How Much Do You Need to Make to Buy a Home in Pennsylvania?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Release Date: 05/22/2025
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): Smart Move or Risky Bet?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation With mortgage rates holding steady in the mid-6% range and home prices still elevated, more buyers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are turning to adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) as a way to lower their monthly payments upfront. The strategy? Grab the lower rate now and hope for a refinance later. But is this smart planning or a financial gamble? In this episode, Bill breaks down the pros and cons of ARMs, explains how they actually work, and reveals what worst-case...
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How Much Do I Need to Make to Afford a $1 Million Home
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation With home prices climbing, the once-rare million-dollar home is now surprisingly common in many markets. But what does it really take to afford one? In this episode, Bill breaks down the difference between what you can qualify for versus what you can truly afford, and other key factors to take into consideration when shopping for a $1 million home. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 💰 Qualifying for a mortgage is not the same as being able to afford it ...
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The Latest Mortgage Rate Projections for 2026
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates soon, but what does that mean for buyers, sellers, and homeowners? In this market update, we’ll unpack the latest Fed projections, why economists expect a 25–50 basis point cut, and what that could mean for mortgage rates in 2025 and 2026. Plus, the latest forecasts are out for next year from the Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, and the National Association of Realtors, all pointing to gradual rate declines...
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When Should You Shop For a Mortgage Lender?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation Could starting the mortgage process too late cost you the perfect home? Timing is everything in real estate, especially when it comes to choosing your mortgage lender. In this episode, Bill explains why the earlier you connect with a lender, the better your chances of securing the right home and the right loan. To avoid last-minute surprises and strengthen your offer in a competitive market, Bill explains the benefits of starting the mortgage conversation early and exactly...
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How Much Should You Disclose to Your Loan Officer?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation Buying a home can be exciting, but when it comes to sharing personal and financial details with your loan officer, how much is too much? And can withholding information actually hurt you? In this episode, Bill, explains why being open and upfront is the best strategy for securing the right loan. One wrong move could derail your approval, cost you thousands, or even put your dream home out of reach. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🏠 Why full disclosure can make...
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Assuming a Mortgage After a Divorce
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation Divorce is hard enough without losing your home and a great mortgage rate in the process. But can you keep that 2–3% interest rate if you and your spouse split? In this episode, we’ll explain the ins and outs of mortgage assumptions during and after divorce, and why it’s rarely as simple as it sounds. You’ll learn who can actually assume a loan, what qualifications you’ll need to meet, and the often-overlooked challenges of working directly with your loan...
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Is a Rate Drop Coming? August Mortgage Market Update
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–minute consultation As we roll into August, Bill shares a timely market update on what’s driving mortgage rates right now. What’s catching Bill’s eye as fall approaches? Interest rates, buyer moods, and the real forces moving Pennsylvania’s market. And for Pennsylvanians thinking about buying, selling, or refinancing, these shifts could directly impact timing, pricing, and long-term cost. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🏡 Housing market trends in August 🧐 What...
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What’s the Best Time to Lock in Your Interest Rate?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation You’re getting close to buying your home, but now comes the big question: when should you lock in your mortgage rate? Rates move constantly, and with economic shifts, political uncertainty, and global factors like tariffs, it can be tough to predict where they’re headed. In this episode, Bill explains what most buyers completely miss about locking in their interest rate, and how that oversight can lead to blown budgets, disqualified loans, and missed opportunities....
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Homebuyers: Don’t Open a Credit Card During the Mortgage Process – Here’s Why
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–20 minute consultation with Bill It’s tempting, isn’t it? You’re just days or weeks away from closing on your new home, and a shiny new credit card offer shows up. Travel perks, cash back, or maybe a great financing deal on furniture. But even if it seems harmless, opening new credit during the mortgage process can create big problems. In this episode, Bill shares why you should never take on new credit before settlement, no matter how solid your financial situation seems. ...
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Non-Obvious Mistakes That Could Derail Your Mortgage
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
📞 Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: 📲 Text “LEND” to 21000 to schedule a free 15–20 minute consultation with Bill Most homebuyers know to avoid major credit moves or switching jobs during the mortgage process, but what about the mistakes that don’t show up on every checklist? In this episode, Bill breaks down the lesser-known mortgage missteps that trip up even financially responsible buyers. Maybe you have an 800 credit score, a million in the bank, or even a paid-off home, but these overlooked issues may still derail your loan or raise your rate. Here’s what we...
info_outlineIs 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?
📊 What debt, credit, and goals mean for approval
🔧 Small mortgage tweaks that make a big difference
State-by-State Affordability Analysis: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/family-income-to-buy-home-by-state-map/
CONTACT:
Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: https://calendly.com/blitton/
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