Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Mortgage Research Network
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business News

The Mortgage Research Network Podcast is your no-fluff, data-backed guide to the housing market. We break down the latest trends, news, and stories into simple, clear insights. Each episode helps you understand what’s happening in the world of real estate and how to use that knowledge to make smarter decisions, from locking in a great rate to choosing the right time to buy. We're empowering you with the facts, confidence, and tools to become a homeowner one episode at a time.

  1. 17h ago

    New Homes for Less? Wedding Gifts, HELOCs & More

    Cash wedding gifts could help you buy a home, but will your mortgage lender accept them? In this episode, Tim Lucas explains a little-known Freddie Mac rule that makes it easier to use wedding gifts toward a down payment or closing costs, including what documentation you'll need. New construction may also be more affordable than you think. Recent data shows that new homes are selling for less per square foot than existing homes nationally, and builders in some markets have more incentive to negotiate. Tim looks at why that's happening and what buyers should consider when comparing new and older homes. Plus, home equity borrowing is booming as homeowners look for ways to access cash without giving up their low mortgage rates. Tim breaks down how HELOCs and home equity loans compare with cash-out refinancing, along with the costs and risks to consider before borrowing against your home. Comment below: Would you consider buying a new home instead of an existing one if it cost less per square foot? Follow Mortgage Research Network for more mortgage and housing market news, insights, and practical homebuying advice. 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 ------ 00:00 - Introduction 00:35 - Using Wedding Gifts for a Down Payment 03:03 - Why New Homes Can Cost Less Than Existing Homes 06:03 - Mortgage Rates Update 06:24 - HELOCs, Home Equity Loans & Cash-Out Refinancing 09:02 - Final Takeaways ------ #NewConstruction #HELOC #DownPayment

  2. 4d ago

    More Homes, More Mortgage Options, but Higher Rates

    In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani talks with Tom Hutchens, President of Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions, about the changing housing market and what it means for homebuyers. With housing inventory growing, sellers facing more competition, and mortgage rates above 7%, buyers are navigating a market filled with both opportunities and challenges. Tom explains where buyers may have more negotiating power, why affordability remains a major obstacle, and whether waiting for lower mortgage rates is the right strategy. They also explore alternative mortgage options, including non-QM loans for self-employed borrowers, gig workers, and real estate investors. Tom explains how products such as bank statement mortgages can help buyers qualify for financing, shares his outlook for mortgage rates heading into 2027, and offers advice for first-time homebuyers. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: Would you buy a home at today's mortgage rates if you found the right property, or would you rather wait? 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 Tom Hutchens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhutchens/ 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 01:01 The Current Housing Market 02:21 Where Homebuyers Have More Leverage 03:47 Rising Inventory and Seller Expectations 05:19 What's Holding Buyers Back? 07:10 What Could Bring Mortgage Rates Down? 08:21 Alternative Mortgage Options and Non-QM Loans 12:08 Housing Market Outlook for 2027 13:11 Advice for First-Time Homebuyers ------ #MortgageRates #HousingMarket #MortgageOptions

  3. Oct 12

    Buy, Sell, or Keep Renting? Making Sense of Today’s Housing Market

    Buying can help you build equity, but does it make more sense than renting? In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, Tim Lucas walks through the costs beyond your mortgage payment, how much equity you build early on, and why your plans for the next few years matter. For sellers, more buyer negotiating power means adjusting expectations. Tim explains how to price for today’s market, compare offers after concessions and selling costs, and consider your sale and next purchase together. Plus, does a slower housing market mean a crash is coming? Tim examines insights from economists Lawrence Yun and Daryl Fairweather, explains how lending standards and housing supply differ from the last crisis, and shares his take on leverage and debt. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: Are you planning to buy, sell, or keep renting—and what’s driving your decision? 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 ------ 00:00 — More negotiating power, but can you afford to buy? 00:39 — Buying versus renting: Compare the full cost 03:54 — Tim’s Take: Buy when it fits your life 04:36 — Selling when buyers have more options 07:20 — Tim’s Take: Adjusting seller expectations 07:59 — Why a nationwide housing crash appears unlikely 10:02 — Tim’s Take: Leverage and debt 10:28 — Final takeaways for buyers and sellers ------ #HousingMarket #MortgageTips #Homebuyers

  4. Oct 8

    Self-Employed? Here's What Mortgage Lenders Really Look At

    In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Mikhail Burdeen, Regional Sales Manager at Cornerstone Home Lending, about what it takes to qualify for a mortgage when you're self-employed. Unlike traditional W-2 employees, self-employed borrowers often face additional documentation requirements and a more detailed review of their income, business expenses, and tax returns. Mikhail explains why earning substantial business revenue doesn't necessarily translate into an equally high qualifying income. He discusses how lenders evaluate business cash flow, deductions, and net income, and why borrowers sometimes discover that they qualify for less than expected. He also explores alternative mortgage options, including bank statement loans, 1099 programs, asset-based financing, and DSCR loans for real estate investors. The conversation also covers how down payment requirements and interest rates may differ between conventional and alternative mortgage products, along with common mistakes self-employed homebuyers make during the application process. Mikhail emphasizes the importance of keeping organized financial records, maintaining good credit, and working with both a mortgage professional and tax preparer before filing taxes or beginning the homebuying process. Whether you're a business owner, independent contractor, freelancer, or real estate investor, this episode offers practical guidance on understanding your mortgage options and preparing to buy a home. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: If you're self-employed, what's been your biggest challenge when applying for a mortgage? 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 Mikhail Burdeen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhailburdeen/ 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 1:37 – Mortgages for Self-Employed Borrowers 2:27 – Income Documentation Requirements 4:30 – Mortgage Options for Self-Employed Buyers 5:29 – How Alternative Loans Compare 6:21 – Down Payment Requirements 7:39 – Interest Rates and Loan Costs 8:02 – Are Self-Employed Borrowers at a Disadvantage? 9:35 – How Business Revenue Affects Qualification 10:44 – Common Mistakes to Avoid 11:38 – Alternative Ways to Qualify 13:20 – How to Prepare for a Mortgage 16:19 – Advice for Today's Homebuyers 19:00 – Outro ------ #SelfEmployedMortgage #Homebuying #MortgageTips

  5. Oct 5

    FHA Credit Scores Are Changing: Why Approval Is Only Half the Battle

    FHA is changing the way lenders can evaluate credit, potentially opening another path to a mortgage for some homebuyers. But getting approved is only part of the equation. You still need to know whether the payment works for your budget — and whether the home itself could come with costs you aren’t expecting. In this episode, Tim Lucas breaks down the FHA’s upcoming credit-scoring changes, including the addition of VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T. He explains how newer scoring models can look at things like trended credit data and reported rental payments, why they may help some borrowers with limited credit histories, and why buyers shouldn’t expect every FHA lender to adopt the new options immediately. Tim also looks at why mortgage lending remains difficult even as borrowers take on larger payments relative to their income. An approval tells you what a lender is willing to lend, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the payment is comfortable for your household. Finally, he looks at a different affordability risk: HOAs and condo associations that haven’t saved enough for major repairs. Reserve studies, association budgets, insurance problems, and special assessments can all matter before you make an offer — and in extreme cases, those issues can affect both what you owe and whether the property is easy to sell later. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: What’s one cost you think homebuyers overlook after they get approved? 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 ------ 0:00 – Intro 0:42 – FHA credit score changes 2:51 – Tim’s Take: New credit scoring options 3:33 – Why getting a mortgage is still difficult 5:32 – Tim’s Take: Qualifying with a lower credit score 5:50 – Short break 6:11 – HOA special assessments and hidden costs 9:17 – Tim’s Take: Condo and HOA risks 9:47 – Wrapping up ------ #FHALoans #CreditScores #Homebuying

  6. Oct 1

    The First Step to Buying a Home Isn’t House Hunting

    In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Kara Ng, Senior Economist at Zillow, about what it really takes to become mortgage ready before you start seriously shopping for a home. Kara explains why buyers should begin preparing well before they find a property they want, including understanding their credit, building savings, and getting a realistic picture of what they can afford. The conversation breaks down why credit plays such an important role in the mortgage process, how factors such as payment history, debt, and new credit activity can affect a credit score, and why improving your credit can expand your mortgage options. Kara also discusses rent reporting as one way some renters may be able to build credit history and explains why prospective buyers should understand their own financial situation rather than relying only on broad rules of thumb. Paul and Kara also cover down payment planning, why buyers do not necessarily need 20% down, and the importance of budgeting for costs beyond the purchase price, including property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, maintenance, furniture, and appliances. Kara explains how buyers can use lenders and online affordability tools to better understand their buying power as mortgage rates change, and why getting pre-approved before seriously house hunting can help buyers focus on homes that fit their budget. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: What part of getting mortgage ready do you think buyers are most likely to overlook? 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 Kara Ng: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-alice-ng/⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.zillow.com/research/author/karan/⁠ 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 0:51 – What Does It Mean to Be Mortgage Ready? 2:02 – How Early Should Buyers Start Preparing? 3:01 – Why Credit Matters 3:32 – What Goes Into a Credit Score? 3:53 – What Credit Score Should Buyers Aim For? 5:10 – What Can Raise or Lower Your Credit Score? 5:49 – Using Rent Payments to Build Credit 6:51 – Tools for Improving Your Credit 7:49 – Saving for a Down Payment 8:47 – Costs First-Time Buyers Often Overlook 9:20 – How Much Home Can You Actually Afford? 10:42 – When Should You Get Pre-Approved? 11:22 – Kara’s Advice for First-Time Buyers 12:12 – Outro ------ #Homebuying #MortgageReady #CreditScore

  7. Sep 28

    More Leverage, Less Interest, Higher Home Values: What’s the Trade-Off?

