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Mortgage News Network
Great conversations start with great stories. Tune into The Principal podcast daily for your deep dive into the big issue of the day. Editors, reporters and sources involved in the days top news take on topics with vigor and valor, unafraid to speak openly and honestly so you get the truth about what’s changing the mortgage market. You’ll get a great payback for your time when you listen to The Principal.
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The housing market remained volatile to start 2023, but things seem to have calmed down. So what can we expect during what are typically some of the busiest months of the year for homebuying? Veros Chief Economist Eric Fox gives us a look.
We’re all trying to catch up with technology. But developers aren’t waiting for us. ServiceLink Vice President of Product Sandeepa Sasimohan tells us where tech is going and where it will take the mortgage industry.
Not all recessions are created equal. Other originators may be dreading an economic downturn, but MBS Highway Founder and CEO Barry Habib tells us how you can use a recession to close more loans.
When Kind Lending laid off 150 employees in 2022, founder and CEO Glenn Stearns promised he’d bring them back. Now he’s making good on that promise.
Want to build up a base of wealthier borrowers? Stratmor Group Principal Jennifer Smith shares tips on how to build referrals from wealth advisors.
Many in the mortgage industry are facing rejection, whether it's from customers or potential employers. Creative Mindset Founder and CEO Nir Bashan tells us how we can make that rejection part of our routine and grow from it.
Congressional Republicans say the CFPB is "ripe for reform." Polunsky, Bietel Green Principal Jay Bietel talks about their proposed reforms and what those changes would mean for the mortgage industry
Women are leveling the playing field when it comes to origination jobs, but the top positions are still largely held by men. Arrive Home Co-Founder and Chief Diversity Officer Tai Christensen talks about how we change that.
Most borrowers want their mortgage application to be strong. Help them put together the best application they can. Enact Director of Customer Education Mary Kay Scully says this will also deter borrowers who will take advantage of a mistake that can lead to fraud.
Lenders are finding creative products that they claim can help your clients. Mortgage Cadence VP of Sales and Strategy Joe Camelieri helps us figure out which ones we need to offer.
Howard Hanna Mortgage Services is one of NMP Magazine’s 2023 Diversity Leaders. A top executive talks about how the company has grown its staff, including looking to other organizations for help.
Technology can help make our jobs easier. But if you really want to unlock tech’s power, you need your products to work together. AppraisalVision Director of Product Management Sidney Bocik tells us how to remove the silos in our tech stacks.
Companies developing technology are trying to recruit more women. So how do we make sure some of them are drawn to mortgage technology and, more generally, Fintech. Huringa founder and CEO Melody Wright talks about her journey and offers some ideas.
Immigrants come to the U.S. for a better life, and many are finding it thanks to careers in the mortgage industry. And their success stories show us all how to find more business in a down market.
Feeling overwhelmed at work? Don’t check out and let your performance suffer. Resume Genius Lead Researcher Rebecca Tay tells us how to make work easier and avoid burnout without quiet quitting.
Dan Catinella, chief lending officer for Total Expert, says originators are optimistic about the market but need marketing to give them an edge.
We’re already seeing signs mortgage fraud is on the rise. Is your business doing everything it can to protect itself? Texas attorney Kip Mendrygal tells us how to be spot fraud as it’s happening. You can read about his tips in NMP’s newest magazine, Lone Star LO, which launches today.
The industry has made strides in diversity, but that doesn’t automatically make offices more inclusive. So how do you make sure all of your employees feel valued? RCN Capital Chief Marketing Officer and NMP Insider Erica LaCentra shares some tips.
Is the Fed ready to pump the breaks on rate hikes? Or will ease into things will lower rate hikes? Duke University economics professor Connel Fullenkamp tells us what he expects, and how the Fed’s actions will impact mortgage rates and home buying.
Kristy Fercho graduated college with aspirations to work on Wall Street. But she’s taken a different route, and using her life experiences to run diverse segments at Wells Fargo.
Companies in various sectors of the economy are adopting work-from-home models and offering unlimited time off. Can that work in the mortgage industry? ACES Quality Management CEO and NMP Magazine 2023 Industry Titan Trevor Gauthier talks about changes his company has made.
