Americans are moving less than they once did, and housing affordability appears to be a major reason. But staying put is only one example of how costs beyond a home’s purchase price can shape where—and how—people live.

In this episode, Mortgage Research Network’s Tim Lucas examines why renters and homeowners are moving less, what California’s wildfire insurance disputes can teach homeowners everywhere, and whether relocating to a state without an income tax actually saves money.

You’ll learn why many renters still want to own but increasingly doubt they can afford it, how longer homeowner tenure could affect the mortgage market and broader economy, what to review in your homeowners insurance policy before disaster strikes, and why moving expenses can erase years of anticipated tax 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

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00:00 Housing costs beyond the home price

00:39 Why Americans are moving less

01:34 Homeownership feels further out of reach

02:18 Getting a mortgage feels increasingly difficult

03:10 Homeowners and renters are both feeling locked in

03:42 Could mortgages start lasting longer?

04:07 How fewer moves affect the economy

04:31 California’s wildfire insurance dispute

05:38 Why homeowners insurance deserves more attention

06:54 Tim’s take: Review your insurance coverage

07:38 Check today’s mortgage rates

07:53 Is moving for lower taxes worth it?

08:17 The 10-year break-even example

09:20 Tim’s take: Rent before relocating

09:38 Final takeaways

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#HousingMarket #HomeownersInsurance #HousingAffordability

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Noah Meier, Chief Appraiser at Single Source Property Solutions, about what a home appraisal actually measures and why it matters during the mortgage process. Noah explains how appraisers analyze a property, its characteristics, recent sales, market conditions, and other relevant data to develop an independent opinion of value. He also clarifies why an appraisal is different from a home inspection and why buyers should not treat the two as interchangeable.

The conversation also covers when an appraisal may be required, why some borrowers may qualify for alternative valuation methods, and what can cause appraisal costs to vary from one property or market to another. Noah explains how location, property type, complexity, available market data, and even the number of appraisers working in an area can affect the process. He also discusses what appraisers look at when evaluating a home, including location, market conditions, zoning, property condition, improvements, size, and amenities.

Noah also breaks down what can happen when an appraisal comes in below the agreed purchase price. He explains how buyers may be able to request a reconsideration of value by identifying missing property features or providing more relevant comparable sales, as well as other potential outcomes such as renegotiating the purchase price or bringing additional money to closing. He closes by encouraging first-time homebuyers to look beyond simply getting the keys and make sure they are comfortable with both the financial commitment and the value of the home they are purchasing.

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

Comment below: Would you feel comfortable buying a home without an appraisal if your lender gave you the option?

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 Noah Meier:

Website: ⁠https://www.singlesourceproperty.com/team/noah-meier/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-meier-700290290/

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

0:43 – What Is a Home Appraisal?

1:59 – Why Lenders Require Appraisals

3:03 – Do You Always Need an Appraisal?

4:11 – How Much Does an Appraisal Cost?

5:56 – Should You Ever Skip an Appraisal?

6:43 – What Appraisers Look For

8:54 – When the Appraisal Happens

9:27 – How Long Is an Appraisal Valid?

10:16 – Who Chooses the Appraiser?

12:00 – What Happens When an Appraisal Comes in Low?

14:54 – Options When There’s an Appraisal Gap

15:12 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

16:16 – Outro

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#HomeAppraisal #Homebuying #Mortgage

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Tim Lucas breaks down three very different forces affecting today’s housing market. First, why has it become so expensive to build new homes? Tim looks at research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and NYU’s Furman Center showing how rising material costs, skilled-labor shortages, difficult building sites, financing costs, and regulatory requirements can make adding new housing supply far more complicated than simply finding land and starting construction.

Then, Tim explores an unexpected question: could the enormous amount of money being invested in artificial intelligence put upward pressure on mortgage rates? AI companies are spending trillions of dollars on data centers, semiconductors, power infrastructure, and other projects, with some of that investment financed through corporate bonds. That means corporate borrowers are competing for investor capital alongside the U.S. Treasury and mortgage-backed securities. Tim explains how that competition can affect bond yields, why some economists think AI could eventually help push rates lower, and why the timing is anything but certain.

Finally, the episode turns to deed theft. Tim explains how fraudulent deeds can enter public records, why vacant and non-owner-occupied properties tend to be more vulnerable, and what homeowners can do to protect themselves. One particularly useful step is checking whether your local recorder or clerk offers a free property-recording alert service, which can notify you when a new deed, mortgage, lien, or other document is filed under your name or property.

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

Which of these three stories surprised you most: rising construction costs, AI’s connection to mortgage rates, or the way deed theft works? Let us know in the comments.

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

0:53 – Why New Homes Cost So Much

2:28 – Skilled Labor Is Adding to Construction Costs

3:13 – Why Financing Makes New Housing More Expensive

5:04 – Can Construction Costs Come Down?

6:04 – How AI Could Affect Mortgage Rates

7:09 – Corporate Bonds Join the Competition for Investor Money

8:49 – Could AI Eventually Push Interest Rates Lower?

9:28 – Why the Timing of an AI Rate Drop Is Uncertain

12:04 – How Deed Theft Works

13:55 – How Common Is Deed Theft, and Who Gets Targeted?

15:04 – How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves

16:07 – Strange Mail, Suspicious Documents, and Other Warning Signs

16:32 – What to Do If You Find a Fraudulent Filing

17:07 – Final Takeaway

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#MortgageRates #HousingMarket #DeedTheft

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Mike Pearson, Senior Vice President at AD Mortgage and newly named President of the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals, about what non-QM loans really are and why they should not be confused with subprime lending. Mike explains how non-QM mortgages fall outside certain qualified-mortgage requirements and why borrowers may use them when their income or documentation does not fit neatly within conventional lending guidelines.

The conversation also explores who typically uses non-QM financing and why the borrowers may be stronger than the name suggests. Mike says many non-QM borrowers have credit scores above 760, substantial down payments, and experience purchasing real estate. He discusses why self-employed borrowers and real estate investors are two of the largest groups using these loans, as well as how bank statements, profit-and-loss statements, and business cash flow can sometimes provide a more useful picture of income than traditional tax-return underwriting.

Mike also breaks down the potential tradeoffs, including situations where non-QM rates may be higher than conventional financing and others where investment or second-home borrowers may find better pricing. He explains why non-QM is usually not the first choice for typical first-time homebuyers, but may still provide flexibility for borrowers who fall just outside standard guidelines. He closes by encouraging buyers to understand all of their available mortgage options and work with an experienced loan originator who can help determine which structure makes the most sense.

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

Comment below: Before this episode, did you associate non-QM mortgages with subprime lending?

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 Mike Pearson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-pearson-1880408/

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

1:11 – What Is a Non-QM Loan?

2:32 – Why Non-QM Isn’t Subprime

3:20 – Who Uses Non-QM Financing?

5:18 – How Non-QM Loan Terms Differ

6:01 – Are Non-QM Interest Rates Higher?

6:33 – Why Non-QM Lending Is Growing

7:35 – Who Should Consider a Non-QM Loan?

8:07 – Advantages for Self-Employed Borrowers

9:31 – Drawbacks of Non-QM Loans

10:16 – Are Non-QM Loans Good for First-Time Buyers?

11:31 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

12:28 – Outro

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#NonQMLoans #MortgageOptions #Homebuying

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, Tim Lucas examines whether growing anxiety in the bond market could send mortgage rates sharply higher. With the national debt crossing $40 trillion, long-term Treasury yields rising, and investors paying closer attention to inflation and federal spending, warnings about “bond vigilantes” have returned. But is the bond market genuinely revolting—or simply registering concern?

Tim explains why fixed mortgage rates are more closely connected to the bond market than to the Federal Reserve’s short-term policy rate. He breaks down the relationship between Treasury yields and mortgage-backed securities, why investors demand higher returns for taking on additional risk, and how the bond market can pressure governments when investors become concerned about fiscal policy. The episode also looks at previous bond-market selloffs and considers whether today’s conditions are truly comparable.

Finally, Tim examines what the current outlook could mean for homebuyers and homeowners. Major forecasts do not point toward 9% or double-digit mortgage rates, but they also provide little reason to expect a return to 3%. The more realistic possibility may be an extended period with mortgage rates in the mid-to-upper 6% range. Tim identifies the indicators he’ll be watching and explains why there is an important difference between a warning sign and an evacuation order.

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

Comment below: Which concerns you more—mortgage rates moving sharply higher or remaining near today’s levels longer than buyers expect?

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

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00:00 – Could Mortgage Rates Reach Double Digits?

01:07 – Why the Bond Market Matters to Mortgages

02:04 – Mortgage-Backed Securities vs. Treasuries

03:27 – The Scale of $40 Trillion in Debt

04:57 – What Are Bond Vigilantes?

06:20 – Is This a Warning Sign or a Crisis?

07:25 – Can the Treasury Calm the Bond Market?

08:47 – The Mortgage Rate Outlook

09:46 – Five Indicators Tim Is Watching

10:29 – The Bottom Line

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#MortgageRates #BondMarket #HousingMarket

Fannie Mae reportedly dismissed roughly a dozen senior officials in a sudden leadership shake-up, raising questions about how much institutional knowledge the mortgage giant may have lost. The immediate market reaction was limited, but the longer-term concern is whether major staffing changes could affect Fannie Mae’s ability to manage risk and support mortgage-market stability. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the reported role of artificial intelligence in the firings, the broader cost-cutting context, and what the changes could ultimately mean for mortgage rates, availability, and the housing market.

