Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Voters across the country weighed in on housing affordability during the 2026 midterm elections. California approved billions of dollars for housing programs and homebuyer assistance, while Florida voters backed changes to property tax exemptions. But not every proposal passed. Tim Lucas breaks down the results and what these measures could mean for homeowners, buyers, and housing costs.Denver has reported a 64% reduction in unsheltered homelessness since 2023. What's behind that progress? We examine how the city is using temporary housing and support services to help people get back on their feet, along with the challenges of turning short-term solutions into lasting housing stability.Meanwhile, prospective homebuyers are changing their expectations. A new Veterans United survey suggests fewer buyers are willing to wait for lower mortgage rates and home prices. And with more homes available but fewer purchase contracts being signed, buyers may have more negotiating power than they realize. We look at what today's market offers and how buyers might negotiate lower prices, closing costs, and other concessions.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: If you were buying a home today, would you prioritize negotiating a lower purchase price or getting the seller to cover your closing costs?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------00:00 Introduction00:52 Housing Ballot Measures: What Voters Approved05:48 Denver's Approach to Homelessness09:33 Homebuyers Adjusting to Today's Market12:52 Final Thoughts------#HousingAffordability #MortgageRates #HousingMarket

Americans now hold more wealth in stocks than in their homes. But with much of the stock market's recent growth tied to artificial intelligence, what could a major market downturn mean for buyers saving for a down payment? Tim Lucas examines the risks and why the timing of your investments matters.Thinking about buying your first rental property? A DSCR mortgage could offer another way to qualify based on the property's rental income. Tim explains how these loans work, walks through a real-world calculation, and discusses the expenses and financial risks that new landlords need to consider.And what about the Bank of Mom and Dad? Financial help from parents can make homeownership possible, but gifts, family loans, and co-signing come with different responsibilities. Tim breaks down the mortgage requirements, tax considerations, and potential financial pitfalls families should understand.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: If you were buying a home within the next year, would you keep your down payment savings invested in stocks or move them into a lower-risk account?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------00:00 Introduction 00:38 Stocks Overtake Homes in American Wealth 02:12 Tim's Take: Protecting Your Down Payment 02:55 DSCR Mortgages: Financing Your First Rental 05:11 Tim's Take: The Real Costs of Being a Landlord 05:45 Mortgage Rates 06:00 The Bank of Mom and Dad 08:17 Final Thoughts ------#MortgageNews #DSCRLoans #Homebuying

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Jeffrey Ruben, President of WSFS Home Lending, about navigating today's challenging housing market and preparing financially for homeownership. With mortgage rates remaining elevated and affordability putting pressure on buyers, Jeffrey explains why understanding your local market, knowing what you can comfortably afford, and having a financial plan are more important than trying to predict where interest rates will go next.The conversation explores how buyers can evaluate their finances before purchasing a home, including calculating debt-to-income ratios, building savings for a down payment, and maintaining a strong credit profile. Jeffrey also discusses why qualifying for a mortgage doesn't necessarily mean you should borrow the maximum amount available, and how leaving room in your budget for unexpected expenses can help make homeownership more sustainable.Paul and Jeffrey also examine mortgage options that may help buyers manage costs, including adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) and how they compare with traditional fixed-rate loans. They discuss why your future plans should influence your mortgage decisions, how getting preapproved can strengthen an offer, and why higher mortgage rates may actually create negotiating opportunities for buyers in some local markets.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Would you rather buy a home now with less competition and potentially more negotiating power, or wait for mortgage rates to fall?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Jeffrey Ruben:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-ruben-983165379/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:36 – Meet Jeffrey Ruben1:04 – Understanding Your Local Housing Market2:57 – How Much Home Can You Afford?3:32 – Debt-to-Income Ratios Explained5:09 – Down Payments and Credit Scores5:58 – Qualifying vs. Comfortably Affording a Mortgage7:23 – Mortgage Options and Adjustable-Rate Loans9:54 – Choosing a Mortgage Based on Your Future Plans11:12 – Preparing Financially to Buy a Home12:38 – Why Mortgage Preapproval Matters13:23 – First-Time Homebuyer Advice and Negotiating Power------#Homebuying #HousingMarket #MortgageTips

Mortgage rates could remain above 7% through the end of 2027, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Fannie Mae has also raised its forecast, leaving homebuyers wondering when borrowing costs might finally come down. Tim Lucas examines what's keeping mortgage rates elevated, why Federal Reserve rate cuts don't necessarily mean lower mortgage rates, and what buyers should consider before making decisions based on rate predictions.Meanwhile, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are making a comeback as buyers look for ways to lower their monthly payments. Tim explains how ARMs work, why their initial rates can be attractive, and what borrowers should understand about future rate adjustments.New data from ICE also reveals how borrowers are managing higher mortgage costs through discount points and temporary rate buydowns. Plus, some homeowners with existing ARMs could face substantial payment increases when their loans reset. Tim breaks down the numbers and what they mean for borrowers.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Would you consider an adjustable-rate mortgage to get a lower initial payment?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:43 – Mortgage Rates Above 7% Through 2027?3:08 – Why Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Are Making a Comeback6:35 – Discount Points, ARM Resets & HELOCs9:51 – Final Takeaways------#MortgageRates #AdjustableRateMortgage #Homebuying

