Despite high home prices and elevated mortgage rates, Gen Z is proving that homeownership is still possible. Nearly one in five new mortgages now goes to Gen Z buyers, who are finding creative ways to overcome affordability challenges through alternative down payment sources, digital mortgage shopping, and careful financial planning. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how younger buyers are entering the housing market, the obstacles they still face, and what their growing presence means for the future of homeownership.

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 Gen Z is entering the housing market earlier than many expected: Nearly 20% of all new mortgages in the second quarter of 2026 went to Gen Z borrowers, signaling a major generational shift.
• How younger buyers are overcoming affordability challenges: Many are relying on family assistance, investments, and other funding sources beyond traditional personal savings for down payments.
• Why Millennials and Gen Z now dominate home purchases: Buyers under age 45 accounted for roughly two-thirds of all purchase mortgages during the quarter.
• How credit scores affect younger borrowers: Gen Z borrowers generally have lower average credit scores than older generations, making shopping for the best mortgage rate especially important.
• Why comparing lenders can save thousands: Rate differences between lenders can be especially significant for borrowers with lower credit scores.
• How digital tools are changing the mortgage process: As digital natives, Gen Z buyers are increasingly using online resources to compare rates, research lenders, and simplify the homebuying experience.
• What recent home price trends mean for buyers: Home prices continue to rise modestly nationwide, with single-family homes generally outperforming condominiums.
• Why single-family homes remain in high demand: Ongoing appreciation and changing market conditions continue to make detached homes attractive to many first-time buyers.
• How today's younger buyers are shaping tomorrow's housing market: As more Millennials and Gen Z households purchase homes, their preferences are influencing lending, technology, and housing demand.
• What future homebuyers can learn from Gen Z: Creativity, preparation, and thorough mortgage shopping are helping younger buyers succeed despite challenging market conditions.
• The big takeaway: High mortgage rates and affordability challenges haven't stopped Gen Z from becoming homeowners. By adapting to today's market and taking advantage of every available resource, younger buyers are proving that homeownership remains achievable.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/gen-z-millennials-two-thirds-of-market/

Downsizing is often seen as the perfect retirement strategy—but it's not the right choice for everyone. While selling a larger home can unlock valuable equity and reduce monthly expenses, retirees also need to consider moving costs, taxes, emotional ties, and whether a smaller home truly improves their long-term financial picture. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore the financial and personal tradeoffs of downsizing, why more seniors are struggling with housing costs, and how to decide whether moving makes sense.

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 more retirees are considering downsizing: Rising housing costs and fixed retirement incomes are causing many older homeowners to rethink whether their current homes remain affordable.
• How downsizing can unlock home equity: Selling a long-owned home may provide retirees with additional cash to strengthen their retirement finances.
• Which ongoing expenses may decrease: Smaller homes often mean lower property taxes, homeowners insurance premiums, utility bills, and maintenance costs.
• The hidden costs many retirees overlook: Real estate commissions, closing costs, moving expenses, capital gains taxes, and HOA fees can significantly reduce expected savings.
• Why location matters when relocating: State income taxes, property taxes, healthcare access, and overall cost of living can dramatically affect retirement budgets.
• The emotional side of leaving a longtime home: Downsizing often means leaving behind memories, neighbors, routines, and established support networks that took years to build.
• Why affordable senior housing is becoming a growing challenge: The number of senior households spending more than half their income on housing has nearly doubled over the past two decades.
• How America's aging population is reshaping housing demand: As more Baby Boomers reach their later retirement years, demand for affordable, age-friendly housing continues to increase.
• Why downsizing isn't always the best financial decision: In some situations, moving simply replaces one set of housing expenses with another rather than generating meaningful savings.
• How retirees can make a smarter decision: Carefully evaluating both the financial numbers and quality-of-life considerations can help determine whether downsizing is truly the right move.
• The big takeaway: Downsizing can provide meaningful financial relief for some retirees, but it's not a universal solution. The best decision balances both the financial realities and the personal impact of leaving a longtime home.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/should-you-downsize-in-retirement/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Tony Julianelle, CEO of Atlas Real Estate, to explain why buying your first home isn't just about finding a place to live—it's about acquiring an asset that can build wealth over time. Tony shares why first-time buyers should approach homeownership with an investor's mindset, focusing on long-term value rather than emotion. Whether you're preparing to buy your first home or simply looking to make smarter real estate decisions, this conversation offers practical homebuyer tips you can apply in today's housing market.

The discussion covers why waiting for lower mortgage rates isn't always the best strategy, how to identify neighborhoods with long-term appreciation potential, and what buyers should know about home values, equity, and the risk of being underwater on a mortgage. Tony also explains why routine maintenance often delivers a better return than expensive renovations and how experienced investors evaluate real estate opportunities based on location, cash flow, and long-term appreciation.