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 Fannie Mae matters: Along with Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae plays a central role in the U.S. mortgage system by purchasing loans, packaging them into securities, and helping support the availability of long-term fixed-rate mortgages.
• Who was reportedly dismissed: The leadership changes affected senior officials, including Fannie Mae’s Chief Economist and other high-ranking executives.
• What role AI may have played: A source said artificial intelligence is now handling some of the work previously performed by the dismissed executives, though replacing senior decision-makers with AI would be highly unusual.
• Why the timing is drawing attention: The firings came shortly after Fannie Mae’s Chief Economist published a mortgage-rate forecast predicting that remain elevated.
• How cost-cutting fits into the story: FHFA Director Bill Pulte has a reputation for reducing headcounts, adding broader context to the leadership changes.
• How markets reacted: Fannie Mae’s stock initially declined before recovering somewhat, while bond markets showed little immediate reaction.
• Why mortgage rates have not moved because of this: Mortgage rates are driven primarily by bond-market conditions, and the episode notes that investors did not appear to treat the firings as an immediate threat to mortgage pricing.
• What a potential brain drain could mean: Losing multiple senior officials at once could make it harder for Fannie Mae to respond to market developments, manage risk, and execute its mortgage-market responsibilities.
• Why operational stability matters: Because Fannie Mae is so deeply embedded in housing finance, significant internal disruption could have broader implications if it affects the company’s ability to function effectively.
• The big takeaway: There is little evidence so far that the firings have directly affected mortgage rates or availability, but the scale of the leadership changes raises legitimate questions about Fannie Mae’s long-term stability and execution.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/fannie-mae-firings-mortgage-rates/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Jaime Dunaway-Seale, content writer at Clever Real Estate, about where homebuyers have the most negotiating leverage and why some markets are much more favorable to buyers than others. Jaime breaks down Clever’s analysis of the 50 largest U.S. metros, which ranked markets using sale-to-list price ratios, the share of listings with price reductions, and the size of those discounts.

The conversation explores why cities such as Detroit, San Antonio, Austin, Pittsburgh, and Houston currently offer buyers more negotiating power, while markets including Hartford, San Francisco, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Boston remain more favorable to sellers. Jaime explains how housing supply, new construction, buyer demand, and geographic constraints can influence whether sellers are willing to negotiate, and why some Midwest markets are showing signs of becoming increasingly buyer-friendly.

Jaime also discusses the signals buyers can watch for when evaluating a local real estate market, including growing inventory, price cuts, and longer time on market. She explains why repeated price reductions on an individual property may create an opportunity but can also warrant closer investigation. She closes by encouraging first-time homebuyers to research their local market, negotiate when conditions favor buyers, and be prepared to move quickly when sellers still have the advantage.

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

Comment below: Does your local housing market feel like it favors buyers or sellers right now?

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 Jaime Dunaway-Seale:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-dunaway-seale-660028158/

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

0:15 – What Makes a Buyer’s Market?

1:29 – How the Markets Were Ranked

2:26 – Where Buyers Have the Most Leverage

3:58 – Markets That Still Favor Sellers

5:20 – The Biggest Surprise in the Data

7:32 – Markets Shifting Toward Buyers

8:40 – Red Flags Buyers Should Watch For

9:45 – Signs of a Potential Buying Opportunity

10:51 – Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

11:54 – Outro

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#HousingMarket #Homebuying #RealEstate

The income needed to afford a starter home has surged since 2019, while higher-end buyers continue to fare much better in today’s market. That split is creating a K-shaped housing market, where affluent buyers are still active while many entry-level buyers remain priced out. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine what Realtor.com, Zillow, and Redfin data reveal about the growing divide between starter-home and luxury buyers, and why improved negotiating conditions have not solved the affordability problem.

