Americans are spending more even as debt rises and savings shrink, leaving some homeowners looking to their record levels of home equity for financial relief. With credit card rates far above most home equity borrowing costs, HELOCs and home equity loans can offer a way to manage high-interest debt without giving up a low-rate first mortgage. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the record amount of tappable equity available to homeowners, why cash-out refinancing has become less attractive, and why shopping among lenders can make a meaningful difference.

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

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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

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why consumer spending is still growing: Spending increased sharply year over year in June, including discretionary purchases rather than just necessities.
• Why strong spending doesn't necessarily mean strong finances: Rising household debt and declining savings suggest some consumers may be spending even as their financial cushions become thinner.
• How homeowners can tap their equity: Home equity loans and HELOCs allow qualified homeowners to borrow against their property without replacing their existing mortgage.
• Why cash-out refinancing has become less attractive: Homeowners with older, lower-rate mortgages may be reluctant to refinance their entire balance at today's higher rates just to access cash.
• How much home equity Americans have accumulated: Mortgage holders collectively held a record $18 trillion in equity during the second quarter of 2026, including $11.7 trillion considered tappable.
• Why home equity can help with high-interest debt: Borrowing against a home may offer substantially lower interest rates than credit cards, potentially reducing interest costs for homeowners who use the strategy carefully.
• Why not every homeowner can tap equity: Hundreds of thousands of borrowers remain underwater, particularly some recent buyers and homeowners in markets where property values have declined.
• How much borrowing costs vary between lenders: Even borrowers with similar credit profiles can receive meaningfully different interest rates depending on which lender they choose.
• Why government-backed borrowers may see larger differences: Rate spreads can be especially wide among FHA and VA borrowers and consumers with lower credit scores or higher loan-to-value ratios.
• The big takeaway: Home equity can be a valuable tool for managing expensive debt, but borrowing against a home comes with real risks. Homeowners should compare lenders carefully, consider the total cost of borrowing, and make sure using secured debt fits their broader financial situation.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/home-equity-record-high-credit-card-debt/

HOA and condo residents are facing growing financial pressure as higher costs, underfunded reserves, and stricter lending requirements collide. At the same time, HOA-related foreclosures have jumped nearly 40% in two years, raising concerns about what happens when struggling associations pass their financial problems on to homeowners. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the new condo reserve requirements, why dues could rise, and how unpaid HOA assessments can ultimately put a homeowner’s property at risk.

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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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

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why some condo owners could face higher dues: New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac requirements generally call for condo associations to direct more of their income toward reserve funding.
• Why reserve funds matter: Associations use reserves to pay for major repairs and replacements, helping reduce the need for large unexpected special assessments.
• How widespread underfunding may be: Only about one-quarter of condo reserve funds are considered well-funded, leaving many associations with limited financial cushions.
• What the new requirement could cost residents: Fannie Mae estimates the higher reserve contribution could add roughly $13 to $14 per month for some condo owners.
• Why ignoring the rules could affect property values: Condos that do not meet Fannie and Freddie requirements may be harder to finance, potentially shrinking the pool of prospective buyers.
• Why HOAs are under pressure too: Rising insurance premiums, maintenance costs, and inadequate reserves are putting financial strain on many community associations.
• How HOA-related foreclosures are changing: Foreclosures tied to unpaid association dues increased nearly 40% over the two years ending in the first quarter of 2026.
• How unpaid dues can threaten a home: Depending on state law and governing documents, associations may place liens on properties and eventually pursue foreclosure to collect delinquent assessments.
• Why foreclosure practices vary: Industry groups recommend giving homeowners notice and opportunities to resolve delinquent balances, but those guidelines are not legally binding on every association.
• The big takeaway: Stronger reserves can make condo and HOA communities more financially stable over the long term, but getting there may mean higher costs for residents today. Homeowners should pay close attention to their association’s reserves, dues, insurance expenses, and collection policies.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/hoa-condo-financial-pressure-foreclosures/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Vivek Sah, Director of the Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management at the University of Denver, about why homebuyers may have more negotiating leverage even as buying a home remains increasingly difficult. Vivek explains how higher mortgage rates, rising labor and material costs, land prices, property taxes, insurance, and other expenses have contributed to today’s housing affordability challenges.

The conversation also looks at the mismatch between the homes many buyers can afford and the homes being built. Vivek explains why much of the available new construction is concentrated at higher price points, while demand remains strongest for more affordable homes. He also discusses why some buyers are turning to new construction because of builder incentives and mortgage rate buydowns, as well as how rising housing costs are contributing to delayed homeownership, greater demand for single-family rentals, and more multigenerational living arrangements.