The episode wraps up with a look at today's real estate investing landscape, including why some investors are finding opportunities in distressed multifamily properties and what first-time buyers can learn from professional investors. Tony closes with his top advice for anyone considering homeownership: don't wait for the perfect market—buy wisely, think long term, and let your home work for you as an asset. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or planning your next move, this episode will help you approach the home buying process with greater confidence.

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

Comment below: What's one feature you'd be willing to sacrifice if it meant buying a home with better long-term investment potential? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

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 Tony Julianelle:

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

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

0:17 – Meet Tony Julianelle and Atlas Real Estate

1:40 – Helping Renters Become Homeowners

4:18 – Buy an Asset, Not Just a House

5:35 – Should You Worry About Overpaying?

7:41 – How to Choose a Neighborhood That Will Appreciate

10:29 – What It Means to Be Underwater on Your Mortgage

14:11 – Renovations vs. Maintenance: Where Should You Invest?

16:12 – Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Real Estate?

18:56 – Investing Before Buying a Home

20:16 – How New Investors Can Get Started

22:22 – Tony's Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

23:39 – Outro

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#firsttimehomebuyer #homebuyingtips #realestateinvesting

Extreme heat is becoming one of the most dangerous weather threats homeowners face—and preparing before temperatures soar can protect both your family and your home. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry discuss practical strategies homeowners can use to stay safe, reduce energy costs, and better prepare for increasingly frequent extreme heat events.

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 extreme heat is becoming a growing threat: Recent heat waves have demonstrated how dangerous prolonged high temperatures can become, especially in communities without widespread air conditioning.
• What America can learn from France: French households often rely on passive cooling techniques like closing shutters, limiting daytime ventilation, and using fans to stay comfortable during extreme heat.
• How to reduce strain on your home's cooling system: Proper HVAC maintenance, insulation, weather stripping, and energy-efficient upgrades can help keep indoor temperatures lower.
• Why reducing electricity use benefits everyone: Lower energy consumption can reduce utility bills while helping prevent power grid failures during periods of peak demand.
• How to prepare for a power outage during a heat wave: Battery-powered fans, emergency supplies, cooling centers, and a 72-hour emergency kit can help families stay safe if electricity is lost.
• Why checking on neighbors can save lives: Older adults, people with medical conditions, and others without adequate cooling are especially vulnerable during prolonged heat events.
• How to protect pets during extreme temperatures: Pets need access to cool shelter, plenty of water, and protection from dangerous heat just as much as people do.
• Simple home improvements that help beat the heat: Switching to LED lighting and sealing air leaks can improve comfort while reducing indoor heat buildup.
• Why preparation matters before temperatures rise: Having a plan in place before a heat wave arrives is far easier than scrambling once dangerous conditions begin.
• How homeowners can stay safer during future heat waves: Combining practical home improvements with emergency planning creates multiple layers of protection when extreme weather strikes.
• The big takeaway: Extreme heat is becoming more common, but preparation makes a tremendous difference. A few simple steps can help protect your home, reduce energy costs, and keep your family and community safer during dangerous heat waves.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/protecting-your-home-during-heat-waves/

America faces a housing shortage today—but some economists believe the opposite problem could emerge within the next decade. A new forecast suggests demographic shifts could eventually leave the U.S. with more homes than it needs, raising important questions about affordability, home values, and the future of the housing market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why some experts believe today's shortage could become tomorrow's surplus, what assumptions drive that prediction, and why the future is far from certain.

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 some economists predict a future housing surplus: A new forecast suggests slowing population growth, lower birth rates, and reduced immigration could significantly weaken housing demand by 2035.
• How today's housing shortage could eventually reverse: While the U.S. currently faces a shortage of millions of homes, continued construction could eventually outpace demand.
• Why demographics matter to housing markets: Aging populations and changing household formation patterns could reshape long-term housing needs.
• How immigration could change the outlook: Future immigration policy may become one of the biggest factors determining whether housing demand continues to grow.
• Why developers are unlikely to keep overbuilding indefinitely: Builders typically adjust construction activity as market conditions change, reducing the likelihood of prolonged oversupply.
• How housing affordability affects demand: Lower home prices can encourage more household formation, creating additional demand as homes become more affordable.
• Why housing markets remain highly local: A surplus of homes in one region does not necessarily solve shortages in another, making national forecasts only part of the story.
• How a housing surplus could affect homeowners: Falling home values could reduce household wealth, consumer spending, and overall economic growth if prices decline too sharply.
• Why policymakers must balance today's needs with tomorrow's risks: Addressing the current affordability crisis remains important while avoiding policies that could create long-term market imbalances.
• Why long-term housing forecasts should be viewed cautiously: Economic projections depend on assumptions that can change significantly over the course of a decade.
• The big takeaway: Today's housing shortage is real, but the long-term future is far less certain. Demographics, immigration, construction activity, and economic conditions will ultimately determine whether America continues facing a housing shortage—or eventually finds itself with a housing surplus.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/could-america-have-too-many-homes-2035/

Falling home prices usually sound like bad news—but the reason they're falling makes all the difference. While collapsing home values devastated cities like Detroit during the Great Recession, declining prices in markets like Denver may actually improve affordability, strengthen local economies, and create more opportunities for future homebuyers. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why not all housing price declines are created equal and what they can mean for homeowners, buyers, and communities.

