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The Educated HomeBuyer | First Time Home Buyer Tips, Mortgage Rates & Housing Market Updates

The Educated HomeBuyer | First Time Home Buyer Tips, Mortgage Rates & Housing Market Updates

By: Josh Lewis Certified Mortgage Consultant & Jeb Smith Real Estate Broker
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Buying a home is the biggest financial decision of your life — and most buyers do it without a real guide. Certified Mortgage Consultant Josh Lewis (NMLS 234220) and Licensed Real Estate Broker Jeb Smith break down mortgage rates, FHA & conventional loans, down payment strategies, credit scores, pre-approval, affordability, and housing market trends — in plain English, with no fluff and no agenda. Whether you're a first-time home buyer or making your next move, this show gives you the education, strategies, and frameworks to buy right, borrow smart, and build wealth through homeownership.Josh Lewis, Certified Mortgage Consultant & Jeb Smith, Real Estate Broker
Episodes
  • Mortgage Interest Rates Have BOTTOMED For 2026 - EP215
    Mar 30 2026

    Have mortgage interest rates already bottomed for 2026? In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer, we break down the recent jump in mortgage rates, why global conflict, oil prices, inflation, and Treasury yields are all putting upward pressure on the market, and what that means for buyers planning to purchase a home this year. We also explain whether waiting for lower rates is a smart strategy, what would need to change for rates to fall again, and how homebuyers should think about timing the market in 2026. If you want to make a confident, informed homebuying decision in today’s market, this episode is a must-watch. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

    Timestamps:
    00:00 – Have mortgage rates bottomed for 2026?
    00:45 – Why rates spiked (global conflict & oil impact)
    02:30 – How much rates have actually increased
    03:30 – Comparing past rate spikes vs. today
    04:30 – Why this time may be different
    05:30 – Inflation, oil, and economic ripple effects
    07:30 – Government spending, debt, and rate pressure
    09:30 – What needs to happen for rates to fall again
    11:00 – Jobs data, inflation, and Fed outlook
    13:00 – Can we see lower rates later in 2026?
    14:30 – What this means for homebuyers right now
    16:00 – Final take: Have we seen the lowest rates of the year?

    ➡️ FREE Online Workshop - Your Guide to Buying A Home In 2026

    Ready to become a homeowner? Start your stress-free journey today

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    23 mins
  • 5 Reasons You SHOULD Buy a House (Even in This Market) - EP214
    Mar 23 2026

    Waiting to buy a home could be costing you more than you think. While most buyers focus on mortgage rates, home prices, and monthly payments, very few stop to consider the true financial cost of waiting—and in many cases, it’s significant.

    In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer, we break down the real math behind the “buy now vs wait” decision. From steady home price appreciation to competitive market dynamics, even modest increases in value can add up to thousands of dollars over time. And while many buyers are holding out for lower interest rates, the reality is you don’t control both price and rate at the same time.

    If you're a first-time homebuyer or planning to purchase in today’s housing market, this episode will help you better understand affordability, timing, and how to make a confident decision based on your personal situation—not headlines.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • The hidden cost of waiting to buy a home
    • How home price appreciation impacts your buying power
    • Why timing the market is nearly impossible
    • The relationship between mortgage rates and home prices
    • How to decide if now is the right time for you to buy

    Whether you're debating buying your first home or making your next move, this episode gives you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

    ✅ Ready to become a homeowner? Start your stress-free journey today:
    theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start

    📩 Have questions about your situation? Connect with our team:
    theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start

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    26 mins
  • LIVE - The FED Just Gave a MAJOR WARNING About the Housing Market
    Mar 19 2026

    The FED just sent a warning that most people are completely missing and it could have a direct impact on the housing market. With inflation not cooling as fast as expected, rates staying higher for longer, and uncertainty rising from global events, the path forward just got a lot more complicated for homebuyers. In this video, we break down exactly what the FED said, what it really means for mortgage rates, and whether you should be buying now or waiting as the housing market shifts.

    • Start your stress-free loan journey today
    • FREE Home Buying Workshop
    • Join Rate Watch – we’ll watch rates for you
    • Email: info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com

    Connect with Us 👇

    Jeb SmithHuntington Beach Realtor / Orange County Real Estate
    DRE #01407449
    Real Broker

    Josh Lewis
    Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert
    DRE #01209148
    Buywise Mortgage
    Mobile: 714-916-5727

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
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