March Market Update – Uncertainty & Mortgage Rates
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Release Date: 03/06/2025
How to Make Your Offer as Strong as Possible
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Even as the real estate market begins to shift, homes in southeastern Pennsylvania remain fiercely competitive. If you’re looking to buy, it’s not enough to make a good offer, it needs to be strong. In this episode, Bill shares proven strategies to help your offer rise above the rest. From getting fully underwritten before making an offer to leveraging a $10,000 seller guarantee, these tips give buyers an edge, without added cost or risk. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📄 The one document that speaks louder than pre-approval 💰 What the $10,000 closing guarantee really...
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Does a Larger Down Payment Lower Your Mortgage Rate?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Every homebuyer is looking for ways to get the lowest rate possible on their mortgage, but how much does your down payment impact that number? Today we’ll tell you whether a large down payment will benefit you and explain why the down payment amount might mean more for those with lower credit scores. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 💸 Why a Bigger Down Payment Doesn’t Always Mean a Better Rate 📉 When Credit Score Matters More Than Cash 🏚️ The Risk of Putting Too Much Money into the House ✨ How Small Credit Tweaks Can Boost Your Rate Potential ⚖️ 3% vs. 5%...
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June Update: Where Mortgage Rates May Be Headed Next
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Mortgage markets may not grab headlines, but for buyers, sellers, and homeowners alike, the shifts happening now could mean big financial decisions in the coming months. Interest rates have stayed stubbornly high, but that might be about to change. In this milestone 100th episode, Bill breaks down the latest data, including surprising job numbers and inflation trends, to explain what could be coming for rates, inventory, and buyer leverage. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Why mortgage rates may finally drop 📊 The economic indicator that shocked analysts in June 🧾 Our...
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Introducing a New Closing Guarantee to Make Your Home Offer Stronger
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
In today’s competitive housing market, buyers need every edge they can get, and we’re excited to introduce a new program that we believe is a no-brainer. To help us explain how it all works, we’re excited to welcome on realtor of RE/MAX Town & Country to unveil a new $10,000 Closing Guarantee. You’ll hear how this guarantee works, how it differs from a standard pre-approval, and why it can make your offer stand out, even stronger than cash in some cases. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🧾 How the $10,000 Closing Guarantee actually works 🔍 What makes this program...
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How Quickly Can I Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
You’ve found your dream house, the one you’ve been hoping for. But there’s one problem: you’re not pre-approved. In a market where homes can go under contract in hours, hesitation can cost you everything. Many buyers assume they can get pre-approved on the fly, but is that realistic? Bill breaks it all down and shares how you can be ready to make the big leap when the time comes. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🏠 What happens if you find the house before you're pre-approved 📄 The real difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval 🕒 How pre-approval can...
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How Much Do You Need to Make to Buy a Home in Pennsylvania?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Is owning a home still possible for the average family or has it become out of reach? For parents trying to raise kids, build stability, and plan for the future, understanding what it really takes to buy a home is more important than ever. In this episode, we’ll look at new research from Realtor.com showing how much a family of four in Pennsylvania needs to earn to afford a home in today’s market, and that number might not be what you think. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Pennsylvania's affordability compared to neighboring states 🚗 Is a longer commute really worth it?...
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PA Cities Where Home Prices Are Rising the Most
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Home values across the country have been on the rise for the past five years, and Pennsylvania has been outperforming the national average. Today we’re going to dive into eye-opening data on 50 towns across the state, revealing just how much home values have climbed in recent years. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🏡 Rent vs. buy: why ownership still wins 📈 40–60% appreciation in just 5 years? ⏳ Why timing the market may cost you Stacker Article: CONTACT: Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts,...
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May Mortgage Update: Applications Rising & Fed Holding Steady
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
With Fed decisions, mortgage rate fluctuations, and rising buyer interest, May is already shaping up to be a dynamic month. In this month’s market update, Bill shares the latest market trends, including the Fed’s decision to hold rates steady and how mortgage applications continue to rise year over year, even amid economic uncertainty. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🏦 Fed holds rates steady — what that means for buyers 📈 Mortgage applications rise despite uncertainty 🏡 Why some are ready to trade 3% rates for lifestyle upgrades 📉 Is a refinancing window coming...
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How Much Do You Really Need to Put Down On a House?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Traditionally, homebuyers have targeted 20% as the ideal down payment but does that still hold true today? We meet with people all the time who want to know how much they need to put down on a home, so let’s look at the current trends nationally and talk about what percentage might be best for you. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Why 68% of our clients are putting less than 20% down 💡 The real deal with PMI (and why it’s not always bad) 🏠 Local down payment trends in Philly vs. high-cost cities 📊 How your money might work harder outside your mortgage...
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Should I Buy a Home During a Divorce?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Going through a divorce is incredibly emotional and it brings a lot of uncertainty, especially around housing. Trying to figure out what to do next about where to live is stressful. So what do you need to know if you’re trying to buy a home during or after a divorce? This is a highly sensitive time and we want to help you avoid the common pitfalls and financial surprises that can come with this transition. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: ⚖️ Legal risks of buying a home before your divorce is final 🏠 How property settlement agreements impact your mortgage approval 💡...
info_outlineUncertainty is the theme of the month as mortgage rates, economic policies, and market conditions continue to shift. In this episode, Bill provides a timely March market update, breaking down how recent policy changes, employment trends, and inflation rates are shaping the mortgage industry.
Here are some key takeaways from the show:
📉 Mortgage rates dropping? Why the trend looks positive for buyers
🏠 Housing inventory & unemployment: How job cuts affect the real estate market
📊 The Fed & inflation: What’s next for interest rates?
💡 Practical strategies: Positioning yourself for smart home financing decisions
0:00 – Intro
1:10 – What is Bill watching in March
3:00 – Layoffs and real estate inventory
4:50 – Mortgage rates
CONTACT:
Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/
Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: https://smartmortgageshow.com/
Call: 484-352-4151.
Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KbUxAF