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 Detroit's housing collapse was so devastating: Home prices fell more than 80% during the Great Recession, leaving many homeowners underwater and freezing the local housing market.
• How housing downturns affect entire communities: Falling home values can impact jobs, local businesses, schools, lending, and long-term economic stability.
• Why Denver tells a very different story: Increased housing construction helped create more supply, allowing home prices and rents to moderate after years of rapid growth.
• How affordability can strengthen local economies: Lower housing costs allow residents to spend more money in their communities and make it easier for workers to relocate where jobs are available.
• Why housing supply matters: Building more homes can help relieve affordability pressures and support healthier long-term market conditions.
• How restrictive housing policies can limit economic growth: High housing costs can discourage workers from moving to areas with strong job opportunities.
• Why affordable housing benefits more than buyers: Communities with attainable housing often experience stronger economic activity, greater stability, and healthier population growth.
• How homeownership supports stronger neighborhoods: Homeowners are generally more likely to invest in their communities, participate in civic life, and build long-term neighborhood stability.
• Why context matters when home prices fall: A decline caused by economic collapse is very different from one driven by increased housing supply and improved affordability.
• What buyers and homeowners should watch: Understanding why prices are changing is often more important than focusing on price movements alone.
• The big takeaway: Falling home prices aren't automatically good or bad. The underlying cause determines whether they're signaling economic distress or creating healthier, more affordable housing markets for the future.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/falling-home-prices-bad-except-when-good/

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Dave Meyer, Chief Investment Officer at BiggerPockets, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in housing: the belief that the Federal Reserve directly controls mortgage rates. While the Fed plays an important role in the economy, Dave explains why mortgage rates are actually influenced by a much broader set of factors, including Treasury bond yields, inflation, and investor demand for mortgage-backed securities. If you've ever wondered why mortgage rates don't always move the way you expect after a Federal Reserve meeting, this conversation explains what really drives borrowing costs—and what today's economic outlook could mean for anyone planning to buy or refinance a home.

The conversation explores what came out of the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, why mortgage rates remain difficult to predict, and how inflation, employment, and global economic events all shape the housing market. Dave also explains why Treasury bond yields often provide a better indication of where mortgage rates may be headed than the Fed's latest announcement. Along the way, he breaks down complex economic concepts into practical mortgage education and real estate insights that every homebuyer can understand.

Dave closes by sharing his outlook for mortgage rates through the remainder of the year and his perspective on today's real estate market. While affordability continues to challenge many buyers, he explains why today's market offers more negotiating power than buyers have had in years—and why waiting indefinitely for dramatically lower mortgage rates may not be the best strategy. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, planning your next move, or simply trying to better understand today's housing market, this episode will help you make more informed decisions.

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

Comment below: Do you think mortgage rates will be lower a year from now? We'd love to hear your prediction and why.

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 Dave Meyer:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-meyer-5660846/

On The Market Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCxDXuLvtjJ9Est8PrG3i2VA

BiggerPockets Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/biggerpockets

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

0:18 – What the Federal Reserve Actually Does

1:00 – Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates?

1:57 – Breaking Down the Latest FOMC Meeting

4:43 – Why Treasury Bond Yields Matter More

6:19 – Will the New Fed Chair Change Mortgage Rates?

8:15 – What Could Trigger Rate Cuts or Rate Hikes?

11:24 – Why the Fed Targets 2% Inflation

12:51 – What Really Determines Mortgage Rates?

15:15 – Dave's Mortgage Rate Outlook

17:03 – Why Today's Housing Market Favors Buyers

18:32 – Outro

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#mortgagerates #housingmarket #homebuyertips

Buying a home is exciting—but the purchase price is only the beginning. While 93% of recent homebuyers say they're glad they became homeowners, most also admit they underestimated just how much repairs, maintenance, and ongoing ownership costs would add to their budgets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry discuss why so many buyers are caught off guard, how older homes contribute to unexpected expenses, and what future homeowners can do to prepare.

