Money Moves with Michael

You're a few days away from closing. Everything's moving forward. Then you get an email from your lender with a document attached: Your closing disclosure. This is one of the most important documents you'll receive, and you need to review it carefully. Today, we're talking about the Top 4 Sections You Must Review in Your Closing Disclosure. What it is, what to check, and most importantly, how to a...

In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, Michael breaks down the six critical things every buyer must check during their final walk-through—the last opportunity to catch issues before they become your responsibility. You’ll learn: Why the final walk-through is non‑negotiable The exact repairs, appliances, and utilities you must verify How to spot new damage that may have happened during move‑o...

The appraisal came in below your purchase price — don't panic. Michael walks through your four options for handling an appraisal gap and how to negotiate a solution without letting emotions drive a costly mistake. Your 4 Options Bring extra cash to closing — cover the gap yourself. Best when the gap is small and won't drain your savings. Negotiate the price down — ask the seller to meet the apprai...

You found your dream home, made an offer, and the seller accepted — now what? Before your lender hands over the money, they need to know the house is actually worth what you're paying for it. That's where the appraisal comes in. In this episode, Michael breaks down exactly what an appraisal is, how the process works, and how appraisers determine a home's value using comparable sales (comps). What...

In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, Michael Fornerette breaks down the five essential steps every homebuyer needs to follow when negotiating repairs after the inspection. Whether you're trying to secure repairs, negotiate credits, or decide when it’s time to walk away, this episode gives you the exact roadmap to protect your wallet and keep the deal alive. If you’ve ever wondered what’s r...

In Episode 18 of Money Moves with Michael, Michael Fornerette tackles one of the most overwhelming moments in the homebuying process: getting your inspection report back and trying to figure out what actually matters. With pages of photos, notes, and issues, it’s easy to panic — but this episode gives you a simple, clear system to separate serious problems from normal wear and tear. Michael breaks...

Welcome back to Money Moves with Michael! Today, Michael Fornerette is taking you inside the home inspection — the full walk‑through of what inspectors actually check, why it matters, and how it protects you from buying a money pit. You already know why you should never skip an inspection. Now it’s time to understand what you’re paying for during those two to four hours an inspector is crawling, c...

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make — and skipping the inspection is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, Michael Fornerette breaks down why a home inspection is the smartest $500 you’ll ever spend. Using real stories, practical examples, and clear guidance, Michael explains how inspections uncover hidden issues...

In Episode 15 of Money Moves with Michael, Michael Fornerette breaks down one of the toughest parts of homebuying: knowing when to walk away. In a competitive market, emotions run high and bidding wars can push buyers far past their comfort zone. This episode gives you the four essential rules that keep you grounded, disciplined, and financially protected. Michael covers: Setting your maximum pric...

In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, Michael Fornerette breaks down the Top 5 Components of a Winning Offer—and why price alone doesn’t win deals in today’s market. You’ll learn how to structure smart, competitive offers that appeal to sellers without overpaying, even in multiple-offer situations. Michael explains how each part of an offer works together—from pricing strategy to contingenc...

Welcome back to Money Moves with Michael! In Episode 13, Michael Fornerette breaks down one of the biggest reasons buyers lose out on homes — using the wrong offer strategy for the wrong market. Before you even think about writing an offer, you need to know this: Seller’s market, buyer’s market, balanced market — your strategy changes entirely depending on which one you’re in. In this episode, Mic...

In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, Michael Fornerette breaks down the five major red flags every buyer needs to look for during home showings. These warning signs often hide expensive issues—structural problems, mold, bad plumbing, neglect—and if you miss them, it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars after closing. Buying a home is exciting, but excitement can blind buyers to subt...

In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, Michael Fornerette breaks down the Top 8 things every buyer should check during showings—the exact items professionals focus on during inspections and the ones most likely to cost you big if you miss them. Whether you’re on your first showing or your fifteenth, this episode gives you a practical, no-nonsense walkthrough of what to look for, what questio...

In today’s episode, Michael breaks down the Top 3 Online Search Strategies that help buyers find the right home faster—and skip the listings that were never going to work in the first place. If you want to search smarter, cut out the noise, and narrow your list to only the best options, this episode is your roadmap. So far, we've covered need vs. wants, location decisions, resale value, and fixer-...

In today’s episode, Michael breaks down the real truth about fixer-upper homes—without the HGTV sugarcoating. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll buy something cheap and fix it up for a great deal,” this episode could save you tens of thousands of dollars and months of frustration. Michael explains why renovations often cost more, take longer, and why living in a construction zone is one of the most und...

Before you tour a single home, there are THREE things every buyer needs to know. In this episode, Michael breaks down the essentials that make house hunting faster, easier, and way less overwhelming. What You’ll Learn -Needs vs. Wants — The simple list that keeps you focused on the right homes. -Location Priorities — Commute, schools, and neighborhood factors you can’t change. -Resale Value Basics...

Welcome back to Money Moves with Michael! In this episode, Michael Fornerette breaks down the Top 3 Things You Need to Know About Working With Your Agent so your homebuying experience is smooth and stress-free. You’ve done the hard work—interviewed agents, checked for green flags, and found the right fit. But what happens next? Today, we’re covering: ✅ Understanding the Buyer Agency Agreement – W...

Choosing the right real estate agent can make or break your homebuying experience. In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, we’re diving into the five essential questions you need to ask before hiring an agent. These questions will uncover their experience, efficiency, communication style, and how they handle adversity—so you can confidently choose the right person to guide you through the big...

In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, we’re flipping the script. Last time, we covered the seven green flags of a great agent. Today, we’re talking about the warning signs—the red flags that should make you think twice or walk away entirely. Because hiring the wrong agent isn’t just inconvenient—it can cost you time, money, and even your dream home. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:...

Finding the right real estate agent isn’t just helpful—it’s the difference between winning your dream home and losing it to someone else. In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, Michael Fornerette breaks down the Top 7 Green Flags that signal you’ve found an agent who will fight for you, protect your interests, and help you succeed in today’s competitive market. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ W...

The Pre-Approval Timeline - 3 Ways We Get You Approved Fast And How We Do It You’ve gathered your documents, you understand why pre-approval matters—now you’re wondering: How long does this take? The good news: with the right process, pre-approval can happen in as little as ONE day—and usually no more than three. In this episode of Money Moves with Michael, I’m breaking down the entire timeline so...

Episode 2: Everything You Need to Get Pre-Approved (And Where to Find It) Welcome back to Money Moves with Michael! In this episode, we’re cutting through the confusion and giving you the Top 5 documents you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage—and exactly where to find them. If buying a home is the trip of a lifetime, think of this as packing your suitcase. Once you’ve got these essentials, yo...

You’ve found your dream home online, you’re excited, and you call your agent—only to hear the dreaded question: “Are you pre-approved?” If your answer is “No, but I’m pre-qualified,” your excitement might deflate fast. Here’s the truth: Pre-qualification means almost nothing. Pre-approval means everything. In this episode, Michael Fornerette breaks down the single most important step before you st...

This week, Michael covers VA Loans..... If you’ve served in the military—active duty, veteran, National Guard, or Reserves—you’ve earned one of the most powerful financial benefits available: the VA home loan. In this episode, Michael Fornerette breaks down everything you need to know about VA loans in plain English—no jargon, no confusion. Discover why VA loans are considered the best home loan i...

This week, Michael Fornerette covers FHA, what they are, and how to use them..... Topics discussed: Credit Score Requirements Down Payments, DTI, Loan Limits Owner Occupancy Requirements Mortgage Insurance Refi Strategies, Down Payment Strategy, PMI When To Use FHA This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm