Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Mortgage Research Network
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Thinking about buying your first home but overwhelmed by mortgage news, rising rates, and confusing headlines? The Mortgage Research Network Podcast is your no-fluff, data-backed guide to the housing market. We break down the latest trends, stories, and research from MortgageResearch.com into simple, clear insights you can actually use. Hosted with first-time buyers in mind, each episode helps you understand what’s happening in the market and how to use that knowledge to make smarter decisions, from locking in a great rate to choosing the right time to buy. Empowering you with the facts, confidence, and tools to become a homeowner one episode at a time.

  1. 9h ago

    Why Rising School Closures Matter for Homeowners

    More than 1,000 schools closed in 2025, reflecting demographic and enrollment shifts that could have consequences far beyond the classroom. Because school quality can influence where families choose to live and how much they are willing to pay for a home, closures can also affect property values and neighborhood stability. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why schools are closing, how changing demographics are reshaping enrollment, and what these trends could mean for homeowners. Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw In this episode you'll learn: Why school closures matter for housing: School quality is often closely tied to homebuyer demand, particularly among families with children.How much buyers may pay for better schools: Research has found that stronger school performance can translate into higher home prices in surrounding neighborhoods.What can happen when a school closes: Closures can reduce neighborhood appeal, hurt nearby businesses, and potentially put downward pressure on property values.Why declining birth rates are a major factor: The U.S. fertility rate has fallen sharply, leaving many school districts with fewer children to enroll.How immigration trends affect enrollment: Slower population growth from international migration can further reduce the number of school-age children in some communities.Why public school enrollment is falling: Millions fewer students are attending public schools than just a few years ago, and national enrollment is expected to decline further.How homeschooling and private schools fit in: Some families who left public schools during the pandemic never returned, contributing to continued enrollment pressure.Why lower enrollment creates budget problems: Many school districts lose funding when student counts decline, even though fixed expenses such as buildings and administration remain.How aging in place affects neighborhood schools: When older homeowners remain in family-sized homes longer, fewer properties turn over to younger households with school-age children.The big takeaway: School closures are not just an education issue. Demographic changes, declining enrollment, housing turnover, and school quality are increasingly interconnected, and homeowners may feel the effects through neighborhood demand, local businesses, and property values. Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/school-closures-could-hurt-home-values/

  2. 2d ago

    Inherited a Home? You May Not Have to Refinance the Mortgage

    People who inherit a home may have the right to keep its existing mortgage instead of refinancing into a new loan. But some mortgage servicers have reportedly made that process difficult, potentially exposing heirs to higher payments, delays, and even foreclosure risk. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain the protections available under federal law, the problems some homeowners have reported, and what heirs can do if a servicer stands in the way. Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw In this episode you'll learn: Why heirs may not need to refinance: Federal law can allow certain people who inherit or receive a home to assume the existing mortgage rather than replace it with a new loan.Who may be protected: The rules can apply to surviving spouses, children, people awarded a home through divorce, and certain other successors in interest.Why refinancing can be costly: Replacing an older low-rate mortgage with a new loan at today’s rates could significantly increase the monthly payment.What homeowners have reported: Consumer complaints include being denied access to mortgage accounts, having payments blocked, and being asked repeatedly for the same documentation.Why servicing delays can become dangerous: Long processing times can contribute to missed payments, legal expenses, delinquency, and potentially foreclosure.How divorce cases can become complicated: A servicer’s refusal to release a former borrower from liability can create financial and legal problems even after ownership has changed.Why domestic violence survivors may face added risks: Some servicing practices can expose account information or require involvement from an abusive former partner.What documentation heirs may need: Depending on the circumstances, servicers may request records such as a death certificate, will, or court order to establish the new owner’s rights.Why keeping detailed records matters: Saving copies of documents, communications, and attempted payments can help establish what happened if a dispute needs to be escalated.The big takeaway: Inheriting a home does not automatically mean refinancing its mortgage. People who believe a servicer is improperly blocking an assumption should understand their rights, document their efforts carefully, and consider legal help if their home is at risk. Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/mortgage-servicers-pressure-heirs-to-refinance/

