Loans Elevated

Everyone says we need more affordable housing—but why is it so hard to actually build it?

In this episode of Loans Elevated, we sit down with Josh Best of Countryside Homes to unpack the real reasons behind Utah’s housing affordability crisis. From zoning roadblocks and city politics to skyrocketing labor costs and fees, we reveal what’s really driving prices higher—and what (if anything) can fix it.

You’ll learn:

• Why zoning rules and city councils often kill affordability before a project starts
• How labor shortages, tariffs, and fees add tens of thousands to home prices
• Why a 40-year mortgage isn’t the solution most people think it is
• How builders are negotiating behind the scenes to keep homes “affordable”
• What buyers should really focus on in today’s market to get into a home

 👉 Run your own numbers with our Strategic Mortgage Audit: loanselevated.com/mortgage-audit

🎧 Listen now for an inside look at the people, politics, and pressures shaping today’s housing market.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

The jobs market just showed its first real cracks in 5 years—and the ripple effect is already hitting mortgage rates.

In this week’s Loans Elevated episode, we break down the latest BLS report, Fed expectations, and why this could be the golden window for buyers.

You’ll learn:

• Why unemployment and weak job growth are now the #1 driver of mortgage rates
• Why Fed cuts in September are already “priced in”
• The risk of stagflation if the Fed moves too aggressively
• How today mirrors the 1980s rate whiplash (and why that matters now)
• Why now may be the perfect moment to buy—before the crowd jumps back in
• Smart ways to use HELOCs and refinancing to consolidate debt without losing your low COVID-era rate

👉 Want to know what this shift means for your numbers? Get a free Strategic Mortgage Audit: loanselevated.com/mortgage-audit

🎧 Listen now and learn how to position yourself before the market reacts.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Why are some listings flying off the market while others sit for weeks or months?

In this episode of Loans Elevated, we bring on top Utah realtor Nick Gonzalez to debate the age-old question: What sells a home faster—compelling price or superior quality?

You’ll learn:

• Why “days on market” is like cancer for listings
• How buyers actually calculate value (hint: they exaggerate repair costs 5–10x)
• When to upgrade before listing vs. when to drop price
• Why unrepresented buyers are a massive untapped opportunity right now
• How certainty beats “top dollar” in today’s market negotiations

Whether you’re a seller trying to net the most, or an agent trying to guide clients through a shifting market, this episode will give you a blueprint for smarter strategy.

🎧 Listen now and avoid the mistakes that cost sellers tens of thousands.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Is real estate still a legit path to retirement in 2025?

In this episode of Loans Elevated, we tackle one of the most common questions we get from clients: Can I still become a millionaire through real estate in today’s market?

You’ll learn:

• Why seller financing isn’t always the “golden ticket” (and the risks of due-on-sale clauses)
• The truth about chasing cash flow vs. banking on appreciation
• How buying just 2 homes in your lifetime can set you up with multimillion-dollar retirement wealth
• A step-by-step example of turning a $450K starter home into a $2.8M asset + $1.2M in investments
• The rental portfolio loop: how to use HELOCs & primaries to scale smarter

Real estate may not be the flashy play right now, but the math proves it’s still one of the cleanest, most certain paths to generational wealth.

👉 Want to run your own numbers? Start with our free Mortgage Audit: LoansElevated.com/mortgage-audit

🎧 Tune in now and rethink what’s possible with just a couple of smart real estate moves.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

What separates a good home from a truly great one? For Sage Homes, it’s uncompromising quality, obsessive attention to detail, and a culture that puts people first.

In this episode of Loans Elevated, we sit down with Doug from Sage Homes to uncover:

• How Sage achieves flawless fit and finish—even where most builders cut corners
• Why culture and team vision matter just as much as blueprints
• The story of a 26-year-old Draper home transformed into a better-than-new luxury masterpiece
• The evolution of Sage Homes—from framing crews to multimillion-dollar custom builds
• Why the right builder relationship is more valuable than any discount

🏡 If you’re a realtor or buyer considering a $1.5M+ custom home or luxury remodel, this episode is a masterclass in what to look for.

