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.

Spring Sellers Have an Edge. Here’s Why.

By Kevin Brierton Team | March 5, 2026

Homeowners looking to sell usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Spring is the season that most often delivers all three. So, if a move has been on your mind this year, this is the window where momentum tends to work in your favor. Here’s what makes this…

Are Home Prices Dropping? Here’s the Real Story.

By Kevin Brierton Team | March 4, 2026

You’ve probably seen posts on social media talking about how “home prices are falling.” And when you see something like that, it’s normal to wonder: Is this the start of a crash? What does this mean for my house? Let’s clear this up right away. This is not a crash. And your home is not suddenly losing…

The Hidden Advantage Repeat Buyers Have Right Now

By Kevin Brierton Team | March 3, 2026

What if you didn’t have a mortgage payment on your next house? It may sound a little unrealistic. But for a number of homeowners, it’s actually doable. Nearly 3 in 10 homes purchased today are bought in cash, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That’s far more than the pre-pandemic norm (see graph below): So, how are…

Inventory is rising. Mortgage rates are holding near 3-year lows.

By Kevin Brierton Team | March 2, 2026

Inside Lender For the week of March 2, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”—Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Inventory is improving as the market shifts in a more buyer-friendly direction. New listings have turned positive year over year, active inventory is rising, and homes are taking slightly longer…

Top Mistakes Homeowners Are Making in 2026 (And How To Avoid Them)

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 28, 2026

Let’s be clear: selling your house is absolutely possible right now. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 11k homes sell every day in this country. And the sellers who are making their moves happen all have one thing in common: they’ve adjusted their strategy to match today’s market. They’re realizing inventory has grown. Homebuyers are more selective.…

How to Turn a Mortgage Into a Wealth-Building Tool

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 27, 2026

Most people look at a mortgage as something to “get rid of” as fast as possible. I get that mindset. Nobody loves debt. But here’s the shift I want you to consider: a mortgage can be more than a monthly payment. If it’s structured correctly and managed on purpose, it can become a tool that…

Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 27, 2026

Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment. But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking… expensive, especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to…

How Your Equity Could Help Younger Generations Buy a Home

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 24, 2026

Monday February 23rd, 2026For Sellers,Senior Market,Equity For a lot of parents or grandparents, watching a family member struggle to buy their first home right now is hard. That’s because you saw firsthand how homeownership gave your life more stability and helped grow your net worth – and you want your loved ones to have those…

Inventory Is Rising. Prices Are Adjusting. Leverage Is Shifting

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 23, 2026

Inside Lending For the week of February 23, 2026  QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”—Thomas Edison, American inventor NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE While Existing home sales cooled in January amid challenging weather conditions, affordability continues to improve, positioning the market for steadier activity this spring as…

The Price You Set Can Make (or Break) Your Sale

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 21, 2026

There’s one decision you’re going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later. And that’s your asking price. The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today:…

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!