The mortgage market has been interesting to follow the past few months and September is no different with the upcoming Fed meeting on everyone’s calendar. Join us as we check in with Bill on what he’s watching in that meeting and why the comments from Chairman Powell might actually be more important. Will the meeting result in lower mortgage rates immediately and will this be different than the rate dip we saw in 2023?

Plus, refinancing is up dramatically year-over-year and we’ll talk about when it makes sense to start inquiring about a potential refinance on your own property.  There’s a lot to cover this month and we’d love to hear from you in the comments if there’s something you’re interested in.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:22 – Upcoming Fed meeting

4:38 – Rate outlook

6:24 – Refinance demand is up

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF

Real estate investing is a great way to build wealth but one of the toughest hurdles is having the money to put down on that new property. You might be tempted to pull from retirement accounts, sell stocks, or find other creative ways to pull together 20% for a down payment. But what’s going to be your best approach?

Today we’re going to answer a great real estate investment question we received from someone in this same position.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:36 – PMI for investment property

3:30 – Options to avoid selling stocks

7:40 – Loan vs paying full down payment

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF

Homeownership is a financial and personal goal that many folks have in their lives, and it’s hard to prepare for when you haven’t experienced it yet. Most first-time homebuyers will look at the cost of the home and what it will take to secure a mortgage, but how much have you budgeted for the expenses that come with owning a home?

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:33 – Property Taxes

5:19 – Preparing for property taxes

6:10 – Homeowners insurance

9:35 – Working with the right insurance company

10:35 – Home maintenance

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151

We’ve been keeping a close eye on real estate transactions and homebuying following the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Commission settlement because it has been a hot topic in the real estate industry, and for good reason. This settlement has introduced new dynamics in how real estate transactions are conducted, particularly affecting the roles and compensations of buyer's agents.

Find out why Pennsylvania is different than other states, why an experienced realtor is more important than ever, and what steps homebuyers should take following this settlement.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:08 – What we’re seeing

2:18 – Pennsylvania buyer’s agreement

5:22 – Experience matters

6:58 – Uncertainty

8:19 – Recommendation for homebuyers

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF

It’s been pretty rough across markets the past week beginning with the jobs report at the start of August. While the news been negative and the outlook for the stock market is pessimistic, there might be a silver lining as it relates to mortgage rates.

Prediction markets have greatly increased the chances that rates get cut by 50 bps in September, which will be welcomed news for homebuyers. Will mortgage rates follow right behind or will we see rates drop even sooner?

Today we’ll discuss the latest moves from the Federal Reserve, the future of rate cuts, and how to navigate the homebuying process in these uncertain times.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:52 – What the Fed is seeing

3:00 – Rate decreases accelerated?

5:49 – Recession

7:25 – Mortgage rates

10:14 – What we’re watching

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF

Bill Litton and Cross Country Mortgage ​work ​with ​seniors ​quite ​a ​bit ​through ​the ​home​buying ​process. ​And ​the ​question ​that ​comes ​up ​quite ​a ​bit ​is, ​how ​do ​you ​calculate ​that ​home ​affordability? ​Is ​it ​different ​when ​you're ​working ​with ​seniors ​versus ​when ​you're ​working ​with ​a ​younger ​buyer? ​

Today ​we're ​going ​to explore the unique challenges and strategies involved in securing a mortgage for seniors and retirees, and we’ll tell you ​what ​you ​need ​to ​know if you’re in the market to buy.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:46 – What we look at first

3:08 – Assets vs Income

6:12 – Purchase before you retire

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF

Today we’re going to give you the questions to ask your mortgage lender to help determine if they are the right fit. From understanding their availability during non-traditional hours to ensuring they offer a variety of programs that fit your unique situation, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to refinance, these questions will help you find the right lender and secure the best mortgage.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

2:00 – Availability

3:42 – How many lenders do you work with?

5:53 – Variety of programs and products

7:26 – Considering your full financial picture

9:25 – Knowing what you’ll have to pay

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF

We talk all the time about the importance of having a real estate agent on your side when it comes time to find your next home, but do you know what you should be asking them?

Today we want to help you with the process of finding the right agent that will assist you and give you the best chance to secure that dream home. If you haven’t been getting the answers you’ve wanted during your search, you might not be asking the correct questions. This episode will provide you with five key questions to ask your agent and we’ll explain what you want to learn from each of these answers.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:44 – Value of an agent

2:06 – How long have you been in the business?

4:53 – References

7:31 – Number of clients

8:44 – Availability

9:46 – How much business each year?

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF

Heading into July, the biggest news is that inventory is starting to rise. More homes are hitting the market, which is a good trend to see. In this episode, we’ll dive into the rising inventory and what that means for buyers and sellers. Bill also provides insights into the current interest rate trends and what buyers can expect in the coming months.

As we move further into the summer, we want to make sure you stay informed and proactive about your next home purchase. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to refinance, understanding the current market dynamics can help you make better decisions.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:50 – Inventory is up

3:19 – The stress of buying in a seller’s market

5:08 – How does the lending process change with increased inventory?

7:05 – What are the rates doing currently?

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF

Today we want to talk about refinancing and what you need to know if you’re considering a refinance for your home. What ​do ​you ​need ​to ​know ​if ​you're ​thinking ​about ​refinancing? ​When ​does ​it ​make ​sense? ​What ​are ​some ​of ​the ​top ​reasons ​someone ​would ​want ​to ​refinance? ​We're ​going ​to ​discuss ​all ​that ​and ​break ​down ​refinancing ​in today’s video.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:22 – Reasons to refinance

3:05 – How much of a rate drop is worth it?

5:23 – What the process looks like

6:40 – Closing costs

7:52 – Do you automatically qualify?

CONTACT:

Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/

Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/

Call: 484-352-4151.

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF