Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Falling home prices usually sound like bad news—but the reason they're falling makes all the difference. While collapsing home values devastated cities like Detroit during the Great Recession, declining prices in markets like Denver may actually improve affordability, strengthen local economies, and create more opportunities for future homebuyers. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why not all...

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Dave Meyer, Chief Investment Officer at BiggerPockets, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in housing: the belief that the Federal Reserve directly controls mortgage rates. While the Fed plays an important role in the economy, Dave explains why mortgage rates are actually influenced by a much broader...

Buying a home is exciting—but the purchase price is only the beginning. While 93% of recent homebuyers say they're glad they became homeowners, most also admit they underestimated just how much repairs, maintenance, and ongoing ownership costs would add to their budgets. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry discuss why so many buyers are caught off guard, how older homes contribute to unexpected expenses...

Housing affordability has become such a pressing issue that Congress overwhelmingly approved the largest housing legislation in decades. The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to increase housing supply, reduce construction delays, expand financing options, and limit the influence of large corporate investors—all in an effort to make homeownership more attainable. Tim Lucas and Craig...

A stronger economy could translate into stronger housing wealth in 2026. Economists expect the U.S. to avoid a recession, add hundreds of thousands of jobs, and keep unemployment below 5%, creating conditions that could help the average homeowner add roughly $16,000 to their net worth. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why experts are optimistic, why mortgage rates may remain stubbornly high, a...

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Rod See, Managing Director of Community Lending and Senior Vice President at Cornerstone Home Lending, to discuss one of the biggest misconceptions keeping people from buying a home: the belief that you need tens of thousands of dollars saved before you can even get started. Rod explains why many buyers who quali...

A fresh coat of paint can add value—or quietly cost you thousands when it’s time to sell. Zillow’s latest research found that certain colors can influence buyer perceptions and offers, with some shades adding value while others may reduce a home’s sale price by as much as $18,000. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why paint colors matter, which shades buyers prefer, and the simple updates that can...

The world’s wealthiest homebuyers are no longer focused solely on luxury—they’re investing in homes designed to help them live longer, healthier lives. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how the growing longevity economy is reshaping high-end real estate, why wellness features are becoming must-haves, and how luxury homeowners are designing properties that support both health and aging in place. Co...

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Ralph DiBugnara, Senior Vice President at New American Funding, to discuss how homebuyers can make smarter decisions in today's competitive housing market. From choosing the right neighborhood to avoiding costly property issues, Ralph shares practical homebuyer tips for finding a home that fits both your budg...

More than half of prospective homebuyers say they would be comfortable letting artificial intelligence handle their home purchase—and even more are willing to trust AI with mortgage shopping, loan applications, and sensitive financial information. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore why buyers are embracing AI in the mortgage process, where the technology can help, and why human expertise still play...

In this episode of the Real Estate Update Podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Ben Stef, Senior Loan Advisor at NEXA Lending and founder of Funding Freedom, to break down one of the most powerful financing tools available to real estate investors: Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans. Ben explains how these loans work, why they've become increasingly popular, and how they can help i...

The average homebuyer will pay back more than twice the original purchase price of their home over the life of a 30-year mortgage—and most people have no idea just how much interest adds to the final bill. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the mortgage math that surprises many buyers, how interest rates dramatically affect long-term costs, and why factors like timing, location, and loan term ca...

Two of the biggest names in real estate are facing criticism over practices that some say prioritize profits over transparency. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine the growing controversy surrounding Zillow and Compass, why both companies say they’re acting in consumers’ best interests, and whether their business models could be reshaping the housing market in ways buyers and sellers don’t fully und...

Homeowners are tapping into their home equity at the highest rate since 2008, driven by a simple reality: few people want to give up the ultra-low mortgage rates they locked in during the pandemic. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why HELOCs and home equity loans are surging in popularity, how global events and interest rates are shaping borrowing decisions, and what homeowners should consider be...

In this episode of the Real Estate Update podcast, host Paul Centopani sits down with Charles Goodwin, VP and Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending at Kiavi. With a decade of private lending expertise under his belt and having personally owned roughly 50 single-family investment properties, Charles pulls back the curtain on how to navigate today's housing market as both an investor and a first-time...

A federal law designed to combat money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes is now at the center of a growing battle between homeowners associations and Washington policymakers. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain why HOAs believe the Corporate Transparency Act could increase administrative costs, how those costs could ultimately affect homeowners, and why the debate has become a major lega...

Hurricane season is here, and many homeowners may be far less prepared than they think. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry discuss why disaster preparedness involves much more than insurance coverage, what every emergency kit should include, and the critical steps families can take before, during, and after a natural disaster to protect their safety, finances, and property. Connect with Mortgage Research N...

Nearly half of all home insurance claims filed with the nation’s largest insurers now go unpaid, leaving many homeowners shocked when they discover what their policies actually cover. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why claim denials are becoming more common, how rising deductibles and policy exclusions are affecting homeowners, and what you can do to avoid costly surprises before disaster st...

In this Real Estate Update episode, host Paul Centopani sits down with Matt Lind as we focus on home buyer education because knowledge is power. Matt is a licensed real estate broker at Compass with eight years of boots-on-the-ground experience. Matt kicks things off by playing a quick game of "What's the Difference?" to clear up commonly conflated terms like mortgage banker vs. brok...

3D-printed homes are moving from science fiction to reality, with builders claiming they could dramatically reduce construction costs, speed up development, and help address America’s housing shortage. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how 3D-printed homes work, why the technology is gaining attention, and the major challenges that still stand in the way of widespread adoption. Connect with Mortga...

More older Americans are turning to roommates not just to save money, but to combat isolation and make retirement more manageable in an increasingly expensive housing market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore the rapid rise of older roommates, why shared housing among seniors is growing so quickly, and how multigenerational living is reshaping what retirement looks like in America. Connect with Mo...

Congress is closer to passing major housing legislation than it has been in decades, but deep disagreements remain over how far the government should go in reshaping the housing market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, why lawmakers from both parties are suddenly aligned on housing reform, and the controversial investor rules threatening to dera...

Ever wonder why some lenders have stricter rules than others when you apply for a home loan? In this deep dive, host Paul Centopani sits down with Jenna Gonzalez, Associate Director of Capital Markets at Veterans United, to demystify the complex world of mortgage underwriting guidelines and "overlays." We break down how lenders take base agency guidelines (like VA, FHA, and Conventional)...

Some of America’s strangest homes were never built for comfort or convenience—they were built to make a point. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore the bizarre history of spite houses, the tiny and often awkward homes created out of neighbor disputes, property feuds, and pure stubbornness that still fascinate buyers and historians today. Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/...

New homes may save buyers tens of thousands of dollars, VA loans remain dramatically underused, and unconventional mortgages are quietly making a comeback. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down several major housing and mortgage trends shaping today’s market, from the financial advantages of new construction to the growing risks tied to nontraditional lending. Connect with Mortgage Research Network...