Martini Mortgage Podcast

Think all mortgage interest is tax-deductible? Think again. In this episode, Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini reveals the key factors that determine if you can claim this deduction. From itemized deductions to acquisition indebtedness, and even pre-2017 loans, this episode clears up the confusion. Plus, discover why investment properties play by entirely different rules. Don’t miss out on potentially saving thousands—or avoiding costly mistakes. Hit play, and make sure to share this episode with someone who could use this info.

Think you’re ready to buy a home? Most first-time homebuyers make a HUGE mistake before they even start house hunting—and it’s costing them big time. In this must-listen episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Kevin Martini, Certified Mortgage Advisor, breaks down the ultimate hacks for making your homeownership journey smoother, smarter, and significantly less stressful. Discover why starting with your mortgage—not the house—is the game-changer you didn’t know you needed. Learn how to avoid costly missteps, build a dream team of trusted advisors, and turn the dream of homeownership into a winning strategy. BONUS: These hacks could save you not just thousands, but tens of thousands of dollars. Your path to homeownership begins with clarity and confidence. Don’t miss this episode—it could be the most important 10 minutes you spend on your future.

Can student loans stop you from owning your dream home? Think again. This episode is for anyone who feels like their student debt is an immovable mountain standing between them and the keys to their first home. Spoiler alert: It’s not about the debt itself—it’s about how you manage it. Join Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini as he busts the myth that student loans disqualify you from a mortgage and explains: Why your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) matters more than the total debt you owe. Loan options tailored for homebuyers with student debt, including FHA and conventional loans. Why getting pre-approved is the game-changer that sets you apart as a serious buyer. Student loans aren’t the barrier you think they are—they’re just another part of your financial picture, and the Martini Mortgage Group knows how to make it all work. Listen now and discover how close you are to the home you’ve been dreaming of. → Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs it! Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certifi

Have you ever wondered if renting is truly the smarter financial move? Spoiler alert: It’s not. In episode 201 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, host and Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini  with the Martini Mortgage Group tackles one of the biggest myths in personal finance - that renting makes more financial sense than owning. You’ll discover the game-changing truth about equity, the surprising stats that will leave you rethinking your lease, and why paying rent is a commitment to building someone else’s wealth. If financial growth and freedom are on your vision board, you need to hear this. Tune in to explore the long-term benefits of homeownership, even if buying feels like a leap right now. Ready to stop building your landlord’s wealth and start building your own? Hit play and find out how!     Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.M

Does an FHA loan mean higher interest rates? Only for first-time buyers? Not a chance. In this myth-busting episode, Kevin Martini dismantles five common misconceptions about FHA loans that could be keeping you from saying yes to homeownership. FHA loans are more flexible, accessible, and strategic than you’ve been led to believe. Want to know why? Hit play to find out. This 200th episode of the Martini Mortgage Group is a must-listen if you want to: Understand the real benefits of FHA loans. Stop letting outdated myths dictate your homebuying decisions. Feel confident about taking the next step toward owning your own home. Click play, then call the Martini Mortgage Group for your personalized, no-pressure consultation. The dream of owning a home is closer than you think—let’s make it happen. Don’t forget to subscribe and share! Your friends will thank you. Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507

Think you need 20% down to buy your dream home? Think again. In episode 199 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini exposes the truth behind this all-too-common myth. Discover why waiting to save up could cost you more than you think and learn about loan programs that make homeownership possible with far less than 20%. You’ll also hear how one client overcame this myth and found herself building equity sooner than she ever thought possible. If you’re holding onto outdated advice, this episode might be the game-changer you need. Key Martini Mortgage Podcast Takeaways: The surprising truth about average down payments. Loan options that work for first-time buyers (and beyond). Why PMI isn’t the villain you think it is. How waiting can hurt your homeownership goals. Listen now and share this episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast with someone who needs to hear it. A little myth-busting could change their life.

