Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton

In today's competitive housing market, buyers need every edge they can get, and we're excited to introduce a new program that we believe is a no-brainer. To help us explain how it all works, we're excited to welcome on realtor Lorna Kozlowski of RE/MAX Town & Country to unveil a new $10,000 Closing Guarantee. You'll hear how this guarantee works, how it differs from a standard pre-approval, and wh...

You've found your dream house, the one you've been hoping for. But there's one problem: you're not pre-approved. In a market where homes can go under contract in hours, hesitation can cost you everything. Many buyers assume they can get pre-approved on the fly, but is that realistic? Bill breaks it all down and shares how you can be ready to make the big leap when the time comes. Here's what we di...

Is owning a home still possible for the average family or has it become out of reach? For parents trying to raise kids, build stability, and plan for the future, understanding what it really takes to buy a home is more important than ever. In this episode, we'll look at new research from Realtor.com showing how much a family of four in Pennsylvania needs to earn to afford a home in today's market,...

Home values across the country have been on the rise for the past five years, and Pennsylvania has been outperforming the national average. Today we're going to dive into eye-opening data on 50 towns across the state, revealing just how much home values have climbed in recent years. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 🏡 Rent vs. buy: why ownership still wins 📈 40–60% appreciation in just 5 y...

With Fed decisions, mortgage rate fluctuations, and rising buyer interest, May is already shaping up to be a dynamic month. In this month's market update, Bill shares the latest market trends, including the Fed's decision to hold rates steady and how mortgage applications continue to rise year over year, even amid economic uncertainty. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 🏦 Fed holds rates ste...

Traditionally, homebuyers have targeted 20% as the ideal down payment but does that still hold true today?   We meet with people all the time who want to know how much they need to put down on a home, so let's look at the current trends nationally and talk about what percentage might be best for you. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Why 68% of our clients are putting less than 20% down...

Going through a divorce is incredibly emotional and it brings a lot of uncertainty, especially around housing. Trying to figure out what to do next about where to live is stressful. So what do you need to know if you're trying to buy a home during or after a divorce? This is a highly sensitive time and we want to help you avoid the common pitfalls and financial surprises that can come with this tr...

With interest rates fluctuating, many homeowners are considering refinancing, but it's essential to approach this decision with caution. People often ask us about what they need to know so they can avoid making any mistakes during the process. From paying unnecessary points to chasing misleading online rate quotes, Bill walks through real-life examples and highlights the importance of doing the ma...

It's time for a much-needed update on the mortgage market for April 2025. With ongoing uncertainties driven by tariffs, inflation, and market volatility, we'll explain how these factors are impacting mortgage rates and what potential homebuyers and homeowners need to know. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 🏡 Increased Inventory : More homes on the market this spring 💸 Tariff Impact : Poten...

Is a lender credit a smart way to save money on your mortgage, or does it cost you more in the long run? In this episode, Bill explains how lender credits work, when they make sense, and when you should avoid them. A lender credit can help cover closing costs, but it comes with a trade-off: a higher interest rate. Bill shares real-life scenarios, including a client who saved $10,000 upfront while...

The decision to rent or buy gets tougher as your time horizon gets shorter. At what point does the pendulum swing from buy to rent? Today we're going to talk about a specific scenario where someone plans to move to a new city for five years. Would they be better off renting or buying? Bill breaks down the key factors and runs the math to help answer that question. Here's what we discuss in this ep...

If you're selling a home and planning to use your equity to pay off debt before buying a new home, what's the best way to handle the transition? In this episode, we're going to look at the two common scenarios where home sellers need to pay off debt—either by necessity to qualify for a mortgage or by choice to improve their financial situation – and then talk about the options your mortgage lender...

Uncertainty is the theme of the month as mortgage rates, economic policies, and market conditions continue to shift. In this episode, Bill provides a timely March market update, breaking down how recent policy changes, employment trends, and inflation rates are shaping the mortgage industry. Here are some key takeaways from the show: 📉 Mortgage rates dropping? Why the trend looks positive for buy...

In this video, we're going to play lively game of "Overrated, Underrated, or Rightly Rated?" with Bill Litton, regional president at Cross Country Mortgage. Join us as we tackle key concepts that every potential homebuyer should understand. This episode explores various aspects of homebuying, from credit scores to pre-qualifications, real estate agents, and more. Bill shares his insights on what t...

When it comes to buying a home, many couples assume that applying for a mortgage together is the best route to take. While that might be true for some, some couples are better off going the individual route. Today we'll take you through the key pillars of a mortgage loan and explain how they're evaluated in a joint application. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:40 – Credit sco...

For many prospective homebuyers, the path to homeownership begins with securing a pre-approval, which not only indicates how much you can borrow but also sets the stage for a smoother homebuying experience. Once you've been pre-approved, how much information do you need to share with your lender before the closing date arrives? Today we're going to answer a question about disclosing a major life c...

It's been a busy first few weeks of the year as the Trump administration takes office and gets to work. What's the latest as it relates to the mortgage world and homebuying? Hear from Bill Litton at Cross Country Mortgage on economic changes, interest rates, and the impact of federal policies on home buying. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:30 – Recent Fed Decision 4:25 – Tru...

One of the main pillars for securing a loan is income and a strong housing market means you might need a little more to qualify for the home you have your eyes on. Can picking up a second job help you qualify and how long do you need to have it before it starts counting towards your application? Today we're talking all about income and the factors that come into play when you submit your loan appl...

One ​of ​the ​biggest ​questions, ​first ​time ​home ​buyers ​have ​is ​how ​much ​can ​I ​actually ​afford? Today ​we're ​going ​to ​​look ​at a specific ​situation ​and a common scenario for young couples, ​break ​down ​the ​numbers, ​and discuss how to determine how much they can afford. And that's the most important thing because what you are approved to spend might be much different than what...

Is 2025 the year you hope to buy your first home? It looks like it could be a good year for homebuying and you want to be prepared when the time comes to put an offer in on that dream house. But if you've never bought a home before, you might not know what the first step should be.   In our latest episode, we'll explain why the most important first step for anyone buying a home is to have a conver...

As we step into 2025, the mortgage landscape is evolving, and understanding the market trends is key for prospective homebuyers and those considering refinancing. We're kicking off the new year by sharing expectations for interest rates, some important economic indicators, and mortgage planning strategies. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 0:54 – What Bill's watching to start 20...

As we approach the new year, many of us are setting goals and making plans for 2025. For some, this might mean taking the exciting step of purchasing a new home. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to refinance, we want you to be well-prepared for the journey ahead. In our latest show, we'll give you three essential homebuying tips for the upcoming year. These three tips are designed to e...

Navigating the complex world of home buying can be especially challenging when unique situations arise that don't fit the traditional mortgage mold. Sometimes there are unique buying situations that you need to overcome, and a good lender will help you find the right solutions. In this show, Bill discusses common challenges like managing debt-to-income ratios, buying a new home before selling the...

As we wrap up the year, the December market update on the Smart Mortgage Show brings timely insights into the post-election economic landscape and its implications for mortgage rates. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 0:40 – Reaction to election 2:42 – Economic forecasts 5:30 – End-of-year focus 6:38 – Busy during the holidays?   CONTACT: Schedule a time to meet with Bill here:...

Choosing the right lender is crucial because, unlike grocery shopping, buying a home is not a frequent activity. You want to get it right the first time. Bill emphasizes the importance of a lender who asks the right questions and takes the time to understand your unique situation. This personalized approach ensures that the financial decisions you make align with your long-term goals. Here's what...