Saturday Strategy

Mortgage FAQ's, did you knows and much more...

What is prescreenopout and why it is important to you

Last week, we covered identifying questionable mail, and now let's focus on Prescreenoptout.com and trigger leads.

Prescreenoptout.com offers an easy way to safeguard your privacy by opting out of pre-approved credit offers. This reduces unwanted mail and gives you control over your personal data. In this weeks Saturday Strategy video I talk about how and why you want to do this.

Trigger leads occur when a credit inquiry is made on your report, indicating potential credit or loan interest. Companies sell your information to lenders, leading to a barrage of loan offers. Be cautious about sharing your credit data with callers, as they may not be from the company you think. Stay informed and protect your personal information!

**We want to assure you that we do NOT sell any of your information after we have pulled your credit. However, we would like to inform you that the credit bureaus keep a record of the credit inquiry, which they unfortunately sell to bidders in the form of "trigger leads." This often results in receiving numerous spam calls from online lenders. Although every bank is actively fighting against this, we currently have no control over stopping it. We understand that this can be frustrating, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.**

To help prevent this I recommend doing these 2 hacks...

Register with the Do-Not-Call Registry here: donotcall.gov

Complete the Op Out Prescreen - https://www.optoutprescreen.com/

P.S. Can I count on you to call us when any friends, family or coworkers are looking to buy, sell or refinance a home?  We'd love to help! You can just text/call me at 480.553.8770.

* Did you know we can finance in 45 states?

The Hidden Wealth Trap: Paying Off Debt

The Hidden Wealth Trap: Paying Off Debt Too Quickly

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 31, 2025

Paying off debt feels responsible. For many homeowners, it feels like the ultimate financial win. No payments. No interest. No stress. But here’s the part most people never see. Paying off debt too quickly can quietly limit long-term wealth. This is what we call the hidden wealth trap. Why faster isn’t always better When extra…

White house model on blue background.

Your House Didn’t Sell. What Now?

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 30, 2025

When your house doesn’t sell, it does more than disrupt your plans, it hits close to home. You prepared for the next chapter. You told people you were moving. You pictured where you’d go next. And then nothing happened. It’s normal to feel frustrated, confused, or even a little embarrassed. But here’s the part you…

Lending newsletter cover with housing market headline.

Housing Market Momentum Builds Heading Into 2026

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 29, 2025

Inside Lending – Week of December 22, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Let’s have some new cliches.”—Samuel Goldwyn, Polish-born American film producer and pioneer in the American film industry NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Existing Home Sales gained in November, hitting a nine-month high. The median price is just 1.2% higher than year ago, as affordability improves—wage…

Open-concept kitchen and living room space.

How To Stretch Your Options, Not Your Budget

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 28, 2025

One of the biggest homebuying advantages you can give yourself today is surprisingly simple: a flexible wish list. Think of it like this. Your wish list and your budget are the guardrails of your search. And when your budget needs to hold firm, there’s another lever you can pull. That’s seeing if you truly need all of your…

Person holding keys with house keychain.

Is January the Best Time To Buy a Home?

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 27, 2025

You may not want to put your homebuying plans into hibernation mode this winter. While a lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to buy a house, new data shows January may actually be the best time of year for budget-conscious buyers.  Kind of surprising, right? Here’s why January deserves a serious look. 1. Prices Tend…

People walking in a modern office hallway.

Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know.

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 26, 2025

The housing market hasn’t felt this energized in a long time – and the numbers backing that up are hard to ignore. Mortgage rates have eased almost a full percentage point this year, and that shift is starting to wake up buyers. Home loan applications have risen. Activity has picked up. And sellers who step in early…

Happy family sitting together on a couch.

Turning a House Into a Home: The Benefits You Can Actually Feel

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 25, 2025

There’s a lot of conversation about home prices, mortgage rates, and affordability right now – and those things are important. But if you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s worth remembering something the headlines rarely talk about: people don’t buy homes just for financial reasons. They buy them for their lives. Because while homeownership can absolutely be a smart long-term financial…

Newspaper headline: "The Sky Is Falling!

Headlines Have You Worried about Your Home’s Value? Read This.

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 23, 2025

Hearing talk about home prices falling? That may leave you worried about whether your house is losing value. But here’s what you need to know. While some local markets have seen small price dips this year, home prices are not falling nationally. So, don’t let the headlines scare you. The vast majority of the country is actually seeing prices rise.…

Inside Lending newsletter cover with portrait.

Housing Affordability Improves as Buyers Look Ahead to 2026

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 22, 2025

Inside Lending – Week of December 22, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Let’s have some new cliches.”—Samuel Goldwyn, Polish-born American film producer and pioneer in the American film industry NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Existing Home Sales gained in November, hitting a nine-month high. The median price is just 1.2% higher than year ago, as affordability improves—wage…

A Retirement Strategy Many Homebuyers Don’t Know Exists

By Kevin Brierton Team | December 20, 2025

This came from a real client conversation that highlighted a major blind spot in retirement planning and home buying. Many people still don’t realize that retirement-age buyers can use a reverse mortgage to purchase a home, even if they sell their current home first. They do not need to already have a reverse mortgage in…

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!