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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

education how to

All Episodes

3:00

Refi Window: Up to 3 Million Homeowners Back in the Mone

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Mortgage rates have slipped enough to put millions back in the refi game. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain who benefits, how much you could save, and the smartest ways to move fast without missteps. You’ll learn:Who’s “in the money”: A ~0.75% drop (e.g., 7.25% → 6.5%) can make refinancing worthwhile. Roughly 2 million homeowners qualify now—and if rates dip below 6.375%, that could rise to 3 million.Real-dollar impact: A borrower with a $250K FHA loan at 2023 highs could

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4:07

2026 Loan Limits: Will Conforming Loans Top $842K?

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/09/01

Conforming (aka “conventional”) loan limits could jump ~4.46% in 2026—to $842K+—based on early FHFA Home Price Index trends. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain how limits are set, who benefits, and smart ways to bridge the gap right now. You’ll learn:How Limits Move: FHFA’s HPI drives the annual reset; recent history saw +18% (2022) and +12.2% (2023), making a ~4.5% 2026 rise relatively modest.High-Cost Areas: Caps run 150% of the standard limit—potentially $1.2M+ for 1-unit

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3:57

Payment Shock: What It Is—and How to Beat It

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/29

That first mortgage payment can feel like a jolt—but lenders actually define “payment shock” pretty precisely: your new payment is 5% higher or $100 more than your current housing cost (whichever is less). In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain how payment shock factors into approvals and how to plan around it. You’ll learn:How Lenders View It: Why payment shock is a yellow flag—not an automatic denial—and how it interacts with DTI, down payment, and reservesReal-World Gotchas:

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4:29

Choosing a Lender: Beyond the Shiny Low Rate

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/27

That “too-good-to-be-true” rate ad? It often is. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry share real buyer stories and a simple framework to pick the right lender—without surprise fees or last-minute chaos. You’ll learn:Lender Types, Demystified: When brokers shine (complex files), how banks/credit unions compete (relationship perks), and why direct lenders can move fasterRate vs. APR: Why APR beats headline rate for apples-to-apples comparisons—and how discount points, origination, and

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3:51

Fannie Mae’s 2026 Outlook: Falling Rates, Cooler...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/25

Good news, finally: Fannie Mae’s latest forecast points to easing mortgage rates and slower home-price growth—conditions that could tip the market back toward first-time buyers. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack what the August Housing Forecast could mean for your budget and timing. You’ll learn:Rates Drifting Down: Why 30-year fixed rates could slide toward ~6.1% by end of 2026, with averages stepping down from ~6.7% this quarterPrice Growth Cools: How quarterly gains near

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3:29

Trigger Leads Shut Down: A Win for Homebuyer Privacy

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/22

Tired of 100 spam calls after a mortgage inquiry? Help is on the way. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explain Congress’s new law that stops credit bureaus from selling your mortgage-shopping data—ending the “trigger leads” frenzy. You’ll learn:What Trigger Leads Are: How a simple credit pull alerted dozens of lenders and sparked nonstop calls, texts, and emailsWhat the New Law Does: Bans bureaus from selling your inquiry data for mortgage marketing, with rare exceptionsWho’s

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4:14

2,500 Keys to Homeownership: Down Payment Assistance...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/20

Most buyers overestimate what they need to buy a home—and miss out on thousands in help. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the exploding world of down payment assistance and how it can open doors faster than you think. You’ll learn:The Scale: Over 2,500 programs nationwide, with 45 new programs added last quarterBeyond Down Payments: 74% also help with closing costs, and ~40% aren’t just for first-timersWho Qualifies: 10% have no income limits; many allow manufactured

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4:10

Dorm or Deed: When Buying Beats Room & Board

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/18

At 23 U.S. universities, buying a home near campus can cost less than dorm living. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack when the numbers pencil out—and when they don’t. You’ll learn:Big Savings, Real Examples: How parents at Temple University could save about $30,000 over three years—and potentially net $70,000 over ten years by holding the propertyWhere It Fails: Why pricey markets like Seattle or San Diego can mean losses of $80,000+, and Montclair, NJ could be down as much

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3:57

100-Point Credit Score Boost: Quick Wins vs. Long Game

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/15

Can your credit score really jump 100 points in weeks—or take seven years? In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the fast fixes and the deep-rooted hurdles to credit improvement. You’ll learn:Surface-Level Wins: How paying down maxed cards or correcting errors can deliver a 100-point surge in as little as 30 daysRapid Rescores: The “cheat code” for urgent score improvements—what they cost ($500+), when they work, and why lenders may balkDeep-Rooted Draggers: Why charge-offs,

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3:32

Home Price Slowdown: Buyer’s Window or False Dawn?

