The Mortgage Voice

Jeff advises potential homebuyers in this uncertain financial climate to find a property that is right for them instead of focusing on the high rates. With the shortage of available houses on the market, the window to snap up a property is short and likely has many other applicants. Is the answer to buy now and refinance later when rates drop? Guests Ciro De Palma, Luke Manke, and Bill Orr reveal...

Jeff tries to make some sense of the continued high interest rates facing the mortgage industry by breaking down some of the contributing factors. Although unemployment has remained under four percent over the past two years, suggesting a robust economy, the Fed shows no indication that it plans to lower rates anytime soon. What implications will this have for those already struggling with high ho...

Jeff defines the most recent buzzword that many are concerned will be the next step for the economy – stagflation. This is characterized by an economic situation in which the inflation rate is high or increasing, the economic growth rate slows, and unemployment remains steadily high. Is the US headed in that direction and can the Fed do something about it? Guests Mikke Pierson and George Gonzales...

Jeff examines the potential impact of AI on the mortgage industry, where the latest sector to be affected is the appraisal process. Appraisals are under scrutiny as many push for the efficiency that AI could potentially offer. How much would electronic models miss out on that experienced human professionals bring to the table? What are the employment implications if AI makes some jobs obsolete? Gu...

Jeff notes that there are some bright spots in the market despite the current challenges of high interest rates and low inventory. Unseasonably cold weather in SoCal has not kept prospective buyers from scoping out available homes, regions of the USA are enjoying a 15% decrease in housing prices, and the overall economy is looking strong. Will the Fed take these as a sign to lower rates? Guests To...

Jeff navigates the complex terrain of today's real estate landscape, where, even though rates have stabilized, they are still much higher than in recent years. With the potential for property values to appreciate, could now be a good time to buy? How will the recent settlement between the National Association of Realtors and the Justice Department alter the way real estate commissions are structur...

Jeff outlines the difficulties that extreme weather and natural disasters cause in the real estate market in the wake of the heavy rains in California. Such events have an impact on property values and lending decisions alike, so how can homeowners and potential buyers prepare for the challenges they may face? How will the lowering of the national average credit score affect rates? Guests Wendy Va...

Jeff sheds some light on the impact of the phenomenon known as "the baby boom tsunami," a term given to the group of baby boomers projected to be selling their homes over the next decade. How many homes could this add to the market? How is the current lack of sufficient properties affecting housing prices and affordability for first-time homebuyers? Guests Chris Piro and Tiffany Nguyen advise on t...

Jeff explores the various economic indicators that determine how the Fed structures interest rates. With mortgage rates over 7% and higher inventory causing home prices to wane, economic factors like stubbornly high 3% inflation make Fed rate cuts unlikely soon. Could the stock market’s performance offer cautious optimism about the health of the economy? How can homebuyers navigate the high-rate e...

Jeff considers the potential for future mortgage interest rate stabilization or even decreases ahead as a possible bright spot in market volatility. With inflation impacting so many areas of the economy, many obstacles are still in the way of creating the housing needed amid a continued inventory shortage. Are corporate greed and supply chain issues largely to blame? Guests Nina Penny and April Lo...

Jeff delves into the dynamics of mortgage-backed securities and the relationship between the 10-year Treasury yield and mortgage rates. Rates are influenced by the yield on mortgage-backed securities, which needs to be competitive with the 10-year Treasury, but the two often vary significantly. What factors contribute to these fluctuations, and how can borrowers navigate a rising rate environment?...

Jeff analyzes several key economic factors affecting the mortgage industry, including inflation, the national debt, and the reliability of government data. Will the upcoming interest rate payments on the national debt mean cuts to much-needed programs and services? How do homebuyers make solid long-term decisions with constantly fluctuating information? Guests Gentille Chhun, Cari Anderson, and Ch...

Jeff considers how the instability of many factors in the current economic climate – the war in Ukraine, housing inventory, mortgage rates, and inflation – impact the American psyche. Monthly surveys like the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index report how consumers feel about conditions in the economy and what actions they’re likely to take. Is the American psyche in good shape at the moment? Guests...

Jeff wonders why it’s so difficult to get a more definitive handle on the direction of inflation. Economists give conflicting forecasts based on information released by the Fed, with predictions ranging from the stickiness of inflation to possible sudden drops in rates. How can buyers plan in such an unstable environment? Guests Charles Giscombe, Jamal Ransford, and Julie Peisner shed some light o...

With rates on the rise again from the almost unheard-of lows seen during the last couple of years, many people wonder if they can buy a home at an affordable rate. Perhaps credit scores aren’t what they should be, a family member fell ill, or there was a gap in employment during the pandemic, resulting in a change in income. Are these and other issues roadblocks to homeownership? Guests Luke Manke...

Jeff explores many of the questions that worry homebuyers, some of which are always on the checklist and others that have stemmed from difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic. Can we afford a home? What are the rates? Will the Fed keep raising rates, and how will that affect the prices of everything else in our lives? What if there has been a job loss or medical emergency? Guests Charles Giscombe...

Jeff makes some predictions for 2023 regarding the real estate industry, home values, and interest rates. How do experts view the economic health of the year ahead? Will the Fed Fund rate increase? What changes are on the horizon for mortgage rates? Is the specter of a recession looming? Guests Charles Giscombe, George Gonzales, and Joan Rebaza discuss the latest developments in products and commu...

Jeff outlines some recommendations for homebuyers in the current real estate market, emphasizing that what is happening nationally does not always reflect the conditions present in individual areas of the country. Buyers need to focus on what is required to buy a home in the specific community they’re interested in and to prepare according to that criteria. Guests Henry Park, Eric Morgenson, and G...

Jeff discusses how the various sectors of the real estate market are changing, whether in the individual areas of the country or in the industry itself and how they all comprise a mixed market. Why are conditions not the same across the board, what lies ahead with rates and prices, and is there any relief in sight? Guests Stacy Hartmann, George Gonzales, and Gayle Whiting provide some insight into...

Jeff delves into the many forms of inflation and how the perception of what causes it heralds changes throughout the economy and the mortgage industry. With so many life-altering events occurring over the last several years that have influenced inflation, will this be a motivating factor for buyers who didn’t act when the rates were low? Guests Josh Thompson, Mike Chapman, and Charles Giscombe sha...

Jeff examines the clues that may lead to a potential recession in the US. The word itself evokes visions of unemployment, a big drop in the stock market, and a weakening of the real estate market. Is it a done deal, or will experts be able to steer the economy away from a major decline in the nick of time? Guests Cindy Bui, Livier Becerra, and Chris Groves advise on how to stay confident in the ho...

Jeff explains the relationship between higher costs and profitability to shareholders when it comes to the impact of inflation. The availability of cheaper foreign products has been reduced because of supply chain issues, and with domestic manufacturing not as robust due to the demand for higher wages and profits, consumers must pay more for everything. What does this mean for the housing market?...

Jeff sheds some light on the affordability index and the overall effect interest rates and inflation have, not only on a buyer’s potential to qualify for a mortgage, but also on the availability of properties in the housing market. Given the rapid rise in interest rates, is there a light at the end of the tunnel for prospective home buyers? Guests Kim Soash, Charles Giscombe, and Joann Munz weigh...

Jeff considers the myriad causes of stress that seep into every aspect of our lives, with those stressors seeming to compound when the anxiety over buying a home is thrown into the mix. Is the dream of home ownership slipping further away for many in the current market? Guests Tyrell Robinson and Nina Penny have some ideas to help save that dream and turn it into reality.

Jeff explains the phenomenon, known as “the flight to safety,” that occurs when there is instability or uncertainty in the world - major shifts in the stock market, war, or a natural disaster, for example - causing investors to pull their money out of the stock market and put it somewhere more protected, which can make interest rates go through the roof. What does this mean for home buyers? Guests...