If you have questions about the mortgage process of buying a home or the ins and outs of refinancing then this is the show for you. Join CrossCountry Mortgage Regional President Bill Litton as he breaks down key lending terms, answers listener questions, and provides you tons of tips and education about the mortgage world. You could save thousands of dollars on your next mortgage decision just by tapping into some of the great information on the Smart Mortgage Show. Schedule a time to meet w ...
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How Do You Know You're Working with a Good Mortgage Lender?
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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 …
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As interest rates continue to decline, refinancing has become a hot topic for homeowners in 2024 and is expected to remain so in 2025. In this episode, Bill Litton from Cross Country Mortgage discusses key considerations for those looking to refinance their homes. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:33 – Where to refinance 3:01 –…
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Is It a Better Idea to Pay PMI with the Minimum Down Payment?
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When the time comes to purchase a home, one of the big decisions you have to make is how much money to put down on the property. Twenty percent is a key number because it allows you to avoid PMI, but is that the best decision financially? Today we’re going to answer a question about down payments from someone whose friend told them it would be a be…
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Market Update: Will the Election Make a Difference in Mortgage Rates?
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All eyes are on the election this week because of the impact it might have across the economy. But will the results matter for mortgage rates? This week’s market update is all about rates rising despite the Fed’s recent cuts and what impact the election will have on the housing market. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 2:25 – Spe…
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3 Main Reasons Loans Never Make It To Closing
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When it comes to buying a home, everyone dreams of a smooth and celebratory settlement process. Making it to the closing table should be a positive experience, but not all mortgage journeys end happily. Today we’re going to discuss why some mortgage loans never make it to the closing table and how you can avoid these three main pitfalls. Learn more…
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What Does a Good Pre-Approval Look Like?
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What should I expect during the pre-approval process? It’s a big question for homebuyers, especially if they are going through the process for the first time. Buying a home is one of the most significant decisions you'll make, and understanding the pre-approval process can make this journey smoother and more successful. Here’s what we discuss in th…
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How Quickly Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?
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Paying off a mortgage is a major goal for many as they approach retirement. People often wonder how quickly they should pay it off or by what age should they have the mortgage completely paid down. But is that always the best strategy? Comparison can often be the thief of joy so let’s talk about why it’s important to run your own race and move at a…
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Market Update: Why Didn't Mortgage Rates Drop More After the Fed Rate Cut?
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Recently, the Federal Reserve announced a significant rate cut, the first in four years, reducing the federal funds rate by half a percent. This news had many consumers excited, expecting a substantial drop in mortgage rates. However, the reality turned out to be quite different, leaving many wondering why mortgage rates didn't fall as anticipated.…
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Finding a trusted lender can be a big challenge because it’s difficult to know where to start. If you go to a place like LendingTree or Bankrate, you might find your phone or email being bombarded with lenders trying to reach out to you. A simple inquiry shouldn’t be an invite to flood your inbox. But there is a better way, and Bill breaks it down …
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Building good credit is a huge part of being able to secure a mortgage for a home. However, not all of us are in the position credit-wise that we need to be, so how do we fix that? Many potential homeowners face the challenge of securing a mortgage with less-than-perfect credit. But don't give up! In this episode, Bill shares strategies for rebuild…
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How Do You Know If You Are Getting a Good Deal on Your Mortgage?
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The average home buyer shops for a mortgage only a few times in their life so it’s a challenge to know if you’re getting a good deal. No one wants a surprise when it comes time to close, but how do you know if you’re getting a good deal from your mortgage lender? Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 2:29 – Get it in writing. 7:04 – …
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Market Update: Rate Cuts & Refinance Demand Is Up
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The mortgage market has been interesting to follow the past few months and September is no different with the upcoming Fed meeting on everyone’s calendar. Join us as we check in with Bill on what he’s watching in that meeting and why the comments from Chairman Powell might actually be more important. Will the meeting result in lower mortgage rates …
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Down Payment Options for an Investment Property
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Real estate investing is a great way to build wealth but one of the toughest hurdles is having the money to put down on that new property. You might be tempted to pull from retirement accounts, sell stocks, or find other creative ways to pull together 20% for a down payment. But what’s going to be your best approach? Today we’re going to answer a g…
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The Hidden Costs Of Homeownership and How to Prepare For Them
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Homeownership is a financial and personal goal that many folks have in their lives, and it’s hard to prepare for when you haven’t experienced it yet. Most first-time homebuyers will look at the cost of the home and what it will take to secure a mortgage, but how much have you budgeted for the expenses that come with owning a home? Here’s what we di…
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What Changes We’re Seeing for the NAR Realtor Commissions Settlement?
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We’ve been keeping a close eye on real estate transactions and homebuying following the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Commission settlement because it has been a hot topic in the real estate industry, and for good reason. This settlement has introduced new dynamics in how real estate transactions are conducted, particularly affecting the r…
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Markets are down so what about mortgage rates?
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It’s been pretty rough across markets the past week beginning with the jobs report at the start of August. While the news been negative and the outlook for the stock market is pessimistic, there might be a silver lining as it relates to mortgage rates. Prediction markets have greatly increased the chances that rates get cut by 50 bps in September, …
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How do you calculate home affordability for retirees and seniors?
