Saturday Strategy
Mortgage FAQ's, did you knows and much more...
New Build Financing Insights
In the current market, some new build lenders offer substantial credits to lower interest rates. While this may seem appealing, it's crucial to evaluate the long-term implications. We recently reviewed a client's loan estimate with nearly $40,000 in credits to reduce interest rates, but the home's price was only $380,000. Essentially, they were paying almost 10% more for the house upfront. Yikes! Check out this weeks Saturday Strategy Video
Check this out... the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) exists to reflect the true interest rate. In some cases, it can be deceptively high, around 11 to 13%+, due to excessive upfront costs.
Don't rush into decisions. The lowest rate with the wrong strategy can cost you thousands.
More Homes, Softer Demand, and a CPI Test for Rates
With active inventory rising 6.7%—the fastest growth since February—shoppers now have more options and stronger negotiating power in the housing market.
Renovate or Relocate? What Phoenix-Area Homeowners Should Know Before Deciding
You have spent years making your house feel like home. Maybe you raised kids here, hosted every holiday, and know every neighbor on the block. So when you start thinking about the next chapter, it is natural to wonder whether this is still the place you want to spend it. Some homeowners want to stay…
Two Moves That Can Get You Into Your First Home Sooner
For a lot of first-time buyers, owning a home can feel perpetually a few years out of reach. Saving for a down payment takes time, and each year you spend renting can make owning feel further off. But buying your first home doesn’t have to happen to feel like a far away goal. Two choices…
Buyers Gain Leverage as Inventory Climbs and the Fed Slows Down
Inside lending FOR THE WEEK OF October 5, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “A year from now you may wish you had started today.” — Karen Lamb, British author & illustrator NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Active inventory climbed 6.3% from last year, the strongest growth in at least six months. September inventory is now just 9.1%…
What Higher Mortgage Rates Mean for Home Sellers
Higher mortgage rates don’t just affect buyers. They can change what it takes to sell your house, too. That’s because today’s buyers are paying close attention to affordability. And when rates rise, even a relatively small change can make a noticeable difference in their monthly payment. So, they’re looking for ways to make the numbers…
Hoping for (or Dreading) a Housing Crash? Here’s the West Valley View
Every few weeks, a buyer tells me the same thing: “I’m going to wait for prices to drop.” I understand why. Phoenix prices climbed fast, and a lot of people feel locked out. A recent Clever survey found 58% of Gen Z buyers are actually rooting for a crash, just so homeownership feels within reach.…
More Homes, Higher Rates: What This Week’s Numbers Mean For You
Inside Lending FOR THE WEEK OF September 28, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” — Yogi Berra, American baseball player and manager NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Active inventory climbed 5.8% from last year and topped 1.17 million homes, remaining near its highest level…
The Mortgage Rate You See Online Isn’t the One You’d Get in Metro Phoenix
You’ve probably seen the headlines saying mortgage rates have climbed to their highest point since January 2025. If that’s making you hesitate on a home search in Scottsdale, Gilbert, Buckeye, or anywhere else in the Valley, here’s the thing to remember. That headline number isn’t necessarily your number. It’s one of the most common misconceptions…
The Fed Just Raised Rates. Buyers Still Have Leverage.
Inside Lending FOR THE WEEK OF September 21, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” — Jack London, American novelist NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Active inventory climbed 5.0% from last year and remains near its highest level since 2019. More homes to choose from,…
Jobs Keep Rates Higher but Buyers Just Got More Leverage — Here’s What’s Behind It
Inside Lending FOR THE WEEK OF September 8, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” — Albert Einstein, Theoretical physicist NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Housing inventory reached 1.15 million homes, the highest level since 2019 and up 4.7% from last year. More choices and softer prices continue…
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!