The Educated HomeBuyer | First Time Home Buyer Tips, Mortgage Rates & Housing Market Updates

Using AI to buy a home in 2027 could end up costing you thousands of dollars if you're not careful. While tools like ChatGPT and Claude can be incredibly helpful for first-time home buyers, relying on artificial intelligence to determine home values, evaluate mortgage rates, or make financial decisions could lead to some very expensive mistakes.

More home buyers than ever are turning to AI for help navigating the home buying process. They're using it to search for homes, calculate mortgage payments, research neighborhoods, compare properties, and understand complicated real estate documents. And while AI can be a powerful tool, there's a big difference between using it to help you buy a house and allowing it to make decisions for you.

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer Podcast, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis discuss how first-time home buyers can use AI to their advantage in 2027 without making costly mistakes. We break down two important decisions you should never rely on AI to make, along with four practical ways artificial intelligence can help you become a more informed and confident home buyer.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why AI can get home values wrong: ChatGPT, Zillow, and other automated valuation tools don't always account for property condition, renovations, location, views, or other factors that influence what a home is actually worth.
• Why you shouldn't rely on AI for mortgage rates: Your mortgage interest rate depends on your credit score, down payment, loan program, discount points, and other financial factors that AI may not accurately evaluate.
• How AI can help you understand purchase contracts: Learn how to use AI to review real estate contracts, identify important deadlines, understand contingencies, and prepare questions for your real estate agent.
• Using AI to review home inspection reports: Discover how AI can help organize inspection findings, identify potential concerns, and explain repairs without unnecessarily creating fear about the condition of a property.
• Understanding mortgage documents: Learn how AI can help explain loan estimates, closing disclosures, mortgage fees, and other documents you'll encounter when financing your first home.
• Reviewing HOA documents and disclosures: Find out how AI can help you navigate lengthy HOA rules, financial statements, and seller disclosures so you know what deserves closer attention.
• Should you buy a house now or wait until 2027? Understand why AI shouldn't make this decision for you and how to evaluate your personal finances, affordability, and long-term goals instead.

Are You Ready to Buy Your First Home?

Before you start searching for homes, it's important to understand where you stand financially and what steps you should be taking to prepare for homeownership.

Take our FREE Am I Ready to Buy a Home Quiz:
https://buyrightborrowsmart.com/quiz

In less than two minutes, you'll get a personalized home buying readiness score along with educational resources designed to help you prepare for buying a house. Whether you're planning to buy in 2027 or you're still a year or two away, this is a great place to start.

Need Help Buying a Home?

Buying your first home doesn't have to be overwhelming. Whether you're trying to figure out how much house you can afford, improve your credit, save for a down payment, get pre-approved for a mortgage, or find the right real estate agent, we're here to help.

Get Your Personalized Home Buying Roadmap:
https://buyrightborrowsmart.com/roadmap

We'll help you understand where you are in the home buying process, answer your questions, and put together a plan based on your financial situation and goals. We can also help connect you with experienced real estate and mortgage professionals to guide you through the process.

Higher mortgage rates, more homes for sale, and fewer buyers competing for properties are creating opportunities in the housing market that we haven't seen in years. While many first-time homebuyers are waiting for interest rates to come down, those who are prepared to buy may have more negotiating power than they realize.

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down what's happening in the 2026 housing market, why home builders are offering major incentives, and how buyers can take advantage of price reductions, seller concessions, and mortgage rate buydowns.

We discuss rising housing inventory, homes sitting on the market longer, and why real estate conditions vary dramatically from one city to another. We also take a closer look at mortgage interest rates, inflation, the Federal Reserve, and what these trends could mean for anyone planning to buy a house in 2026 or 2027.

In This Episode:

• Why the current housing market is creating opportunities for homebuyers
• How rising housing inventory and price reductions are changing negotiations
• Why home builders are cutting prices and offering closing cost credits and mortgage rate buydowns
• What today's mortgage rates mean for first-time homebuyers
• Temporary vs. permanent mortgage rate buydowns and how to compare them
• Why local housing market conditions matter more than national headlines
• How to compare mortgage lenders, including VA loan options
• How to prepare financially if you're planning to buy your first home in 2027

Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

Take our FREE Homebuyer Readiness Quiz to find out where you stand and what you should be working on before buying your first home. It takes less than two minutes and gives you personalized next steps.

Take the FREE Homebuyer Readiness Quiz

Need Help Buying a Home or Getting a Mortgage?

Whether you're ready to buy now or planning for 2027, Jeb and Josh can help you understand your options, prepare financially, and connect with experienced real estate and mortgage professionals.

Get Started With Jeb and Josh

Get Your Homebuying Roadmap

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Visit BuyRightBorrowSmart.com to submit your question or email us at [email protected].

The Educated HomeBuyer is hosted by real estate professional Jeb Smith and mortgage expert Josh Lewis. Our goal is to help you buy right, borrow smart, and build wealth through real estate.

Buying a home at 7.5% can be a smart move, even while other buyers wait for mortgage rates to drop. Less competition and motivated sellers can give prepared buyers more room to negotiate a lower purchase price, closing cost credits, and mortgage rate buydowns. For first-time home buyers, those opportunities can make a real difference in the upfront cost of buying a house.

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis explain how to approach buying a home with higher mortgage interest rates, use seller concessions strategically, and decide whether buying now fits your finances and long-term goals.

We also walk through what happens if mortgage rates rise, stay the same, or fall, including why a future refinance should be an opportunity rather than something you need to afford your home. Jeb shares his own experience buying at a higher rate and the factors that allowed him to refinance later.

In this episode, we cover:

• How higher mortgage rates can create negotiating opportunities for home buyers.
• Negotiating price reductions, seller credits, and closing costs.
• The trade-offs between temporary rate buydowns, permanent buydowns, and a lower purchase price.
• Planning for mortgage rates to rise, stay flat, or fall.
• How equity, income, and qualification requirements affect your ability to refinance.
• Why your monthly payment, savings, job stability, and ownership timeline matter.
• When waiting to buy a home makes more sense.

Whether you're a first-time home buyer or planning your next move, understanding your options starts with a realistic budget and a plan that works at today's payment. Opportunities vary by local housing market, and the right time to buy depends on your readiness.

✅ Are you Ready To Become A Homeowner:
Take the free homebuyer readiness quiz

✅ Start your stress-free journey today:
Create your homebuying plan

Buy right, borrow smart, and build wealth.

Mortgage rates have surged to nearly 7.5%, and the housing market could be headed for even more trouble as the bond market teeters on the edge of another major move. With inflation concerns, global conflicts, and economic uncertainty pushing rates higher, the possibility of 8% mortgage rates is becoming a real concern.

Meanwhile, homebuyer demand is weakening, housing inventory is building, price reductions are increasing, and existing home sales continue to struggle. What does all of this mean for home prices, housing affordability, and first-time homebuyers trying to navigate today's real estate market?

In this live episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down what's happening with the economy, mortgage interest rates, the bond market, and the housing market. We'll discuss what could happen next with mortgage rates, how higher rates are affecting buyers and sellers, and what you should consider before buying a home in today's market. We'll also be answering your questions live. Come join us!

Know exactly what you can afford, how much cash you'll need, and which mortgage strategy fits you best before you fall in love with the wrong house. Start your Roadmap with Josh's team:

✅ Start Your Homebuying Roadmap

✅ Not sure if you're ready yet? Take the free 2-minute Am I Ready Quiz to see where you stand, what may be holding you back, and the best next step from here:

Take the Free Homebuyer Readiness Quiz

Jeb Smith | Real Estate Broker | DRE 01407449
Real Broker

Buying in a market you don't fully understand is stressful. Jeb walks you through it in plain language, so you know exactly what you're getting into before you make an offer.

Josh Lewis
Mortgage Advisor | Certified Mortgage Consultant | NMLS #234220
United American Mortgage Corporation | NMLS #1942
714-916-5727

Nobody wants to be surprised at closing. Josh gets you real numbers up front, tells you what you actually qualify for, and helps you structure your financing correctly from the start.

Josh and his team serve borrowers in 32 states through United American Mortgage Corporation.

Start your Roadmap:
https://buyrightborrowsmart.com/roadmap/An4bKMNmC4Q

Licensing:
Licensing Information |NMLS Consumer Access

Not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Opportunity.

The wrong house can drain your savings long after you get the keys. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s easy to fall in love with a remodeled kitchen or stretch your budget for a home that looks like a great deal. But qualifying for the mortgage doesn’t mean you can afford everything that comes with owning it.

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down five types of houses first-time homebuyers should look at carefully before buying. From poorly renovated flips to homes with expensive repairs, we explain the warning signs that can turn your first home into a costly mistake.

You’ll learn what to look for when buying a house, including:

• Flipped homes: How cosmetic upgrades can hide problems with plumbing, electrical systems, and the roof.
• Money pits: Why an affordable purchase price can come with repairs your budget can’t handle.
• Unpermitted additions: Potential issues with construction quality, financing, and future resale.
• Condos and HOA communities: What reserves, financial statements, and meeting minutes can reveal about special assessments and rising dues.
• Homes that are harder to sell: How busy streets, location drawbacks, and solar leases can limit your future buyer pool.

These aren’t automatic deal breakers for every buyer, but they deserve more attention before you make an offer. Learn how to look beyond the finishes, understand the true cost of homeownership, and buy a home that fits your budget and your life.

Start Here 👇🏻

✅ Are you Ready To Become A Homeowner

✅ Start your stress-free journey today

Buy right, borrow smart, build wealth.

Higher mortgage rates are putting pressure on the housing market, and first-time homebuyers could gain more negotiating power heading into 2027. With buyer demand subdued and inventory building, sellers are facing more competition, creating opportunities for lower home prices, seller credits, and better terms.

