Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Americans now hold more wealth in stocks than in their homes. But with much of the stock market's recent growth tied to artificial intelligence, what could a major market downturn mean for buyers saving for a down payment? Tim Lucas examines the risks and why the timing of your investments matters. Thinking about buying your first rental property? A DSCR mortgage could offer another way to qua...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Jeffrey Ruben, President of WSFS Home Lending, about navigating today's challenging housing market and preparing financially for homeownership. With mortgage rates remaining elevated and affordability putting pressure on buyers, Jeffrey explains why understanding your local market, knowing what you can co...

Mortgage rates could remain above 7% through the end of 2027, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Fannie Mae has also raised its forecast, leaving homebuyers wondering when borrowing costs might finally come down. Tim Lucas examines what's keeping mortgage rates elevated, why Federal Reserve rate cuts don't necessarily mean lower mortgage rates, and what buyers should consider b...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Shawn King, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Arrive Home, about why some people struggle to qualify for a mortgage even when they have the income to afford the payments. Shawn explains how traditional mortgage underwriting can create challenges for self-employed borrowers, gig workers, and others wi...

Cash wedding gifts could help you buy a home, but will your mortgage lender accept them? In this episode, Tim Lucas explains a little-known Freddie Mac rule that makes it easier to use wedding gifts toward a down payment or closing costs, including what documentation you'll need. New construction may also be more affordable than you think. Recent data shows that new homes are selling for less...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani talks with Tom Hutchens, President of Angel Oak Mortgage, about the changing housing market and what it means for homebuyers. With housing inventory growing, sellers facing more competition, and mortgage rates above 7%, buyers are navigating a market filled with both opportunities and challenges. Tom explains where buyer...

Buying can help you build equity, but does it make more sense than renting? In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, Tim Lucas walks through the costs beyond your mortgage payment, how much equity you build early on, and why your plans for the next few years matter. For sellers, more buyer negotiating power means adjusting expectations. Tim explains how to price for today’s market...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Mikhail Burdeen, Regional Sales Manager at Cornerstone Home Lending, about what it takes to qualify for a mortgage when you're self-employed. Unlike traditional W-2 employees, self-employed borrowers often face additional documentation requirements and a more detailed review of their income, business expe...

FHA is changing the way lenders can evaluate credit, potentially opening another path to a mortgage for some homebuyers. But getting approved is only part of the equation. You still need to know whether the payment works for your budget — and whether the home itself could come with costs you aren’t expecting. In this episode, Tim Lucas breaks down the FHA’s upcoming credit-scoring changes, includi...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Kara Ng, Senior Economist at Zillow, about what it really takes to become mortgage ready before you start seriously shopping for a home. Kara explains why buyers should begin preparing well before they find a property they want, including understanding their credit, building savings, and getting a realistic p...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Tim Lucas examines three housing trends that appear encouraging on paper but come with important trade-offs. Homebuyers finally have more listings to choose from, pending sales have slowed, and about 21% of listings recently had a price cut. That gives qualified buyers more room to negotiate over price, closing costs, repairs, and mort...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Hector Amendola, president at SimplyPMG, about how homebuyers can shop around for a mortgage, compare competing offers, and make a more informed choice before committing to a lender. Hector explains why borrowers should focus on getting an accurate, personalized quote rather than simply chasing the fastest an...

Americans are moving less than they once did, and housing affordability appears to be a major reason. But staying put is only one example of how costs beyond a home’s purchase price can shape where—and how—people live. In this episode, Mortgage Research Network’s Tim Lucas examines why renters and homeowners are moving less, what California’s wildfire insurance disputes can teach homeowners everyw...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Noah Meier, Chief Appraiser at Single Source Property Solutions, about what a home appraisal actually measures and why it matters during the mortgage process. Noah explains how appraisers analyze a property, its characteristics, recent sales, market conditions, and other relevant data to develop an independen...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, host Tim Lucas breaks down three very different forces affecting today’s housing market. First, why has it become so expensive to build new homes? Tim looks at research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and NYU’s Furman Center showing how rising material costs, skilled-labor shortages, difficult building sites, financing costs, and...

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Mike Pearson, Senior Vice President at AD Mortgage and newly named President of the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals, about what non-QM loans really are and why they should not be confused with subprime lending. Mike explains how non-QM mortgages fall outside certain qualified-mortgage requirements and...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast, Tim Lucas examines whether growing anxiety in the bond market could send mortgage rates sharply higher. With the national debt crossing $40 trillion, long-term Treasury yields rising, and investors paying closer attention to inflation and federal spending, warnings about “bond vigilantes” have returned. But is the bond market genuinely revo...

Fannie Mae reportedly dismissed roughly a dozen senior officials in a sudden leadership shake-up, raising questions about how much institutional knowledge the mortgage giant may have lost. The immediate market reaction was limited, but the longer-term concern is whether major staffing changes could affect Fannie Mae’s ability to manage risk and support mortgage-market stability. Tim Lucas and Crai...

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with Jaime Dunaway-Seale, content writer at Clever Real Estate, about where homebuyers have the most negotiating leverage and why some markets are much more favorable to buyers than others. Jaime breaks down Clever’s analysis of the 50 largest U.S. metros, which ranked markets using sale-to-list price ratios, the share o...

The income needed to afford a starter home has surged since 2019, while higher-end buyers continue to fare much better in today’s market. That split is creating a K-shaped housing market, where affluent buyers are still active while many entry-level buyers remain priced out. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine what Realtor.com, Zillow, and Redfin data reveal about the growing divide between starter-...

Buy-now-pay-later loans are expanding beyond discretionary purchases and are now being used by some consumers to cover essentials such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and groceries. While BNPL can provide short-term breathing room, relying on borrowing to cover basic living expenses can be a warning sign of deeper financial strain. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine how BNPL works, why its u...

Homeowners insurance premiums are still climbing, but the pace of those increases may finally be starting to moderate. Even so, most homeowners continue to pay more, and rising construction costs, severe weather, and underinsurance are keeping pressure on household budgets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine what Matic’s 2026 Home Insurance Report says about premiums, why some insurers are becoming...

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani speaks with John Dickson about how homeowners and homebuyers can better understand their flood risk and determine whether flood insurance makes sense for their property. John explains why FEMA flood maps may not always reflect current conditions, how changing development and weather patterns can affect flood exposure, and why b...

Existing home sales slipped in July as mortgage rates climbed, but the housing market has remained surprisingly resilient. At the same time, slower household growth could ease some pressure on housing supply, while new research suggests building more homes near public transit could help California pursue its climate goals. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine these three housing trends and what they...

Americans are spending more even as debt rises and savings shrink, leaving some homeowners looking to their record levels of home equity for financial relief. With credit card rates far above most home equity borrowing costs, HELOCs and home equity loans can offer a way to manage high-interest debt without giving up a low-rate first mortgage. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the record amount of...