    In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Tim Lucas examines three housing trends that appear encouraging on paper but come with important trade-offs. Homebuyers finally have more listings to choose from, pending sales have slowed, and about 21% of listings recently had a price cut. That gives qualified buyers more room to negotiate over price, closing costs, repairs, and mortgage rate buydowns. However, a buyer’s market cannot make an unaffordable monthly payment affordable. Tim also breaks down how making the equivalent of one extra mortgage payment each year could affect a $300,000, 30-year mortgage at 7%. The strategy could shorten the loan term by roughly six years and save around $100,000 in interest. But paying extra toward a mortgage may not be the best priority for someone carrying high-interest debt, lacking an emergency fund, or holding a very low mortgage rate. Tim explains the biweekly payment method, a simpler monthly alternative, and why borrowers should confirm that extra money is applied directly to principal. Finally, the episode looks at the growing connection between data centers and local housing markets. Counties with many data centers have experienced higher home values and stronger appreciation, but that does not prove the facilities caused that growth. Tim explores the potential effects on permanent employment, electricity costs, water use, infrastructure, and the future resale appeal of nearby homes. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: Would you put extra cash toward your mortgage or keep it in savings? 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 ------ 0:00 – Intro 0:44 – Homebuyers Gain More Leverage 2:18 – Finding Out What the Seller Values 2:46 – Making One Extra Mortgage Payment 3:31 – Biweekly Payments and Servicer Rules 4:16 – When Paying Extra May Not Make Sense 5:17 – Cash Is King 5:57 – How Data Centers Affect Housing 7:14 – Correlation Versus Causation 8:06 – Electricity and Water Concerns 8:34 – Research Before You Buy 9:17 – Final Takeaways ------ #HousingMarket #MortgageTips #Homebuyers

  8. Sep 24

    Don’t Take the First Mortgage Offer. Here’s How to Shop Around.

    In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Hector Amendola, president at SimplyPMG, about how homebuyers can shop around for a mortgage, compare competing offers, and make a more informed choice before committing to a lender. Hector explains why borrowers should focus on getting an accurate, personalized quote rather than simply chasing the fastest answer, and why factors such as credit, income, debt, and down payment can affect the rate and terms a lender offers. The conversation also covers how many mortgage quotes buyers should get and how shopping around can create negotiating leverage. Hector recommends getting three quotes to get a good sense of the market and identify offers that may be out of line. He also explains which parts of a mortgage may have some room for negotiation and which costs, such as certain title, escrow, recording, tax, and insurance expenses, are generally outside a loan officer’s control. Hector also breaks down what buyers should look at when comparing mortgage offers, including the difference between the interest rate and APR, the monthly payment, and how much money they will need to bring to closing. He explains why the lowest rate is not always the only factor worth considering and why communication, strategy, and trust in the loan officer can matter during a stressful home purchase. He closes with advice for first-time homebuyers navigating today’s market and explains why having more negotiating room with sellers can sometimes open the door to financing options that may be harder to use in a highly competitive market. Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates. Comment below: When comparing mortgage offers, what matters most to you: the rate, the closing costs, or the lender you’re working with? 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 Hector Amendola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamendola/ 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 1:30 – Preparing to Shop for a Mortgage 3:03 – How Long Does a Mortgage Quote Take? 4:40 – How Many Mortgage Quotes Should You Get? 6:53 – What Makes a Good Loan Officer? 8:53 – What Mortgage Costs Are Negotiable? 11:27 – How to Compare Mortgage Offers 12:38 – Choosing Between Similar Mortgage Offers 14:29 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers 16:04 – Outro ------ #MortgageTips #MortgageRates #Homebuying

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The Mortgage Research Network Podcast is your no-fluff, data-backed guide to the housing market. We break down the latest trends, news, and stories into simple, clear insights. Each episode helps you understand what’s happening in the world of real estate and how to use that knowledge to make smarter decisions, from locking in a great rate to choosing the right time to buy. We're empowering you with the facts, confidence, and tools to become a homeowner one episode at a time.

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