In this live episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down the economy, mortgage interest rates, and the housing market outlook for 2027 while answering your questions live. We’ll discuss what these changes mean for buying your first home, how higher rates affect affordability, and why a lower home price doesn’t automatically mean a lower monthly payment.

If you’re preparing to become a homeowner, join us to learn how to evaluate your options, understand your buying power, and make a confident decision.

Start Here 👇🏻

✅ Ready to buy? Know exactly what you can afford, how much cash you’ll need, and which mortgage strategy fits you best before you fall in love with the wrong house.
Start your homebuying journey

✅ Not sure if you’re ready yet? Take the free 2-minute quiz to see where you stand, what may be holding you back, and your best next step.
Take the homebuyer readiness quiz

Work With Jeb

Jeb Smith | Real Estate Broker | DRE #01407449
Real Broker

Buying in a market you don’t fully understand is stressful. Jeb walks you through it in plain language so you know exactly what you’re getting into before you make an offer.

Work With Josh

Josh Lewis
Mortgage Advisor | Certified Mortgage Consultant | NMLS #234220
United American Mortgage Corporation
714-916-5727

The home you want to buy may never hit the market because its owner doesn’t want the tax bill that comes with selling. Could a proposed tax change give those homeowners a reason to move and give you a better shot at buying your first home?

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis explain how increasing the capital gains tax exclusion for home sellers could unlock housing inventory and create opportunities for first-time home buyers. We discuss what more homes for sale could mean for housing affordability, why this proposal wouldn’t automatically bring home prices down, and why waiting for a tax change could leave your homebuying plans on hold.

If you’re wondering whether to buy a house now or wait, learn how this proposal could affect your options and what matters most when preparing to become a homeowner.

Start Here 👇🏻

✅ Are you ready to become a homeowner?
Take our free homebuyer readiness quiz to find out where you stand:
https://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/quiz

✅ Start your stress-free journey today:
Get clarity on your homebuying budget, financing options, and next steps:
https://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/start

Waiting for a better deal on your first home? October could give you more room to negotiate. A Redfin analysis identifies 16 major U.S. housing markets where October has historically offered buyers some of the best opportunities to negotiate a home purchase.

In this live episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down what that means for first-time homebuyers, why some sellers become more willing to negotiate, and how price reductions and seller concessions could help make buying a home more affordable.

We discuss how to approach an offer, what to consider before asking a seller to cover closing costs, and how mortgage rates affect your monthly payment and purchasing power. If you’re wondering whether now is a good time to buy a house, this conversation will help you understand what to look for in your local housing market and how to make a decision that fits your budget and goals.

✅ Already know you’re ready? Get 15 minutes of real clarity on what you can actually afford, what it costs to close, and exactly what to do next:
Start your homebuying journey here

✅ Not sure if you’re ready to buy? Take the free 2-minute quiz and find out where you actually stand:
Take the first-time homebuyer readiness quiz

Connect with Jeb Smith 👇
Jeb Smith | DRE 01407449
Real Broker

Buying in a market you don’t fully understand is stressful. Jeb walks you through the homebuying process in plain language so you know exactly what you’re getting into before you make an offer.

Connect with Josh Lewis 👇
Josh Lewis | Certified Mortgage Consultant
NMLS 234220
United American Mortgage Corp
Phone: 714-916-5727

Nobody wants to be surprised at closing. Josh gets you real numbers up front, explains what you actually qualify for, and helps you avoid mortgage mistakes that can cost buyers thousands.

#FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HousingMarket #HomeBuying #MortgageRates #TheEducatedHomeBuyer

Getting preapproved is only the beginning of the mortgage process. For many first-time homebuyers, everything that happens between the initial lender conversation and getting the keys can feel confusing, stressful, and full of surprises.

In this episode, we walk through the home loan process from start to finish, including the discovery call, mortgage preapproval, comparing loan options, interest-rate locks, underwriting, the home appraisal, conditional loan approval, closing disclosures, and the final closing. We also explain what buyers should expect at each stage and where mortgage problems commonly arise.

Whether you are preparing to buy your first home or already under contract, understanding the mortgage process can help you avoid delays, make better financing decisions, and reach closing with fewer surprises. Choosing an experienced lender with a clear process can make the difference between a smooth transaction and a last-minute scramble.

✅ Are you ready to become a homeowner?
https://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/quiz

✅ Start your stress-free journey today:
http://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/start

Mortgage rates are back above 7%, and the next move could change what buyers can afford. In this episode, Josh and I look at what’s driving mortgage rates higher, what would need to happen for them to come down, and how likely either scenario really is.

We also talk through what changing rates mean for first-time homebuyers, sellers, and anyone waiting on the sidelines. If you’re trying to decide when to buy a home, this conversation will help you think through your buying power and monthly payment without relying on a rate prediction.

✅ Are You Ready To Become A Homeowner?
https://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/quiz

✅ Start your stress-free journey today:
https://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/start