Fri, Dec 29 2023, 11:28 AM
VA loans have majorly streamlined since a decade ago. The minimal red tape that remains is often justified; VA seeks to protect its veterans. For the...
Wed, Nov 22 2023, 1:06 PM
Thinking of purchasing a house for a disabled adult child or parent? Are you unable to qualify for a mortgage due to a disability? While this progra...
Mon, Oct 23 2023, 1:48 PM
This Conventional loan update got buried in Fannie Mae's other bulletins, and it's worth calling out. If you're not yet familiar with automated under...
Wed, Oct 18 2023, 2:50 PM
The full name of this program is USDA Rural Housing Guaranteed Loan Program . We’ll simplify its name here to the USDA Loan . If you prefer, our off...
Tue, Jun 8 2021, 4:07 PM
Fannie Mae announced a new refinance program “RefiNow”, effective June 5th , designed to provide greater loan flexibilities for low income borrowers, ...
Fri, Mar 12 2021, 3:07 PM
Fannie Mae announced March 10 that they are limiting new loans secured by second homes or investment properties to 7% of the overall loans they purcha...
Fri, Aug 14 2020, 9:27 PM
With rates near all-time lows, millions of homeowners are frantically refinancing. Borrowers often think the only pertinent question is “ how much can...
Mon, Dec 30 2019, 4:55 PM
I’d been working with Janet for 5 months as her new home was being built. We addressed some concerns, pulled a new credit report to reverify her/hubby...
Tue, Sep 26 2017, 3:30 PM
There are copious resources available on what you should do during the loan process to expedite your closing. Your loan officer probably gave you a “t...
Mon, Jan 9 2017, 2:52 PM
If you’re hoping to purchase a home soon, there are plenty of things to concentrate on. Your loan officer or realtor will probably give you a list of ...
Fri, Aug 12 2016, 12:43 PM
The following is a true story (though the names have been changed to protect privacy) of how Carey and Jan bought their new home despite no down payme...
Tue, Jun 14 2016, 9:15 AM
I attended and spoke at the conference last week, and these are the top 15 takeaways for consumers and housing pros.
Wed, May 4 2016, 1:36 PM
Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter (DU) Version 10.0 kicks in June 25th, and has several changes that will significantly impact borrowers’ loan approv...
Wed, May 4 2016, 1:26 PM
A primer to the misunderstood factors that determine Jerry’s (and Shawn’s, and your) interest rates...
The excitement in Shawn’s voice was palpable...
Thu, Oct 1 2015, 11:58 AM
We've previously explored homebuyers' "Do's and Don'ts" and uncovered
some vital tips that help or hinder the home buying process. In today's
spec...
Fri, Aug 28 2015, 3:23 PM
We've previously explored the "Do's and Don'ts" for homebuyers, and
uncovered some vital tips that can help or hinder the home buying
process. In...
Fri, Jul 10 2015, 1:01 PM
One of the biggest challenges
(and greatest opportunities) loan officers face today is the maze of constantly
changing guidelines, programs, and pol...
Fri, May 1 2015, 3:31 PM
As the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau enters its second year as the oversight regulator for the mortgage industry, the bulk of media focus is on ...
Fri, Apr 17 2015, 3:19 PM
As we prepare and retool for the August 1st disclosure changes, it will be easy to lose sight of the opportunity that is before us. The regulatory i...
Fri, Feb 27 2015, 3:04 PM
In our highly interconnected financial world, what happens in Europe, Greece, and Germany greatly affects our own bond and MBS markets .
There h...
Tue, Jan 13 2015, 3:19 PM
Last week,
President Obama and HUD announced a reduction in the mortgage insurance premium
(MIP) fees charged on FHA loans. Most FHA borrowe...
Wed, Dec 24 2014, 12:41 PM
Here's a special Christmas edition of Do's and Don'ts for prospective buyers or refinancing homeowners embarking on, or already engaged in the mort...
Fri, Nov 7 2014, 1:31 PM
I was struck by a comment made by the Mortgage Bankers’ Association President David Stevens last week: "It's time to acknowledge all the safeguard...
Wed, Apr 30 2014, 10:16 AM
Wednesday's FOMC Announcement was almost completely unchanged from the
previous version. Since the Fed is already in the habit of tweaking
only c...
Mon, Apr 14 2014, 1:36 PM
Here's a special Tax Time edition of Do's and Don'ts for
prospective buyers or refinancing homeowners embarking on, or already
engaged in the m...
