Libsyn Directory

Divorce and the Marital Home

Release Date: 10/03/2023

What to Consider Before You Commit to a Mortgage

Martini Mortgage Podcast

Most people think commitment starts when they sign a contract. It doesn’t! It starts earlier—when you quietly decide, “If the right house shows up, we’re doing this.” That’s the moment most mortgage mistakes are born. In this episode, breaks down what actually matters before you commit to a mortgage—and why so many problems don’t show up until after the excitement, the paperwork, and the leverage are gone. This isn’t an episode about rates. Or timing. Or market noise. It’s about clarity. You’ll hear why being “approved” isn’t the same as being ready… How...

Pre-Approval vs Pre-Qualification: The Difference That Decides Your Homebuying Experience

Martini Mortgage Podcast

Most buyers think they’re prepared long before they actually are. And the sentence that usually gives them false confidence? “We’re pre-qualified.” In this episode, Kevin Martini breaks down the real difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification—not in lender jargon, but in real-life consequences. Because this isn’t about paperwork. It’s about peace of mind. You’ll hear why: Pre-qualification often feels like progress—but quietly delays clarity Pre-approval isn’t a commitment, pressure, or point of no return The most stressful moments in homebuying usually...

Rent vs. Buy Breakeven: The Question You’re Asking the Wrong Way

Martini Mortgage Podcast

If you’ve ever thought, “I just don’t know if buying actually makes sense yet…” this episode is for you. Most people frame the rent vs. buy decision around one question: How many years do I need to stay for buying to be worth it? In this episode, Certified Mortgage Advisor and explains why that question—while logical—often leads smart, responsible people to wait longer than they intended. Not because they’re careless, but because they’re chasing certainty instead of clarity. You’ll learn: Why breakeven isn’t a date on a calendar How waiting quietly changes the...

Now That 2026 Is Here: What 2025 Taught Raleigh Homebuyers

Martini Mortgage Podcast

If 2026 is the year you’re finally planning to buy a home…this episode might save you a very expensive lesson. Because here’s the truth most buyers don’t realize until it’s too late: the year before you buy is the one that decides how stressful—or strategic—the experience will be. In this episode, breaks down what 2025 quietly revealed about the Raleigh housing market—and why those lessons matter right now as 2026 gets underway. No hype. No market panic. No guessing where rates are headed. Just a clear, calm explanation of: Why Raleigh never really “slows down”—it...

The January "Boutique" Advantage

Martini Mortgage Podcast

Spring is overrated. And if you’re waiting for it to start your home search, you may already be paying for that decision. In this special episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini breaks down why January buyers quietly win—while everyone else lines up for bidding wars, pressure tactics, and inflated prices. You’ll discover: Why “more inventory” often means less leverage The hidden cost of the spring rush most buyers never see How motivated sellers behave differently in January And why preparation beats urgency every single time If you want...

Most Expensive “Cheap” Mortgage You’ll Ever Take

Martini Mortgage Podcast

If a mortgage sounds too good to be true… it probably is. In this episode, Kevin Martini pulls back the curtain on one of the most common — and costly — traps homebuyers fall into: builder “special financing.” You know the offer. The low headline rate. The incentive that feels like free money. The promise that this deal is too good to pass up. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many of these incentives don’t lower your cost — they repackage it. Kevin explains why builder incentives often work more like a sales tactic than a savings strategy, how this approach mirrors the...

The Two Levers That Get You the Best Deal in Real Estate (No Matter the Market)

Martini Mortgage Podcast

The Two Levers That Get You the Best Deal in Real Estate (No Matter the Market) Think the best deals in real estate have vanished? They haven’t. They’re hiding—quietly—right in front of the buyers who know how to look. In this episode, you’ll discover the two simple levers that instantly shift you from “hoping the market cooperates” to walking into negotiations with real leverage. No chasing trends. No waiting for perfect rates. No refreshing your apps like a nervous habit. Just real strategy… the kind most buyers never hear about. You’ll hear: • Why most buyers...

Is This Because Home Prices Are Going Even Higher?

Martini Mortgage Podcast

When Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac boost the conforming loan limit to $832,750, most people just scroll past the headline. But this isn’t a headline. It’s a quiet, market-moving, life-changing shift that affects anyone who’s been waiting for “the right moment” to buy a home. In this episode, Kevin Martini breaks down — in plain English — why this loan limit hike isn’t just a number… it’s a new lane of opportunity. A lane that didn’t exist yesterday. You’ll hear: • Why higher loan limits often mean higher prices • How this change widens access to better loan terms...

Bright Turn Ahead

Martini Mortgage Podcast

If you’ve been staring at this housing market wondering when the universe finally throws you a break… this episode is your sign. Because something is shifting—quietly, steadily, and in your favor—and most people won’t see it until it’s too late. Inside this special episode of the Matini Mortgage Podcast with Kevin Martini: → The overlooked signals that show a real window opening → Why stability (not low rates) is the game-changer → What smart buyers and homeowners are doing right now to get ahead → How one simple step turns uncertainty into confidence This isn’t market...

7 Financial Tips for Homeownership Success

Martini Mortgage Podcast

What if buying a home isn’t about waiting for the perfect market… but creating your perfect plan? In this episode, Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini flips the script on everything you think you know about timing the market. He counts down the 7 financial truths that still work in 2025 — the timeless money moves that help you build stability, equity, and confidence in any market. You’ll hear why predictable payments beat rising rents, how leverage quietly builds wealth, and the #1 truth that might just change how you see your next move. If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I wait...

More Episodes

In this insightful podcast episode, Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini, backed by years of mortgage advising experience, sheds light on the critical financial aspect of handling the marital home during a divorce. Epsidoe 191 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast is structured to first dice into understanding the value and equity of your marital home, followed by exploring the three core options available for couples amidst divorce proceedings.

Initially, this micro podcast episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast emphasizes the initial 3 steps to determine your equity position three steps:

-) Determining the home's worth: Utilizing an algorithm provided by Martini Mortgage Group, listeners are directed to accurately estimate their home’s value.

-) Calculating outstanding mortgage: The necessity of summing up the remaining mortgage balance, along with any additional loans, to understand the full financial picture.

-) Evaluating Home's Equity: A simple subtraction of what’s owed from the home's value gives the gross equity, though selling costs should be factored in for a net value.

With the equity understood, three primary options for dealing with the marital home are discussed:

Selling the Home: A straightforward yet emotionally tough choice that may necessitate a real estate professional’s assistance to ensure a smooth process and fair market value.

One Spouse Retaining the Home: If financially viable, one spouse may buy out the other's share, often requiring refinancing to adjust the mortgage to the retaining spouse’s financial situation. Martini Mortgage Group is highlighted for its expertise in facilitating such transitions swiftly.

Joint Ownership: An uncommon but possible route, either by continuing to reside together or renting out the home. This option demands a high level of cooperation and clarity in financial responsibilities.

Furthermore, five additional Kevin Martini tips are shared:

*Maintain Mortgage Payments*

*Open Communication*

*Preparation for All Scenarios*

*Document Availability*

*Impeccable Record Keeping*

The episode closes by offering a complimentary Financial Transition Plan through Martini Mortgage Group, aiming to assist listeners in making well-informed decisions during such trying times. It emphasizes the profound financial impact of divorce beyond emotional distress and encourages listeners to share the episode with those facing similar challenges.

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