This week on Take Ten, Corey Freels and Lisa Wiles break down everything shaping the mortgage world right now in a fast, Realtor-friendly 10-minute update.

Here’s what they cover:

• Rates holding around 6.18% and why lenders are feeling the squeeze

• What the government shutdown actually means for mortgage data

• USDA fully stalled. Why files can’t even be uploaded yet and what that backlog will look like

• Real 100% financing alternatives you can promote on your listings

• The viral 50-year mortgage conversation and why the math just doesn’t math

• When interest-only loans actually help clients (and when they don’t)

• How other countries structure mortgages (yes, including that 100-year loan story)

• Business planning for 2026: work life balance, consistent income, and scaling without chaos

If you want straight answers, tactical tips, and real talk without the fluff, you’re in the right place. Email us at AfterHours@theMortgageGallery.com

Or call us at 865-263-6727

Mortgage rates improved slightly this week, with the 30-year fixed averaging 6.07% — and the Fed meeting brought… absolutely nothing. 👀

In this episode of Take Ten, Corey and Lisa break down:

• Why the Fed “doing nothing” is actually good

• Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as next Fed Chair

• Why the bond market really controls mortgage rates

• Why independent mortgage banks now originate 84% of loans

• Hybrid eClosings that save your clients time

• What happens AFTER closing (this is the part no one else is doing)

If you're a Realtor who wants to sound smarter in the room and add real value to your clients — this is your 10-minute cheat sheet.

📲 We work nights and weekends. 🏡 We believe your mortgage should be a long-term strategy, not just a transaction.

Mortgage rates dipped below 6% for one day… and now they’re back over 6%.

So what’s actually happening?

In this episode of Take Ten, Corey and Lisa break down:

• Why rates briefly fell below 6%

• Why paying points is suddenly a strong strategy

• Builder incentives that are creating “slick” deals

• The proposed 401(k) down payment rule change

• Should you tap retirement savings to buy a home? • What CrossMod homes are (and why they’re a powerful affordability solution)

• A little-known FHA rule about wells and public water that can kill a deal

• How listing agents can avoid financing surprises

If you’re a Realtor, buyer, investor, or homeowner trying to understand today’s mortgage market, this episode gives you real strategy, not headlines.

We explain what matters, what doesn’t, and how to structure deals creatively in this 6% rate environment.

📊 Data source: Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Index 🏡 Topics: mortgage rates 2026, paying discount points, 401k for down payment, CrossMod homes, FHA appraisal rules, well water requirements, builder incentives

Real conversations. Real strategy. Ten minutes.

Recently, the Trump administration instructed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to invest $200 billion into mortgage-backed securities... and the internet exploded.

Did rates crash? Is this the beginning of 5% mortgages again? Or is the headline bigger than the impact?

In this episode of Take Ten, Corey and Lisa break down:

• What the $200B mortgage bond investment really means

• Why rates didn’t drop as much as social media claimed

• Where economists expect mortgage rates to trend in 2026

• Why rate stabilization matters more than dramatic drops

• The truth behind the “foreclosures up 14%” headlines

• A powerful cash-out refinance strategy saving clients $300–$2,000 per month

• When to use a HELOC vs. a cash-out refinance

If you’re a Realtor, homeowner, investor, or buyer waiting on rates to “crash,” this episode gives you the clarity you actually need.

We cut through headlines and explain what’s really happening in the mortgage market — in under 10 minutes.

📍 Hosted by The Mortgage Gallery 📊 Real data. Clear strategy. No doom scrolling.

This week’s Take Ten comes with a turkey costume and a major shift in the mortgage market. Mortgage rates dipped again, now averaging 6.18 percent, and the odds of a December rate cut jumped from under 40 percent to more than 80 percent after a single comment from New York Fed President John Williams.

Corey and Lisa break down what changed, why the markets reacted so quickly, and what this means for buyers and sellers heading into December.

They also share details about the Mortgage Gallery’s upcoming Quest for Success business-planning experience at Ancient Lore Village on December 11, featuring two powerhouse speakers and practical tools Realtors can use to set up a strong 2026.

Perfect for Realtors, lenders, and anyone who wants a fast, friendly, and no-nonsense weekly snapshot of the mortgage world.

In this episode of Take Ten, Corey Freels and Lisa Wiles from The Mortgage Gallery break down the latest market data and give Realtors the insights they need to win one more deal as we head into the holidays.

We cover:

• Why the December Fed meeting is unlikely to bring a rate cut

• How to use the CME FedWatch Tool to sound like a market expert • Why mortgage rates ticked slightly higher this week

• The truth about USDA delays and alternative 100 percent financing options

• Why buyers are quietly popping up in December

• Real stories from the field:

— How a bank-statement loan boosted income from $3,800 to $27,500/month

— An eight-day FHA close with a holiday in the middle

• What Realtors should do right now to get listings in front of buyers who don’t even know they’re looking

• The Half-Point Kickoff extension and how it helps buyers start with a a rate .5% lower for their first year

Whether your buyers are waiting on rates, confused by the headlines, or unsure about their options, this episode arms you with clear talking points and real solutions to keep deals moving.

👉 We work weekends, nights, eight days a week. Send us your people. We’ll take care of them.

AfterHours@TheMortgageGallery.com

865-263-6727

The Fed finally cut rates, but mortgage rates went up?! In this week’s Take 10, Lisa Wiles and Corey Freels from The Mortgage Gallery unpack why that happened, what it really means for buyers and Realtors, and how to turn this tricky market into an opportunity.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

- Why mortgage rates don’t always follow Fed rate cuts

- How to help buyers purchase before they sell with Fairway’s Bridge Loan

- The genius pairing of Bridge Loans + Recasting for lower payments

- How to plan now in Q4 to crush your 2026 goals

- Fresh perspective on keeping your cup full, and your pipeline flowing

It’s 10 minutes of clarity, creativity, and real-world tips you can use right now.

www.TheMortgageGallery.com

865-263-6727

AfterHours@TheMortgageGallery.com

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Mortgage rates are sitting near their lowest point in two years — and that means big opportunities for buyers and Realtors alike.

In this week’s Take 10, Lisa Wiles and Corey Freels from The Mortgage Gallery cover: ✅ Why the 20-year fixed loan is a hidden savings powerhouse ✅ How to use seller credits to buy down rates instead of lowering price ✅ What the latest MBA forecast means for long-term rate trends ✅ How the government shutdown is impacting USDA loans ✅ New 2026 conforming loan limits — and what they mean for buyers ✅ A few fun updates from our team, including Becca’s panel and Fall Fest

Quick, real, and Realtor-focused — your 10-minute edge in today’s market.

#MortgageTips #RealEstatePodcast #Take10Podcast #MortgageGallery #HousingMarketUpdate #RealtorTools #MortgageRates #HomeLoans #LoanOfficerLife #MarketUpdate #RealEstateEducation #MortgageBuydown