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PODCAST

Mortgage Research Network Podcast

Mortgage Research Network

Thinking about buying your first home but overwhelmed by mortgage news, rising rates, and confusing headlines? The Mortgage Research Network Podcast is your no-fluff, data-backed guide to the housing market. We break down the latest trends, stories, and research from MortgageResearch.com into simple, clear insights you can actually use. Hosted with first-time buyers in mind, each episode helps you understand what’s happening in the market and how to use that knowledge to make smarter decisions, from

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All Episodes

4:00

Cities Will Pay You to Move There - Enough for a Down...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2026/01/09

Some U.S. cities are so eager for new residents that they’re offering $10,000–$35,000 in cash, in some cases enough for a 20% down payment. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the most generous programs, why they exist, and how they’re reshaping small-town America.In this episode, you’ll learn:The biggest offer: Jackson, Michigan, will give up to $35,000—nearly a 20% down payment on a brand-new $178K home.Other standout cities:West Memphis, AR: $10,000 for remote workers earning $75K+.St

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4:01

A 0.25% Rate Drop = 5.5 Million New Buyers? Here’s Why

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2026/01/07

A tiny quarter-percent drop in mortgage rates could unlock 5.5 million homebuyers—more people than the entire population of Colorado. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack how a small rate shift can trigger massive demand and reshape the housing market heading into 2026.In this episode you’ll learn:Why it matters: NAR’s research shows a 0.25% drop could unleash 5.5M buyers, especially renters desperate for relief.We’re already close: Rates have fallen from 7% → ~6.25%, putting this scenario in

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3:24

Spring 2026: Why Experts Expect a 14% Surge in Home...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2026/01/05

Spring 2026 is shaping up to be the busiest housing season in years. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack why experts expect a 14% jump in home sales, how the market is shifting back toward sellers, and what buyers should be doing now to get ahead.In this episode you’ll learn:Why sales may spike: NAR data, rising inventory, and pent-up seller activity point to a major spring rebound.Market shift ahead: Today’s neutral market is expected to swing back toward seller advantage by March

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3:35

Pandemic Migration: How Rural Home Prices Jumped 50%

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/29

Rural America was losing population for years—then the pandemic hit, remote work exploded, and over 500,000 people moved into small towns within two years. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack how this sudden migration sent rural home prices soaring and reshaped entire communities.In this episode you’ll learn:The migration surge: Rural areas flipped from –78,000 residents/year to +500,000 as lockdowns, remote work, and 2.77% mortgage rates pushed people outward.The price shock: Rural home

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3:52

First-Time Buyers vs. Investors: David Still Wins—But...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/22

Investors are grabbing a growing share of America’s starter homes—but first-time buyers still win 69% of the time nationally. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down new research from Neighbors Bank showing where first-time buyers thrive, where investors dominate, and why the picture varies so dramatically city by city.In this episode you’ll learn:National breakdown: First-time buyers claim 69% of starter homes; investors take 31%.Hotspots for investors: Cities like Miami (57%) see investors

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4:31

The 2026 Home: ADUs, EV Chargers & the New Must-Haves

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/19

Homebuyers in 2026 aren’t just shopping for bedrooms and bathrooms—they’re looking for flexibility, efficiency, and built-in technology. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the emerging features that experts say will define the homes of the future.In this episode you’ll learn:ADUs go mainstream: Backyard apartments are becoming essential as multigenerational buying hits 17% of purchases.EV readiness matters: With EVs surpassing 10% of U.S. car sales, a pre-installed charger can be a

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3:50

Fed Cuts Again—So Why Aren’t Mortgage Rates Dropping?

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/17

The Fed delivered a 0.25% rate cut at its December meeting—but deep division among policymakers and missing economic data made this one of the most unusual decisions in years. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack what the Fed’s split vote means, why housing won’t feel much relief, and what buyers should watch heading into 2026.In this episode you’ll learn:A divided Fed: Three members dissented—the most disagreement since 2019. One wanted a bigger cut; two wanted none.Data blind spots: The Fed

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4:03

The Global Housing Crisis: Why It’s Not Just Us

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/12

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 widespread market dysfunction.Japan’s opposite crisis: A shrinking population has created over 9

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3:51

Refi Boom 2025: Why Lower Rates Are Causing Higher Rates

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/10

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 rates to finally trade down.Who’s refinancing: About half of all mortgages with rates roughly 0.75%

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3:23

2026 Loan Limits Are Here: What Buyers Need to Know

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/08

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: Limits rise to $1,249,125, with Hawaii topping nearly $1.3M.Multi-unit options: Up to $1.6M in

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4:17

Why Mortgage Borrowers Are Suddenly Happier: The JD...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/05

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 winning: Citi jumped from 4th place to #1 with a score of 802, ahead of Bank of America, Citizens,

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3:51

Housing Market 2026: Slow Growth, Tight Supply, and a...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/03

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 appreciation; some see as low as 0.5%.Why no crash: Mortgage delinquencies at 3.42% and a massive

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3:10

2026 Mortgage Rates: Stability Ahead, Not Big Drops

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/12/01

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%.Why the Fed isn’t the driver: Mortgage rates follow the 10-year Treasury, not Fed rate cuts or

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3:24

Should Your Parents Co-Sign? The Real Risks and...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/28

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 else stays separate.DTI myth-busting: After 12 months of on-time payments from the buyer’s

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3:49

How High Housing Costs Led to 13 Million Fewer Births

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/26

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. fertility from 1990–2020.The affordability squeeze: Rents rose 149%, far outpacing overall inflation

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3:10

Are Home Values Falling? The Truth Behind the Headlines

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/24

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 purchase—mostly paper losses.Where it’s happening: Localized soft spots—Little Rock (20%), Austin

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3:27

Fannie Mae Drops the 620 Rule: Smarter, Fairer...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/21

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 minimum, following Freddie Mac’s earlier move.The why: The old system excluded “thin file”

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3:09

Assumable Mortgages: Can You Inherit a 2.65% Loan?

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/19

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 save $600+ per month on a $300K loan.The catch: Most sellers have already paid down their loans,

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4:03

The 50-Year Mortgage: Fix or Financial Trap?

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/17

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 younger buyers.The trade-off: You’d pay roughly $833K in interest over 50 years—nearly double what a

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4:16

Five Times the Income: Why Homes Are Pricier Than Ever

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/14

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 needs $500K, pushing payments from $2,600 → $4,000.The wealth divide: U.S. homeowners now hold $36

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