  3. 5d ago

    Why New Federal Guidance Could Make ITIN Mortgages Harder to Get

    New federal guidance is putting greater scrutiny on mortgages made to borrowers who use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. Although the guidance does not ban ITIN mortgages, it could make some lenders more cautious about approving borrowers whose immigration or employment status may affect their ability to repay. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why regulators are focusing on this small segment of the mortgage market, what the guidance actually says, and how it could affect prospective homebuyers. Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw In this episode you'll learn: What an ITIN is: The IRS issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to people who need to file and pay taxes but are not eligible for Social Security Numbers.Who may use an ITIN to get a mortgage: ITIN borrowers can include foreign nationals, non-resident investors, and people who are not legally authorized to work in the United States.Why regulators are raising concerns: Federal agencies have warned that deportation or changes in a borrower’s employment status could disrupt income and increase repayment risk.What the new guidance requires: Lenders are being reminded to identify, measure, monitor, and control risks through appropriate underwriting and risk-management practices.Why the guidance is not an outright ban: Banks and credit unions may still offer ITIN mortgages, but the added scrutiny could discourage some lenders from approving them.How small the ITIN mortgage market is: Only about 5,000 to 6,000 ITIN mortgages were issued in 2023, representing a tiny fraction of total mortgage originations.Why the risk remains difficult to measure: Regulators have not presented clear evidence that ITIN borrowers default at higher rates, and available research suggests many may be reliable borrowers.How immigration enforcement affects the debate: Stricter enforcement could increase the risk that some borrowers lose income or leave the country before their mortgages are repaid.Why the policy could affect local housing markets: Reduced access to ITIN mortgages could limit homebuying demand and homeownership opportunities in communities where these loans are more common.The big takeaway: The new guidance does not eliminate ITIN mortgages, but it may create additional hurdles for borrowers and make lenders more hesitant. Without better data on repayment performance, it remains unclear whether the added scrutiny reflects a meaningful credit risk or could unnecessarily restrict access to homeownership. Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/new-government-guidance-itin-mortgages/

  4. 6d ago

    Should You Consider an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage in 2026?

    In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Shawn Yerkes, Group President of Financial Services at Genstone Companies, about when an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, may make sense for a homebuyer. Shawn breaks down how common ARM structures work, including the initial fixed-rate period, adjustment schedule, SOFR index, margin, and rate caps. He also explains how ARM underwriting compares with fixed-rate mortgages and why lenders generally want to make sure borrowers can handle the possibility of a higher future payment. The conversation also explores the situations where an ARM may offer an advantage over a fixed-rate mortgage. Shawn discusses how a lower initial rate can increase purchasing power, why borrowers who expect to move before the first adjustment may be better positioned to consider an ARM, and why future income, home equity, property values, and refinance options should all factor into the decision. He also explains why today’s adjustable-rate mortgages differ from many of the riskier products associated with the housing crash, including tighter underwriting, documented income requirements, and clearer adjustment caps. Shawn also covers the biggest risks borrowers should consider before choosing an ARM, including the possibility that rates could rise or property values could fall before they are able to refinance. He explains when refinancing into a fixed-rate mortgage may make sense and why ARM usage tends to increase when mortgage rates are higher. His main takeaway for first-time homebuyers is to understand their own financial profile, think through the worst-case scenario, and have a clear exit plan before taking on the additional uncertainty of an adjustable rate. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: Would you consider an adjustable-rate mortgage for a lower initial rate, or would you rather stick with the certainty of a fixed-rate loan? Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Shawn Yerkes: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnyerkes/ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw ------ 0:00 – Intro 1:03 – What the Numbers on an ARM Mean 2:54 – How ARM Rates Adjust 3:34 – ARM Qualification Requirements 4:24 – When an ARM Can Make Sense 5:25 – Who May Benefit From an ARM 6:48 – Planning for the Worst-Case Payment 8:03 – Are Today’s ARMs Safer Than Before 2008? 9:33 – Can an ARM Increase Your Buying Power? 10:22 – The Biggest Risks of an ARM 11:39 – Can You Negotiate ARM Terms? 12:15 – When to Refinance Out of an ARM 13:49 – Why ARM Usage Rises When Rates Are Higher 15:28 – Shawn’s Advice for First-Time Homebuyers 16:46 – Outro ------ #AdjustableRateMortgage #MortgageRates #HomebuyerTips

