Your monthly mortgage payment is likely your biggest expense—and until now, it’s earned you nothing in return. That’s starting to change as fintech company Bilt expands into mortgage rewards, promising homeowners points for paying their loan. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how Bilt’s mortgage rewards program works, what’s appealing about it, and why experts are urging caution before jumping in.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How Bilt’s mortgage rewards work: Payments come directly from your checking account—no new debt, no transaction fees, and up to 1.25 points per dollar.
• Bilt’s credit card lineup: From a no-fee option to premium cards with annual fees up to $495 and elevated reward multipliers.
• The interest-rate catch: Introductory APRs around 10% can jump to 26.74%–34.74%, making balances expensive if not paid in full.
• Why The New York Times raised red flags: Concerns about infrastructure, rapid growth, and whether a young fintech can reliably handle mortgage payments.
• Complexity of the rewards program: Even personal finance experts for The New York Times struggled to understand the rewards system.
• Early adopter vs. wait-and-see: How to weigh missing out on rewards against the risks of experimenting with your mortgage payment.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/bilt-offers-rewards-paying-mortgage-how-it-works-what-to-watch-for/

Speculation is no longer confined to the fringes of the market—it’s gone mainstream. From AI-driven stock hype to echoes of historic market bubbles, even the smartest investors can get swept up by fear of missing out. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack what today’s speculative environment means for investors and homeowners, and why the centuries-old lessons of Isaac Newton still matter when balancing stocks and real estate.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why market bubbles keep repeating: Even Isaac Newton lost a fortune in the South Sea Bubble, proving intelligence alone isn’t protection against speculation.
• What “heightened risk” really means today: Asset managers warn that hype, momentum, and wishful thinking are driving markets more than fundamentals.
• Stocks vs. real estate at a glance: Stocks offer liquidity and higher long-term returns, while real estate adds stability, forced discipline, and inflation protection.
• How returns really compare: Stocks historically return 7–10% annually, but real estate combines appreciation, income, leverage, and rent savings.
• The role of diversification: Why most successful investors don’t choose one asset class—but use both strategically.
• How to resist FOMO: Practical ways to stay disciplined when speculation feels unavoidable and everyone else seems to be getting rich fast.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/stocks-real-estate-risk-finding-balance-uncertain-market/

JP Morgan is predicting the Fed won't adjust rates until 2027—but should homebuyers really believe it? Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack the forecast, explain why mortgage rates don’t always follow the Fed, and break down what actually matters when you’re deciding whether to buy a home in an uncertain rate environment.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What JP Morgan is forecasting: Chief economist Michael Feroli expects Fed rates to remain steady through 2026 despite persistent inflation and continued economic growth.
• Why markets disagree: Many investors are still betting on rate cuts as early as June, creating a sharp disconnect between Wall Street expectations and institutional forecasts.
• The Fed myth: Why the Fed funds rate is an overnight bank-to-bank rate—and not the primary driver of long-term mortgage rates.
• What really moves mortgage rates: How factors like mortgage-backed securities, global events, market sentiment, and government policy often matter more than Fed decisions.
• A key policy move to watch: The administration’s directive for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed bonds—and why it could directly impact mortgage rates.
• Lessons from history: How mortgage rates hit record lows in 2020 before the Fed’s emergency cuts.
• What homebuyers should focus on: Why personal financial readiness—income stability, affordability, and savings—beats trying to time the market.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/jp-morgan-economist-believes-fed-done-cutting-rates-what-that-means-for-mortgages/

Nearly one-third of U.S. homes are still being bought entirely in cash, reshaping who wins—and who loses—in today’s housing market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down new data showing why cash remains king, who these buyers are, and what it means for everyday homebuyers.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How big cash buying really is: Cash deals peaked near 35% when mortgage rates hit the high-7% range and remain historically elevated.
• Who’s paying cash: The typical cash buyer is 58 years old, while repeat cash buyers average 68, reflecting decades of wealth accumulation.
• Where cash dominates: Only 19% of primary homes are cash—but 57% of vacation homes and 56% of investment properties are bought without financing.
• Why sellers prefer cash: Faster closings, fewer risks, and sometimes lower accepted prices for certainty.
• The trade-offs: Avoid interest—but sacrifice liquidity and potentially higher returns elsewhere (stocks gained 16%+ in 2025).
• The bigger shift: A growing divide between cash-rich buyers and mortgage-dependent households—and what that means for future paths to homeownership.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/all-cash-home-buying-remain-a-strong-force-in-the-housing-market-says-study/

Corporate investors now own hundreds of thousands of single-family homes, reshaping neighborhoods across the country. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down Trump’s proposal to ban large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes, why it’s gaining traction, and the big questions it raises about housing supply and affordability.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How big this got: From zero firms owning 1,000+ homes in 2011 to companies controlling up to 300,000 homes today.
• Where it’s most visible: In cities like Atlanta, institutional landlords own about 25% of rental homes.
• The proposal: Use the Housing for the 21st Century Act to block large investors from buying more single-family homes (without forcing sales of existing ones).
• Legal hurdles: Potential constitutional challenges involving due process and the commerce clause.
• The trade-off: Professional rental management vs. fewer chances for renters to become homeowners.
• The bigger issue: Restricting buyers doesn’t solve the core problem—America isn’t building enough homes where people want to live.
• What to watch: Congressional movement, legal challenges, and whether investors rush to buy before any ban takes effect.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/trump-plans-to-ban-large-institutional-investors-from-purchasing-single-family-homes/

