The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds

Credit Scores, 50-Year Mortgages, and What It Means for You

Two major changes are coming — and they could reshape how Americans buy homes.
In this episode, Derick and Stephen break down:🔹 Fannie Mae’s move to remove the 620 minimum credit score requirement🔹 The Trump administration’s floated idea of government-backed 50-year mortgages
We unpack:✅ What these changes really mean for buyers, real estate agents, and lenders✅ Why "no credit score cutoff" doesn’t mean “no risk”✅ How a 50-year loan could help affordability — and also trap people in long-term debt✅ What you should be doing right now if you’re trying to qualify or serve clients
Whether you're buying, selling, or advising clients — these aren't just headlines. They're game-changers.Listen in for the brutally honest truth behind the policy shifts, the potential fallout, and how to prepare.
🎧 The market’s changing. Don’t get blindsided. Tune in now.

Starbucks, Snacks & Subscriptions Are Stealing Your House

Let’s get real. If you’re telling yourself you “can’t afford a home,” but you’re hitting DoorDash three times a week and grabbing gas station snacks like it’s a lifestyle — this episode is your wake-up call.
Stephen and Derick break down the brutal truth about where your down payment is actually going (spoiler: it’s not student loans or low income). It’s your small, daily spending habits — the ones that feel harmless — that are quietly draining thousands of dollars a year.
We walk through:
The psychology behind “I deserve it” spending
Real math that proves your coffee habit could be your down payment
A simple savings plan to flip the script in 6 months
One client’s $900-a-month wake-up call that got her into her first home
If homeownership is your goal, this episode will give you the mindset — and money moves — to make it happen.
No fluff. Just facts. Let’s build wealth, not excuses.

Would You Buy A Haunted House?

It’s spooky season, and Stephen and Derick are pulling back the curtain on one of real estate’s eeriest topics — haunted houses. 👻
From the history of haunted homes to infamous sales like The Amityville Horror House and The Conjuring House, this episode explores why some buyers run… while others see dollar signs. The guys dig into:
The real history behind America’s fascination with haunted real estate
How “haunted” homes can actually become profitable investments
The legal side — what sellers are (and aren’t) required to disclose
Whether mortgage lenders care about a home’s paranormal reputation
And, of course… whether they would ever buy one themselves

Why Now Is One of the Best Times to Buy a Home

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, Derick and Stephen explain why the current housing market presents a rare opportunity for buyers. They dig into the latest data showing rising inventory, slower sales, and increasing seller concessions—all signals that power has shifted back toward buyers.
Listeners will learn how these conditions translate into real leverage: the ability to negotiate below list price, secure seller credits, and take advantage of slightly improved mortgage rates before they rise again. Derick and Stephen also outline why acting before year-end matters—from potential rate bumps to seasonal motivation among sellers—and share practical steps to move quickly and confidently, from getting pre-approved to structuring strong offers.
They wrap up with a balanced look at the risks—like rate volatility and overextending budgets—and emphasize the mindset buyers and Realtors need to seize this window while it’s still open.

Florida’s Hometown Heroes Program — Your Path to Homeownership

Stephen and Derick unpack Florida’s Hometown Heroes Program and why it’s a powerful path for first-time buyers in essential roles. They cover how the assistance works (up to 5% of the first mortgage, capped at $35,000) as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage; who qualifies (full-time Florida workers, first-time buyer status with exceptions for vets, 640+ credit, income limits, primary residence); and how to reserve funds with an approved lender. You’ll hear a real-world scenario showing how the program can cover down payment and closing costs, plus clear pros/cons and action steps to move quickly while funding remains.

What My Mom’s Passing Taught Me About Planning Ahead

In a personal, reflective episode, Derick shares lessons from losing his mom to breast cancer and navigating probate without a will, trust, or updated beneficiaries. He explains how Florida homestead protections helped preserve the family home—and ultimately became a financial springboard—while highlighting practical steps every family can take now: name beneficiaries on all accounts, create a will or (better) a living trust, and communicate where documents live. Stephen connects the dots to real estate, reminding listeners that a home is often the largest asset and estate planning determines whether it becomes a burden or a blessing.

How To Unlock Your Home’s Equity

Stephen and Derick break down the three main ways to tap home equity—HELOC, Home Equity Loan, and Cash-Out Refinance—so homeowners can choose confidently. They clarify when each option fits (flexible access with variable rates for HELOCs; predictable lump-sum needs with fixed payments for Home Equity Loans; one new mortgage—and possibly a better rate—for Cash-Out Refis), along with pros, cons, costs, and risk considerations. The hosts wrap with practical decision filters—timeline, rate environment, cash needs, and discipline—and urge listeners to run the numbers with a pro before moving forward.

Wait…Mortgage Rates Went Up After the Fed Rate Cut?

The Fed just cut rates—but mortgage rates actually went up. In this episode, Stephen and Derick break down why that happened, what the Fed really controls, and how the bond market drives mortgages instead.
You’ll learn:
Why the Fed cut its benchmark rate and what their cautious tone signaled to markets.
Why mortgage rates follow the 10-year Treasury and MBS spreads—not the Fed funds rate.
What this means for homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate agents right now.
Four smart refinancing moves to take before rates drop again.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to refinance or an agent answering client questions, this episode gives you the brutally honest truth about how Fed moves impact mortgage rates.

Don’t Toss That TRIM Notice What Florida Homeowners Need to Know

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, Derick and Stephen break down one of the most overlooked pieces of mail Florida homeowners receive every year: the TRIM Notice.
They explain:
What a TRIM Notice actually is (and why it’s not your tax bill).
How mistakes on your assessed value can cost you thousands in property taxes.
Why changes to your TRIM Notice can directly increase your monthly mortgage payment.
Common homeowner questions on exemptions, millage rates, and appeals.
How Realtors can use TRIM season as a smart client touchpoint.
If you own a home in Florida—or you’re a Realtor advising clients—this episode gives you the knowledge to save money and avoid surprises before the tax bill shows up in November.

Mortgage Rates Drop After a Shocking Jobs Report

This week, Stephen Brock and Derick Brown break down the shocking jobs report that shook the markets and sent mortgage rates lower. What does this really mean for buyers, sellers, and realtors? Stephen explains why the bond market moves faster than the Fed, how labor data is finally showing cracks, and why this might be the opportunity buyers have been waiting for.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why mortgage rates dropped immediately after the jobs report
How the bond market leads while the Fed lags
What “labor over inflation” really means for housing
The brutally honest truth buyers and realtors need to hear right now
📌 Don’t wait for the Fed’s blessing. The market has already moved.