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 much starter-home affordability has changed: The average household income needed to afford a starter home has risen from about $43,000 in 2019 to roughly $78,000 today.
• What a K-shaped housing market means: Higher-income buyers are generally holding up better, while many entry-level buyers are struggling with elevated prices, mortgage rates, and limited purchasing power.
• Why lower-priced home sales are falling faster: Realtor.com data shows a much sharper decline in sales of homes under $200,000 than in the $1 million to $2 million segment.
• How buyer interest has shifted: Lower-priced homes now account for a smaller share of listings and listing views than they did several years ago.
• Why the luxury market looks different: High-end inventory and buyer activity have remained comparatively resilient, with cash buyers making up a large share of million-dollar transactions.
• Why renting can still be cheaper: Across the 50 largest metro areas, renting costs an average of $858 less per month than buying.
• Why more starter-home inventory has not translated into more sales: Zillow found that starter-home availability increased year over year even as sales declined, suggesting affordability remains a major barrier.
• Where buyers may have more leverage: Some markets, including former pandemic hotspots such as Nashville and Austin, are giving buyers more options and stronger negotiating power.
• How far incomes still lag behind home prices: Redfin estimates that a household needs about $110,000 in annual income to afford a typical U.S. home, around $22,000 more than the typical household earns.
• The big takeaway: Buyers may have more negotiating power than they did during the most competitive years of the housing boom, but affordability remains a major obstacle, especially for those trying to enter the market at lower price points.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/k-shaped-housing-market-2026/

Buy-now-pay-later loans are expanding beyond discretionary purchases and are now being used by some consumers to cover essentials such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and groceries. While BNPL can provide short-term breathing room, relying on borrowing to cover basic living expenses can be a warning sign of deeper financial strain. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine how BNPL works, why its use has expanded, the risks of depending on it for housing costs, and what borrowers can do if they are struggling to keep up with their monthly expenses.

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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:

• How BNPL works: Many buy-now-pay-later plans split a purchase into an upfront payment followed by several installments, often without interest when payments are made on time.
• Why its use is changing: BNPL was once associated mostly with discretionary purchases, but some consumers are increasingly using it for groceries, utilities, rent, and mortgage payments.
• What affordability pressures have to do with it: Rising living costs and reduced purchasing power can leave households with less room in their budgets when unexpected expenses arise.
• Why housing costs are different: Using short-term borrowing to make a rent or mortgage payment can indicate that regular income is no longer covering essential monthly expenses.
• How debt can become harder to manage: Repeatedly borrowing to cover basic expenses can create overlapping payments and make it increasingly difficult to regain control of a household budget.
• Why consumer advocates are concerned: The episode discusses worries about limited oversight of BNPL providers and the risks for borrowers who are already financially vulnerable.
• When BNPL can still be useful: Buy-now-pay-later financing is not necessarily harmful in every situation, but it is better suited to manageable short-term purchases than ongoing financial shortfalls.
• What struggling homeowners can do: Borrowers having trouble making mortgage payments may benefit from contacting their lender early rather than waiting until the situation becomes more serious.
• Where to look for additional help: Nonprofit debt counselors, budgeting tools, and a closer review of household expenses can help consumers identify ways to stabilize their finances.
• The big takeaway: Using BNPL occasionally can be manageable, but relying on it to pay for housing or other essentials may be a sign that it is time to address a larger budget problem.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/buy-now-pay-later-mortgage-rent-payments/

Homeowners insurance premiums are still climbing, but the pace of those increases may finally be starting to moderate. Even so, most homeowners continue to pay more, and rising construction costs, severe weather, and underinsurance are keeping pressure on household budgets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine what Matic’s 2026 Home Insurance Report says about premiums, why some insurers are becoming more competitive, and how insurance costs are increasingly affecting housing affordability.

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 premium increases may be slowing: Insurers appear to be shifting some of their focus from restoring profitability back toward growth, helping bring more competition into the market.
• How many homeowners are actually paying less: Only 11.7% of homeowners saw their premiums decline in the first half of 2026, meaning most policyholders still paid the same or more.
• How much premiums are increasing: New policies rose 5.9%, while existing policyholders saw a 10.6% increase, both well above the broader inflation rate.
• What continues to drive insurance costs: Higher construction expenses, costly reinsurance, and major catastrophe losses are keeping upward pressure on premiums.
• Why severe weather still matters: Winter storms, hail, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and wildfires continue to generate billions of dollars in insured losses.
• Why shopping around can help: Increased competition among insurers may create better opportunities for homeowners to compare premiums, coverage, and deductibles at renewal.
• Why underinsurance is a major concern: Matic estimates that a large share of U.S. homes may not carry enough coverage to fully rebuild after a major loss.
• How AI is changing insurance pricing: Insurers are increasingly using detailed property data, satellite imagery, and other technology to assess risk at the individual-home level.
• How homeowners may be able to reduce risk: Maintenance issues, overhanging trees, and other visible property conditions can affect an insurer’s assessment of a home.
• The big takeaway: Home insurance trends may be moving in a better direction, but affordability remains a serious problem. Most homeowners are still paying more, and in high-cost states such as Texas, rising premiums can meaningfully affect whether a home is affordable at all.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/homeowners-insurance-premiums-rising-more-slowly/