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Shawn King, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Arrive Home, about why some people struggle to qualify for a mortgage even when they have the income to afford the payments. Shawn explains how traditional mortgage underwriting can create challenges for self-employed borrowers, gig workers, and others with unconventional income or credit histories, and why alternative approaches to evaluating borrowers may help expand access to homeownership.The conversation explores the differences between traditional and nontraditional credit, including how lenders verify income, evaluate credit scores, and assess a borrower's ability to repay. Shawn discusses the growing role of rent-payment history, how VantageScore differs from FICO, and why someone's credit profile doesn't always tell the complete story of their financial situation. He also shares the story of a renovated home that attracted 100 prospective buyers, none of whom could qualify for traditional financing despite paying comparable amounts in rent.Paul and Shawn also examine ways to overcome common barriers to homeownership, including FHA loans, state and national down payment assistance programs, and Arrive Home's Earned Equity Program, which provides an alternative path for certain borrowers who cannot qualify for a traditional mortgage. Shawn explains how these programs work, who they may benefit, and why understanding the available options is important. He closes with advice for first-time homebuyers about affordability, building equity, and approaching homeownership as a long-term financial decision.Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.Comment below: Do you think a history of paying rent on time should carry more weight when qualifying for a mortgage?Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Shawn King:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skingbogus/Website: https://arrivehome.org/our-sales-team/shawn-king/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:27 – Meet Shawn King of Arrive Home1:44 – What Is Traditional Credit?2:49 – Who Are Nontraditional Borrowers?4:37 – Can Rent Payments Help You Qualify?7:18 – FICO vs. VantageScore7:48 – How Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score9:45 – Why You Don't Need 20% Down10:37 – FHA Loans and Down Payment Assistance12:54 – National Down Payment Assistance Programs14:41 – Alternative Paths to Homeownership16:45 – How the Earned Equity Program Works17:41 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers20:54 – The Long-Term Value of Homeownership------#MortgageOptions #DownPaymentAssistance #Homebuying

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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------00:00 - Introduction00:35 - Using Wedding Gifts for a Down Payment03:03 - Why New Homes Can Cost Less Than Existing Homes06:03 - Mortgage Rates Update06:24 - HELOCs, Home Equity Loans & Cash-Out Refinancing09:02 - Final Takeaways------#NewConstruction #HELOC #DownPayment

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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Tom Hutchens:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhutchens/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------00:00 Intro01:01 The Current Housing Market02:21 Where Homebuyers Have More Leverage03:47 Rising Inventory and Seller Expectations05:19 What's Holding Buyers Back?07:10 What Could Bring Mortgage Rates Down?08:21 Alternative Mortgage Options and Non-QM Loans12:08 Housing Market Outlook for 202713:11 Advice for First-Time Homebuyers------#MortgageRates #HousingMarket #MortgageOptions

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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect 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 cost03:54 — Tim’s Take: Buy when it fits your life04:36 — Selling when buyers have more options07:20 — Tim’s Take: Adjusting seller expectations07:59 — Why a nationwide housing crash appears unlikely10:02 — Tim’s Take: Leverage and debt10:28 — Final takeaways for buyers and sellers------#HousingMarket #MortgageTips #Homebuyers

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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Mikhail Burdeen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhailburdeen/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro1:37 – Mortgages for Self-Employed Borrowers2:27 – Income Documentation Requirements4:30 – Mortgage Options for Self-Employed Buyers5:29 – How Alternative Loans Compare6:21 – Down Payment Requirements7:39 – Interest Rates and Loan Costs8:02 – Are Self-Employed Borrowers at a Disadvantage?9:35 – How Business Revenue Affects Qualification10:44 – Common Mistakes to Avoid11:38 – Alternative Ways to Qualify13:20 – How to Prepare for a Mortgage16:19 – Advice for Today's Homebuyers19:00 – Outro------#SelfEmployedMortgage #Homebuying #MortgageTips

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/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with a lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 – Intro0:42 – FHA credit score changes2:51 – Tim’s Take: New credit scoring options3:33 – Why getting a mortgage is still difficult5:32 – Tim’s Take: Qualifying with a lower credit score5:50 – Short break6:11 – HOA special assessments and hidden costs9:17 – Tim’s Take: Condo and HOA risks9:47 – Wrapping up------#FHALoans #CreditScores #Homebuying