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Bill Litton and Cross Country Mortgage work with seniors quite a bit through the homebuying process. And the question that comes up quite a bit is, how do you calculate that home affordability? Is it different when you're working with seniors versus when you're working with a younger buyer? Today we're…
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Today we’re going to give you the questions to ask your mortgage lender to help determine if they are the right fit. From understanding their availability during non-traditional hours to ensuring they offer a variety of programs that fit your unique situation, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or l…
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Questions You Should Ask Your Real Estate Agent
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We talk all the time about the importance of having a real estate agent on your side when it comes time to find your next home, but do you know what you should be asking them? Today we want to help you with the process of finding the right agent that will assist you and give you the best chance to secure that dream home. If you haven’t been getting…
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Market Update: Real Estate Inventory on the Rise
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Heading into July, the biggest news is that inventory is starting to rise. More homes are hitting the market, which is a good trend to see. In this episode, we’ll dive into the rising inventory and what that means for buyers and sellers. Bill also provides insights into the current interest rate trends and what buyers can expect in the coming month…
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Should You Refinance Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know
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Today we want to talk about refinancing and what you need to know if you’re considering a refinance for your home. What do you need to know if you're thinking about refinancing? When does it make sense? What are some of the top reasons someone would want to refinance? We're going to discuss all that and break dow…
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In the ever-evolving world of real estate, mortgage options are a hot topic, especially for first-time homebuyers. One such option that has recently gained attention is the zero-down mortgage. In this video, we’re going to help potential homeowners understand its benefits and drawbacks. What’s the catch? Tune in as we break it all down. Here’s what…
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The Biggest Mistakes Home Buyers are Making Today
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Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make. Yet, many buyers fall into common traps that can cost them time, money, and a lot of frustration Today we want to share some of the biggest mistakes homebuyers and explain how we help people at Cross Country avoid doing these same things. From the importance of pre-a…
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Economy is starting to slow, what does that mean for mortgage rates?
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The US economy has started to slow according to the latest data so what will that mean for mortgage rates? Will the rates begin to come back down a bit more or will they continue to hold around 7%? In this video, we’re going to provide a market update for June. We’ve been tracking the data and will continue to do so throughout the summer, and we’re…
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Should You Use a Home Equity Line of Credit to Cover a Big Expense?
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When it comes to financing major expenses, homeowners often find themselves at a crossroads. Should you pull from savings, take out a loan, or perhaps, consider a home equity line of credit (HELOC)? Today, we're tackling that question: is tapping into your home equity through a line of credit a savvy move for major expenses? Join us as we sit down …
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Is Downsizing in Retirement a Smart Move?
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As people approach retirement, one of the big decisions that couples will discuss is whether to downsize and move into a smaller home. Is it a financially savvy move? Does it simplify life? Or does it merely trade one set of complications for another? In this episode, Bill will share his experience from the mortgage lending side and help identify s…
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With rates up, should you pay off your house quickly?
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Now that interest rates are up in the seven percent range and people are paying a higher rate for their mortgage, should you still be thinking about paying your mortgage as quickly as possible or continue making your scheduled payments over time? In this video, we’ll share our perspective as a mortgage lender and a company that works with people to…
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What Changes are Coming from the National Association of Realtors Lawsuit?
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The real estate market is on the verge of a major shift, and it's not just the fluctuating interest rates or the ebb and flow of the housing inventory. A lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is making waves, and the ripple effect could alter the landscape for buyers, sellers, and agents alike. While there’s no final decision f…
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Finding a home that checks all the boxes is an awesome feeling, but you can’t celebrate until you’ve had your offer accepted. In a market where competition can get pretty heated, the difference in winning and losing is usually a slim margin so putting together the best possible offer is critical. It starts with having an experienced team on your si…
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The Three Pillars of Mortgage Approval
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What will a mortgage lender look for when determining whether you will be approved for a loan? The approval process involves three key pillars, which every buyer will need to be prepared for and we’ll break that all down in this episode. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:57 – Credit 5:19 – Income 6:58 – Assets CONTACT: …
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Should you buy or rent? Here’s what the math says
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The debate over whether it’s better to buy or rent isn’t a new one, but it’s picked up in recent years as interest rates have risen and property values have soared. Which is the better option financially? The answer might lie in a number of considerations, but the math makes a very compelling argument in one direction. Here’s some of what we discus…
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As we head into spring, history tells us that inventory will start to pick up again. But are we still in a seller’s market? Today is our market update for April and we’re focused in on interest rates, home prices, and inventory. We’ll share some data that shows the latest trends in values across the country and give you another visual to capture th…
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Rolling Renovation Costs Into Your Mortgage
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With less inventory on the market right now, many people are having to make a few concessions on what they’re looking for and deciding to make a few renovations instead. So whether you want to add a patio, put in a pool, or remodel a kitchen, can you roll those renovation costs into your mortgage loan? Today, Bill Litton from Cross Country Mortgage…