A single announcement sent mortgage rates tumbling toward 6%—and now the housing world is buzzing. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down Trump’s proposal to deploy $200 billion in mortgage bond purchases, what it could realistically do to rates, and the unintended consequences buyers should watch for.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The proposal: Use $200B held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy mortgage-backed securities and push rates lower.
• The likely impact: Experts estimate a ~0.25% drop, potentially taking rates from ~6.16% to ~5.9%.
• Why psychology matters: Breaking the 6% barrier could pull many buyers off the sidelines—even if savings are modest.
• Why it won’t be a miracle: MBS markets trade $350B daily, so $200B is meaningful—but not game-changing.
• The risk: Lower rates with tight inventory could push home prices higher, offsetting affordability gains.
• What to watch next: Inflation and jobs data, housing supply, and election-year market reactions before any purchases happen.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/trump-tries-to-lower-mortgage-rates-with-bond-purchases-how-low-might-they-go/

A new report suggests 30% of borrowers with “good” credit scores are actually high-risk—and many denied borrowers may be safer bets than their scores imply. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why traditional credit scoring is under fire and how new verification tools could make mortgage pre-approvals faster and more accurate.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The disconnect: Validify found major gaps between credit scores and real banking behavior—especially as 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
• New tech from Equifax: Income Qualify uses real-time bank activity to measure repayment reliability more accurately than a score alone.
• The Work Number: Instant verification of income, employment status, and job history—no paystubs or employer calls required.
• Why it matters: Faster, more precise pre-approvals can make or break offers in today’s competitive market.
• Pre-qual vs. pre-approval: One is an estimate, the other is verified—and new tools are starting to blur the line by adding real data earlier.
• The big picture: Lending is shifting toward evaluating the whole financial profile, not just a three-digit score.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/mortgage-pre-approvals-set-to-become-more-accurate-soon-but-credit-score-doubts-linger/

Most homeowners have no idea they could be missing out on up to $20,000 in tax deductions every year. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the most valuable homeowner tax benefits—plus the big changes coming in 2025 and 2026. (And remember: always confirm details with a licensed tax professional.)

In this episode you’ll learn:

• When to itemize: If your deductions exceed the $32,200 standard deduction (married filing jointly in 2026), itemizing may save you thousands.
• Major deductible expenses: Mortgage interest, property taxes, and certain insurance costs on homes up to $750,000 in loan value.
• HELOC rule: Interest is deductible only if the funds are used for home improvements, not debt consolidation.
• SALT expansion: The state and local tax cap jumps from $10,000 → $40,000 in 2025, unlocking far larger deductions for many households.
• The biggest tax break: Home sellers can exclude $250K (single) or $500K (married) in capital gains after living in the home 2 of the past 5 years.
• Energy credits expiring:
  • Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: 30% of upgrades, up to $3,200/year
  • Residential Clean Energy Credit: 30% for solar, no annual limit
• Bonus deductions: Medical-related home modifications may be deductible, and some states offer property tax rebates or mortgage credit certificates.

Gen Z now owns homes at higher rates than millennials or Gen X did at the same age—despite facing the most expensive housing market in U.S. history. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how this generation is pulling off the impossible through discipline, creativity, and a totally new approach to buying.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The milestone: Gen Z homeownership hits 28% at age 24, outpacing millennials (25%) and Gen X.
• Why it’s happening: Nearly 90% view homeownership as a wealth tool, not a lifestyle move—and 60% increased their savings in 2025.
• Money transparency: Gen Z openly discusses finances; 42% say “no” to outings they can’t afford and 50%+ run side hustles.
• Fixer-upper mindset: They’re 57% more likely than millennials to buy homes needing work—focused on potential, not perfection.
• New buying strategies: Co-buying with friends (up 78%) using tenants-in-common agreements or LLCs is gaining traction.
• Tech-driven decisions: They leverage virtual tours, social media research, and AI tools before ever contacting an agent.
• Values-driven choices: 80% consider climate risks, and 70% would stretch budget for green features—prioritizing long-term sustainability.

Some U.S. cities are so eager for new residents that they’re offering $10,000–$35,000 in cash, in some cases enough for a 20% down payment. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the most generous programs, why they exist, and how they’re reshaping small-town America.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The biggest offer: Jackson, Michigan, will give up to $35,000—nearly a 20% down payment on a brand-new $178K home.
• Other standout cities:
  • West Memphis, AR: $10,000 for remote workers earning $75K+.
  • St. Joseph, MI: $10,000 plus perks like free coworking space and airport car service.
  • Morgantown, WV: $12,000 + $2,500 in outdoor gear rentals.
  • Mattoon, IL: $5,000 with a two-year residency requirement.
  • Tulsa, OK: $10,000 to remote workers—about 4.6% down on a typical home.
• Why they’re doing it: Remote work, housing shortages, and population decline are pushing rural cities to compete creatively for new residents.
• Safeguards: Many incentives pay out monthly or require multi-year commitments to prevent short-term relocations.
• The bigger impact: These programs help buyers avoid mortgage insurance, build long-term equity, and revitalize local housing markets—sometimes by encouraging new construction.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/cities-offering-incentives-down-payment/