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What happens when you ask kids to explain mortgage terms? Absolute chaos. 😂 In this hilarious episode of Home Buying Made Easy, Michael Dendy puts his kids Zuzu and MaryKate to the test with real mortgage and real estate terms… and their answers are completely unhinged.From “escrow” to “amortization,” you’ll laugh your way through one of the funniest episodes we’ve ever recorded. Rachel Dendy Continue Reading about Episode 23 — Kids Explain Mortgages?! (Originally Published February 20, 2026)

Here's something most people don't know: down payment assistance isn't just for first-time homebuyers. If you've owned a home before, you might still qualify for programs that help cover your down payment, and there are a lot of people out there paying more than they have to because nobody told them to look.Michael breaks down how down payment assistance actually works, what programs are out there Continue Reading about Down Payment Assistance: Here’s What You’re Missing | EP 22 (Originally Published 2-17-26)

Everyone starts somewhere. And somewhere, at the beginning of this whole process, is a person who's ready to buy a home but honestly isn't totally sure what kind of loan they're supposed to be getting or why there are so many options. This episode is for that person.Michael goes back to basics and covers what a home loan actually is and the main types you're going to encounter: FHA, VA, Continue Reading about What Is a Home Loan? The Basics Explained | EP 21 (Originally Published 2-14-26)

Everyone's got a prediction about the housing market. The news says one thing, your neighbor says another, and your real estate agent is always optimistic because that's sort of the job. This episode is different.Michael sits down with his pipeline manager. As someone who's in the numbers every single day Michael is getting a ground-level forecast on what 2026 actually looks like. Interest rates, Continue Reading about 2026 Housing Market Forecast | EP 20 (Originally Published 2-9-26)

DTI. Debt-to-income ratio. If you've talked to a lender for more than ten minutes, they've probably mentioned it. And there's a decent chance you said "right, okay" and moved on without being totally sure what they were calculating or why it matters as much as they're acting like it does.It matters a lot. Michael breaks down what debt-to-income ratio actually is, how lenders calculate it, what the Continue Reading about Debt-to-Income Ratio Explained | EP 19 (Originally Published 2-7-26)

Twenty percent down has been hanging over first-time homebuyers like a rain cloud for decades. It feels like the rule. Like you're not ready to buy until you've got that number saved up, and if you don't have it, you're not serious. That's not actually true, and this episode proves it.Michael busts the 20% myth wide open — what the real down payment minimums are for FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA Continue Reading about You Don’t Need 20% Down to Buy a Home — The Real Options | EP 18 (Originally Published 2-3-26)

Most people start their home buying process by walking into the bank where they keep their checking account. Or maybe calling that "Big Name" lender on the radio or TV. That's fine. It's also not always the best move, and this episode explains why.Michael breaks down the difference between wholesale lenders and retail lenders. He breaks down what a mortgage broker actually does, how they access Continue Reading about Wholesale vs. Retail: What does it mean? | EP 17 (Originally Published 1-3-26)

You got quotes from three lenders. One of them is a quarter point lower than the others and you're ready to go with them. Stop. This episode might change your mind.Michael and Joshua break down one of the most expensive myths in mortgage lending: "the lowest rate is automatically the best deal." It's not always. Closing costs, lender fees, discount points, origination fees: all of that factors Continue Reading about Why the Lowest Interest Rate Can Cost You | EP 16 (Originally Published 1-26-26)