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/13

Freddie Mac just cut its 12-month home-price growth forecast from 4.2% to 1.3%—a seismic revision that could redefine buyer opportunities across America. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack the data and regional twists you need to know. You’ll learn:Forecast Falloff: Why FHFA’s May report showed a 0.2% price decline and Case–Shiller’s annual growth slowed to 2.25%Regional Rifts: How markets like Austin, Miami, Chicago, LA, and Denver are down 4–5% while Midwest and Northeast

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3:16

Refi Frenzy: Surging 18% as Rates Dip to 6.5%

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/11

A weak jobs report sent mortgage rates tumbling—and refinance applications soared 18% year-over-year. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the data driving the latest refi rush and what it means for your wallet. You’ll learn:Jobs vs. Rates: How just 73K July jobs (vs. 100K expected) and a massive 258K downward revision sent average rates to 6.77%, sparking three straight weeks of declinesRefi Resurgence: Why refinance volume now accounts for 42% of all mortgage

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4:41

Temu’s $16K Foldable House: Viral Sensation or...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/08

A house that unfolds like origami for under $16,000? In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry dismantle the hype behind Temu’s discontinued fold-out prefab shell—and reveal why it’s far from a turnkey solution. You’ll learn:What You Actually Get: A 380 sq ft metal shell—no plumbing, wiring, interior walls, or certification for permanent residencyHidden Setup Costs: Crane fees ($300–$1,000+), foundation work, utility hookups, and interior build-out that can double or triple the sticker

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5:15

Student Loan Restart: 100-Point Credit Score Drops...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/06

Over five million Americans just felt the hit: federal student loan repayments resumed, and credit scores plunged—often by 100–177 points. In this crucial episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack the fallout and explain what it means for your mortgage chances. You’ll learn:The Score Shock: How the end of the 43-month payment pause and the October 2024 on-ramp expiration triggered 2.2 million borrowers to lose 100 points—and another 1 million to lose 150+ pointsAge & Geography: Why

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4:28

Graduation to Homeownership: Why the Class of ’25...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/04

For recent grads, the path to a front door key just got a decade longer. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the new “homebuying timeline” study and what it means for the Class of 2025. You’ll learn:Decade-Long Delay: Why median graduates won’t afford a home until 2034—almost 9 years post-degree—given average salaries, 13.8% savings rates, and $410/month student-loan paymentsState-By-State Divide: From under 5 years in West Virginia to a staggering 18-year wait in Hawaii

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4:22

Crypto-Collateral Mortgages: Putting Bitcoin on the...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/08/01

Imagine buying a $500K home without selling a single satoshi—just by pledging your crypto holdings. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the emerging world of crypto‑backed mortgages and explain how digital assets are reshaping home financing. You’ll learn:How It Works: Lock your Bitcoin or Ethereum in escrow as 100% collateral—and receive cash to buy a home without credit checks or income verificationSpeed vs. Safety: Why closings can happen in a week, but what margin

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4:26

Home Price Shock: When Salaries Fall Behind

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/07/30

Home affordability has cratered—from 39 major markets to just 11 where median earners can still buy. In this eye-opening episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack the widening gap between home prices and paychecks. You’ll learn:Affordability Collapse: How three years ago 39 metros were within reach—and now only 11 remain affordable for median earnersSalary Multiples Surge: Why today’s median home costs 5.6× annual income versus under 3.9× before 2000—the worst since records

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4:31

Credit Score Showdown: Will Homebuyers Win the War?

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/07/28

Lenders can now choose between FICO and VantageScore for conventional loans—ending decades of scoring monopoly and setting the stage for a credit‑score battle that could reshape mortgage access. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry explore what this competition means for homebuyers. You’ll learn:The New Choice: How Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are opening doors to VantageScore alongside FICO—and why FICO’s monopoly is under threatScoring Secrets: Why VantageScore can issue scores after

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3:45

Flood Insurance Fears: Why Only 7% of Texas Homes Are...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/07/25

After devastating Texas floods, why are just 7% of homeowners protected by flood insurance—and under 1% in Dallas? In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry dive into the surprising gaps in coverage and the real costs of going unprotected. You’ll learn:Coverage Crisis: How less than 7% of Texas homeowners—and under 1% in Dallas—carry flood insurance, even in high-risk Harris CountyHidden Dangers: Why over 50% of flood claims occur outside FEMA’s “high-risk” zones—and how outdated maps

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3:39

Open House Etiquette: Master the Art of the Unwritten...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/07/23

Stepping into a stranger’s home can feel awkward—until you know the etiquette. In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry share insider tips from top NYC agent Alexandra Gupta to help first-time buyers navigate open houses like a pro. You’ll learn:Walk Right In: Why there’s no need to knock or RSVP—and how to overcome that initial hesitationHands-On Tours: What you’re free to inspect (closets, light switches) and what’s off-limits (drawers, medicine cabinets)Dual Representation Warning: Why

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4:52

No Tax on Home Sales Act: Ending the Capital Gains Trap

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/07/21

Could selling your home trigger a hefty tax bill? In this episode, Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s “No Tax on Home Sales Act,” which would eliminate the federal capital gains tax on primary-residence sales. You’ll learn:Current Rules: How the $250K (single) and $500K (joint) exclusions work—and why gains above those limits mean a 15–20% tax biteHomeowner Impact: Why 79% of Hawaiians and 64% of Washington homeowners could owe capital gains tax if

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