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.

Inside Lending: Buyer Demand Surges and Eases

Buyer Demand Surges as Prices & Rates Ease

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 16, 2025

Inside Lending For the week of SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK  “Just remember, once you’re over the hill you begin to pick up speed.”—Charles M. Schulz, American cartoonist, creator of the Peanuts comic strip NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The Mortgage Bankers Association reported demand for purchase mortgages surged last week to the highest level…

Magnifying glass over house with percentage symbols.

What a Fed Rate Cut Could Mean for Mortgage Rates

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 16, 2025

The Federal Reserve (the Fed) meets this week, and expectations are high that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate. But does that mean mortgage rates will drop? Let’s clear up the confusion. The Fed Doesn’t Directly Set Mortgage Rates Right now, all eyes are on the Fed. Most economists expect they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate at…

Three people discussing in a cozy room.

Patience Won’t Sell Your House. Pricing Will.

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 11, 2025

Waiting for the perfect buyer to fall in love with your house? In today’s market, that’s usually not what’s holding things up. And here’s why. Let’s be real. Homes are taking a week longer to sell than they did a year ago. According to Realtor.com: “Homes are also taking longer to sell. The typical home spent…

Row of colorful modern houses under blue sky.

Mortgage Rates Just Saw Their Biggest Drop in a Year

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 10, 2025

You’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for mortgage rates to finally budge. And last week, they did – in a big way. On Friday, September 5th, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to the lowest level since October 2024. It was the biggest one-day decline in over a year. What Sparked the Drop? According to Mortgage News…

Rolled dollar bills on peach background.

Why 50% of Homes Are Selling for Under Asking and How To Avoid It

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 9, 2025

If your selling strategy still assumes you’ll get multiple offers over asking, it’s officially time for a reset. That frenzied seller’s market is behind us. And here are the numbers to prove it.  From Frenzy to “Normal” Right now, about 50% of homes on the market are selling for less than their asking price, according…

Inside Lending newsletter cover, September 8, 2025.

Affordability Improves, Rates at 11-Month Low

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 8, 2025

Inside Lending – Week of September 8, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I installed a skylight in my apartment… the people who live above me are furious!”—Steven Wright, American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and film producer NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The Mortgage Bankers Association notes, “Affordability conditions have now improved for two consecutive months,” as the…

Woman in red sweater using smartphone indoors.

Big News for Homebuyers: Privacy Protection Is Here

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 5, 2025

On September 5, 2025, President Trump signed into law the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2808). For too long, homebuyers have been hit with a flood of calls, texts, and emails from competing lenders immediately after applying for a mortgage — all because of a practice called “trigger leads.” That ends now. Here’s what the…

Woman with laptop, wearing colorful striped sweater.

What Mortgage Delinquencies Tell Us About the Future of Foreclosures

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 4, 2025

You may be seeing headlines about how foreclosures are rising. And if that makes you nervous that we’re headed for another crash, here’s what you should know.  According to ATTOM, during the housing crash, over nine million people went through some sort of distressed sale (2007-2011). Last year, there were just over 300,000. So, even with…

Inside Lending: Home Prices Cool, September 2025.

Home Prices Cool as Buyers Gain Leverage

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 2, 2025

Inside Lending For the week of SEPTEMBER 2, 2025  QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”—Albert Einstein, German-born American theoretical physicist NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The Pending Home Sales measure of signed contracts on existing homes posted a small year-over-year gain in July,…

Calculator, glasses, and pen on documents.

Thinking About Renting Your House Instead of Selling? Read This First.

By Kevin Brierton Team | September 1, 2025

If your house is on the market but you haven’t gotten any offers you’re comfortable with, you may be wondering: what do I do if it doesn’t sell? And for a growing number of homeowners, that’s turning into a new dilemma: should I just rent it instead? There’s a term for this in the industry, and it’s called…

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!