  5. Aug 12

    Housing & Finance Roundup: Record Home Prices, Fewer Foreign Buyers, and the Fed’s New Direction

    Home prices reached another record high in June, yet housing affordability improved compared with a year earlier. This week’s Housing & Finance Roundup examines how lower mortgage rates helped offset higher prices, why foreign purchases declined, and how the Federal Reserve’s new leadership is changing its communication with markets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the economic forces behind these seemingly contradictory trends and what they could mean for buyers and investors. Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw In this episode you'll learn: How affordability improved despite record prices: Housing affordability depends on more than a home’s sale price, with mortgage rates and household income also shaping the monthly cost of buying.Why wage growth offered limited help: Wages increased over the previous year, but consumer prices rose faster, leaving many households with less purchasing power after inflation.How lower mortgage rates supported buyers: Average 30-year mortgage rates were lower than a year earlier in June, helping reduce monthly payments enough to offset some of the increase in home prices.Why the improvement may be temporary: Mortgage rates moved higher again in July as energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty renewed concerns about inflation.Why national averages have limitations: Housing conditions vary widely among cities and regions, meaning affordability may be improving in some markets while worsening in others.Why foreign home purchases declined: International buyers purchased fewer U.S. homes and spent less overall, despite a somewhat weaker dollar making American real estate less expensive in some currencies.Who counts as a foreign buyer: The category includes both people living abroad and recent immigrants or visa holders already residing in the United States.How global perceptions could affect demand: Major international events may influence tourism, immigration, and foreign interest in U.S. real estate over time.Why the Fed’s new approach matters: Chair Kevin Warsh has moved away from traditional forward guidance, leaving investors with less direct insight into the central bank’s future interest-rate plans.The big takeaway: Record home prices do not automatically mean affordability is worsening. Mortgage rates, incomes, local market conditions, international demand, and Federal Reserve policy all interact to determine what buyers can actually afford. Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/housing-finance-news-roundup-july-31-2026/

  6. Aug 10

    Why Converting Offices Into Apartments Is More Complicated Than It Sounds

    Converting vacant offices into apartments could help cities add housing, but these projects are far more complicated than simply redesigning the interior. Recent construction problems in New York City show how structural limitations, safety risks, and local building conditions can quickly derail even promising conversions. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why adaptive reuse has attracted so much interest, what can go wrong, and where office-to-residential conversions may still make sense. Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw In this episode you'll learn: Why cities are turning to office conversions: The United States faces a major housing shortage while office vacancy rates remain elevated, making underused commercial buildings appear to be a natural source of new homes.What happened at 222 Broadway: New York City issued a stop-work order after inspectors found cracks in two concrete beams and learned that the contractor had not promptly reported them.Why another Manhattan project raised concerns: Steel columns buckled while developers were adding 11 stories to the former Pfizer headquarters, drawing widespread attention to the risks involved.Why not every office can become apartments: Commercial buildings were designed for different layouts, loads, plumbing systems, and uses, and some require extensive structural modifications before they can safely house residents.How local hazards complicate conversions: Developers may need to account for earthquakes in Los Angeles, hurricanes in Miami, flooding in other cities, and building-specific risks that vary by location.Why careful engineering matters: A thorough evaluation before construction begins can reveal whether a building is suitable for conversion and what upgrades will be required.How Los Angeles is encouraging adaptive reuse: The city has expanded eligibility and streamlined rules for converting older commercial properties and some parking structures into housing.Why these projects can support sustainability: Reusing an existing structure may reduce demolition waste and the environmental impact associated with building entirely from the ground up.How conversions can revitalize neighborhoods: Successful projects can bring residents into underused commercial districts and help create more active, mixed-use communities.The big takeaway: Office-to-residential conversions can add valuable housing, but they are not a shortcut or a universal solution. Their success depends on structural feasibility, skilled engineering, strong oversight, and a willingness to put safety ahead of speed. Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/office-to-residential-conversions-construction-risks/

  7. Aug 7

    Why Homebuyers Who Planned to Refinance Are Feeling Trapped

    Many recent homebuyers counted on refinancing into a lower mortgage rate, but that relief has not arrived. With payments already stretching household budgets, even one financial setback could put some owners at risk of falling behind. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why buyers feel trapped, how rising rates disrupted their plans, and what the outlook could mean for homeowners waiting to refinance. Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw In this episode you'll learn: Why recent buyers expected to refinance: Many people purchased homes at elevated mortgage rates believing borrowing costs would soon fall enough to reduce their monthly payments.How widespread the financial strain may be: Half of recent buyers surveyed said their mortgages could become unsustainable without a lower interest rate.Why one setback could create serious problems: Most respondents said a job loss, medical expense, or other financial shock could threaten their ability to keep making mortgage payments.What homeowners are sacrificing: Some buyers are cutting discretionary spending, while others report reducing spending on necessities such as food, healthcare, clothing, and personal care.How far people may go to keep their homes: Many respondents said they might take second jobs or withdraw retirement savings if refinancing remains unavailable.Why mortgage rates reversed course: Rates briefly fell below 6% before geopolitical conflict, renewed inflation concerns, and higher government borrowing pushed them upward again.How energy prices affect mortgage rates: Rising gasoline and diesel costs can fuel broader inflation, making bonds and mortgage-backed securities less attractive to investors.Why federal deficits matter: Increased government borrowing can compete with mortgage-backed securities for investor demand, contributing to higher yields and borrowing costs.What forecasts suggest about future rates: Major housing organizations expect mortgage rates to remain in the low-to-mid 6% range, although geopolitical and economic developments could quickly change that outlook.The big takeaway: Buying with the expectation of refinancing later can be risky because lower rates are never guaranteed. Recent buyers may remain under pressure until mortgage rates fall meaningfully, household incomes rise, or other financial relief becomes available. Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/high-mortgage-rates-blocking-refinances/

  8. Aug 6

    Why Homeowners Insurance Costs Are Rising and How to Shop Smarter

    In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Travis Hodges, Managing Director at VIU by HUB, about why homeowners insurance has become a growing part of housing affordability. Travis explains how climate-related losses, inflation, rising home values, supply-chain pressures, and higher rebuilding costs have made insurance risk more difficult to predict and premiums more expensive for many homeowners and buyers. The conversation also explores how a property itself can affect insurance costs and availability. Travis explains why the age and condition of the roof can play such a major role, how proximity to coastal areas, waterways, and wildfire risk may affect pricing, and why buyers should investigate insurance costs before committing to a home. He also breaks down the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value, including how choosing a policy based primarily on price could leave a homeowner responsible for a substantial portion of a future repair. Travis shares practical tips for comparing homeowners insurance, including working with a broker, requesting quotes from multiple carriers, reviewing available discounts, and considering whether bundling home and auto coverage provides better value. He also explains why insurance rates generally are not negotiable, what homeowners can do after a claim is denied, and why first-time homebuyers should give insurance shopping the same attention they give mortgage rates. The right policy is not necessarily the least expensive one, but the option that provides appropriate protection at a cost that fits the homeowner’s broader budget. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: Have rising homeowners insurance costs affected where you would consider buying a home? Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Travis Hodges: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-hodges-b4700a11/ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw ------ 0:00 – Intro 0:17 – How an Insurance Broker Helps Homebuyers 1:18 – Why Homeowners Insurance Costs Are Rising 3:48 – Are Some Homes Becoming Uninsurable? 4:53 – Can Insurance Affect Mortgage Approval? 6:20 – Property Features That Increase Insurance Costs 7:41 – How to Avoid Coverage Gaps 8:56 – Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value 11:13 – How to Shop for Homeowners Insurance 12:53 – Can You Negotiate Insurance Rates? 14:02 – What to Do If a Claim Is Denied 15:28 – Travis’s Advice for First-Time Homebuyers 16:51 – Outro ------ #homeownersinsurance #firsttimehomebuyer #homebuyingtips

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Thinking about buying your first home but overwhelmed by mortgage news, rising rates, and confusing headlines? The Mortgage Research Network Podcast is your no-fluff, data-backed guide to the housing market. We break down the latest trends, stories, and research from MortgageResearch.com into simple, clear insights you can actually use. Hosted with first-time buyers in mind, each episode helps you understand what’s happening in the market and how to use that knowledge to make smarter decisions, from locking in a great rate to choosing the right time to buy. Empowering you with the facts, confidence, and tools to become a homeowner one episode at a time.

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