Fri, Feb 14 2014, 1:23 PM
Here's a special Valentine's Day installment of Do's and Don'ts for prospective buyers or refinancing homeowners embarking on, or already engaged in...
Mon, Jan 6 2014, 12:29 PM
This holiday season I was struck by
similarities between the toothless abominable snowman in Rudolph the Red Nosed
Reindeer and an ideology I have b...
Tue, Dec 24 2013, 2:38 PM
Here's a special Christmas installment of Do's and Don'ts for prospective buyers or refinancing homeowners embarking on, or already engaged in the ...
Fri, Nov 29 2013, 2:56 PM
Here's a special Thanksgiving/Black Friday
installment of Do's and Don'ts for prospective buyers embarking
on, or already engaged in the home mo...
Wed, Oct 30 2013, 12:59 PM
It's time to play "Build Your Own Fed Statement" It's
easy to win, just choose your favorite answers from the bold options.
Information re...
Wed, Sep 18 2013, 12:25 PM
Parsing the Fed is everyone's
favorite game, so before the Fed wraps its sixth meeting of 2013 this
afternoon, it's time to play "Build Your Own Fed...
Mon, Aug 19 2013, 4:18 PM
One of the first things a savvy home shopper does PRIOR to starting a
serious home search is to explore mortgage options. An experienced
realtor ...
Fri, Aug 9 2013, 4:51 PM
Here's another weekly installment of Do's and Don't's for
prospective borrowers embarking on, or already engaged in the home mortgage
process. ...
Wed, Jul 31 2013, 10:50 AM
Parsing the Fed is everyone's
favorite game, so before the Fed wraps its fifth meeting of 2013 this
afternoon, it's time to play "Build Your Own Fed...
Fri, Jul 26 2013, 3:03 PM
Here's another weekly installment of Do's and Don't's for
prospective borrowers embarking on, or already engaged in the home mortgage
process. ...
Fri, Jul 19 2013, 5:36 PM
Buying a home for your college student or disabled adult child can
be challenging. The same holds for acquiring a home for your elderly
parent(s)...
Sun, Jul 14 2013, 10:11 PM
Here's another weekly installment of
Do's and Don't's for prospective borrowers embarking on, or
already engaged in the home mortgage process. ...
Fri, Jul 5 2013, 7:06 PM
Here's
another weekly installment of Do's and Don't's for prospective
borrowers embarking on, or already engaged in the home mortgage process.
...
Fri, Jun 28 2013, 5:29 PM
Here's
another weekly installment of Do's and Don't's for prospective
borrowers embarking on, or already engaged in the home mortgage process.
...
Sat, Jun 22 2013, 10:08 AM
Here's
another weekly installment of Do's and Don't's for prospective
borrowers embarking on, or already engaged in the home mortgage process.
...
Fri, Jun 14 2013, 5:54 PM
Here's another weekly installment of Do's and Don't's for prospective borrowers embarking on, or already engaged in the home mortgage process. In...
Fri, Jun 7 2013, 7:46 PM
We could all use a little comedy considering the recent rise in rates . But delays in
the loan process are no laughing matter, costing you more ...
Fri, May 31 2013, 7:25 PM
Every borrower wants their
mortgage closing to be simple and stress free. While it may not
always feel like it (between loan processors' requests f...
Tue, Jan 15 2013, 3:09 PM
I was handed a book on the way home from Christmas Mass at
my church this year titled "The 4 Signs of a Dynamic Catholic". About halfway through the...
Wed, Jan 2 2013, 4:08 PM
One of my favorite movies this time of year is Christmas Vacation. Being a multiple year winner of neighborhood light contests, I am inspired by the a...
Tue, Nov 20 2012, 2:53 PM
I remember when I first learned how to process a loan . Concepts I
had never learned as a media arts major in college or from my minor in
busine...
Tue, Nov 20 2012, 1:48 PM
HUD's report on FHA's finances to Congress was a mere 64 pages. Here's the top (or bottom!) 10 summary for those who lack the time or motivation to...
Mon, Nov 12 2012, 6:47 PM
"Now, if you know what you're worth,
then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the
hits, and not pointing fingers sayi...
Fri, Nov 2 2012, 2:37 PM
Dear President Obama, As the election approaches next week, I feel compelled as a twenty veteran of the housing industry to write a letter that speak...
Fri, Nov 2 2012, 2:36 PM
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