Buying a home at 7.5% can be a smart move, even while other buyers wait for mortgage rates to drop. Less competition and motivated sellers can give prepared buyers more room to negotiate a lower purchase price, closing cost credits, and mortgage rate buydowns. For first-time home buyers, those opportunities can make a real difference in the upfront cost of buying a house.

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis explain how to approach buying a home with higher mortgage interest rates, use seller concessions strategically, and decide whether buying now fits your finances and long-term goals.

We also walk through what happens if mortgage rates rise, stay the same, or fall, including why a future refinance should be an opportunity rather than something you need to afford your home. Jeb shares his own experience buying at a higher rate and the factors that allowed him to refinance later.

In this episode, we cover:

• How higher mortgage rates can create negotiating opportunities for home buyers.
• Negotiating price reductions, seller credits, and closing costs.
• The trade-offs between temporary rate buydowns, permanent buydowns, and a lower purchase price.
• Planning for mortgage rates to rise, stay flat, or fall.
• How equity, income, and qualification requirements affect your ability to refinance.
• Why your monthly payment, savings, job stability, and ownership timeline matter.
• When waiting to buy a home makes more sense.

Whether you're a first-time home buyer or planning your next move, understanding your options starts with a realistic budget and a plan that works at today's payment. Opportunities vary by local housing market, and the right time to buy depends on your readiness.

✅ Are you Ready To Become A Homeowner:
Take the free homebuyer readiness quiz

✅ Start your stress-free journey today:
Create your homebuying plan

Buy right, borrow smart, and build wealth.

Mortgage rates have surged to nearly 7.5%, and the housing market could be headed for even more trouble as the bond market teeters on the edge of another major move. With inflation concerns, global conflicts, and economic uncertainty pushing rates higher, the possibility of 8% mortgage rates is becoming a real concern.

Meanwhile, homebuyer demand is weakening, housing inventory is building, price reductions are increasing, and existing home sales continue to struggle. What does all of this mean for home prices, housing affordability, and first-time homebuyers trying to navigate today's real estate market?

In this live episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down what's happening with the economy, mortgage interest rates, the bond market, and the housing market. We'll discuss what could happen next with mortgage rates, how higher rates are affecting buyers and sellers, and what you should consider before buying a home in today's market. We'll also be answering your questions live. Come join us!

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 Roadmap with Josh's team:

✅ Start Your Homebuying Roadmap

✅ Not sure if you're ready yet? Take the free 2-minute Am I Ready Quiz to see where you stand, what may be holding you back, and the best next step from here:

Take the Free Homebuyer Readiness Quiz

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.

Josh Lewis
Mortgage Advisor | Certified Mortgage Consultant | NMLS #234220
United American Mortgage Corporation | NMLS #1942
714-916-5727

Nobody wants to be surprised at closing. Josh gets you real numbers up front, tells you what you actually qualify for, and helps you structure your financing correctly from the start.

Josh and his team serve borrowers in 32 states through United American Mortgage Corporation.

Start your Roadmap:
https://buyrightborrowsmart.com/roadmap/An4bKMNmC4Q

Licensing:
Licensing Information |NMLS Consumer Access

Not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Opportunity.

The wrong house can drain your savings long after you get the keys. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s easy to fall in love with a remodeled kitchen or stretch your budget for a home that looks like a great deal. But qualifying for the mortgage doesn’t mean you can afford everything that comes with owning it.

In this episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down five types of houses first-time homebuyers should look at carefully before buying. From poorly renovated flips to homes with expensive repairs, we explain the warning signs that can turn your first home into a costly mistake.

You’ll learn what to look for when buying a house, including:

• Flipped homes: How cosmetic upgrades can hide problems with plumbing, electrical systems, and the roof.
• Money pits: Why an affordable purchase price can come with repairs your budget can’t handle.
• Unpermitted additions: Potential issues with construction quality, financing, and future resale.
• Condos and HOA communities: What reserves, financial statements, and meeting minutes can reveal about special assessments and rising dues.
• Homes that are harder to sell: How busy streets, location drawbacks, and solar leases can limit your future buyer pool.

These aren’t automatic deal breakers for every buyer, but they deserve more attention before you make an offer. Learn how to look beyond the finishes, understand the true cost of homeownership, and buy a home that fits your budget and your life.

Start Here 👇🏻

✅ Are you Ready To Become A Homeowner

✅ Start your stress-free journey today

Buy right, borrow smart, build wealth.