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.
Home Affordability Quietly Improves Across the U.S.
Inside Lending – Week of December 15, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “You wouldn’t have won if we’d beaten you.”—Yogi Berra, American professional baseball catcher, manager, and coach NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Nationally, homes are becoming more affordable. The median list price of all homes in the U.S. is $427,900, while the median price of new…
Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move
A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise… For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes. Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you’ve lived in your home for a while,…
Why Selling Your House This Winter Gives You an Edge
Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to sell a house. Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers. Winter is different. With fewer homes on the market, your house has a much better chance of standing out. And that one advantage can make a big…
Why a Reverse Mortgage Was the Better Move Than a Traditional HELOC
Reverse Mortgage – Case Study – Larry & Julie, Age 70 When most people think about tapping into their home equity during retirement, they default to the traditional route: a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). But for many retirees, there’s a smarter and more flexible option—especially when you’re trying to keep monthly expenses down.…
This May Be the Best Time To Buy a Brand-New Home
New home construction today is giving buyers something it feels like they haven’t gotten much lately: a real shot at both the home they want and the deal they need. More brand-new options are on the market right now, and builders are rolling out incentives that make these homes more affordable than many people expect. It’s a combination…
What Your Home Equity Really Earns — and Why That Matters
Most homeowners assume their equity is “working” for them. The truth is… equity doesn’t earn a rate of return the way your investments do. And understanding that difference is one of the biggest unlocks in the Certified Liability Advisor toolbox. Home equity grows in two ways only: That’s it. There’s no dividend, no interest credit,…
Buyer Demand Hits Its Highest Level of the Year
Inside Lending – Week of December 8, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “As far as I’m concerned, ‘whom’ is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler.”—Calvin Trillin, American journalist and humorist NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that last week purchase mortgage applications rose 3% week-over-week and 17%…
Concerning Trend I am seeing and why Ray Dalio might be right
Why Liquidity Matters More Than Ever Going Into 2026 There’s a growing conversation happening in the financial world right now, and it’s starting to show up in real estate too: liquidity is becoming the deciding factor for who wins and who struggles in this market. Even major investors like Ray Dalio have recently highlighted concerns…
Why More Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Mortgage Rate
If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you’ve probably thought: “I’d like to move… but I don’t want to give up my 3% rate.” That’s fair. That rate has been one of your best financial wins – and it can be hard to let go. But here’s what you need to remember… A great rate won’t make…
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!