Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Soaring home prices aren’t just an American problem—they’re happening everywhere. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how housing affordability has collapsed across developed nations, why Japan is the strange exception, and what global patterns reveal about our future. In this episode you’ll learn: The global scale: In the UK, if egg prices rose like housing, a dozen would cost $120 —a symbol of wid...

A refinancing surge—the biggest in more than three years —is reshaping the mortgage market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why refis are spiking even as headlines paint a gloomy housing picture, and how this boom may ironically push mortgage rates up for everyone else. In this episode you’ll learn: Why refis are exploding: Softer rates have opened the door for homeowners who bought at peak r...

The FHFA has officially released 2026 conventional loan limits , and buyers now have more borrowing power—before the new year even begins. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down what the new limits mean, who benefits most, and how buyers can use them strategically. In this episode you’ll learn: The new standard limit: $832,750 for a single-unit home, a 3.26% increase from 2025. High-cost markets: Li...

Mortgage satisfaction scores just hit a five-year high —and it’s not because rates are lower. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how lenders boosted customer happiness by ditching the assembly-line approach and actually explaining the process. In this episode you’ll learn: The big shift: Top lenders now act more like financial advisors , blending clear communication with smart tech. Who’s winnin...

After years of record prices, doubled mortgage rates, and the lowest sales in decades, the 2026 housing outlook points to something unusual: stability . Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why experts expect slow price growth—not a crash—and how regional differences will shape buyer and seller decisions next year. In this episode you’ll learn: Price forecasts: Most experts predict 2–4% national a...

After a roller-coaster 2025, experts say 2026 mortgage rates will hover near today’s levels —around 6.1% to 6.4% depending on the agency. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why major rate swings aren’t expected and what buyers should focus on instead. In this episode you’ll learn: The forecast: Fannie Mae expects just under 6% , NAR sees 6.1% , and MBA calls for 6.4% —averaging to about 6.2% . W...

Co-signing is becoming a lifeline for many millennials and Gen Z buyers—but it’s also surrounded by myths and hesitation. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how co-signing actually works, what it does (and doesn’t) do to credit, and how families can structure it safely. In this episode you’ll learn: What co-signing really is: Only the mortgage account appears on the co-signer’s credit—everything...

A new University of Toronto study reveals a staggering statistic: 13 million fewer U.S. births over the last 30 years are tied directly to rising housing costs. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how affordability challenges are reshaping family decisions—and America’s demographic future. In this episode you’ll learn: The core finding: Housing costs explain over half of the decline in U.S. ferti...

More than half of U.S. homes saw a dip in value this year—but only 4% have actually fallen below their original purchase price. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why scary headlines don’t reflect the real story and why the housing market remains far more stable than it sounds. In this episode you’ll learn: The distinction: 53% of homes declined year-over-year , but just 4% lost value since purc...

Credit scores have long acted as gatekeepers to homeownership—but Fannie Mae is rethinking that approach. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down why the agency is scrapping its 620 minimum credit score , what it really means for borrowers, and how it could open the door to more responsible buyers. In this episode you’ll learn: The change: As of November 16, 2025 , Fannie Mae removes its hard 620 min...

What if you could buy a home and keep the seller’s 2.65% mortgage rate ? Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore the government’s new proposals for assumable and portable mortgages —and why they might sound simpler than they are. In this episode you’ll learn: The big idea: Buyers could assume or “port” a seller’s low-rate loan instead of starting a new one. The math: A 2.65% rate vs. today’s 6.3% could...

A 50-year mortgage might sound extreme—but it’s being floated as the next big housing solution. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack what this proposal could mean for affordability, interest costs, and the long-term future of American homeownership. In this episode you’ll learn: The pitch: A 50-year mortgage could cut payments by about $240/month on a $350K loan , making housing more accessible to you...

Homes that once cost 3x household income now average 5x nationwide —and in places like San Jose , that ratio hits 12.5x . Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how we got here, what it means for buyers, and why the gap between homeowners and renters keeps widening. In this episode you’ll learn: The affordability shift: A family earning $100K could once afford a $320K home —today, that same family n...

