More than half of U.S. homes saw a dip in value this year—but only 4% have actually fallen below their original purchase price. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why scary headlines don’t reflect the real story and why the housing market remains far more stable than it sounds.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The distinction: 53% of homes declined year-over-year, but just 4% lost value since purchase—mostly paper losses.
• Where it’s happening: Localized soft spots—Little Rock (20%), Austin (12%), parts of Florida (~11%), and a few others.
• Why it’s not 2008: No foreclosure wave, no underwater crisis—only 3.4% of new listings are priced below their last sale price.
• Equity remains strong: Americans hold $36 trillion in home equity, giving owners huge cushions against small market dips.
• What it means: Long-term owners are largely unaffected, recent buyers still hold equity, and small corrections may create buyer opportunities.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/half-of-homes-lost-value-over-the-past-year/

Credit scores have long acted as gatekeepers to homeownership—but Fannie Mae is rethinking that approach. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why the agency is scrapping its 620 minimum credit score, what it really means for borrowers, and how it could open the door to more responsible buyers.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The change: As of November 16, 2025, Fannie Mae removes its hard 620 minimum, following Freddie Mac’s earlier move.
• The why: The old system excluded “thin file” borrowers—young adults, immigrants, and debt-free consumers with little credit history.
• The new approach: Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter AI now evaluates a borrower’s entire financial picture, from rent and utility payments to savings and income consistency.
• The impact: This shift helps responsible borrowers who were unfairly penalized, while maintaining strong underwriting standards.
• The bigger picture: It’s not about lowering the bar—it’s about measuring the right things to make homeownership more inclusive and data-driven.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/fannie-mae-joins-freddie-mac-in-scrapping-the-620-minimum-credit-score/

What if you could buy a home and keep the seller’s 2.65% mortgage rate? Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore the government’s new proposals for assumable and portable mortgages—and why they might sound simpler than they are.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The big idea: Buyers could assume or “port” a seller’s low-rate loan instead of starting a new one.
• The math: A 2.65% rate vs. today’s 6.3% could save $600+ per month on a $300K loan.
• The catch: Most sellers have already paid down their loans, leaving buyers to finance the rest at today’s higher rates.
• Why it’s rare: FHA, VA, and USDA loans are already assumable, but few buyers have the cash—or lender approval—to make it work.
• Portable mortgage concept: Borrowers could take their loan with them when they move, but U.S. lenders are likely to resist due to lost profits.
• The real fix: Experts argue the true solution isn’t new loan types—it’s building more affordable homes.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/government-proposes-assumable-portable-mortgages/

A 50-year mortgage might sound extreme—but it’s being floated as the next big housing solution. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack what this proposal could mean for affordability, interest costs, and the long-term future of American homeownership.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The pitch: A 50-year mortgage could cut payments by about $240/month on a $350K loan, making housing more accessible to younger buyers.
• The trade-off: You’d pay roughly $833K in interest over 50 years—nearly double what a 30-year mortgage costs.
• Why now: With rates near 6–7%, buyers are desperate for relief—Google searches for “help with mortgage” just hit their highest point since 2009.
• Market ripple: Easier payments could increase demand and drive prices higher, especially with housing supply still constrained.
• The bigger issue: Experts argue affordability won’t be solved by loan terms—it’ll take more housing supply and regulatory reform.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/50-year-mortgage-in-development/

Homes that once cost 3x household income now average 5x nationwide—and in places like San Jose, that ratio hits 12.5x. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how we got here, what it means for buyers, and why the gap between homeowners and renters keeps widening.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The affordability shift: A family earning $100K could once afford a $320K home—today, that same family needs $500K, pushing payments from $2,600 → $4,000.
• The wealth divide: U.S. homeowners now hold $36 trillion in equity, with 3 in 5 owners having $100K+ in tappable equity.
• Who’s left behind: Younger buyers face rising rates, high down payments, and delayed entry—average first-time buyer age now 40.
• Equity feedback loop: Wealthy owners tap home equity for investments, driving prices even higher.
• The broader impact: From shrinking affordability to delayed families and new migration patterns, housing costs are reshaping American life.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/home-prices-five-times-average-household-income/

