Mortgage rates are staying higher than many buyers expected, and the Fed may not be the only reason why. With U.S. national debt now topping $40 trillion, rising Treasury yields could be putting additional pressure on mortgage rates and housing affordability. In this episode, we break down what’s really driving rates, what it means for the housing market, and whether buyers should expect meaningful relief anytime soon.

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✅ Article discussed at the top of the show:
Uncle Sam’s $40 Trillion Tab Is Living Rent-Free in Your Mortgage Payment

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➡️ The 2026 Housing Market Has PEAKED! Where Do We Go From Here?

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Jeb Smith
DRE 01407449
Real Broker

Buying in a market you don't fully understand is stressful. Jeb walks you through it in plain language, so you know exactly what you're getting into before you make an offer.

Josh Lewis
Certified Mortgage Consultant | NMLS 234220
United American Mortgage Corp

Nobody wants to be surprised at closing. Josh gets you real numbers up front, tells you what you actually qualify for, and helps you avoid the mistakes that cost buyers thousands.

M: 714-916-5727

#HousingMarket #InterestRates #LIVE

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to understand mortgage rates, loan options, down payment requirements, closing costs, and how much home you can actually afford. The goal of The Educated HomeBuyer is to help first-time home buyers cut through the noise, understand the mortgage and real estate process, and make smarter decisions before buying a house.

Whether you're just starting to save, getting ready for a mortgage pre-approval, comparing lenders, or actively shopping for a home, understanding the process can help you avoid expensive mistakes. We break down first-time home buyer programs, FHA loans, conventional loans, mortgage rates, home affordability, credit requirements, and the home buying process so you can buy with confidence.

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Our mission is simple: help you Buy Right. Borrow Smart. Build Wealth. If you're a first-time home buyer looking for straightforward advice on mortgages, real estate, and buying a home, you're in the right place.

Thinking about buying a condo? New lending rules from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could make getting a mortgage on certain condos more difficult, and first-time home buyers need to understand the risks before making an offer.

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down the major changes affecting condo financing, including stricter HOA financial reviews, reserve requirements, deferred maintenance, structural inspections, insurance requirements, and the elimination of the limited review for most condo projects. These changes are designed to uncover problems before you buy, but they could also cause more condo communities to become non-warrantable, potentially requiring a larger down payment, higher mortgage rate, or alternative financing.

We also explain what first-time home buyers should look for when reviewing HOA documents, including reserve studies, financial statements, meeting minutes, special assessments, litigation, and upcoming repairs. A condo may look great on the surface, but problems with the HOA or building can affect your ability to finance the property today and potentially make it harder to sell later.

Before buying a condo, you need to understand more than the monthly HOA payment. Knowing the financial and structural health of the community can help you avoid unexpected special assessments, financing problems, and expensive surprises after closing.

Whether you're buying your first condo, comparing a condo vs. single-family home, or trying to better understand the home buying process, this episode will help you know what questions to ask before writing an offer.

✅ Are you Ready To Become A Homeowner:
https://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/quiz

✅ Start your stress-free journey today:
theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start

Topics Covered:
Condo financing requirements, buying a condo, first-time home buyer tips, Fannie Mae condo guidelines, Freddie Mac condo guidelines, HOA reserves, HOA financials, condo special assessments, non-warrantable condos, condo inspections, condo insurance, mortgage requirements, HOA documents, and the home buying process.