Learn how to budget for a mortgage, compare lenders, and prep for home buying or selling in today’s changing housing market.

How can you shop smart for a mortgage and pick the right broker or lender? How do you budget for a home purchase? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mortgage shopping and home affordability to help you understand how to make informed, strategic choices when buying or selling a home. Joined by Jonathon Haddad, president of Next Door Lending, and Kate Wood, NerdWallet mortgage expert, they cover how brokers work, what to look for in a lender, and how to avoid common pitfalls when comparing loan offers.

They begin with a conversation with Jonathon Haddad about the benefits of using a mortgage broker, how much money borrowers could save, and key questions to ask when shopping for a loan. Then, Kate Wood helps answer a listener’s question about selling a home in 2025, including tips on agent commissions and how market shifts could affect sellers. They discuss how to budget for a down payment, what expenses first-time homebuyers often overlook, and how to know if you’re financially ready to buy. 

If you’re ready to find the right mortgage with expert guidance every step of the way, get started today at https://www.nerdwallet.com/prequalify/m/mortgage-experts/lp1 

Here’s what mortgage brokers are and how to find one: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/how-to-find-a-mortgage-broker

See how far your homebuying budget could take you with NerdWallet’s home affordability calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/how-much-house-can-i-afford 

First-time home buyer programs by state: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/first-time-home-buyer-programs-by-state 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: how to find a mortgage broker, mortgage broker vs lender, mortgage broker fees, best way to shop for a mortgage, how to compare mortgage lenders, mortgage broker savings, mortgage loan estimate tips, choosing a mortgage broker, home buying budget calculator, how to budget for a house, down payment assistance programs, closing costs for first time home buyers, private mortgage insurance, how to prepare for buying a home, home buying tips 2025, first time home buyer loans, FHA loan down payment, conventional loan down payment, va loan down payment, usda loan down payment, home buying closing costs, real estate agent commission 2025, how to sell your house, how to choose a real estate agent, realtor commission changes 2025, selling a house in 2025, how to budget for home maintenance, moving costs when buying a house, first time home buyer help, what credit score do you need for a mortgage

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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