Saturday Strategy

Mortgage FAQ, Did you knows and much more!

What is an Equity Transition Plan & how can it help you?

P.S. Do you know someone looking to buy, sell or refinance a home that needs an Equity Transition plan?  We'd love to! You can just text/call me at 480.553.8770.

Inside Lending report on buyer demand trends.

Buyer Demand Stays Strong as Prices Cool

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 19, 2025

Inside Lending For the week of AUGUST 18, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Time is nature’s way of keeping everything from happening at once.”—John Archibald Wheeler, American theoretical physicist NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Buyers are plenty active. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported applications for purchase mortgages ticked up on the week and are coming in at…

Three people having a casual business meeting.

More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here’s How To Get Ahead.

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 18, 2025

When you sell a house, the last thing you want is for the deal to fall apart right before closing. But according to the latest data from Redfin, that’s happening a bit more often lately. The good news is, it’s completely avoidable if you lean on an agent for insight into why that is and how to avoid…

Woman reading on porch swing outside.

Is It Better To Buy Now or Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates? Here’s the Tradeoff

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 16, 2025

Mortgage rates are still a hot topic – and for good reason. After the most recent jobs report came out weaker than expected, the bond market reacted almost instantly. And, as a result, in early August mortgage rates dropped to their lowest point so far this year (6.55%). While that may not sound like a…

House under construction with wooden framework.

Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 15, 2025

If you’ve been skipping over newly built homes in your search, you might be doing so based on outdated assumptions. Let’s clear up a few of the most common myths, so you don’t miss out on a solid opportunity. Myth 1: New Homes Are More Expensive It’s easy to assume a new build will cost…

What You Need To Know About Concessions

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 14, 2025

What Is a Seller Concession? A concession is something a seller offers to make their home more appealing to potential buyers. Common examples include: These incentives can help bridge the gap between buyer expectations and your selling goals. More Inventory = More Competition for Sellers With more homes on the market, buyers have more options.…

Magnifying glass over small house icons.

Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 13, 2025

Believe it or not, there are clear signs buyer interest is heating up again. Let’s talk about what’s really going on behind the scenes, and why the housing market might not be as quiet out there as it seems.  Buyers Are Looking, and Search Trends Prove It One of the clearest ways to measure what…

Inside Lending update on affordability and activity.

Affordability Improves, Buyer Activity Stays Strong

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 11, 2025

Inside Lending For the week of AUGUST 11, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Never make predictions, especially about the future.”—Casey Stengel, American professional baseball player and manager NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The median monthly payment of purchase mortgage applicants fell in June, showing affordability is improving. This has spurred buyers, as applications for purchase mortgages are…

Woman and child using a laptop together.

A Second Home Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Retirement Plan

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 7, 2025

Are you wondering if you’re on track to retire someday? According to Intuit, 69% of people say today’s financial environment makes it tough to plan for the future, and 68% aren’t sure they’ll ever be able to retire. That’s why many people are exploring new ways to build stability and long-term income. And that’s where real estate comes…

Suburban house with well-maintained lawn and driveway.

Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You More Than You Think

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 6, 2025

Cutting out the agent might seem like a smart way to save when you sell your house. But here’s the hard truth. Last year, homes that sold with an agent went for almost 15% more than those that sold without one. That gap is pretty hard to ignore. And with more homes on the market to compete with right now, selling…

Smiling person using smartphone against pink wall.

Still think you need 20% down to buy a home?

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 5, 2025

Buying a home is exciting… until you start thinking about the down payment. That’s when the worry can set in. “I’ll never save enough.” “I need a small fortune just to get started.” “I guess I’ll just rent forever.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not out of luck. Here’s the thing: a lot…

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!