BRICKbyBRICK: Building Homeownership w/ Suzi Beaver
Everyone has the right to own a home, and I’m Suzi Beaver, your energetic guide with over 30 years in the mortgage industry!
Join me on BRICK by BRICK: Building Homeownership as we empower young Americans in their 20s and 30s to achieve their first homeownership dreams.
From my experience as a processor, loan officer, realtor, and branch manager at Castle & Cooke Mortgage’s Piedmont location in Marshville, NC, not only will I show you the whole process from start to finish, I’ll share practical tips, faith-inspired insights, and expert advice to make homeownership achievable. Tune in weekly for inspiration and actionable steps!
Episodes
20 episodes
Unlock Homeownership Savings: The 3-2-1 Buydown Strategy for Easier Mortgage Payments | Ep 020
Dreaming of homeownership but feeling squeezed by high mortgage rates? In this episode of BRICKbyBRICK Building Homeownership, Suzi breaks down the 3-2-1 buydown—a powerful tool that temporarily lowers your interest rate for the first three yea...
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Episode 20
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8:22
Refinancing Strategies for 2026: Save Money and Build Wealth | Ep 019
In this episode of BRICKbyBRICK Building Homeownership, Suzi Beaver shares expert refinancing strategies for 2026 to help you save money and build wealth smarter. With mortgage rates expected to average around 6.3% in 2026 (down slightly from 2...
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Episode 19
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6:55
Co-Living and Multifamily Homes: Smart Paths to Homeownership in Tough Markets | Ep 018
In this episode of BRICKbyBRICK Building Homeownership with Suzi Beaver, dive into innovative strategies for tackling today's challenging housing market. With over 30 years in mortgages, Suzi breaks down co-living as an affordable shared option...
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Episode 18
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6:22
Homeowner's Insurance 101: Protect Your Dream Home (EVEN if it's PAID OFF!) w/ Jimmy Marsh | Ep. 017
Ready to lock in your castle? Suzi Beaver sits down with insurance pro Jimmy Marsh to break down homeowner's insurance. From why you STILL need coverage after your mortgage is paid off, to bundling home + auto for massive savings, to the life i...
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Episode 17
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41:34
7 Steps to Buying Your First Home: Navigating the Real Estate Transaction Process
Today Suzi breaks down the entire real estate transaction from the BUYER'S perspective into SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS in less than FIVE MINUTES!
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Episode 16
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4:13
Down Payment Assistance Myths Busted: Empowering Your Path to Homeownership
If you're ready to buy your first house, or maybe your second or third, and you just don't have the funds to spare for a down payment and closing costs - this episode is for you. Down Payment Assistance Programs are widely misunder...
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Episode 15
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14:27
From BROKE to HOMEOWNER: Former Client Explains How One Call Can Change Everything | Ep 014
In this episode, Suzi talks to Ashley Benz, a former client and current team member, about her journey and initial struggles to become a homeowner and how once she did, her entire life began to change for the better. We want to hea...
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Episode 14
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16:32
Fix & Flip Loans: Turning Undervalued Properties into Legacy Wealth
Dive into the world of fix and flip loans with Suzi this week on BRICK by BRICK! These SHORT-TERM loans empower real estate investors to buy UNDERVALUED properties, renovate them, and flip for profit - all based on the after-repair value, not j...
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Episode 13
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3:53
DSCR Loans: Building Your Real Estate Investment Portfolio Without Personal Income Checks
Dive into the world of real estate investing with Suzi Beaver as she breaks down DSCR loans – the game-changer for building wealth through rental properties. Learn how these loans focus on rental income rather than your personal paycheck, makin...
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Episode 12
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4:28
Down Payment Alternatives: USDA and FHA Loans for First-Time Buyers
In this episode of Brick by Brick, your host Suzi Beaver dives into the real challenges of owning a home, especially when it comes to those daunting down payments. She breaks down awesome options like USDA and FHA loans that let you skip the tr...
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Episode 11
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5:59
Jacqui Spain: Mindset, Community, and Generational Wealth in Real Estate
In this episode of Brick by Brick, Suzi interviews Jacqui Spain, a realtor from Real Broker, who shares her journey from occupational therapy to real estate. Jacqui discusses her family life, the importance of community, and how her mindset has...
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Episode 10
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23:16
What is DTI Ratio? Front vs Back End Explained for First-Time Buyers!
Join Suzi Beaver in this energizing episode where she demystifies Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratios, a crucial piece of the mortgage puzzle for first-time buyers. Learn the key differences between front-end ratios (focusing on housing costs) and back...
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Episode 9
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5:52
Bank Statement and Asset Loans: Flexible Paths to Your Dream Home
In this quick episode of BRICK by BRICK, join Suzi Beaver as she breaks down bank statement loans and asset loans—game-changers for self-employed folks or anyone with strong assets but tricky income proof. Discover how these flexible options ca...
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Episode 8
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3:23
Unlock Your Home's Power: Crush High-Interest Debt with HELOCs and HELOANs
Hey there, future homeowners! I'm Suzi Beaver, and in this episode of BRICK by BRICK, we're diving into the game-changing world of HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit) and HELOANs (Home Equity Loans). If you're buried under credit card bills or...
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Episode 7
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4:12
QM vs. Non-QM Mortgages: Unlocking Doors for Non-Traditional Dreamers
Hey future homeowners! In this episode, we dive into the world of Qualified Mortgages (QM) and Non-Qualified Mortgages (Non-QM), breaking down their key differences, pros, and cons. QM loans offer stability with stricter guidelines and lower ri...
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Episode 6
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4:50
CREDIT Conundrums?! SOLVED!
Join host Suzi Beaver as she dives into the world of "Credit Conundrums," where our dedicated team at Castle & Cooke Mortgage goes the extra mile to turn homeownership dreams into reality! Featuring our VP of Credit Risk, this episode revea...
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Episode 5
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8:13
Condo VS House: Pros and Cons for First-Time Homebuyers
In this episode of BRICK by BRICK: Building Homeownership, host Suzi Beaver sits down with Andrea Jones from Lifestyle International Realty to break down the key differences between condos, townhomes, and single-family residences. Whether you'r...
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Episode 4
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32:12
Top 5 Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make and How to Avoid Them
Join Suzi Beaver, your energetic guide from Castle & Cooke Mortgage, as she breaks down the top 5 mistakes first-time homebuyers often make—and shares practical tips to sidestep them. From skipping pre-approvals to ignoring hidden costs, Su...
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Episode 3
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12:13
Mortgage 101: Unlocking the Basics of Home Financing
Did you know that over 60% of homebuyers don’t understand the difference between fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages? In this episode of BRICK by BRICK: Building Homeownership, Suzi Beaver, your energetic branch manager at Castle & Cooke Mo...
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Episode 2
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7:14
Welcome to BRICK by BRICK: 30 YEARS of BUILDING HOMEOWNERSHIP w/ Suzi Beaver
Hey everyone, I’m Suzi Beaver, your passionate branch manager at Castle & Cooke Mortgage in Marshville, NC, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to BRICK by BRICK: Building Homeownership! With over 30 years in the mortgage industry, I’ve seen it...
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Episode 1
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3:45