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.
Homes Are Now Selling Faster Than a Year Ago — First Time Since April 2024
FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 13, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”—Will Rogers, American humorist and actor NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Homes sold faster than they did a year ago for the first time since April 2024, while active inventory remained…
His, Hers & Ours: How a Reverse Mortgage Can Help Protect Blended Families
As blended families become more common, financial planners must address the unique challenges they face. When couples in their 60s or 70s marry, they often bring together children, assets, and a desire to leave a legacy. The question of how to buy a home together without creating problems for their families later is a critical one. A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase offers a strategic alternative to paying 100% cash, preserving savings, and maintaining flexibility for estate planning.
What Buying or Selling a Home Gives Back to Your Community
Buying or selling a home is a big financial decision. And right now, it feels even bigger. Inflation is high, costs are high, and you want to be sure the timing is right before you make your move. But if you do decide to go for it, whether you’re buying or selling, here’s something reassuring to hold onto. Not only does your…
More Buyers Are Choosing to Own Instead of Rent — First Time Since 2023
FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 6, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”—Robert Collier, American author NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE New listings topped 110,000 for the fourth consecutive week, while active inventory remained above 1.1 million homes. Homes continued selling at the same pace as a year…
7 Ways to Use a Seller Credit (And How to Actually Ask for One)
If you’ve been house hunting lately, you’ve probably run the math on offering less than asking price to “save money.” Here’s the problem: a lower purchase price only does one thing — it lowers the price. It doesn’t touch your monthly payment. It doesn’t help with your rate. And once the deal closes, that “savings”…
Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021
Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home. And with affordability as tight as it’s been lately, it’s fair to wonder how anyone manages it right now. Here’s something you may not have seen coming. Some people are getting their foot in the door with a smaller down payment. According to Realtor.com,…
The Housing Market Is Stronger Than You Think
You’ve probably heard plenty of doom and gloom about the housing market lately. High rates. Stretched budgets. Headlines that make buying or selling sound like a terrible idea. But the data tells a very different story. This isn’t 2020 or 2021. It was never going to be. Those were the “unicorn years” – historic low…
Mortgage Rates Hold — But Here’s What’s Really Moving the Market
FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 29, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The secret to longevity is ice cream.”—Paul Marcus, American centenarian NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE New listings outpaced last year’s levels for the third consecutive week, while homes sold at the same pace as a year ago for the fourth straight week. The data suggests sellers…
Your House Didn’t Sell. Here’s How To Turn It Around.
When your house doesn’t sell, it’s not just disappointing. It messes with your timing. Your plans. Your confidence. You start second-guessing everything, including the decision to move in the first place. And that raises 2 big questions: Do you try again? Is that even worth it? Here’s the secret to getting a better outcome the…
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!