A new Fed Chair and fewer expected Federal Reserve rate cuts could have a huge impact on mortgage rates, first-time home buyers, and housing affordability in 2026. If you're wondering whether you should buy a house now or wait for lower mortgage rates, this video breaks down what actually drives mortgage interest rates and why the Fed doesn't directly control them. Learn how inflation, the bond market, and investor expectations affect home loan rates and what it means for first-time home buyers

10 Insider Rules for a Smooth, Stress-Free Home Closing Most first-time home buyer closing problems do not happen at the closing table. They usually start weeks earlier because buyers were not prepared for what happens after their offer is accepted. In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer , Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down the 10 insider rules that help first-time home buyers avoid closing delays, financing surprises, homeowners insurance issues, appraisal problems, and last-minute stress.

Why First-Time Home Buyers Shouldn’t Wait for a 2008 Housing Market Crash If you’re a first-time home buyer waiting for the housing market to crash before you buy a home, this video is for you. A lot of buyers are comparing today’s market to 2008, but the data tells a very different story. In 2008, loose lending standards, zero-down loans, risky adjustable-rate mortgages, and a flood of foreclosures pushed home prices down. Today, most homeowners have significant equity, stronger credit profiles

Is the housing market finally shifting away from sellers? In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh break down why sellers are pulling homes off the market at the fastest pace since 2020, what that means for inventory levels, and how it could impact first-time home buyers heading into the second half of the year.You'll learn why many homeowners are choosing not to sell, how low mortgage rates from previous years continue to limit housing supply, and why inventory remains one

Consumer debt is becoming one of the biggest obstacles for first-time homebuyers in 2026. In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer , Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down how credit cards, student loans, car payments, personal loans, and high debt-to-income ratios are impacting mortgage approvals in today’s housing market. With first-time homebuyers making up just 21% of the market, many buyers are being held back not only by home prices or mortgage rates, but by monthly debt payments that reduce

Is the spring housing market still strong even with higher mortgage rates? In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer , Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down what first-time home buyers need to know about today’s real estate market, including inventory trends, buyer demand, mortgage rate movement, price reductions, and what it all means if you’re trying to buy a home. If you’re a first-time home buyer wondering whether to buy now or wait, this episode will help you understand the data behind the he