So many topics this month, I almost don’t know where to begin.

Let’s start with the 50-year mortgage proposal that’s being kicked around. I’ll be honest: I’m not a fan. If you’re preparing to buy and looking at your financing options, a 15-year mortgage is still the strongest path because you build equity quickly. A 30-year mortgage is also a solid and familiar route to homeownership—it just takes a little longer to see that equity grow. Either way, you must understand how much interest you’ll pay over time.

And then there’s the question of time itself. The average first-time homebuyer is now about 40 years old. Just five years ago, that number was 33. That’s a big jump. So let me be blunt: I cannot imagine taking on a 50-year loan at age 40. As a homeowner, after a few years I’m already checking my equity position. With a 50-year mortgage, I’m not sure how long it would take before you’d see any meaningful growth. To be very clear, I’m not a lender or banker—I’m simply looking at the numbers.

I recently watched Brian Cheung on The Today Show break this down visually. On a $410,800 loan at 6.3% with 10% down, your monthly payment on a 30-year mortgage would be $2,288. If that same loan were stretched to 50 years, the payment drops to $2,029—a savings of $259 per month. But here’s the catch: over the life of that 50-year loan, you’d pay an additional $393,720 in interest. That $411,000 home ends up costing you about $1,217,400.

Once again, I’m not a lender or a financial planner—I struggle with my own checkbook—but I just don’t see the advantage. The 50-year mortgage isn’t here yet, but if you’re in the market to buy, do your homework, understand your options, and be an informed consumer. Learn how a 15-year mortgage can work in your favor. And talk to a lender. If you’re ready to shop for a home and need lender recommendations, I have a few I trust—just give me a call and I’ll gladly share their information.

Next on my list: Fannie Mae is changing the way it looks at credit scores. That long-standing minimum score of 620? It’s going away. Lenders will now rely on their own comprehensive analysis of risk factors to determine eligibility. This is promising news—though what qualifies as a “risk factor” remains to be seen. A prior foreclosure may certainly be one. Again, your best move is to speak with a lender who can walk you through the details.

I hope you find this information helpful. I am here to help you, your family or friends buy, sell, lease, or invest. Next article, I will talk about lifestyles and what that really means.

I am Robbie Bell, your urban lifestyle specialist. I am certified in many areas of real estate sales. If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call me at 305-528-8557. I hang my license with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty.