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.
The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling
Here’s something you should know before you sell your house. The homeowners who win in today’s market aren’t the ones waiting it out or stepping back. They’re the ones who adapt from the start. A number of homeowners this year didn’t get the outcome they wanted. But it’s not because something’s wrong with the market. It’s…
Liquidity Matters More Than a Paid-Off Mortgage
Most people were raised to believe the ultimate financial goal is a paid-off house. It feels safe, it feels responsible, and it feels like the “right” thing to do. But when you look at it through the Borrow Smart | Repay Smart lens, you realize something important: equity is not the same as liquidity—and liquidity…
More Listings, Easier Credit, and the Strongest November in 3 Years
Inside Lending – Week of November 17, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If you want to kill any idea in the world, get a committee working on it.”—Charles Kettering, American inventor, engineer, and businessman NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) noted homebuying got off to its strongest November start in three years, as…
Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?
By Kevin Brierton | Your No Excuse Lender A lot of buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching rates hover a little above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy once they hit the 5s. Because who doesn’t want a better rate? But here’s the thing: that 5.99% number might not save you…
Why Your Home Equity Still Puts You Way Ahead
If you’ve seen headlines about home prices dropping, it’s easy to wonder what that means for the value of your home too. Here’s what you really need to know. Even with small price declines in some markets, data shows you’re likely still way ahead. And that’s thanks to your home equity. The Relationship Between Home Prices and Equity Home…
Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Let’s Look at the Facts.
If it feels like you’re seeing new construction signs pop up everywhere, you’re not wrong. Builders have been busy. And it’s left some people wondering: Are we overbuilding like we did right before the 2008 housing crash? No matter what you may hear in the news, there’s no reason for alarm. In reality, data shows builders aren’t racing ahead, they’re…
The New “Location, Location, Location”: Borrow Smart, Repay Smart™
For decades, real estate success was defined by one phrase — location, location, location.But today, the smartest homeowners and advisors know the game has changed.The new mantra is Borrow Smart, Repay Smart™. True financial success isn’t about where you buy — it’s about how you borrow, manage, and repay. The old “location” used to refer…
The VA Home Loan Advantage: What Every Veteran Should Know Right Now
If you’ve served in the military (or if your spouse has), you have access to one of the most powerful homebuying tools out there. The chance to buy a home without having a down payment. Unfortunately, 70% of Veterans (that’s 7 out of every 10) don’t know about this benefit, according to Veterans United. And that’s a big…
Affordability Is Improving—And Buyers Are Taking Notice
Inside Lending – Week of November 10, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.”—Saul Bellow, Canadian-American writer NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist noted that in the current market, on a median-priced home, a homebuyer could “save thousands annually compared to earlier this year,…
What a Government Shutdown Really Means for the Housing Market
There’s been a lot of talk lately about how a government shutdown impacts the housing market. You might be wondering: Is it causing everything to grind to a halt? The short answer? No. The housing market doesn’t stop. It keeps moving. Homes are still being bought and sold, contracts are still being signed, and closings are still…
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!