The average first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old, and nearly 15 million young adults still live with their parents. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry dig into the data behind this generational housing shift and what it means for the future of wealth and independence in America.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The numbers: Only 2% of buyers are under 24, and just 10% are 25–34—down from 40% pre-2008.
• Living arrangements: Nearly half of 18–24-year-olds live with parents, and millions more with relatives or in dorms.
• Economic headwinds: Youth unemployment at 10.5%, two-thirds earning under 80% of local median income.
• Housing strain: Over 50% of young renters are cost-burdened—spending more than 30% of income on rent.
• Long-term consequences: Delayed homeownership means missed equity growth and widening wealth inequality.
• The bigger shift: A generation redefining adulthood amid housing costs, student debt, and stagnant wages.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/15-million-young-adults-living-with-parents/

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is leaving a $14 billion hole in the economy—and the housing market is taking the hit. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack how loan delays, frozen flood insurance, and stalled approvals are rippling through communities nationwide.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The immediate fallout: Home listings down 14% in D.C., 5% in Virginia Beach, and 2%+ in cities like Baltimore and Oklahoma City.
• Real-world impact: USDA loan buyers—often low- to moderate-income families—stuck in limbo with no one to finalize approvals.
• Flood insurance freeze: The National Flood Insurance Program is suspended—no new policies, lapsed renewals, and delayed claims.
• Economic toll: Between $7–14 billion in unrecoverable GDP and lasting damage to confidence in government-backed lending.
• The human side: Families burning through savings while homes—and dreams—sit just out of reach.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/government-shutdown-begins-to-bite-in-housing-market-says-national-association-of-realtors/

A landmark 2024 court ruling changed how real estate agents get paid—and buyers are asking if they still need one. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore the rise of DIY homebuying advice on Reddit, what buyers risk by going solo, and why agents may still be worth every penny.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The new reality: Buyers may now pay their agent directly (2–3%), though many sellers still cover commissions in practice.
• The Reddit verdict: DIY buyers often stumble—some lose deals simply for not knowing proper offer procedures.
• Why representation matters: Buyer’s agents handle negotiations, inspections, repair requests, and closing coordination—not just showings.
• The hidden risk: Listing agents legally represent the seller, not the buyer, no matter how friendly they seem.
• Smart takeaway: Interview multiple agents and find one who fits your goals—the right agent can pay for themselves in negotiation wins.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/do-you-need-a-real-estate-agent-reddit/

Two major banking groups say lowering mortgage rates could be as easy as flipping a policy switch. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack a bold proposal that could nudge rates under 6%, how it works, and why it’s sparking debate in Washington.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The proposal: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would buy $300 billion in mortgage-backed securities when rates exceed 1.7% above 10-year Treasuries.
• The potential payoff: Could drop the average 30-year fixed rate from 6.19% → 5.89%, saving homeowners hundreds per month.
• The catch: More risk on Fannie and Freddie’s books—the same issue that led to their 2008 conservatorship.
• Why now: The Fed stopped buying MBS in 2022, leaving a gap in the market that’s kept rates elevated.
• The big question: Should the government step in to lower rates—or let the market correct itself naturally?

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/proposed-fannie-freddie-rule-change-could-push-mortgage-rates-below-6/

By 2060, nearly one in four Americans will be over 65—and that shift is already transforming the housing market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how seniors’ needs are redefining home design, policy, and community living across the country.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The scale of change: By 2035, the U.S. will have almost 12 million people over 85, many living in homes never designed for aging.
• The affordability crisis: 24-hour in-home care costs $290K per year, while average housing expenses eat up 35% of retirees’ income.
• Creative solutions: Shared housing among seniors has doubled in 20 years, with over 1 million older adults finding roommates or co-living options.
• ADUs & zoning battles: Backyard units could help—but local resistance (NIMBYism) still slows progress.
• The emotional factor: Isolation can be as harmful as smoking; shared housing and multigenerational setups offer powerful social benefits.
• The road ahead: Expect policy reform, flexible housing designs, and community-based solutions that work for all ages.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/seniors-housing-needs-evolving/