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

    How Investors Scale Beyond Conventional Mortgages (DSCR Loans Explained)

    In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Ben Stef, Senior Loan Advisor at NEXA Lending and founder of Funding Freedom, to break down one of the most powerful financing tools available to real estate investors: Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans. Ben explains how these loans work, why they've become increasingly popular, and how they can help investors qualify based primarily on a property's rental income rather than relying solely on traditional underwriting standards. He also explains why understanding DSCR loans early can give both new and experienced investors more flexibility as they grow. The conversation explores the differences between DSCR loans and conventional mortgages, why these loans are far different from the risky lending practices that contributed to the 2008 housing crash, and how homeowners can use HELOCs to tap into their equity for a down payment without giving up low mortgage rates. Ben also discusses the importance of building a strong financial foundation before investing and shares his perspective on credit scores, down payments, reserve requirements, and what it takes to prepare for your first rental property. Ben then breaks down the BRRRR method and explains how value-add projects can help investors continue growing over time. He shares why he believes waiting for lower mortgage rates could backfire if demand picks up again and offers advice on finding a real estate niche that fits your strengths and goals. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer curious about investing or a more experienced investor looking to scale beyond conventional mortgages, this episode is packed with mortgage advice and real estate insights to help you make more informed decisions. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below and let us know: Have you used a DSCR loan, or is it something you'd consider for your first investment property? 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 Ben Stef: Website: https://www.fundingfreedom.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-stef-b0b741275/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYZIjA6JcV0DqLD-1q2iZbQ 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 0:40 – Helping Investors Scale Their Portfolios 1:18 – What Makes a Good Real Estate Deal? 3:09 – The Best Financing Tools for Investors 4:03 – How DSCR Loans Help Investors Scale 5:17 – DSCR Loans vs. Conventional Mortgages 7:23 – Why Modern DSCR Loans Aren't Like 2008 9:01 – Home Equity Explained Simply 10:12 – Common Misconceptions About Home Equity 11:49 – Preparing to Buy Your First Investment Property 15:25 – How Investors Keep Growing Without Running Out of Cash 16:42 – The BRRRR Strategy and Value-Add Projects 18:17 – Why Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates Could Backfire 20:07 – Finding Your Real Estate Investing Niche 21:32 – Outro ------ #DSCRLoans #RealEstateInvesting #MortgageTips

    22 min

  2. 1d ago

    The Mortgage Math That Shocks Most Buyers

    The average homebuyer will pay back more than twice the original purchase price of their home over the life of a 30-year mortgage—and most people have no idea just how much interest adds to the final bill. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the mortgage math that surprises many buyers, how interest rates dramatically affect long-term costs, and why factors like timing, location, and loan term can make hundreds of thousands of dollars of difference. 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 many homeowners effectively pay for two houses: The average borrower can pay more in interest than the home's original purchase price over a 30-year mortgage.How much the typical mortgage really costs: A median-priced home financed with a traditional mortgage can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest payments.Why today's mortgage rates have such a massive impact: Current rates significantly increase the total cost of homeownership compared to the historically low rates seen just a few years ago.How much buyers would save with 2021-era rates: Mortgage rates below 3% could reduce monthly payments dramatically and save borrowers nearly a quarter-million dollars over the life of a loan.Why a one-percentage-point increase matters so much: Even a modest rise in mortgage rates can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total interest paid.How down payment size affects borrowing costs: Buyers putting down less money often face substantially higher lifetime interest expenses.Why some buyers choose 15-year mortgages: Shorter loan terms can dramatically reduce interest costs and help homeowners build equity faster.The trade-off between 15-year and 30-year loans: Lower total borrowing costs come with significantly higher monthly payments.How much borrowers can potentially save with a shorter loan: A 15-year mortgage can reduce lifetime interest costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars.Why geography plays a major role in mortgage costs: Homebuyers in expensive markets can pay well over $1 million in mortgage interest over the life of a loan.Which housing markets generate the highest interest costs: High-priced metros such as San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Honolulu produce some of the nation's largest mortgage bills.Why some Midwest markets remain far more affordable: Lower home prices translate into dramatically lower lifetime financing costs.How today's rates compare with historical extremes: While current rates feel high compared to recent years, they remain well below the double-digit mortgage rates of the early 1980s.Why inflation remains a key factor for homebuyers: Future mortgage rates will depend heavily on how successfully inflation is managed.The big takeaway: Mortgage rates, loan terms, down payments, and location can each have a profound impact on the true cost of homeownership, making informed planning more important than ever.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/mortgage-interest-exceeds-price-of-home/

    6 min

  3. 3d ago

    Are Real Estate Companies Really Protecting Consumers—or Themselves?