Vivek also shares his perspective on how first-time homebuyers can prepare financially for homeownership and why he still sees owning a home as an important long-term wealth-building tool for buyers who expect to remain in one place for several years. He discusses budgeting, reducing discretionary expenses, building equity over time, and how home equity can provide financial flexibility later in life.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: What has been the biggest challenge for you in today’s housing market: home prices, mortgage rates, monthly costs, or finding the right property?

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connected With Vivek Sah:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivek-sah-phd-9b756714/⁠

First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw

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0:00 – Intro

0:27 – Is It Really a Buyer’s Market?

2:02 – Why Housing Affordability Got So Difficult

5:27 – Where Have the Starter Homes Gone?

7:34 – How Buyers Are Adapting

11:13 – Builders Respond to Multigenerational Living

12:07 – Is the American Dream Changing?

14:23 – How Buyers Can Improve Affordability

16:54 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

20:19 – Outro

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#HousingMarket #Homebuying #FirstTimeHomebuyer

More than 1,000 schools closed in 2025, reflecting demographic and enrollment shifts that could have consequences far beyond the classroom. Because school quality can influence where families choose to live and how much they are willing to pay for a home, closures can also affect property values and neighborhood stability. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why schools are closing, how changing demographics are reshaping enrollment, and what these trends could mean for homeowners.

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

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why school closures matter for housing: School quality is often closely tied to homebuyer demand, particularly among families with children.
• How much buyers may pay for better schools: Research has found that stronger school performance can translate into higher home prices in surrounding neighborhoods.
• What can happen when a school closes: Closures can reduce neighborhood appeal, hurt nearby businesses, and potentially put downward pressure on property values.
• Why declining birth rates are a major factor: The U.S. fertility rate has fallen sharply, leaving many school districts with fewer children to enroll.
• How immigration trends affect enrollment: Slower population growth from international migration can further reduce the number of school-age children in some communities.
• Why public school enrollment is falling: Millions fewer students are attending public schools than just a few years ago, and national enrollment is expected to decline further.
• How homeschooling and private schools fit in: Some families who left public schools during the pandemic never returned, contributing to continued enrollment pressure.
• Why lower enrollment creates budget problems: Many school districts lose funding when student counts decline, even though fixed expenses such as buildings and administration remain.
• How aging in place affects neighborhood schools: When older homeowners remain in family-sized homes longer, fewer properties turn over to younger households with school-age children.
• The big takeaway: School closures are not just an education issue. Demographic changes, declining enrollment, housing turnover, and school quality are increasingly interconnected, and homeowners may feel the effects through neighborhood demand, local businesses, and property values.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/school-closures-could-hurt-home-values/

People who inherit a home may have the right to keep its existing mortgage instead of refinancing into a new loan. But some mortgage servicers have reportedly made that process difficult, potentially exposing heirs to higher payments, delays, and even foreclosure risk. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain the protections available under federal law, the problems some homeowners have reported, and what heirs can do if a servicer stands in the way.

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

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why heirs may not need to refinance: Federal law can allow certain people who inherit or receive a home to assume the existing mortgage rather than replace it with a new loan.
• Who may be protected: The rules can apply to surviving spouses, children, people awarded a home through divorce, and certain other successors in interest.
• Why refinancing can be costly: Replacing an older low-rate mortgage with a new loan at today’s rates could significantly increase the monthly payment.
• What homeowners have reported: Consumer complaints include being denied access to mortgage accounts, having payments blocked, and being asked repeatedly for the same documentation.
• Why servicing delays can become dangerous: Long processing times can contribute to missed payments, legal expenses, delinquency, and potentially foreclosure.
• How divorce cases can become complicated: A servicer’s refusal to release a former borrower from liability can create financial and legal problems even after ownership has changed.
• Why domestic violence survivors may face added risks: Some servicing practices can expose account information or require involvement from an abusive former partner.
• What documentation heirs may need: Depending on the circumstances, servicers may request records such as a death certificate, will, or court order to establish the new owner’s rights.
• Why keeping detailed records matters: Saving copies of documents, communications, and attempted payments can help establish what happened if a dispute needs to be escalated.
• The big takeaway: Inheriting a home does not automatically mean refinancing its mortgage. People who believe a servicer is improperly blocking an assumption should understand their rights, document their efforts carefully, and consider legal help if their home is at risk.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/mortgage-servicers-pressure-heirs-to-refinance/

New federal guidance is putting greater scrutiny on mortgages made to borrowers who use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. Although the guidance does not ban ITIN mortgages, it could make some lenders more cautious about approving borrowers whose immigration or employment status may affect their ability to repay. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why regulators are focusing on this small segment of the mortgage market, what the guidance actually says, and how it could affect prospective homebuyers.

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

In this episode you'll learn:

• What an ITIN is: The IRS issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to people who need to file and pay taxes but are not eligible for Social Security Numbers.
• Who may use an ITIN to get a mortgage: ITIN borrowers can include foreign nationals, non-resident investors, and people who are not legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Why regulators are raising concerns: Federal agencies have warned that deportation or changes in a borrower’s employment status could disrupt income and increase repayment risk.
• What the new guidance requires: Lenders are being reminded to identify, measure, monitor, and control risks through appropriate underwriting and risk-management practices.
• Why the guidance is not an outright ban: Banks and credit unions may still offer ITIN mortgages, but the added scrutiny could discourage some lenders from approving them.
• How small the ITIN mortgage market is: Only about 5,000 to 6,000 ITIN mortgages were issued in 2023, representing a tiny fraction of total mortgage originations.
• Why the risk remains difficult to measure: Regulators have not presented clear evidence that ITIN borrowers default at higher rates, and available research suggests many may be reliable borrowers.
• How immigration enforcement affects the debate: Stricter enforcement could increase the risk that some borrowers lose income or leave the country before their mortgages are repaid.
• Why the policy could affect local housing markets: Reduced access to ITIN mortgages could limit homebuying demand and homeownership opportunities in communities where these loans are more common.
• The big takeaway: The new guidance does not eliminate ITIN mortgages, but it may create additional hurdles for borrowers and make lenders more hesitant. Without better data on repayment performance, it remains unclear whether the added scrutiny reflects a meaningful credit risk or could unnecessarily restrict access to homeownership.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/new-government-guidance-itin-mortgages/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Shawn Yerkes, Group President of Financial Services at Genstone Companies, about when an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, may make sense for a homebuyer. Shawn breaks down how common ARM structures work, including the initial fixed-rate period, adjustment schedule, SOFR index, margin, and rate caps. He also explains how ARM underwriting compares with fixed-rate mortgages and why lenders generally want to make sure borrowers can handle the possibility of a higher future payment.

The conversation also explores the situations where an ARM may offer an advantage over a fixed-rate mortgage. Shawn discusses how a lower initial rate can increase purchasing power, why borrowers who expect to move before the first adjustment may be better positioned to consider an ARM, and why future income, home equity, property values, and refinance options should all factor into the decision. He also explains why today’s adjustable-rate mortgages differ from many of the riskier products associated with the housing crash, including tighter underwriting, documented income requirements, and clearer adjustment caps.

Shawn also covers the biggest risks borrowers should consider before choosing an ARM, including the possibility that rates could rise or property values could fall before they are able to refinance. He explains when refinancing into a fixed-rate mortgage may make sense and why ARM usage tends to increase when mortgage rates are higher. His main takeaway for first-time homebuyers is to understand their own financial profile, think through the worst-case scenario, and have a clear exit plan before taking on the additional uncertainty of an adjustable rate.

Subscribe for more mortgage news, housing news, homebuyer tips, and real estate market updates.

Comment below: Would you consider an adjustable-rate mortgage for a lower initial rate, or would you rather stick with the certainty of a fixed-rate loan?

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 Shawn Yerkes:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnyerkes/

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

1:03 – What the Numbers on an ARM Mean

2:54 – How ARM Rates Adjust

3:34 – ARM Qualification Requirements

4:24 – When an ARM Can Make Sense

5:25 – Who May Benefit From an ARM

6:48 – Planning for the Worst-Case Payment

8:03 – Are Today’s ARMs Safer Than Before 2008?

9:33 – Can an ARM Increase Your Buying Power?

10:22 – The Biggest Risks of an ARM

11:39 – Can You Negotiate ARM Terms?

12:15 – When to Refinance Out of an ARM

13:49 – Why ARM Usage Rises When Rates Are Higher

15:28 – Shawn’s Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

16:46 – Outro

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#AdjustableRateMortgage #MortgageRates #HomebuyerTips

Home prices reached another record high in June, yet housing affordability improved compared with a year earlier. This week’s Housing & Finance Roundup examines how lower mortgage rates helped offset higher prices, why foreign purchases declined, and how the Federal Reserve’s new leadership is changing its communication with markets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the economic forces behind these seemingly contradictory trends and what they could mean for buyers and investors.

