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.
Why October Is the Best Time To Buy a Home in 2025
If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, now’s the time to lean in. It’s officially the best time to buy this year. According to Realtor.com, this October will have the most buyer-friendly conditions of any month in 2025: “By mid-October, buyers across much of the country may finally find the combination of inventory, pricing, and negotiating power they’ve…
What Buyers Say They Need Most (And How the Market’s Responding)
A recent survey from Bank of America asked would-be homebuyers what would help them feel better about making a move, and it’s no surprise the answers have a clear theme. They want affordability to improve, specifically prices and rates (see below): Here’s the good news. While the broader economy may still feel uncertain, there are signs the housing market…
New Home Sales Surge, Buyers Gain Options
Inside Lending – Week of September 29, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Economics is extremely useful as a form of employment for economists.”—John Kenneth Galbraith, Canadian-American economist NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE New home sales jumped more than 20% in August, up more than 15% from a year ago. Plus, median sales prices are down more than…
Closing Costs Unpacked: State-by-State Breakdowns for Today’s Buyers
If you’re planning to buy a home this year, there’s one expense you can’t afford to overlook: closing costs. Almost every buyer knows they exist, but not that many know exactly what they cover, or how different they can be based on where you’re buying. So, let’s break them down. What Are Closing Costs? Your closing…
Downsizing Without Debt: How More Homeowners Are Buying Their Next House in Cash
If you’ve been thinking about downsizing to lower your expenses, be closer to family, or just make life easier, here’s a trend worth paying attention to: More homeowners are buying their next house outright, without taking on a new mortgage. And, if you’ve owned your home for a while, you may be able to do the same. No…
Mortgage Applications Spike as Fed Cuts Rates
Inside Lending – Week of September 22, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Canadians are very well behaved; they don’t throw their food.”—Calvin Trillin, American journalist, humorist, and poet NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Mortgage applications spiked almost 30% last week, driven by refis, but purchase applications also went up a healthy 12% compared to the prior week…
Do You Know How Much Your House Is Really Worth?
Want to know something important you probably don’t have a professional check for you nearly as often as you should? Spoiler alert: it’s the value of your home. Because here’s the reality. Your house is likely the biggest financial asset you have. And if you’ve lived in it for a few years or more, chances…
Why Now May Be a Key 2025 Moment To Sell Your House
Mortgage rates are finally heading in the right direction – and buyers are starting to jump back in. According to the data, buyer demand picked up considerably once mortgage rates hit a new low for 2025. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports that applications for home loans were up 23% compared to the first week…
Buyer Demand Surges as Prices & Rates Ease
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…
What a Fed Rate Cut Could Mean for Mortgage Rates
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…
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!