📹 See Sage’s full transformations → YourSageHome.com

🎧 Listen now to learn why Sage Homes is setting the new standard in luxury.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics just dropped another jobs report and we’re calling BS.

This week on Loans Elevated, we break down how massive downward revisions and the flawed “birth-death” model are painting a false picture of the labor market… and keeping mortgage rates higher than they should be.

You’ll learn:

• How May & June’s job gains were actually losses after revisions
• Why the Fed still reacts to headline numbers instead of the truth
• The real difference between full-time and part-time job growth right now
• Why bad data is keeping rates sticky—and what could change it
• How to read between the lines using revisions & household surveys

🧠 Want to know what this means for your mortgage strategy?
👉 loanselevated.com/mortgage-audit

Don’t get played by bad headlines. Follow the real data and make smarter moves with your money.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Can’t buy your next home until you sell your current one?

This week on Loans Elevated, we break down the smartest alternative to a traditional bridge loan—one that eliminates DTI roadblocks, minimizes fees, and gives you real leverage in this buyer’s market.

You’ll learn:

• Why most bridge loans suck (and what makes ours different)
• How to exclude your current mortgage from DTI
• Using a fast-close HELOC to fund the down payment
• Why this works even if your home hasn’t sold yet
• How to refinance later and lower your rate

We call it the 2-Home Tango and it’s solving the biggest pain point in real estate right now.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Jerome Powell is (likely) out. The Fed is about to pivot. But what does that actually mean for mortgage rates, buyers, and the housing market?

In this episode of Loans Elevated, we break down the complex relationship between the Fed, inflation, bond markets, global uncertainty, and mortgage interest rates.

Understand:

• Why replacing the Fed Chair may not impact mortgage rates the way you think
• The real reason rates could stay high even if the Fed cuts
• How U.S. debt, deficit, and Treasury demand directly affect your borrowing power
• Why confidence (not politics) may be the key to rate relief

Know someone who thinks Fed cuts = mortgage savings? Send them this.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

Remember those people who said, “You’ll regret buying in 2022”?

This week on Loans Elevated, we set the record straight and bring the data receipts.

You’ll learn:

• What actually happened to home values since 2022
• Why the average buyer has gained $30K–$60K+ in equity
• How temporary buydowns work (and why they weren’t a trap)
• Why waiting for “the perfect rate” cost some people their shot
• How to use today’s market (higher inventory, lower competition) to your advantage

Plus, we break down why long-term homeownership wins—even when rates stay high.

👉 Ready to stop waiting and start building equity?
 Get your free Strategic Mortgage Audit at: loanselevated.com/mortgage-audit

Like, share, subscribe, and send this to someone still on the fence.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.

The media is still pushing fear. TikTok is full of bad advice. And most buyers are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for a “better time.”

In this episode of Loans Elevated, we dismantle the 5 most common homebuying myths with real math, real market stats, and zero fluff.

You’ll learn:

• Why “waiting for rates to drop” is a financial trap
• How renting is actually riskier than buying
• Why you don’t need 20% down (and shouldn’t wait for it)
• How to analyze appreciation vs interest savings
• Why 2025 might be your best opportunity to leverage

Plus, we break down the true ROI of owning a home, even in high-rate environments, and how short-term emotional fear costs long-term generational wealth.

💻 Want a free Cost of Waiting Report? 👉 loanselevated.com/mortgage-audit

Send us Fan Mail

🎙 Loans Elevated Podcast

Clear, strategic conversations on mortgages, real estate, and home financing — designed to help you make confident, informed decisions without the hype.

Hosted by Loans Elevated, presented by The Lassig Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

🔗 Resources & links: https://lassigteam.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @loanselevated

Hosts:
Broch Lassig - Branch Manager | NMLS 340314  
TJ Heidenreich - Sales Manager | NMLS 1802412  
Ryan King - Loan Officer | NMLS 1870771  
Branch NMLS 2048956

Equal Housing Opportunity.
All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | NMLS 3029  
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.