Owning or renting—what’s the smarter move right now? This special micro episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast is your wake-up call: the housing market is shifting, and with it comes an incredible opportunity to build wealth instead of paying off your landlord's mortgage. Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini dives into the real numbers, busts the myths that hold most renters back and lays out why waiting might cost you more than you think. Spoiler: a homeowner’s net worth today is 42 TIMES that of a renter. If you’ve been debating whether now is the right time to buy, you can’t afford to miss this episode. Listen, share, and take that first step toward securing your financial future. Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Kevin@MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Equal Housing Lender Transcript

In this episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini breaks down the highly anticipated 2025 Housing Market Forecast from the Martini Mortgage Group. If you’re wondering how shifting mortgage rates, rising home values, and a growing demand for homes will shape the real estate market, this episode is for you. Here’s what you’ll learn:

In episode 196 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, we’re serving up a hefty dose of reality in real estate. Host Kevin Martini, a Certified Mortgage Advisor with the Martini Mortgage Group, tackles the often misleading perceptions surrounding the housing market. Kevin starts with two fundamental truths about quality assets and economic cycles, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of current market dynamics. Are we heading for a recession? Is a housing crash imminent? Kevin breaks it down, debunking myths and offering a clear view of the real estate landscape. Discover why the ‘lock-in effect’ keeps the housing market stable, how the inventory shortage drives prices, and why demand continues to outstrip supply. Kevin also dives into ‘sectoral recessions’ and explains why your personal economic feelings might not align with national data. Whether you’re a homeowner concerned about your property’s value or a potential buyer wary of market conditions, this episode provides the insights you need. Kevin wraps up

In this episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini shares his 2024 real estate forecast which is data-driven over sensational headlines. Dubbed the "4, 5, 6 forecast," Martini outlines his moderate yet realistic predictions for the real estate market in 2024. Key Predictions: Home Appreciation: Predicted at 4% for 2024. Home Sales: Forecasting 5 million homes to be sold in 2024. Mortgage Rates: Anticipating rates to stabilize around 6%. In-Depth Analysis: Mortgage Rates: Reflection on the unexpected spike in mortgage rates in 2023 and the current trend towards mid 6% rates. Discussion includes factors influencing these changes, like inflation and Federal Reserve policies. Market Predictions: Martini addresses the potential conservative nature of his 6% rate prediction, the challenges in timing the market, and the future refinancing opportunities. Home Sales: Insight into the predicted increase in home sales in 2024, driven by life events

Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini, hosts a special episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast titled "Marry the House, Date the Rate: Navigating the Real Estate High Tide.” Kevin explores the popular real estate advice of committing to a home while being flexible with mortgage rates, especially in today's unpredictable market. Key Topics Discussed: Current Housing Crisis and Demand: An examination of the U.S. housing shortage, with insights from the National Association of Realtors. Understanding the gap between demand and supply and its impact on home prices. Mortgage Rate Trends: Analysis of historical and current mortgage rates, emphasizing the potential benefits of refinancing in a fluctuating rate environment. Strategy for Today’s Homebuyers: Discussing the wisdom behind "marry the house, date the rate," and how this approach can benefit homebuyers in the current market. The emphasis on securing a home at today's prices and refinancing when rates are more favorable. Buydow

In this special micro episode, Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini dives into the challenges many face in the current housing market. While acknowledging today's higher mortgage rates, Kevin provides historical context, reminding listeners of the 18.63% rate in 1981.  Kevin introduces strategies like temporary interest rate buydowns and the option to pay points, emphasizing the cyclical nature of mortgage rates. Kevin also highlights the Martini Mortgage Group's unique no-down payment FHA home loan and other affordable lending programs. With a potential rise in home values and the risk of being priced out, he encourages listeners to consider buying now. Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Kevin@MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Equal Housing Lender  

In episode 192 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini dives deep into the major hurdles faced by homebuyers today: Affordability, Inventory, and Student Loan Debt. The current housing landscape presents skyrocketing home prices and limited listings, compounded by the weight of student loans for many. Kevin breaks down the myth of affordability, highlighting that home prices, mortgage rates, and income all play interconnected roles. Despite these daunting obstacles, Kevin emphasizes that the American Dream of homeownership remains attainable. He champions an informed approach, advising potential buyers to secure their home loan first, ensuring clarity on price and costs. Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Kevin@MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Equal Housing L

In this insightful podcast episode, Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini, backed by years of mortgage advising experience, sheds light on the critical financial aspect of handling the marital home during a divorce. Epsidoe 191 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast is structured to first dice into understanding the value and equity of your marital home, followed by exploring the three core options available for couples amidst divorce proceedings. Initially, this micro podcast episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast emphasizes the initial 3 steps to determine your equity position three steps: -) Determining the home's worth: Utilizing an algorithm provided by Martini Mortgage Group, listeners are directed to accurately estimate their home’s value. -) Calculating outstanding mortgage: The necessity of summing up the remaining mortgage balance, along with any additional loans, to understand the full financial picture. -) Evaluating Home's Equity: A simple subtraction of what’s owed from

