Higher mortgage rates are putting pressure on the housing market, and first-time homebuyers could gain more negotiating power heading into 2027. With buyer demand subdued and inventory building, sellers are facing more competition, creating opportunities for lower home prices, seller credits, and better terms.

In this live episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down the economy, mortgage interest rates, and the housing market outlook for 2027 while answering your questions live. We’ll discuss what these changes mean for buying your first home, how higher rates affect affordability, and why a lower home price doesn’t automatically mean a lower monthly payment.

If you’re preparing to become a homeowner, join us to learn how to evaluate your options, understand your buying power, and make a confident decision.

Start Here 👇🏻

✅ Ready to buy? Know exactly what you can afford, how much cash you’ll need, and which mortgage strategy fits you best before you fall in love with the wrong house.
Start your homebuying journey

✅ Not sure if you’re ready yet? Take the free 2-minute quiz to see where you stand, what may be holding you back, and your best next step.
Take the homebuyer readiness quiz

Work With Jeb

Jeb Smith | Real Estate Broker | 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.

Work With Josh

Josh Lewis
Mortgage Advisor | Certified Mortgage Consultant | NMLS #234220
United American Mortgage Corporation
714-916-5727

The home you want to buy may never hit the market because its owner doesn’t want the tax bill that comes with selling. Could a proposed tax change give those homeowners a reason to move and give you a better shot at buying your first home?

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis explain how increasing the capital gains tax exclusion for home sellers could unlock housing inventory and create opportunities for first-time home buyers. We discuss what more homes for sale could mean for housing affordability, why this proposal wouldn’t automatically bring home prices down, and why waiting for a tax change could leave your homebuying plans on hold.

If you’re wondering whether to buy a house now or wait, learn how this proposal could affect your options and what matters most when preparing to become a homeowner.

Start Here 👇🏻

✅ Are you ready to become a homeowner?
Take our free homebuyer readiness quiz to find out where you stand:
https://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/quiz

✅ Start your stress-free journey today:
Get clarity on your homebuying budget, financing options, and next steps:
https://www.buyrightborrowsmart.com/start

Waiting for a better deal on your first home? October could give you more room to negotiate. A Redfin analysis identifies 16 major U.S. housing markets where October has historically offered buyers some of the best opportunities to negotiate a home purchase.

In this live episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down what that means for first-time homebuyers, why some sellers become more willing to negotiate, and how price reductions and seller concessions could help make buying a home more affordable.

We discuss how to approach an offer, what to consider before asking a seller to cover closing costs, and how mortgage rates affect your monthly payment and purchasing power. If you’re wondering whether now is a good time to buy a house, this conversation will help you understand what to look for in your local housing market and how to make a decision that fits your budget and goals.

✅ Already know you’re ready? Get 15 minutes of real clarity on what you can actually afford, what it costs to close, and exactly what to do next:
Start your homebuying journey here

✅ Not sure if you’re ready to buy? Take the free 2-minute quiz and find out where you actually stand:
Take the first-time homebuyer readiness quiz

Connect with Jeb Smith 👇
Jeb Smith | DRE 01407449
Real Broker

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

Connect with Josh Lewis 👇
Josh Lewis | Certified Mortgage Consultant
NMLS 234220
United American Mortgage Corp
Phone: 714-916-5727

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

#FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HousingMarket #HomeBuying #MortgageRates #TheEducatedHomeBuyer