Always On Point https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/ Hometown radio. Local news. Regional commentary. Listen Live: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Sat, 02 May 2026 10:16:36 +0000 en-US © 2025 Civic Media Hometown radio. Local news. Regional commentary. Kristen Ambos episodic Hometown radio. Local news. Regional commentary. Listen Live: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Civic Media info@wgbw.fm false https://civicmedia.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/alwaysonpoint-1400x1400-1.png Always On Point https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/ info@wgbw.fm Hometown radio. Local news. Regional commentary. Listen Live: 10:00 am - 11:00 am No yes e55d6fcd-4654-5f78-82f2-2913023b993f https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8 Mortgage Mayhem: 2026’s Housing Shake-Up https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/2025/12/28/mortgage-mayhem-2026s-housing-shake-up Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 podcast:182138 Kristen Ambos, a top loan officer in Wisconsin, dishes out the real scoop on the mortgage market's upcoming transformation. With 50% of Americans now holding mortgages over 6%, 2026 promises a resurgence in housing activity. Kristen highlights the importance of understanding loan terms beyond just chasing low rates—beware of predatory lending! As we return to pre-pandemic market norms, expect more inventory, stable prices, and a balanced buyer-seller dynamic. She emphasizes preparation, transparency, and choosing the right loan officer to navigate these changes. Get ready, 2026 is shaping up to be a game-changer for homebuyers!

]]> Kristen Ambos, a top loan officer in Wisconsin, dishes out the real scoop on the mortgage market's upcoming transformation. With 50% of Americans now holding mortgages over 6%, 2026 promises a resurgence in housing activity. Kristen highlights the importance of understanding loan terms beyond just chasing low rates—beware of predatory lending! As we return to pre-pandemic market norms, expect more inventory, stable prices, and a balanced buyer-seller dynamic. She emphasizes preparation, transparency, and choosing the right loan officer to navigate these changes. Get ready, 2026 is shaping up to be a game-changer for homebuyers!

]]> false no 44:02 No no Navigating the Mortgage Rollercoaster: Buy, Sell, and Thrive https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/2025/12/14/navigating-the-mortgage-rollercoaster-buy-sell-and-thrive Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 podcast:179490 Dive into the real estate rollercoaster with Kristen Ambos and top agent Amanda Furman as they dissect the current market. Despite the Fed's rate cuts, mortgage rates have risen, confusing many buyers. Amanda reveals that buyers now have more choices, with less competition and room for negotiation, especially in the Fox Valley. Sellers can still fetch close to their asking prices but may face more contingencies. The duo debunks foreclosure fears, explaining that the Midwest market remains resilient. They also stress the importance of paying off high-interest debt by leveraging home equity, urging sellers to move despite low interest rates on current mortgages.

Guest: Amanda Furman]]> Dive into the real estate rollercoaster with Kristen Ambos and top agent Amanda Furman as they dissect the current market. Despite the Fed's rate cuts, mortgage rates have risen, confusing many buyers. Amanda reveals that buyers now have more choices, with less competition and room for negotiation, especially in the Fox Valley. Sellers can still fetch close to their asking prices but may face more contingencies. The duo debunks foreclosure fears, explaining that the Midwest market remains resilient. They also stress the importance of paying off high-interest debt by leveraging home equity, urging sellers to move despite low interest rates on current mortgages.

Guest: Amanda Furman]]> false no 44:02 No no Navigating the Mortgage Maze: Rates, Real Estate, and Rookies https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/2025/12/07/navigating-the-mortgage-maze-rates-real-estate-and-rookies Sun, 07 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 podcast:178295 Kristen Ambos dives into the volatile landscape of interest rates, cautioning against too-good-to-be-true offers from online lenders. She explains the pitfalls of adjustable-rate mortgages and the hidden costs behind low initial rates. Jill Dixon-Kesler offers insights on the real estate market, emphasizing the importance of working with experienced advisors. She urges sellers to price realistically and buyers to prepare early, debunking myths about credit checks hurting scores. With industry tales of deals nearly derailed by unchecked boxes and new car loans, Ambos and Kessler stress the need for clear communication and strategic planning in real estate transactions.

Guests: Kristen Ambos, Jill Dixon-Kesler]]> Kristen Ambos dives into the volatile landscape of interest rates, cautioning against too-good-to-be-true offers from online lenders. She explains the pitfalls of adjustable-rate mortgages and the hidden costs behind low initial rates. Jill Dixon-Kesler offers insights on the real estate market, emphasizing the importance of working with experienced advisors. She urges sellers to price realistically and buyers to prepare early, debunking myths about credit checks hurting scores. With industry tales of deals nearly derailed by unchecked boxes and new car loans, Ambos and Kessler stress the need for clear communication and strategic planning in real estate transactions.

Guests: Kristen Ambos, Jill Dixon-Kesler]]> false no 44:02 No no Mortgage Madness: The 50-Year Conundrum https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/2025/11/16/mortgage-madness-the-50-year-conundrum Sun, 16 Nov 2025 17:00:00 +0000 podcast:174301 Diving headfirst into the mortgage mayhem, we explore the buzz around 50-year mortgages, dissecting their pros and cons. With interest rates hovering at 6.38% for a 30-year fixed, the market is stabilizing in Northeast Wisconsin, promoting fair play between buyers and sellers. However, the proposed 50-year mortgage, while offering lower monthly payments, adds significant long-term costs, leading to skyrocketing interest and reduced equity. Real estate agents emerge as crucial allies in navigating these turbulent waters. As the market seeks balance, the focus shifts to building affordable housing, aiming for a sustainable future in real estate.