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Going through a divorce is hard and having to sort out the home and the future only adds to the stress and uncertainty. If you keep the home, what happens to the mortgage and what changes? If you are the one needing a new place to live, how difficult is it to buy a new home and should you wait until the divorce is finalized? Bill Litton, Regional P…
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March Market Update – Spring Inventory & Rate Movement
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As March begins, mortgage rates have ticked back up and new inflation data is out. Bill will provide you with a market update as we get ready for spring to arrive and activity to ramp up. Is inventory still low? How competitive are the offers right now? We’ll bring you up to speed on that plus we’ll give you our opinion on a recent comment made by …
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Buying a home? Think about these mortgage lending tax strategies
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Have you ever thought about how your tax planning might positively or negatively impact your next mortgage? You might be surprised to learn that aligning your tax prep with your mortgage process could benefit you in ways you didn’t think about. Since the beginning of the year means tax preparation is top of my mind, let’s talk about how Cross Count…
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If you are someone who likes to set resolutions for the new year, we have a few that you might want to consider as it relates to real estate and mortgages in 2024. We’ll talk savings, credit, and income goals you can set in the coming year to put yourself in a better position to secure your next home. Sometimes the hardest part is just taking that …
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You don’t have to own multiple properties to make real estate a key piece of your retirement nest egg. In fact, we always say that anyone who owns a home is a real estate investor, and that can put you in a great position many years down the road. Today we’re going to talk about building wealth through real estate and explain a mortgage can help yo…
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In this episode, we’re going to provide you with a market update and some historical data to explain why we don’t feel like there’s a housing bubble. We’ll also share with you reasons that it could actually be a good time to buy a home. If you’re worried about home prices and your market timing, this episode should help answer some of your question…
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Problem Solving Your New Home Purchase
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This month’s full podcast will tackle the problems that typically pop up during the mortgage process along with the top mistakes that we usually see people make. We lead things off with an October mortgage update, which will talk about rates remaining higher than many economists predicted. Will they be coming down soon or should you anticipate fixe…
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Anyone in the market for a home wants to do everything they can to close the deal, especially in a market with low supply and competitive bidding. It’s common that not only will your real estate agent help with that, but they’ll do so in tandem with a mortgage lender. The main focus for today’s show is on that agent-lender relationship and what ben…
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3 Underappreciated Benefits of a Mortgage Lender
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In this episode, we’ll tell you about three core principles of our business at Cross Country Mortgage and why they’re often underappreciated. Plus, we’ll give you a market update for August as we continue to watch rates and the Fed’s actions. We’ll also tackle two great questions on the show today about using mortgage calculators and whether it’s a…
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Ask Your Mortgage Lender These Questions
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No matter how prepared you are going into an early meeting with your mortgage lender, there’s bound to be something you forget to ask. Everyone will have their own set of questions that pertain to their homebuying process, but there are a few that we encourage everyone to ask and get answered. Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode: 0:00…
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Questions Your Mortgage Lender Should Be Asking You
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While most lenders will provide you with everything you need, not everyone will ask the questions that will help you best determine what mortgage will fit you and your family best. In this episode, Bill is going to share a few of the questions that your lender should be asking you. If they aren’t or haven’t, it could raise a red flag and should req…
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There are a lot of myths out there in the mortgage world, and today we’re going to debunk the five most common ones. While some of this information might’ve been true at one point in time, it is important to stay updated on how this information has changed as you navigate the home-buying process. In today’s episode, Bill will touch on a few myths f…
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Ep 28: 9 Tips for a Smooth Loan Closing
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Everyone wants to have a smooth closing day without any hiccups, but a lot of what could go wrong is in your control. In this episode, we’re going to give you nine tips to ensure that you have a loan closing that goes as expected without any surprises. Before we do that, we want to address the big financial news in March, which was the Silicon Vall…
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Ep 27: Ready for Pre-Approval? Here’s What to Expect
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In this episode, Bill will take you through the process that we go through with clients at Cross Country Mortgage and explain the different types of approval that typically happens. Plus, he’ll provide a market update and share the economic data he’s paying closest attention to. Here’s some of what we’ll discuss on this episode: • A market update o…
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Ep 26: Building Wealth Through Homeownership
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Many people weigh the decision of whether they should buy a home or continue renting, but there are some great benefits to homeownership that will allow you to build wealth over time. In this episode of the Smart Mortgage Show, Bill will share some of the numbers that show how wealth can grow through ownership and we’ll spend time talking about the…
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2022 has been a volatile year. People did not expect rates to increase as much as they did, which has many wondering what 2023 has in store for us. In this episode, we will go over 2022 and how it affected the market. We will then look ahead into 2023 and contemplate what economists have been predicting will be in store for us. Listen to this week’…
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Ep 24: How 2-1 Buydowns Could Lower Your Interest Rates
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With interest rates being the highest they have been in many years, Adjustable Rate Mortgages, or ARMs, are becoming more popular. There is a lot of stigma around ARMs due to the housing crash in 2008. In this episode, we are going to address some common concerns with ARMs and explain how they can be great resources for the right borrower. Listen t…
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