Welcome to episode 190 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, titled MMP, where our host Kevin Martini, a Raleigh Mortgage Broker and Certified Mortgage Advisor, explores the topsy-turvy journey of home buying in the current real estate scenario. In this episode, Kevin dives into the emotional roller-coaster that accompanies the homebuying process, especially amid soaring home prices and fluctuating mortgage rates. He emphasizes on the importance of focusing on one’s aspirations, financial blueprint, and the groundwork needed before diving into the real estate market. Highlights: Understanding the Real Estate Landscape: A discussion on the unpredictability of home prices and mortgage rates. Expert predictions from Pulsenomics on the gradual rise in home prices in the upcoming years. A highlight on how a $400,000 house bought in January 2023 could appreciate to $471,363 by 2027. The Mortgage Rate Tango: A dive into the dynamics between mortgage rates, the bond market, and inflation. Predictions from the Mortgage

In this episode, as the fall season sets in, Kevin Martini dives deep into the current state of the real estate market, emphasizing that while the weather cools, the property market remains sizzling hot. Kevin, a Certified Mortgage Advisor with the Martini Mortgage Group, introduces listeners to the recently released Fall 2023 edition of the Martini Mortgage Guide. This free resource, available at MartiniBuyerGuide.com, offers a comprehensive look into the intricacies of home buying and mortgages in the current market. Key highlights from the guide include the challenges posed by the low housing inventory, the new normal of mortgage rates hovering between 6% to 7%, and the continued appreciation of home prices on a national scale. Kevin stresses the importance of being not just ready and willing but also able to buy in this competitive market. He also touches upon the historical context of mortgage rates and their potential trajectory. Wrapping up, Kevin encourages listeners to challenge their perceptions, ex

In episode 188 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, host Kevin Martini discusses the upcoming resumption of federal student loan payments on October 1, 2023, and its potential impact on mortgage approvals. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's financial position and offers insights on navigating the changing landscape. Main Topics: Resumption of federal student loan payments on October 1, 2023. How this might impact your mortgage approval. Key Points: Federal student loan payments and interest were suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of June 2023, the pause is set to end, with payments resuming on October 1, 2023. For homebuyers: The resumption may affect chances of mortgage approval due to increased monthly payments and interest accumulation. Three things borrowers should know: Payments resume on October 1, 2023. Interest accrual starts on September 1, 2023. There’s a 12-month “on-ramp” period without penalties for late payments. During the payment hiatus, credi

In episode 187 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, host Kevin Martini, a Certified Mortgage Advisor and Producing Branch Manager with the Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, delves into the significant connection between personal habits and credit scores. Utilizing the analogy of a car's maintenance, Martini emphasizes that 35% of a person's credit score performance is dependent on their timeliness in paying debts. Likening various financial mishaps to flat tires and rusty engines, he underscores the serious consequences of late payments, charge-offs, bankruptcies, and judgments on one's credit health. Martini goes on to detail the importance of mortgage payments, comparing them to the transmission of a car, and explaining how even a single late payment can have drastic effects on interest rates and loan terms. Other debts, like car payments and credit cards, are also vital, but less critical. He stresses that the key to a healthy credit score is similar to maintaining a vehicle: paying

In episode 186 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, titled "How Inflation Impacts Mortgage Rates," Kevin Martini, a Certified Mortgage Advisor, dissects the stubborn nature of inflation and its complex relationship with mortgage rates. The discussion reveals how inflation, being the increase in general price levels, directly influences mortgage rates, affecting everyone's purchasing power. Martini explores the counterintuitive nature of bonds and mortgage rates and emphasizes the lag between inflation dropping and mortgage rates falling. This episode dives into current market trends, including higher mortgage rates providing a unique competitive edge to homebuyers, and concludes with Martini's strategy of "committing to the house and flirting with the rate," encouraging listeners to explore their options in the current environment. Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604

In episode 185 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, titled "Homeownership: The Keystone of Wealth," Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini unpacks the secrets of homeownership as a wealth creation and preservation tool. He compares homeownership to a golden goose that lays the eggs of wealth accumulation, offering the homeowner financial freedom. He begins the episode by emphasizing the power of home equity - the portion of a home that's owned outright. As a homeowner pays off their mortgage, their equity (a.k.a. wealth) increases. Martini refers to this as a form of forced savings, which can result in substantial wealth accumulation over time. Then, he introduces the concept of the 'silent wealth multiplier', appreciation. Despite the economy's fluctuations, home values historically rise over time. He explains how this 'quiet wealth builder' inflates a homeowner's wealth. Next, Martini discusses tax benefits, the 'stealthy protector' of wealth, shielding a significant part of it fro