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

In this episode you'll learn:

• How affordability improved despite record prices: Housing affordability depends on more than a home’s sale price, with mortgage rates and household income also shaping the monthly cost of buying.
• Why wage growth offered limited help: Wages increased over the previous year, but consumer prices rose faster, leaving many households with less purchasing power after inflation.
• How lower mortgage rates supported buyers: Average 30-year mortgage rates were lower than a year earlier in June, helping reduce monthly payments enough to offset some of the increase in home prices.
• Why the improvement may be temporary: Mortgage rates moved higher again in July as energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty renewed concerns about inflation.
• Why national averages have limitations: Housing conditions vary widely among cities and regions, meaning affordability may be improving in some markets while worsening in others.
• Why foreign home purchases declined: International buyers purchased fewer U.S. homes and spent less overall, despite a somewhat weaker dollar making American real estate less expensive in some currencies.
• Who counts as a foreign buyer: The category includes both people living abroad and recent immigrants or visa holders already residing in the United States.
• How global perceptions could affect demand: Major international events may influence tourism, immigration, and foreign interest in U.S. real estate over time.
• Why the Fed’s new approach matters: Chair Kevin Warsh has moved away from traditional forward guidance, leaving investors with less direct insight into the central bank’s future interest-rate plans.
• The big takeaway: Record home prices do not automatically mean affordability is worsening. Mortgage rates, incomes, local market conditions, international demand, and Federal Reserve policy all interact to determine what buyers can actually afford.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/housing-finance-news-roundup-july-31-2026/

Converting vacant offices into apartments could help cities add housing, but these projects are far more complicated than simply redesigning the interior. Recent construction problems in New York City show how structural limitations, safety risks, and local building conditions can quickly derail even promising conversions. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why adaptive reuse has attracted so much interest, what can go wrong, and where office-to-residential conversions may still make sense.

Connect with Mortgage Research Network:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode you'll learn:

• Why cities are turning to office conversions: The United States faces a major housing shortage while office vacancy rates remain elevated, making underused commercial buildings appear to be a natural source of new homes.
• What happened at 222 Broadway: New York City issued a stop-work order after inspectors found cracks in two concrete beams and learned that the contractor had not promptly reported them.
• Why another Manhattan project raised concerns: Steel columns buckled while developers were adding 11 stories to the former Pfizer headquarters, drawing widespread attention to the risks involved.
• Why not every office can become apartments: Commercial buildings were designed for different layouts, loads, plumbing systems, and uses, and some require extensive structural modifications before they can safely house residents.
• How local hazards complicate conversions: Developers may need to account for earthquakes in Los Angeles, hurricanes in Miami, flooding in other cities, and building-specific risks that vary by location.
• Why careful engineering matters: A thorough evaluation before construction begins can reveal whether a building is suitable for conversion and what upgrades will be required.
• How Los Angeles is encouraging adaptive reuse: The city has expanded eligibility and streamlined rules for converting older commercial properties and some parking structures into housing.
• Why these projects can support sustainability: Reusing an existing structure may reduce demolition waste and the environmental impact associated with building entirely from the ground up.
• How conversions can revitalize neighborhoods: Successful projects can bring residents into underused commercial districts and help create more active, mixed-use communities.
• The big takeaway: Office-to-residential conversions can add valuable housing, but they are not a shortcut or a universal solution. Their success depends on structural feasibility, skilled engineering, strong oversight, and a willingness to put safety ahead of speed.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/office-to-residential-conversions-construction-risks/

Many recent homebuyers counted on refinancing into a lower mortgage rate, but that relief has not arrived. With payments already stretching household budgets, even one financial setback could put some owners at risk of falling behind. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why buyers feel trapped, how rising rates disrupted their plans, and what the outlook could mean for homeowners waiting to refinance.

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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

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why recent buyers expected to refinance: Many people purchased homes at elevated mortgage rates believing borrowing costs would soon fall enough to reduce their monthly payments.
• How widespread the financial strain may be: Half of recent buyers surveyed said their mortgages could become unsustainable without a lower interest rate.
• Why one setback could create serious problems: Most respondents said a job loss, medical expense, or other financial shock could threaten their ability to keep making mortgage payments.
• What homeowners are sacrificing: Some buyers are cutting discretionary spending, while others report reducing spending on necessities such as food, healthcare, clothing, and personal care.
• How far people may go to keep their homes: Many respondents said they might take second jobs or withdraw retirement savings if refinancing remains unavailable.
• Why mortgage rates reversed course: Rates briefly fell below 6% before geopolitical conflict, renewed inflation concerns, and higher government borrowing pushed them upward again.
• How energy prices affect mortgage rates: Rising gasoline and diesel costs can fuel broader inflation, making bonds and mortgage-backed securities less attractive to investors.
• Why federal deficits matter: Increased government borrowing can compete with mortgage-backed securities for investor demand, contributing to higher yields and borrowing costs.
• What forecasts suggest about future rates: Major housing organizations expect mortgage rates to remain in the low-to-mid 6% range, although geopolitical and economic developments could quickly change that outlook.
• The big takeaway: Buying with the expectation of refinancing later can be risky because lower rates are never guaranteed. Recent buyers may remain under pressure until mortgage rates fall meaningfully, household incomes rise, or other financial relief becomes available.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/high-mortgage-rates-blocking-refinances/