The average first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old , and nearly 15 million young adults still live with their parents. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry dig into the data behind this generational housing shift and what it means for the future of wealth and independence in America. In this episode you’ll learn: The numbers: Only 2% of buyers are under 24, and just 10% are 25–34—down from 40% pre-2008 . L...

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is leaving a $14 billion hole in the economy—and the housing market is taking the hit. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack how loan delays, frozen flood insurance, and stalled approvals are rippling through communities nationwide. In this episode you’ll learn: The immediate fallout: Home listings down 14% in D.C. , 5% in Virginia Beach , and 2%+ in citi...

A landmark 2024 court ruling changed how real estate agents get paid—and buyers are asking if they still need one. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore the rise of DIY homebuying advice on Reddit, what buyers risk by going solo, and why agents may still be worth every penny. In this episode you’ll learn: The new reality: Buyers may now pay their agent directly (2–3%), though many sellers still cover...

Two major banking groups say lowering mortgage rates could be as easy as flipping a policy switch. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack a bold proposal that could nudge rates under 6% , how it works, and why it’s sparking debate in Washington. In this episode you’ll learn: The proposal: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would buy $300 billion in mortgage-backed securities when rates exceed 1.7% above 10-year...

By 2060 , nearly one in four Americans will be over 65—and that shift is already transforming the housing market. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how seniors’ needs are redefining home design, policy, and community living across the country. In this episode you’ll learn: The scale of change: By 2035 , the U.S. will have almost 12 million people over 85 , many living in homes never designed for a...

The Fed cut rates—and mortgage rates still spiked. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack how a routine announcement turned into a market whiplash, why Powell’s press conference rattled investors, and what borrowers should watch heading into December. In this episode you’ll learn: The twist: A quarter-point cut brought mortgage rates from 6.13% → 6.27% , reversing weeks of progress. What Powell said: De...

House flipping profits just hit their lowest level since 2008 , with margins down to 25% . Tim Lucas and Craig Berry dig into how tariffs, labor shortages, and rising material costs are reshaping the renovation industry—and what it means for home affordability. In this episode you’ll learn: The new reality: Median flip purchase prices at $259,700 , but rising tariffs and competition are cutting in...

Gen Z is flipping the wealth-building script— 600% more active in the stock market than nine years ago while homeownership rates hit historic lows. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore how this generation’s financial strategy could reshape both Wall Street and Main Street. In this episode you’ll learn: The numbers: 37% of 25-year-olds now have investment accounts (up from 6% in 2015), while Gen Z mak...

With rent eating up 28% of the average American’s income , saving for a home can feel impossible—but renters are getting more creative than ever. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry share eight proven strategies for turning tight budgets into down payments. In this episode you’ll learn: The new down payment reality: The average first-time buyer puts down just 9% , with options as low as 3–3.5% —and even 0%...

Did you know 5% of all new mortgages go to borrowers over 70? Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain how seniors qualify for home loans, what legal protections ensure equal treatment, and how age is never a barrier when the numbers add up. In this episode you’ll learn: The law: The Equal Credit Opportunity Act bans age discrimination in lending—no one can be denied or discouraged because of age. How se...

Even as U.S. homeowners hold $35 trillion in equity , some cities are seeing the opposite—rising debt and falling home values. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down where and why certain markets, particularly in Florida and Texas , are now struggling with underwater mortgages. In this episode you’ll learn: The hotspots: Cape Coral, FL leads with 8% of homes underwater , followed by Lakeland, FL, an...

Hoping to save a few bucks by waiting to lock your mortgage rate? That hesitation could cost you thousands . Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how rate locks really work, why timing them is so tricky, and what matters more than chasing the “perfect” rate. In this episode you’ll learn: The hidden risk: Waiting just one week for rates to drop can cost $5,000 or more in lost lender credits or high...