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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

3:27

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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3:41

Delayed Adulthood: Why 15 Million Young Adults Still...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/12

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.Living arrangements: Nearly half of 18–24-year-olds live with parents, and millions more with

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3:26

Shutdown Fallout: How Housing Markets Are Feeling the...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/10

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 cities like Baltimore and Oklahoma City.Real-world impact: USDA loan buyers—often low- to

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4:03

Do You Really Need a Real Estate Agent? Reddit Weighs In

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/07

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 commissions in practice.The Reddit verdict: DIY buyers often stumble—some lose deals simply for

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4:03

Can Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Really Push Mortgage...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/05

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 Treasuries.The potential payoff: Could drop the average 30-year fixed rate from 6.19% → 5.89%,

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4:04

The Silver Tsunami: How Aging Americans Are Reshaping...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/11/03

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 aging.The affordability crisis: 24-hour in-home care costs $290K per year, while average housing

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4:20

Fed Cuts, Rates Rise: Why the Market Snapped Back

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/31

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: December cuts are “far from a sure thing,” ending Treasury QT but continuing MBS runoff—spooking

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3:57

The Flip Squeeze: Why Home Renovation Profits Are...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/29

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 into returns.Tariff trouble: Cabinet tariffs jumping from 25% to 50%, and Canadian lumber from 14.5%

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3:49

Gen Z’s New Playbook: Stocks Over Real Estate

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/27

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 makes up just 3% of homebuyers.Why it’s happening: High housing costs, inflation, and changing

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3:36

Saving for a Home While Renting: 8 Proven Strategies...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/24

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% for VA and USDA loans.Creative savings hacks: Negotiating rent discounts for maintenance, moving

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3:34

Mortgages Have No Age Limit: Getting Approved at Any...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/22

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 seniors qualify: Social Security, pensions, and retirement withdrawals all count as income, often

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3:41

Underwater in Paradise: The Uneven Housing Market in...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/20

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, and major Texas cities like San Antonio and Austin around 4%.Why it’s happening: Skyrocketing

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3:17

Lock It or Lose It: The Truth About Mortgage Rate Locks

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/17

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 higher pricing.How locks really work: You’re not locking one rate—you’re locking a menu of rate and

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4:10

Energy Efficiency Pays: Why Homebuyers Suddenly Care

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/15

Homebuyers’ interest in energy efficiency has nearly doubled in one year—but not for the reasons you might think. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack why rising utility costs, not climate concerns, are fueling this major shift in buyer priorities.In this episode you’ll learn:The data: Buyers citing energy efficiency jumped from 43% → 71%, while fewer than 25% mention the environment.The motivator: Inflation and high utility bills—not activism—are driving demand for insulated doors, efficient

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3:44

Tariffs and Timber: How Trade Policy Is Driving Up...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/13

A new wave of tariffs could add $30 billion to U.S. housing costs—and most people don’t even know it’s coming. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how rising import taxes on lumber, cabinets, and other materials may reshape construction and renovation budgets across the country.In this episode you’ll learn:What’s changing: Tariffs of 10% on lumber and 25%—soon 50%—on cabinets and vanities are poised to raise construction costs.The homeowner impact: The average new home could cost $10,900

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3:34

When Rates Rise After Pre-Approval: What Buyers Can Do

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/10

It’s a common—and stressful—situation: mortgage rates climb after you’re pre-approved, shrinking your buying power. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how rate bumps affect approvals, why it’s not always a deal-breaker, and the creative strategies buyers are using to adapt.In this episode you’ll learn:The math: Every 0.25% rate increase can trim ~$10K from your home budget; a jump from 6.25% → 7.5% could slash purchasing power by nearly $50K.DTI flexibility: Many loans allow DTI up to 45%

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3:20

Gen Z’s Trust Crisis: Why Young Buyers Are Turning...

Mortgage Research Network Podcast ·

2025/10/08

Gen Z’s confidence in mortgage and real estate professionals is collapsing, with trust in loan officers dropping to just 19% and real estate agents to 33%. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry dig into the reasons behind the distrust and what it means for the future of homebuying.In this episode you’ll learn:The decline in trust: Gen Z’s faith in financial pros fell from 61% → 40% in just one year.Why it’s happening: This generation grew up through the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID downturn, and

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64 results

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