We’re excited to share that Reusable Tenant Screening Reports has been featured in NTD News – and this time, our founder Derek Exley was quoted directly as an expert voice in the conversation around housing affordability in America.

The article, titled “3 Ways Uncle Sam Can Help You Buy a New Home,” tackles one of the most pressing issues facing Americans right now: the growing feeling that homeownership is simply out of reach. According to a new study cited in the piece, a staggering 62 percent of Americans say buying a home is “unrealistic” – a sharp jump from 49 percent just a year prior. Rising home prices, affordability concerns, and high interest rates are the top barriers cited by prospective buyers.

It’s a tough market. But as the article makes clear, there are real government-backed programs designed to help – and Derek Exley was tapped as one of the experts to help break them down.

What Derek Had to Say

Derek weighed in on several key areas in the article, offering practical, no-nonsense advice for buyers who are ready to explore their options.

On the HomeReady Mortgage program through Fannie Mae and the Home Possible program through Freddie Mac, Derek highlighted how these programs assist buyers who have solid credit but a lower income – particularly by lowering the barrier of a down payment, which remains one of the biggest hurdles for first-time buyers.

He also spoke to the opportunity that energy-efficient mortgages represent. As Derek noted in the article, this type of financing is becoming more mainstream, allowing homeowners to roll the cost of energy-efficient appliances and home upgrades directly into their mortgage – turning a potential out-of-pocket expense into a built-in benefit.

Perhaps most importantly, Derek offered guidance on how buyers should approach the process of finding the right funding. His advice? Don’t assume you know what you qualify for – or don’t qualify for – without doing your homework first.

“Finding out what is available in your specific market is key to working through the process,” Derek told NTD News.

He also challenged a common misconception around first-time homebuyer programs, pointing out that some lenders will still consider you a first-time buyer if you haven’t purchased a home within the last three years – even if you’ve owned before.

Why This Matters to Us

At Reusable Tenant Screening Reports, our core focus is on making the rental application process fairer and more affordable for renters. But our team thinks about housing broadly – because whether someone is renting or buying, the barriers facing everyday Americans in today’s housing market are real and significant.

Being recognized by a national outlet like NTD News as a trusted voice on housing and financial literacy is something we’re genuinely proud of. It reflects our commitment not just to building a great product, but to contributing meaningfully to conversations that affect millions of people across the country.

If you’re currently renting and navigating the application process, we’re here to help you save time and money with a reusable screening report. And if homeownership is on your horizon, we hope the insights shared in this NTD News feature give you a clearer picture of the options available to you.

Check out the full article below – it’s a genuinely useful read for anyone thinking about buying a home in 2026. Read the Full Article on NTD News