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.

April 2026 Mortgage Market Update: Volatility Is Back… But Opportunity Is Too

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 17, 2026

If you’re waiting for the “perfect time” to make a move in this market, you might be waiting a long time. Because right now, the market isn’t perfect… it’s active. And for a lot of buyers and sellers, that’s actually creating opportunity. In my April 2026 Mortgage Market Update, I break down what’s really happening…

Turning Your Realtor Relationship Into a Long-Term Real Estate Wealth Relationship

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 16, 2026

Most people think of a Realtor as the person who helps them buy or sell a home. That is true, but I think that view is too small. The right Realtor should be much more than a transaction guide. They should be a long-term real estate advisor. Not in the sense of replacing a CPA…

Spring Buyers Have More Leverage Than They’ve Had in Years

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 14, 2026

Inside Lending – Week of April 13, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”—Bobby Unser,  American automobile racer NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Housing conditions remain favorable for buyers as inventory continues to exceed last year’s levels and prices trend lower. Even with recent rate volatility, the market is offering more options…

Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here’s What To Keep in Mind.

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 13, 2026

With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But here’s what you need to remember. While recent events do have some impact on the housing market, they don’t take buying off the table. You just have to use a different…

When Buying a Home Feels Out of Reach, Some Families Do This Instead

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 9, 2026

For a lot of people, the math on buying a home just doesn’t really work right now. Maybe that’s how it feels for you too. You look at the cost of buying. Then you look at the cost of childcare. And it starts to feel like you have to choose one or the other. But some…

Thinking About an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Here’s What You Need To Know.

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 8, 2026

If you’ve been looking for a home lately, you’ve probably felt how tough affordability still is. And that’s exactly why more buyers are opting for adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs. Here’s what you need to understand about how they work, and whether they make sense for you. What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Since a lot of people…

Rates Are Moving… But So Is Opportunity

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 6, 2026

Inside Lending For the week of April 6, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”—Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Rising inventory and softening prices continue to create more favorable conditions for buyers this spring. While mortgage rates have increased recently, they remain below last…

Your House Hasn’t Sold Yet. Should You Rent It Out Instead?

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 5, 2026

When your house sits on the market longer than expected, it can get frustrating fast. You start asking: what now? And for a growing number of homeowners, that turns into: should I just rent it instead? While it sounds like a simple backup plan, becoming “accidental landlord” is actually a much bigger decision than most people realize. That’s when someone…

Before You Fall in Love with a House, Do This First.

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 3, 2026

Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet? If you have, it’s already time to get pre-approved. Because here’s what not enough people know. If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – you don’t want to wait until later on in the process to tackle…

Don’t Let Home Prices Headlines Fool You

By Kevin Brierton Team | April 2, 2026

Spend about 5 minutes online searching for news about the housing market, and odds are you’ll see something pop up about home prices. You may even stumble onto social media influencers saying we’re headed for a crash. Let’s get you the context you need. The truth is prices are going to vary depending on where you…

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!