Guest: Kristen Ambos]]> Diving headfirst into the mortgage mayhem, we explore the buzz around 50-year mortgages, dissecting their pros and cons. With interest rates hovering at 6.38% for a 30-year fixed, the market is stabilizing in Northeast Wisconsin, promoting fair play between buyers and sellers. However, the proposed 50-year mortgage, while offering lower monthly payments, adds significant long-term costs, leading to skyrocketing interest and reduced equity. Real estate agents emerge as crucial allies in navigating these turbulent waters. As the market seeks balance, the focus shifts to building affordable housing, aiming for a sustainable future in real estate.

Guest: Kristen Ambos]]> false no 44:05 No no Mortgage Market Magic: Rates, Equity, and Real Talk https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/2025/11/02/mortgage-market-magic-rates-equity-and-real-talk Sun, 02 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000 podcast:171478 The mortgage market is buzzing as the 10-year Treasury note dips below 4%, keeping rates at their lowest in a year. With average 30-year fixed rates at 6.13% and 15-year at 5.72%, it's a ripe time for potential buyers. But despite favorable rates, the housing rush isn’t quite here yet. Kristen Ambos dives into why now might be the time to buy, highlighting the importance of equity amidst $7 trillion in unsecured debt. She exposes the pitfalls of misleading loan offers and emphasizes the need for financial literacy in navigating refinancing, debt management, and leveraging home equity smartly.

]]> The mortgage market is buzzing as the 10-year Treasury note dips below 4%, keeping rates at their lowest in a year. With average 30-year fixed rates at 6.13% and 15-year at 5.72%, it's a ripe time for potential buyers. But despite favorable rates, the housing rush isn’t quite here yet. Kristen Ambos dives into why now might be the time to buy, highlighting the importance of equity amidst $7 trillion in unsecured debt. She exposes the pitfalls of misleading loan offers and emphasizes the need for financial literacy in navigating refinancing, debt management, and leveraging home equity smartly.

]]> false no 44:05 No no Cracking the Mortgage Code https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/2025/10/12/cracking-the-mortgage-code-2 Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0000 podcast:167756 Mortgage maestro Kristen Ambos dives into the intricacies of home buying, spotlighting down payment assistance programs like WIDA and NeighborWorks. She breaks down common home-buying myths, emphasizing that 'free money' comes with costs, but smart strategies can minimize them. Kristen shares real-life success stories of first-time buyers navigating Wisconsin's market with minimal upfront costs. Her advice? Know the programs, work with knowledgeable lenders, and don't shy away from inspections. She also reveals how small extra payments can slash years off a mortgage.

]]> Mortgage maestro Kristen Ambos dives into the intricacies of home buying, spotlighting down payment assistance programs like WIDA and NeighborWorks. She breaks down common home-buying myths, emphasizing that 'free money' comes with costs, but smart strategies can minimize them. Kristen shares real-life success stories of first-time buyers navigating Wisconsin's market with minimal upfront costs. Her advice? Know the programs, work with knowledgeable lenders, and don't shy away from inspections. She also reveals how small extra payments can slash years off a mortgage.

]]> false no 44:06 No no Mastering Mortgages and Credit: Your Financial Future Starts Here https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/2025/10/05/mastering-mortgages-and-credit-your-financial-future-starts-here Sun, 05 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0000 podcast:166517 Kristen Ambos, a seasoned mortgage expert, dives into the importance of financial literacy and mortgage education amidst a changing market. She shares her personal journey from financial struggles to becoming a top loan officer, emphasizing the emotional nature of finances and the lack of financial education. Kristen highlights the need for mortgage education and offers tips on improving credit scores, like maintaining a 30% credit card utilization. Alongside real estate pro Amanda Furman, they discuss investment strategies, the significance of understanding rental markets, and the benefits of home equity loans for aspiring investors.

]]> Kristen Ambos, a seasoned mortgage expert, dives into the importance of financial literacy and mortgage education amidst a changing market. She shares her personal journey from financial struggles to becoming a top loan officer, emphasizing the emotional nature of finances and the lack of financial education. Kristen highlights the need for mortgage education and offers tips on improving credit scores, like maintaining a 30% credit card utilization. Alongside real estate pro Amanda Furman, they discuss investment strategies, the significance of understanding rental markets, and the benefits of home equity loans for aspiring investors.

]]> false no 44:06 No no First Episode! https://civicmedia.us/shows/always-on-point/2025/09/14/first-episode Sun, 14 Sep 2025 16:00:00 +0000 podcast:163913 This episode features Kristen Ambos’ interviews with Megan Jacquet, VP Sales Caldwell Banker Real Estate Group Sales and member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Real Estate Association. Among other things they discuss factors that affect mortgage rates.

Also, Dawn Quait, a realtor with Caldwell Banker Real Estate Group joins the show and talks about the advantages of having a Real Estate agent involved with any real estate transaction.

Guest: Dawn Quait]]> This episode features Kristen Ambos’ interviews with Megan Jacquet, VP Sales Caldwell Banker Real Estate Group Sales and member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Real Estate Association. Among other things they discuss factors that affect mortgage rates.

Also, Dawn Quait, a realtor with Caldwell Banker Real Estate Group joins the show and talks about the advantages of having a Real Estate agent involved with any real estate transaction.

Guest: Dawn Quait]]> false no 44:04 No no