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.
2026 Opens With More Inventory, Lower Payments, and Opportunity
Inside lending For the week of JANUARY 12, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK ““There are lots of people who mistake their imagination for their memory.”—Josh Billings, 19th century American humorist and lecturer NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Single-family Housing Starts were up 5.4% in October to their highest level since July, with completions up 6%. Starts did decline…
Trump’s $200B MBS Announcement – What It Really Means for Rates
Read Time: ~3 Minutes Here’s a quick breakdown of the recent announcement around a potential $200B purchase of mortgage-backed securities through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and how to talk about it with clients. The headline: Yes, the administration announced plans to support lower mortgage rates by buying MBS. The reality behind it: Fannie Mae…
Expert Forecasts Point to Affordability Improving in 2026
Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You’re not the only one. For the past few years, affordability has been the biggest barrier standing between most people and their next move. And a lot of buyers and sellers have been holding their breath waiting for things to get better. The good news?…
The True Cost of Paying Cash for a Home
Paying cash for a home sounds smart. No mortgage. No interest. No monthly payment. For many buyers, it feels safe and simple. But what most homeowners and first-time buyers don’t realize is this: paying cash has hidden costs that don’t show up on the closing statement. What Happens When You Pay Cash When you pay…
Thinking about Selling Your House As-Is? Read This First.
If you’re thinking about selling your house this year, you may be torn between two options: In 2026, that decision matters more than it used to. Here’s what you need to know. More Competition Means Your Home’s Condition Is More Important Again Over the past year, the number of homes for sale has been climbing. And this…
Housing Market Enters 2026 With Improving Balance and Opportunity
Inside Lending For the week of JANUARY 5, 2026 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “’Expert: a person who makes three correct guesses consecutively.”—Laurence J. Peter, Canadian educator and “hierachiologist” NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The Pending Home Sales index of signed contracts on existing homes shot up more than 3% in November and is up almost 3% annually. That’s…
Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step – Not an Afterthought
Finding the right home feels exciting – but being pre-approved for your loan is what makes it possible. Whether you’re planning to buy soon or still just thinking about it, getting pre-approved is one of the best moves you can make. Here’s why. 1. What Is Pre-Approval, Really? Pre-approval is much more than a guess. It means…
More Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2026. Here’s How To Get Ready.
Momentum is quietly building in the housing market. New data from NerdWallet shows more Americans are starting to think about buying a home again. Last year, 15% of respondents said they planned to buy a home in the next 12 months. This year, that number rose to 17%. That 2% increase might not sound like a big jump, but in a…
Not Sure If You’re Ready To Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions.
If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to become a homeowner in the next twelve months, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates, home prices, the current state of the economy, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. It’s a lot. But…
Understanding EPR™: The Hidden Cost of Your Mortgage
When most people think about the cost of a mortgage, they focus on one thing: the interest rate.But the interest rate only tells part of the story. There’s another number almost no one talks about, and it can quietly cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. It’s called EPR™, or Effective Percentage Rate.…
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!