It was a volatile week for bonds and the stock market. Good arguments on both sides predicting where things go from here. Anyone who tells you they "know" should be a Billionaire by now... Watch On Facebook

On the mortgage-lending side of things, we've got some eligibility updates. Poor credit USED to be the primary reason that lenders turned borrowers away. Now, the data shows "Debt-To-Income" as the #1 reason for mortgage application denials.

That's not what we're seeing first-hand at Townstone though. The last year has brought a variety of new programs making it easier to qualify today than any time in the past decade.

Joshua Berngard of Exit Realty joined us to discuss downsizing since the market segment will only get larger as more 'boomers retire.

Katie Troccoli of Washington Square Realty joined the conversation from Ottowa, IL and why the expense and hustle of city-living is not for everybody.

On the commercial side of things, Sylvia Reyna of Bradford Allen explained recent changes in commercial real estate and the things you and your business need to consider in 2018.

Visit Townstone.com or just call 312-896-2100 to get in touch with any of our experts for your next home purchase or refinance.  Have a great weekend!

DOW, DOW, DOWN! The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were down over 2% between Wednesday and Thursday. Many are scared, selling-off to stop the bleeding. Others see opportunity, using the drop as an opportunity to buy low.

Mortgage rates took a little hit earlier this week, but are currently holding steady. Who knows how long that will last....

Winter is usually a slower season for home sales, but the smart buyers are out there looking now when there’s less competition.

Call 312-896-2100 or visit Townstone.com for a FREE personal consultation to help ensure you and your family are on the soundest financial footing possible as we head towards year-end.

The unemployment rate announced Friday (3.7%) is the lowest since December 1969! Rates may be heading upwards, but the economic outlook remains positive. Watch On Facebook

We have the GM of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices northwest Indiana Craig Frendling on providing a market update and his predictions as we barrel towards year-end.

Jason Lucchesi, founder of No Flipping Excuses joins us later to discuss current opportunity in today's market along with predictions for the future.

Finally, Ryan Siebert CEO of SGHomeBuilders enters the fray to discuss rehabbing and upgrading your home whether it's just to get ready for sale or for you to actually live-in and enjoy.

Call 312-896-2100 or visit Townstone.com after the show to get in touch with any of our experts.

It's been a wild week in real estate and finance. Amazon announces their new $15 hourly wage. Housing inventory numbers are up, but so are rates...  Watch On Facebook

Barry and Zach are here to discuss with their thoughts and analysis.

Winter is Coming! So head over to Townstone.com to fill out a free consultation and make sure you're in the best financial situation heading into the new year.

One day after Facebook notified users of a data breach affecting over 50 million people, we're talking with cyber-security expert Bart Barcewicz about how you can best protect yourself and your business from the "bad guys" WATCH ON FACEBOOK

Later, we'll be joined by downsizing expert and senior moving specialist Todd Howard of Keller Williams to discuss what he's doing to make sure his clients have a smooth transition to their next home.

What about current market trends for new homes and remodeling? Ryan Siebert, CEO of SG Home Builders answers our questions.

Finally, no episode of the Townstone Financial Show is complete without series resident economist Frank Pellegrini of Prairie Title who also happens to be the most-knowledgeable real estate attorney in the state of IL.

Remember to call us after the show to get in touch with any of our experts or for your next home purchase or refinance at 312-896-2100. You can also visit Townstone.com

With rates increasing over the last two weeks, Friday finally saw a small dip back down, but the expectation moving forward is a higher interest rate environment. What does that mean for the real estate market, homeowners, and future home buyers? Watch On Facebook

We're later joined by Douglas Martin, the Director of Economic Development for the City of McHenry discussing what he's up to, lessons learned, and expectations for the future. You won't want to miss him.

Thoughts and prayers to those recovering from recent hurricanes, but we're on with insurance expert Michael Schwartz discussing optimal insurance coverage for your home. Proper insurance can help ensure that you're able to recover after disaster strikes.

Remember, you can get in touch with any of our experts by simply visiting Townstone.com and filling out a FREE consultation.

Freezing your credit is now FREE! You can thank an update to the Fair Credit Reporting Act for that. Watch On Facebook

Zach and Alec discuss protecting yourself and your information.

Amazon recently opened a "cashless" store in Chicago without a checkout, good idea?

Catch an entire hour of the Townstone Financial Show on Saturday at 1pm streaming live on Facebook and over the airwaves on AM560

Remember to visit Townstone.com to get in touch with a mortgage expert for your next home purchase or refinance. Have a great weekend!

With the end of 2018 just around the corner, what are YOU doing to set yourself up for success in 2019?  Watch On Facebook

Lots of special guests and experts on this week's episode:

The guys are joined by Mary Hensley from New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding Foundation discussing their upcoming "Barn Raiser" fundraiser on October 13th and their Soldiers' Clinic on November 4th.

Nick Libert of Exit Strategy Realty talks about buying, maintaining, and managing investment and income-generating properties.

John Harty brings his 40+ years of construction and real estate expertise to the table discussing custom home projects and why you "get what you pay for" when it comes to contractors and construction.

Finally, we're joined by the best Real Estate Attorney in the state of IL, Frank Pellegrini of Prairie Title.

Remember to visit Townstone.com or call 312-896-2100 to get in touch with any of our experts.

Have a great week!

Help me, help you! Watch On Facebook

Townstone talks buying or selling with a contingency and the changes we're seeing in the real estate market heading into the final stretch of 2018.

There's still time to refinance and/or consolidate your higher interest rate debt, just call 312-896-2100 for a free mortgage analysis to see if we can help you save money.

Townstone.com is still your best resource on the net for watching all previous episodes or filling out a FREE consultation for your next home purchase or refinance.

Remember, we are LIVE with the Townstone Financial Show every Saturday from 1-2 streaming live on Facebook and over the airwaves on AM 560 The Answer

10 years since the financial crisis: lessons learned and can it happen again?  Watch On Facebook

Pretty much everything in Real Estate has changed in the last decade, so today, we're talking INNOVATION with top industry professionals that are hitting the future running to see what their secret is in 2018 and beyond.

Reverse Mortgages are still probably the most misunderstood mortgage loan product , we answer some comments received over the past week.

Remember to visit Townstone.com where you can find all previous episodes of the show. You can also fill out a Free Consultation on the website or simply call us at 312-896-2100.

Thank you to our listeners and experts for making the Townstone Financial Show #1