    Two of the biggest names in real estate are facing criticism over practices that some say prioritize profits over transparency. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the growing controversy surrounding Zillow and Compass, why both companies say they’re acting in consumers’ best interests, and whether their business models could be reshaping the housing market in ways buyers and sellers don’t fully understand. 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 Zillow is facing scrutiny over its "Contact Agent" and "Request a Tour" buttons: Many consumers believe they are contacting the listing agent when they may actually be routed to agents who pay Zillow for leads.What a Wharton study found about consumer understanding: Researchers reported that the overwhelming majority of users did not realize who they were actually being connected to.How Zillow’s lead-generation model works: Buyer agents pay for access to prospective clients generated through the platform.Why critics argue buyers may be steered toward certain services: Some lawsuits and studies claim consumers may be directed toward mortgage products that are not always the lowest-cost option.How Zillow defends its approach: The company argues that connecting buyers with their own representation helps protect consumers during negotiations.What Compass’s "Private Exclusive" listings are: Certain homes are marketed only within Compass’s network rather than being broadly available to all buyers.Why some sellers find private listings attractive: Off-market marketing can offer privacy, flexibility, and the ability to test pricing strategies without public exposure.Why critics oppose private listings: Opponents argue that limiting exposure may reduce competition and prevent buyers from seeing all available homes.How private listings could affect sellers: Restricting a property’s audience may potentially reduce the number of interested buyers and competing offers.Why several states are taking action: Some states have already adopted restrictions on private listings, while others are considering similar measures.How market concentration factors into the debate: Because Zillow and Compass hold significant influence in real estate, their business decisions can impact the broader housing market.What supporters say about these practices: Advocates argue they represent innovation, consumer choice, and legitimate business strategies.What critics worry about: Concerns include reduced transparency, concentrated market power, conflicts of interest, and diminished consumer choice.The big takeaway: The debate over Zillow and Compass is ultimately about who benefits when major real estate companies control more of the home buying and selling process—and whether consumer protection and corporate interests are always aligned.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/are-zillow-and-compass-distorting-the-housing-market/

    5 min

  4. 6d ago

    Why Millions of Homeowners Are Choosing HELOCs Instead of Refinancing

    Homeowners are tapping into their home equity at the highest rate since 2008, driven by a simple reality: few people want to give up the ultra-low mortgage rates they locked in during the pandemic. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why HELOCs and home equity loans are surging in popularity, how global events and interest rates are shaping borrowing decisions, and what homeowners should consider before tapping their equity. 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 home equity borrowing has surged to levels not seen since 2008: Demand for home equity loans and HELOCs has reached nearly two-decade highs.How low mortgage rates created a "lock-in effect": Millions of homeowners secured mortgage rates below 3% and are reluctant to refinance or move.Why refinancing no longer makes sense for many borrowers: Replacing a mortgage with a significantly higher interest rate can dramatically increase monthly payments.How HELOCs and home equity loans offer an alternative: Borrowers can access cash while keeping their existing low-rate first mortgage intact.How many homeowners are already using this strategy: Nearly 3.9 million borrowers with low-rate mortgages have added home equity loans or HELOCs.Why rising home values continue to support borrowing: Strong home price appreciation has left many homeowners with substantial equity available to access.How global events are influencing mortgage rates: International developments, including tensions affecting energy markets and trade routes, continue to impact borrowing costs.Why interest rate uncertainty is complicating decisions: Homeowners must weigh the possibility of future rate declines against the risk that rates remain elevated or move higher.What role inflation plays in future borrowing costs: Persistent inflation could influence Federal Reserve policy and keep lending rates higher for longer.Why analysts remain cautious about mortgage rates: Treasury yields, inflation concerns, and economic uncertainty continue to create upward pressure on rates.How timing affects home equity borrowing decisions: Waiting for lower rates could save money—or result in higher costs if rates move in the opposite direction.What homeowners should consider before borrowing: Individual financial goals, cash needs, and risk tolerance all play important roles in choosing the right strategy.The big takeaway: Millions of homeowners are turning to HELOCs and home equity loans as a way to access cash without sacrificing the historically low mortgage rates they worked hard to secure.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/hel-and-heloc-demand-18-year-high/

    5 min

  5. Jun 18

    DSCR vs Conventional | Which One Actually Works? | Charles Goodwin

    In this episode of the Real Estate Update podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Charles Goodwin, VP and Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending at Kiavi. With a decade of private lending expertise under his belt and having personally owned roughly 50 single-family investment properties, Charles pulls back the curtain on how to navigate today's housing market as both an investor and a first-time home buyer. Charles breaks down the exact formulas necessary to scale a real estate business safely, including a deep dive into the "75% rule" equation for backing into a profitable purchase price. He highlights the common pitfalls of the "HGTV movement", warning viewers not to let delusions of grandeur override objective logic—and shares essential advice on line-item contractor budgets. For rental property owners, Charles reveals his rule of thumb for checking big-ticket items like HVAC units and electrical panels to prevent compounding maintenance issues. Shifting gears to traditional home buying, Charles addresses the challenges buyers face in a competitive environment. He explains why move-in ready homes are triggering bidding wars while properties needing a little sweat equity sit on the market. Discover the affordability "sweet spots" of the Midwest—like Indianapolis, Columbus, and Pittsburgh—versus the high-competition zones of the Northeast. Whether you're trying to qualify for an FHA loan or negotiate mortgage rates with your team of lenders, this interview is packed with actionable insights to give you the ultimate edge in real estate. 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 Charles Goodwin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-goodwin-13027249/ First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠ Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw⁠⁠ ------ 00:00 Intro 00:10 Meet Charles Goodwin from Kiavi 00:32 Kiavi's data-driven approach to investment lending 00:53 What "Kiavi" stands for (The Italian word for key: chiave) 01:12 Private lending growth 02:00 Charles’s personal journey: Scaling up to 50 single-family investment properties 02:45 The ultimate advice for beginner investors 03:22 Knowing your numbers 03:40 The 75% Rule Explained: Backing into your maximum purchase price 04:12 Factoring in hidden flip costs: Holding fees, interest rates, and closing costs 04:46 The HGTV pitfall: Overcoming logic and emotional traps with objective data 05:12 Consulting secondary valuation opinions and contractors 05:43 The hidden joy of flipping 06:21 Rental property due diligence 07:02 The 6-to-8-year rule of thumb for replacing mechanical units 07:22 Why looking outside the property walls matters (The pitbull test) 08:00 2026 Market Analysis: Renovated homes vs. unrenovated opportunities 08:26 Building sweat equity as a homebuyer to avoid bidding wars 08:52 Alternative loan options: Utilizing FHA subsidies and low-down-payment programs 09:30 Preparing your home buying profile: Credit health, income history, and pre-approvals 09:50 Assembling your real estate dream team: How to find trusted agents and lenders 10:20 Understanding the jargon: Overcoming the mortgage terminology learning curve 10:41 The art of negotiation: How to leverage competing rates with for-profit lenders 11:06 Affordable U.S. Sweet Spots 11:51 High-Demand Bidding Zones: The seller's market dynamics of the Northeast 12:01 Loan type options for first-timers 13:05 The proper steps to get prepared 14:10 Final takeaways: Charles Goodwin's top advice for first-time home buyers ------ #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #HomeBuyerEducation

    18 min

  6. Jun 17

    Could a Federal Anti-Crime Law Make HOA Fees Even Higher?

    A federal law designed to combat money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes is now at the center of a growing battle between homeowners associations and Washington policymakers. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why HOAs believe the Corporate Transparency Act could increase administrative costs, how those costs could ultimately affect homeowners, and why the debate has become a major legal and political fight. 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 the Corporate Transparency Act is designed to do: The law requires many entities to disclose their beneficial owners in an effort to combat financial crimes and anonymous shell companies.Why HOAs are concerned about compliance requirements: Community associations argue that the reporting obligations could create significant administrative burdens, especially for smaller organizations.How compliance costs could affect homeowners: Any new legal, reporting, or administrative expenses incurred by HOAs may ultimately be passed on through higher association fees.Why rising HOA fees are already a growing concern: Condo and HOA fees have increased significantly in recent years, putting additional pressure on household budgets.How some homeowners are experiencing dramatic fee increases: In certain communities, monthly HOA costs have risen sharply due to maintenance, insurance, reserve funding, and regulatory requirements.Who is leading the opposition to the law: The Community Associations Institute represents hundreds of thousands of community associations and millions of homeowners nationwide.Why the fight has reached the Supreme Court: HOA advocates argue that the law may impose an unconstitutional burden on community associations.What lawmakers are doing in Congress: Some legislators are backing proposals that would repeal or modify the Corporate Transparency Act.Why supporters say the law remains important: Advocates argue that beneficial ownership reporting helps law enforcement identify criminal activity and improve financial transparency.What role FINCEN plays in enforcement: The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has temporarily paused enforcement while legal and legislative challenges continue.Why the debate extends beyond housing: The controversy raises broader questions about balancing regulatory burdens against public safety, transparency, and crime prevention.What homeowners should watch moving forward: Court rulings, congressional action, and future enforcement decisions could all affect how community associations operate.The big takeaway: A law intended to fight financial crime could have unintended consequences for homeowners if compliance costs eventually translate into higher HOA fees.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/hoas-warn-of-higher-fees/

