A 50-year mortgage sounds like the shortcut to affordability, but does it really help—or just push the bill into the future? We put the buzz to the test with clear numbers on payments, total interest, and equity growth, then map out practical alternatives that preserve your budget and your long-term wealth. Using a $400,000 example …
Author: I Am Benchmark
How Isaiah 117 House Turns Trauma Into Care On Day One
The hardest day of foster care shouldn’t start on a linoleum floor. When a child is removed from home, the first hours shape everything—what they feel, what they fear, and whether they sense anyone is on their side. We sit down with Isaiah 117 House founder Ronda Paulson to unpack a simple but radical shift: …
How A Former California Agent Discovered Turnkey Manufactured Living And Closed Early With Benchmark
A cross‑country move doesn’t have to be chaotic. Pat, a seasoned California real estate pro, shares how she found her pace, her people, and her perfect view in Northeast Tennessee—plus the surprising role a modern manufactured home played in making it all click. From that first “this is it” walkthrough to an early close, we …
Rates, Confidence, And The 2026 Housing Outlook
Mortgage headlines are loud, but the real story is quieter: confidence. We dig into why builder confidence is rising while buyer confidence stalls, how the Fed’s long “sugar high” of quantitative easing set us up for today’s rates, and what a softer jobs market—amplified by AI hiring freezes—means for mortgages over the next 6 to …
Affordable Housing Solutions in Northeast Tennessee
The affordable housing crisis looms large across America, but innovative solutions are emerging right here in Northeast Tennessee. Jonathan Tipton and Steve Reed, mortgage professionals at Benchmark Home Loans, have launched Land to Homes—a groundbreaking venture transforming manufactured housing into a viable pathway to homeownership for first-time buyers. Gone are the stigmas of yesterday's mobile …
Remembering Charlie Kirk: A Legacy of Faith and Freedom
A somber yet inspiring tribute to Charlie Kirk fills our latest episode as we reflect on the shocking loss of a Christian leader whose impact reached far beyond political spheres. Charlie's assassination on September 10th—what many are calling the first Christian martyrdom in America in decades—has left a void that cannot be filled by any …
The Art of Color: Elevating Your Natural Beauty
Discovering your authentic style isn't just about looking good—it's about reconnecting with your natural beauty and finding confidence that radiates from within. In this enlightening conversation, Christine Reed welcomes Shelli Holechek, owner of House of Colour in Johnson City and Bristol, who reveals how color analysis is transforming lives across East Tennessee. Shelli shares her …
From Passion to Profession: Suzanne McKinney’s Jewelry Journey
What happens when creative passion meets entrepreneurial spirit? Suzanne McKinney's journey with Beauty in Stone Jewelry provides a masterclass in turning artistic talent into a thriving business. Suzanne believes jewelry is the essential finishing touch that completes any outfit. "Even if you're wearing just a T-shirt and jeans, when you add beautiful jewelry, you've put …
Behind the Lens: Tina Wilson’s Journey from Photographer to Business Maven
Ever wonder what happens when you release your white-knuckle grip on what seems "too good to let go"? Tina Wilson's remarkable journey from portrait photographer to business maven reveals the surprising gifts that come from open hands and divine timing. From finding her cordless phone in the freezer as an identity-starved new mom to hearing …
Beyond The Hype: A Professional’s Guide To Skincare That Actually Works
The quest for healthier, more youthful skin can be overwhelming with contradictory advice and miracle promises flooding social media. Kelli Rogers from Performance Medicine cuts through the noise in this enlightening conversation about what truly works in skincare. Kelli reveals why your daily skincare routine forms the essential foundation upon which all other treatments build—comparing …