The Educated Homebuyer PodcastHousing Market AnalysisWhat Actually Happened to the Housing Market in 2026 (And What It Means If You Want to Buy)Everyone expected this to be the breakout year. Instead, the spring market stalled. Here is w…
Most people assume that moving up means moving on. Sell the old place, use the equity as a down payment, and start fresh. But what if there was a smarter path? One that lets you keep your first home, convert it into a wealth-building rental, and…
What Sellers Look For in an Offer: How to Win in a Competitive Housing Market Without OverpayingBy Josh Lewis, Certified Mortgage Consultant & Jeb Smith, Huntington Beach Realtor | The Educated Homebuyer Podcast, Episode 216Most buyers…
Have Mortgage Rates Bottomed for 2026? What Every Homebuyer in California Needs to Know Right NowThe Educated Homebuyer | Mortgage Strategy | Updated March 2026Over the past several weeks, something shifted in the mor…
5 Reasons You Should Buy a House Even in This MarketJosh Lewis & Jeb Smith • BuyWise Mortgage & Huntington Beach Real EstateMost buyers today are laser-focused on what buying costs right now: the rate…
Why Oil Prices Are Pushing Mortgage Rates Higher — And What California Homebuyers Should Do Right NowThe biggest force moving interest rates in 2026 has nothing to do with the Fed. Here is what is actually happening, and what it means for …
Is the Housing Market Finally Improving? What California Buyers and Sellers Need to Know in 2026By Josh Lewis, Certified Mortgage Consultant & Jeb Smith, Huntington Beach Realtor | The Educated Homebuyer Podcast | Episode 212For the past t…
How Bank Statement Loans Work: A Self-Employed Buyer's Guide to Qualifying for a Mortgage in CaliforniaBy Josh Lewis, CMC & Jeb Smith, Huntington Beach RealtorIf you run your own business and have tried to qualify for a home loan recentl…
Mortgage StrategyWhen Should You Refinance Your Mortgage? A Strategic Guide for Homeowners in 2026The Educated Homebuyer | Josh Lewis, Certified Mortgage Consultant & Jeb Smith, Orange County RealtorMortgage rates have just h…
5 Signs You Are Not Ready to Buy a Home (And What to Do About It)By Josh Lewis, Certified Mortgage Consultant & Jeb Smith, Huntington Beach Realtor | The Educated Homebuyer PodcastEveryone wants to own a home. The question is not whether hom…
By Josh Lewis, CMC & Jeb Smith, Huntington Beach Realtor | The Educated Homebuyer Podcast, Episode 208Every year, the housing market goes quiet in December. Sellers wait. Buyers wait. Analysts publish year-end recaps filled with predictions ab…
What the New Fed Chair Really Means for Mortgage Rates and Homebuyers in 2026President Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair. For homebuyers and homeowners across California and the country, the immedi…
The 2026 Housing Market Has Shifted to Balanced: What That Means for Buyers in California and BeyondFor the past several years, every conversation about buying a home has been colored by extremes: a frenzied seller's market, a rate-shock correct…
This Is Exactly How Much Cash You Need to Buy a Home in 2026A complete breakdown of every cost beyond the down payment , what it is, how much it runs, and precisely when it comes due.Most homebuyers spend weeks researching the down payment. They…
TRUMP's 2026 Policies Will Have A HUGE Impact On The Housing MarketHousing affordability is once again front and center as the U.S. heads toward the 2026 midterm elections. Big promises are being made about mortgage rates, housing supply, and af…
2026 Mortgage Interest Rate ForecastIf you’re buying a home in Huntington Beach, Orange County, or anywhere in coastal Southern California, you don’t need hype—you need a plan. The biggest driver of the housing market in 2026 w…
2026 Housing Market Forecast - Home Sales, Inventory & Mortgage Interest RatesIf you’re planning to buy or sell in Huntington Beach or anywhere in Orange County, 2026 is shaping up to feel different than 2024 and 2025. Not “easy.…
The Latest FED Policy Will Have A HUGE Impact On Mortgage Interest RatesIf you’re thinking about buying a home in Huntington Beach, anywhere in Orange County, or you’re simply watching the market, this is one of those moments where und…
How Much Money Do You REALLY Need To Buy A House? house buying costsIf you’re trying to buy in Huntington Beach or anywhere in Orange County, the internet will usually tell you one of two extremes: you need 20% down… or you can buy wi…
How To Buy A House in 2026Buying a house in 2026 — especially in competitive markets like Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, and greater Orange County — is absolutely possible when you follow a clear, proven plan.With m…
The FED Just FLIPPED Mortgage Interest RatesIf you're a first-time home buyer in Huntington Beach or anywhere in Orange County, you’ve probably been refreshing mortgage rate charts like they’re the surf report at the pier. And if you&r…
BREAKING: Trump Announces 50 Year Mortgage – What You MUST Know!President Donald Trump has officially floated the idea of a new 50-year fixed mortgage—and the entire housing world lit up overnight. Whether you're a Huntington B…
The FED Just FLIPPED The Housing MarketThinking about buying a home in Huntington Beach or Orange County? Get expert advice tailored to your situation. Start here — it's 100% free.What Just Happened with the Fed — And Why I…
Rising COSTS Will Have A HUGE Impact On Housing AffordabilityIf you're ready to take the next step in your home buying journey, visit www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/startIntroduction: The Hidden Costs of HomeownershipMost people assu…
