In a 7 percent market, taking over a seller's lower-rate loan can mean a lower payment. Nearly 100 percent of FHA and VA loans are assumable, but only if three checks pass. Why most conventional loans do not work this way, and why you should compare the full picture against a new loan from an outside lender.

The numbers from this episode:

• Nearly 100 percent of FHA and VA loans are assumable, national figure (eXp 2026 Context Deck)
• Check 1: lender approval plus buyer qualification (eXp 2026 Context Deck)
• Check 2: seller and lender agreement (eXp 2026 Context Deck)
• Check 3: price-gap coverage (eXp 2026 Context Deck)
• Most conventional loans do not allow assumption (eXp 2026 Context Deck)

Sources:

• eXp 2026 Context Deck, September 2026 vintage (national figure)

Kyler Hood, eXp Realty, TX license #828001. 469-434-2586. https://kylerhood.com

A buydown only means something when all three payments are in writing. Using a published Southgate Homes example, what year 1, year 2, and the steady payment actually look like, and why you should budget to the steady payment and treat the first two years as breathing room.

The numbers from this episode:

• Example home: 850,000 dollars, 10 percent down, 740 credit score, preferred lender (Southgate Homes)
• Year 1: 4.99 percent, 4,102.01 dollars a month (Southgate Homes)
• Year 2: 5.99 percent, 4,581.64 dollars a month (Southgate Homes)
• Years 3 through 30: 6.99 percent, 5,084.43 dollars a month (Southgate Homes)
• Year 1 runs about 982 dollars a month below the steady payment; year 2 about 503 dollars below; about 17,800 dollars across the first 2 years versus steady (arithmetic)

Sources:

• Southgate Homes published example, shared October 14, 2026 (terms dated October 14 and changeable)
• Run your real monthly payment: https://kylerhood.com/payment/

Kyler Hood, eXp Realty, TX license #828001. 469-434-2586. https://kylerhood.com

About half of all outstanding mortgages sit below 4 percent, which is why resale listings stay thin even as prices soften. The seller is holding a rate, not just a price. How new construction sidesteps the standoff, since negotiation there is price, buydowns, and credits.

The numbers from this episode:

• Mortgages below 4 percent: 49.9 percent of outstanding loans (Realtor.com, via eXp Context Deck)
• At 3 to 4 percent: 30.4 percent; below 3 percent: 19.5 percent (Realtor.com, via eXp Context Deck)
• At 6 percent or higher: 22.1 percent; at 5 to 6 percent: 11.2 percent; at 4 to 5 percent: 16.8 percent (Realtor.com, via eXp Context Deck)

Sources:

• Realtor.com Q1 2026 outstanding-mortgage distribution, via the eXp 2026 Context Deck (national figure, not current or DFW data)

Kyler Hood, eXp Realty, TX license #828001. 469-434-2586. https://kylerhood.com