Saturday Strategy

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

House Hackers! Buy a Multi Family with 5 % Down!

Fannie Mae just made a big announcement that's going to make it easier for families to buy homes. Let's break it down in simple terms.

Here is the announcement from Fannie Mea on Oct 4 2023

Lower Down Payments for Multifamily Homes

Before this update, if you wanted to buy a multifamily home (that's a place with more than one apartment), you had to put down a big down payment – either 15% or 25%, depending on the unit you were buying. But starting in November, things are changing.

The Big Change

Now, if you're buying a multifamily home to live in as your primary home, you can put down just 5% of the cost of the home. That's great news because it means you don't need as much money upfront to become a homeowner.

There Are Some Rules

But hold on, there are some rules you need to follow. First, you have to live in one of the units for at least 12 months. That means it has to be your main place to live. You can't just buy it and then rent it out right away.

Why This Matters

This is a big deal because it helps people own homes and build wealth. Imagine buying a place with multiple units, living in one for a year, and then renting out the others. It's a smart way to invest in your future.

So, if you know someone who dreams of owning a multifamily home, share this news with them. It's a fantastic opportunity to make homeownership more affordable.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

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.

Wooden house-shaped clock on table.

From Frenzy to Breathing Room: Buyers Finally Have Time Again

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 21, 2025

If you tried to buy a home a few years ago, you probably still remember the frenzy. Homes were listed one day and gone the next. Sometimes it only took hours. You had to drop everything to go and see the house, and if you hesitated even slightly, someone else swooped in and bought it –…

Modern apartment building with sunset background.

Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s Buyers

By Kevin Brierton Team | August 20, 2025

Not every homebuyer wants the biggest house on the block. Some want something simpler, more affordable, and easier to maintain, especially in a market where every dollar counts. That’s where condos come in. For first-time buyers, they can be a smart way to get into homeownership without stretching your budget. For downsizers, they offer less…

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…

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!