Raw & Real Real Estate

Marysolortizrealtor

Welcome to Raw & Real Real Estate with your host, Marysol Ortiz. Here, we cut through the noise and have honest conversations about the housing market. Each episode brings you real insights, stories, and perspectives from inside the industry, so you can better understand what’s really happening in real estate today.

Episodes

  1. 11/11/2025

    How We Saved Up to Buy Our Home and How You Can Too

    Most people think saving for a house is only about the down payment — but sometimes the real challenge is affording the monthly payment once you own it. In this episode, I share how my husband and I prepared financially for the new construction home we went under contract on in May 2023 — our third home overall, but the first one we purchased together.   Because we were using my husband’s VA loan and the builder covered closing costs, we didn’t need to save for a down payment. What we did need to save for? * Payment shock — our new mortgage was going to triple our current one * A financial cushion so we didn’t feel house-poor * Extra funds to buy down the interest rate when rates started climbing toward 8%   The home was supposed to be done in December, but delays pushed closing to March — and that turned out to be a blessing. With the money we saved, we bought down our interest rate to 5.6% instead of being stuck with 8%.   Inside this episode, you’ll hear: The system we used to track every expense and identify what to cut Why moving in with family temporarily helped us save the fastest How we mentally prepared for a much higher mortgage payment How we ended up saving enough to also start our first flip Why even repeat buyers need a first-time buyer mindset when the market shifts   This episode is for: * First-time buyers who feel overwhelmed by rising rates * Couples saving together for a home * VA buyers or zero-down buyers who still want to be financially prepared * Anyone terrified of “payment shock” or becoming house-poor   This episode is fully based on my own personal experience and I hope it helps you!

    12 min
  2. 09/22/2025

    Buying in 2025: The Real Truth in Lending

    In this episode of Raw & Real Real Estate, I sit down with Cesar Garcia, a loan officer with over 15 years of experience in the industry, to break down the most popular  questions buyers and homeowners face: how much interest rates really matter, whether 20% down actually lowers your monthly payment, and when refinancing makes sense — including the fees to watch out for. Cesar explains that the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all—it depends on your financial goals. Are you trying to save money long-term by reducing interest over the life of your loan? Or are you more focused on keeping monthly payments manageable to fit your budget today? We talk about the pros and cons of refinancing, what homeowners should consider before making a move, and why sometimes allocating extra cash elsewhere may make more sense than a large down payment. Whether you’re buying your first home, thinking about refinancing, or just trying to make the most of your money, this conversation will help you understand how to align your mortgage strategy with your personal goals. Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Marysol Ortiz and Raw & Real Real Estate make no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Listeners should consult their own qualified professionals before making any financial or real estate decisions.

    22 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to Raw & Real Real Estate with your host, Marysol Ortiz. Here, we cut through the noise and have honest conversations about the housing market. Each episode brings you real insights, stories, and perspectives from inside the industry, so you can better understand what’s really happening in real estate today.