together, especially when it comes to owning a home. Let’s break this down in a simple way. 1. Taxes: Keeping More of What…

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Home Updates That Actually Pay You Back When You Sell

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 15, 2026

Planning to sell this spring? While you may be tempted to hold off until the first blooms or the spring showers hit, that’s actually waiting too long to get started by today’s standards. Buyers have more options than they did a few years ago. So, it’s worth it to tackle repairs now and make sure your…

Charming porch with plants and blue door.

Want to know the #1 thing homeowners regret when they sell without an agent?

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 14, 2026

It’s that they didn’t price their house correctly for their current market. According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), those sellers agree pricing their home effectively was the hardest part of the process. Top 5 Most Difficult Task for Sellers Who Didn’t Use an Agent: And that makes sense. Pricing isn’t as simple as picking…

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The Credit Score Myth That’s Holding Would-Be Buyers Back

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 13, 2026

Would-be homebuyers aren’t sitting on the sidelines because they don’t want to buy. They’re sitting out because they think they can’t. And sometimes, it’s their credit score that’s holding them back. According to a Bankrate survey, 2 out of every 5 (42%) Americans believe you need excellent credit to qualify for a mortgage. That may be why, when renters are asked…

Inside Lending newsletter cover, January 2026.

2026 Opens With More Inventory, Lower Payments, and Opportunity

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 12, 2026

Inside lending For the week of JANUARY 12, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK ““There are lots of people who mistake their imagination for their memory.”—Josh Billings, 19th century American humorist and lecturer NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Single-family Housing Starts were up 5.4% in October to their highest level since July, with completions up 6%. Starts did decline…

Man smiling beside tweet about MBS announcement.

Trump’s $200B MBS Announcement – What It Really Means for Rates

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 11, 2026

Read Time: ~3 Minutes Here’s a quick breakdown of the recent announcement around a potential $200B purchase of mortgage-backed securities through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and how to talk about it with clients. The headline: Yes, the administration announced plans to support lower mortgage rates by buying MBS. The reality behind it: Fannie Mae…

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Expert Forecasts Point to Affordability Improving in 2026

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 10, 2026

Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You’re not the only one. For the past few years, affordability has been the biggest barrier standing between most people and their next move. And a lot of buyers and sellers have been holding their breath waiting for things to get better. The good news?…

The true cost of paying cash article.

The True Cost of Paying Cash for a Home

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 9, 2026

Paying cash for a home sounds smart. No mortgage. No interest. No monthly payment. For many buyers, it feels safe and simple. But what most homeowners and first-time buyers don’t realize is this: paying cash has hidden costs that don’t show up on the closing statement. What Happens When You Pay Cash When you pay…

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Thinking about Selling Your House As-Is? Read This First.

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 8, 2026

If you’re thinking about selling your house this year, you may be torn between two options: In 2026, that decision matters more than it used to. Here’s what you need to know. More Competition Means Your Home’s Condition Is More Important Again Over the past year, the number of homes for sale has been climbing. And this…

Inside Lending: Housing Market 2026 Outlook.

Housing Market Enters 2026 With Improving Balance and Opportunity

By Kevin Brierton Team | January 7, 2026

Inside Lending For the week of JANUARY 5, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “’Expert: a person who makes three correct guesses consecutively.”—Laurence J. Peter, Canadian educator and “hierachiologist” NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The Pending Home Sales index of signed contracts on existing homes shot up more than 3% in November and is up almost 3% annually. That’s…

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!