Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Tim Lucas sits down with Chris Birk of Veterans United Home Loans to break down 5 surprising facts about the VA home loan that many veterans, military families, buyers, and even sellers still misunderstand. They cover common VA loan myths, including VA loan credit score requirements, why VA mortgage rates are often lower than conventional and FHA loans, how VA closing costs and seller concessions...

Housing affordability is improving, and buyers and sellers may finally be meeting in the middle —but rising mortgage rates and global economic uncertainty could complicate the outlook. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the latest data and what it means for today’s housing market. In this episode you’ll learn: Why affordability is improving: Housing affordability has increased for eight straight...

More homes are hitting the market, and buyers may finally be gaining the upper hand —with surging inventory, slowing price growth, and shifting market conditions reshaping the spring housing landscape. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what’s driving this change and what it means for buyers and sellers in today’s market. In this episode you’ll learn: Why pending home listings are surging: New l...

They were created to support affordable housing— but today, only a fraction of Federal Home Loan Bank funding goes toward home loans, raising serious questions about their role in the housing market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how this system evolved, where the money is going now, and what it could mean for housing affordability. In this episode you’ll learn: What the Federal Home Loan B...

America’s housing stock is getting older—and more expensive to maintain. With the median home now at 44 years old, rising repair costs and ongoing expenses are putting serious financial pressure on homeowners. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why the true cost of homeownership is climbing—and what it means for your budget. In this episode you’ll learn: Why homes are older than ever: The median...

Single women are reshaping the housing market—and they now make up 21% of homebuyers compared to just 9% for single men , marking a major shift from decades past. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what’s driving this trend and what it means for the future of homeownership. In this episode you’ll learn: Why single women now outpace single men in homebuying: The gap has widened significantly as m...

Housing market risk isn’t confined to one region—and a new report shows high-risk counties spread across states like Florida, California, New Jersey, and Louisiana, each facing different pressures . Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down where the risks are rising, what’s driving them, and how local conditions are shaping very different outcomes across the country. In this episode you’ll learn: Whic...

Crypto is officially entering the housing market—and borrowers may soon be able to use cryptocurrency as collateral for a mortgage without selling it first . Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how this new policy works, who benefits most, and what it could mean for the future of homebuying. In this episode you’ll learn: How crypto can be used for a down payment: Borrowers can pledge cryptocurren...

When the kids move out, many homeowners start rethinking how they use their space—but some are spending huge sums on renovations to reclaim their homes. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why empty nesters are investing in major upgrades, what’s driving these decisions, and how to approach this transition without overspending. In this episode you’ll learn: Why empty nesters are renovating: Many...

Wall Street investors have been blamed for driving up home prices—but the data tells a more nuanced story. Large institutional buyers own less than 1% of single-family homes and are already pulling back from the market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what’s really happening, why policymakers are stepping in, and whether these efforts will make housing more affordable. In this episode you’ll...

House flipping isn’t as profitable as it used to be— with falling home prices and rising renovation costs, many investors are feeling the squeeze. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what’s driving the slowdown, where opportunities still exist, and whether flipping is still worth it in today’s market. In this episode you’ll learn: Why home flipping is declining: The number of flipped homes droppe...

Think buying a home is expensive? The real shock comes after you move in— homeowners can spend more than $400,000 on maintenance and repairs over time. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down where that money goes, why most people underestimate these costs, and how to prepare financially. In this episode you’ll learn: The true lifetime cost of maintenance: Homeowners spend an average of $339,000 on u...

Real estate listings can make homes look picture-perfect—but the reality doesn’t always match. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how photos, descriptions, and marketing tactics can create misleading impressions, and what buyers should watch for before scheduling a showing. In this episode you’ll learn: Why listings feel like social media: Photos and descriptions are designed to highlight the be...

Taking lessons on style from your grandmother? A growing backlash against sterile minimalism is driving homeowners toward cozy, nostalgic interiors inspired by “Grandma Chic.” Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore why vintage décor, layered patterns, and more personalized living spaces are suddenly dominating design trends—and what it says about how people want to live in their homes. In this episode...

An estimated 5.4 million homeowners could refinance right now and potentially save hundreds of dollars a month. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry discuss the renewed refinancing opportunity as mortgage rates hover near 6%, why many eligible borrowers still haven’t acted, and how homeowners are tapping into their equity while market conditions remain favorable. In this episode you’ll learn: How big the ref...

Taxes and insurance are quietly taking a bigger bite out of homeowners’ monthly payments—and in some markets, they make up more than a third of housing costs. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down new research from Neighbors Bank showing how rising property taxes and insurance premiums are reshaping housing affordability across the country. In this episode you’ll learn: How big the PITI problem has...

In this episode of the Mortgage Research Network Podcast , host Paul Centopani sits down with Hannah Jones , Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, to break down what to expect in the Spring 2026 housing market — and whether conditions are improving for buyers. From the persistent housing supply gap to regional disparities and affordability barriers, this conversation explains what's...

Many economists forecast a sharp drop in home values when interest rates started rising, but that never fully materialized. Homeowners with historically low mortgage rates are staying put, keeping home prices from falling as much as experts predicted. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the Harvard study on rate lock, explore why fewer sellers are moving, and discuss what it means for buyers and...

Ohio generates roughly $24 billion a year from property taxes—but that entire system could soon face a dramatic overhaul. If voters choose to abolish property taxes, one of the state’s largest funding sources for schools and local services could disappear overnight. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down two competing proposals: one to eliminate property taxes entirely, and another to replace them w...

Aging in place is the overwhelming goal for older Americans— but the costs of making that possible may put it out of reach for many families . With in-home care, assisted living, and nursing home expenses climbing fast, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what seniors actually want, what care really costs, and why planning ahead matters more than ever. In this episode you’ll learn: Why aging in p...

Home sales have plunged since their pandemic peak— but a new forecast suggests a sharp rebound could be closer than many expect . As mortgage rates eased from recent highs and inventory pressures slowly shift, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down a bold prediction that home sales could jump significantly in 2026, what’s been holding the market back, and what might finally unlock buyer and seller a...

Credit report fees are climbing fast—and borrowers may be paying more without realizing it . With costs projected to jump 40–50% in 2026, lenders are pushing Congress to rethink long-standing credit report requirements. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what’s driving the surge, what changes are being proposed, and who stands to benefit—or lose. In this episode you’ll learn: How much credit rep...

Banks once dominated mortgage lending—but today, nonbank lenders control most of the market. Now, the Federal Reserve is exploring changes that could pull banks back in , reshaping competition, regulation, and borrower outcomes in the process. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what’s at stake for borrowers and lenders alike. In this episode you’ll learn: How dramatically the market has shifted:...

Markets are hitting record highs—but the economic reality many Americans feel tells a very different story. With stocks surging and confidence sinking, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack why Wall Street and Main Street seem so disconnected, and what that means for investors and homeowners navigating uncertainty. In this episode you’ll learn: Why booming markets don’t equal a healthy economy: Financi...

Buying a newly built home comes with a major decision— is it better to buy a spec home or a custom build? In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore whether buyers are better off choosing a spec home built by a community developer or going all-in on a fully custom build, breaking down the real-world trade-offs that affect cost, timelines, resale value, and day-to-day satisfaction. In this...