    5 min

  7. Jun 15

    The Disaster Prep Checklist Every Homeowner Needs

    Hurricane season is here, and many homeowners may be far less prepared than they think. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry discuss why disaster preparedness involves much more than insurance coverage, what every emergency kit should include, and the critical steps families can take before, during, and after a natural disaster to protect their safety, finances, and property. 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 disaster preparedness starts before the storm arrives: Waiting until a hurricane, wildfire, or flood is imminent can leave you scrambling for supplies and information.What every emergency supply kit should contain: Water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, sanitation items, and other essentials can make a major difference during an emergency.Why clean drinking water is a top priority: Experts recommend storing at least one gallon of water per person per day, plus additional supplies for pets.How to stay informed when power and cell service fail: Battery-powered and hand-crank radios can provide critical emergency updates when other communication systems go down.Why backup power sources matter: Portable battery packs and solar chargers can help keep phones and essential devices operational during extended outages.What families with children and pets should prepare: Special supplies for infants, children, and pets are often overlooked but can become essential during prolonged emergencies.Why prescription medications deserve special attention: Maintaining an emergency supply of necessary medications can prevent serious health complications during a disaster.How to protect important documents before disaster strikes: Digitizing insurance policies, identification documents, and financial records can simplify recovery efforts later.Why safe generator use is critical: Improper generator placement can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning during power outages.What homeowners should know about floodwater safety: Contaminated water can create significant health risks long after the immediate disaster has passed.Why post-disaster electrical safety is essential: Turning power back on too soon can create serious electrocution hazards in water-damaged homes.How preparation can speed up recovery: Having the right supplies, documents, and emergency plans in place can make rebuilding and insurance claims much easier.The big takeaway: Disaster preparedness is about far more than buying insurance—it requires planning, supplies, documentation, and safety measures that can protect your family before, during, and after an emergency.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/hurricane-season-natural-disaster-preparedness/

    5 min

  8. Jun 12

    The Home Insurance Reality Many Homeowners Never See Coming

    Nearly half of all home insurance claims filed with the nation’s largest insurers now go unpaid, leaving many homeowners shocked when they discover what their policies actually cover. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why claim denials are becoming more common, how rising deductibles and policy exclusions are affecting homeowners, and what you can do to avoid costly surprises before disaster strikes. 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 44% of claims went unpaid: Nearly half of all claims submitted to the five largest home insurers last year resulted in no payout.How rising deductibles are reducing claim payments: Higher deductibles often mean homeowners absorb smaller losses entirely out of pocket.Why percentage-based deductibles can be costly: Some policies now require homeowners to pay a percentage of their home's value before coverage begins.What standard homeowners insurance typically excludes: Floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters often require separate policies.Why flood insurance remains critically important: Many homeowners living in flood-prone areas still lack dedicated flood coverage despite known risks.Why insurance premiums continue to rise: More frequent disasters, higher rebuilding costs, and increasing material and labor expenses are driving premiums higher.What homeowners are noticing about insurance costs: Most homeowners report significant premium increases over the past several years.How climate-related disasters are impacting the insurance market: Extreme weather events have generated trillions of dollars in losses and continue to reshape the industry.Why insurers are changing coverage terms: Companies are adjusting deductibles, exclusions, and pricing to manage growing financial risks.What homeowners should review before disaster season: Understanding your deductible, exclusions, and supplemental coverage options can prevent unpleasant surprises later.Why reviewing your policy now matters: Waiting until after a disaster strikes may be too late to address gaps in your coverage.The big takeaway: Homeowners insurance may not provide the protection many people assume it does, making it essential to understand exactly what your policy covers before you ever need to file a claim.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/homeowners-insurance-claims-no-payout/

    5 min
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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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