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 so many buyers underestimate homeownership costs: Many new homeowners focus on the purchase itself without fully accounting for ongoing maintenance and repair expenses.
• How expensive unexpected repairs can become: More than half of surveyed homeowners spent at least $5,000 on unexpected repairs after buying their home, with many spending well over $10,000.
• Why younger buyers feel the biggest shock: Gen Z and Millennial homeowners were significantly more likely than Baby Boomers to say homeownership was more stressful than they expected.
• How America's aging housing stock increases repair costs: The median owner-occupied home is now 42 years old, making maintenance issues more common than in previous decades.
• Why emergency repair funds matter: Only a minority of buyers had money set aside for unexpected repairs before purchasing their homes.
• How home inspections can save thousands: Identifying potential problems before closing can help buyers avoid costly surprises after moving in.
• Why small maintenance issues shouldn't be ignored: Addressing minor problems early can prevent them from turning into much larger and more expensive repairs.
• How the overall cost of homeownership continues to rise: Insurance, taxes, maintenance, and repair costs are adding thousands of dollars to annual ownership expenses.
• Why older homes require realistic expectations: Buyers of existing homes should anticipate more maintenance than those purchasing newly built properties.
• Why most homeowners still believe it was worth it: Despite the unexpected costs and stress, the overwhelming majority say homeownership remains one of the best financial and personal decisions they've made.
• The big takeaway: Buying a home is only the first step. Preparing for maintenance, budgeting for unexpected repairs, and understanding the true cost of ownership can make homeownership far less stressful and far more rewarding.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/unexpected-home-repairs-and-maintenance/

Housing affordability has become such a pressing issue that Congress overwhelmingly approved the largest housing legislation in decades. The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to increase housing supply, reduce construction delays, expand financing options, and limit the influence of large corporate investors—all in an effort to make homeownership more attainable. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what the legislation does, why it earned rare bipartisan support, and how it could affect future 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:

• Why Congress acted now: Lawmakers from both parties agreed that the nation's housing affordability challenges require major legislative action.
• How the bill could speed up home construction: New provisions streamline environmental reviews and reduce regulatory delays for qualifying developments.
• What pre-approved building designs could accomplish: Communities can create "pattern books" that allow builders to accelerate new housing projects.
• How the bill targets large corporate investors: Companies owning hundreds of single-family homes would face new restrictions designed to preserve opportunities for individual buyers.
• Why smaller landlords are largely unaffected: The legislation focuses on institutional investors rather than local "mom and pop" property owners.
• How financing could improve for affordable housing: The bill expands support for small-value mortgages along with manufactured and modular home financing.
• Why increasing housing supply matters: Building more homes remains one of the most effective long-term solutions for improving affordability.
• What critics are concerned about: Some worry that reducing regulatory requirements could create unintended environmental or development consequences.
• Why housing groups broadly support the legislation: Many industry organizations view the bill as an important step toward addressing America's housing shortage.
• What still needs to happen: While the legislation represents significant progress, implementation and future policy decisions will determine its long-term impact.
• The big takeaway: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents one of the most significant federal housing reform efforts in decades, signaling broad recognition that improving housing affordability will require action on construction, financing, and housing supply.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/bipartisan-housing-bill-clears-congress-awaits-presidents-signature/

A stronger economy could translate into stronger housing wealth in 2026. Economists expect the U.S. to avoid a recession, add hundreds of thousands of jobs, and keep unemployment below 5%, creating conditions that could help the average homeowner add roughly $16,000 to their net worth. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why experts are optimistic, why mortgage rates may remain stubbornly high, and why local markets could tell very different stories.

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In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why economists are optimistic about 2026: National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun expects continued economic growth and a stronger housing market.
• How homeowners could build more wealth: Rising home values could add an average of about $16,000 to homeowners' net worth next year.
• Why job growth matters for housing: Strong employment and low unemployment tend to support home prices and buyer confidence.
• Why real estate remains highly local: Conditions can vary dramatically from one city, neighborhood, or even street to the next.
• Why some homes sell quickly while others sit: Buyer demand, local inventory, and specific market conditions are creating uneven results across the country.
• Why mortgage rates may stay elevated: Economists expect 30-year fixed rates to remain around 6.5%, limiting affordability for many buyers.
• How inflation continues to shape housing: Persistent inflation and global events are likely to keep downward pressure on mortgage rates limited.
• Why supply chains still matter: Disruptions affecting energy, food, and commodities can ripple through the economy and influence housing markets.
• Why forecasts come with uncertainty: Economic predictions are based on assumptions that can change quickly as events unfold.
• How buyers and homeowners can use forecasts wisely: Understanding trends can help consumers prepare and make more informed decisions.
• The big takeaway: Housing market forecasts are never guarantees, but many economists believe a stable economy and continued job growth could create a stronger market environment in 2026—even if mortgage rates remain higher than buyers would like.

Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/national-association-of-realtors-stronger-housing-market-2026/