Adding product lines and partnering with new lenders takes time and research. So how do you know that the lender will stay in business? A&D Mortgage SVP of Business Development Michael Pearson talks about whether investors are coming around on non-QM loans.
Volume remains way down, even with originations rebounding to start 2023. Could Non-qualified mortgages be a creative alternative that helps some of your borrowers and boosts your bottom line? Angel Oak Solutions Regional Sales Manager Ben Scribner talks about how LOs can get started with Non-QM.
Inflation is cooling and prices and rates have settled. Originations have been up to start the year. Has the market rebounded, or will we have to wait? Mortgage Educators and Compliance President David Luna shares his thoughts.
Investors in any field like to know that they’re going to turn a profit. So when the housing market became turbulent, many investors stepped to the sidelines. Haus Lending Directors of Sales Melissa Deal and RCN Capital CMO Erica LaCentra talk about how you can help them buy properties with confidence.
The market is moving in the right direction, but MLO's can always do more to be more efficient. We got a chance to speak with Leah Sommerville of DocMagic at the New England Mortgage Expo last week.
It’s time to embrace Blockchain, according to Sun West Mortgage CEO Pavan Agarwal. His prediction? Blockchain will be as common as email in five years.
Rocket Pro TPO Divisional Vice President Chris Behrns discusses what the lender is doing to keep brokers thriving in what’s expected to be a tough year for the mortgage industry.
Shashank Shekhar says 2023 may be challenging, but not impossible. He says you will need to invest heavily in those referral relationships, but it starts by investing in yourself and signing up for his webinar this Thursday at 2 p.m.
We’re almost three weeks into the new year and originators are second guessing which strategies to take for dealing with the market. Chief Marketing Officer at Velocity Mortgage Capital, Michael Oddi, recommends going full speed ahead.
Next Level LO Founder Kenneth Travis says anyone with a heartbeat could turn loans during the refi boom. And even veterans got away from some of the basics. With the market coming to a screeching halt, it’s time to return to doing the little things.
If you're too negative, you'll get tuned out. So how do you make sure your critiques get heard? Nir Bashan, founder and CEO of The Creator Mindset, talks about the power of positivity.
Most people think of cryptocurrency when they hear about blockchains, but the technology can help you improve your production process. Blue Water Financial Technologies SVP Due Diligence Product Manager Hailey Rice tells us how.
Monica Zhang was a banker when someone suggested her relationship skills could succeed in mortgage. Five years later, she’s got her own company. The NMP Magazine 2023 Industry Titan talks about her journey.
The market may be shifting, but don’t let that get you down. You certainly don’t want your borrowers to think it’s a bad time to be in the market. Trainer and consultant Steve Richman tells us how to turn business around.
Are you considering being a delegated or non-delegated correspondent? Making a change? NMP staff writer Katie Jensen tells you what you need to know.
In an exclusive interview, Rocket Companies CEO Jay Farner talks about the company’s strategy when investing and expanding its business. As Rocket steps out into new ventures, what happens to its core mortgage business?
Rocket has promoted Austin Niemic and Mike Fawaz to bigger roles in the company. Fawaz talks about what this means for him and for one of the nation’s biggest lenders.
Fraudsters are always looking to stay one step ahead of technology. Secure Insights CEO Andrew Input talks about how to avoid costly data breaches.
After taking over Sun West Mortgage Company during the 2008 crisis, Pavan Agarwal is using artificial intelligence to revamp the industry. We sat down with Agarwal to find out what motivates his business practices.
Hiring diverse candidates isn’t enough. You need an inclusive workplace so you can retain your talent. The chief HR officer from Fairway Independent Mortgage talks about what makes a top workplace for women.
Gen Z borrowers are so scared of the market, they’re breaking their purchase contracts and backing out of the market. Matt Newman, branch manager at UMortgage, says that what young buyers need is confidence and education.
A lot of economists are predicting the housing market will slow down in 2023. Veros Chief Economist Eric Fox agrees, but he says it’s all about perspective. Things were bound to cool off, and he thinks some people are too pessimistic.
There’s a lot to do this time of year. All that stress can make burnout more likely. NMP Insider and career coach Tina Asher talks about how to reset and re-energize.
Feel like you’re stuck in a rut? NMP Insider Erica LaCentra gives some tips to help your job search and request for a promotion.
Add TransUnion to the list of experts predicting a downturn in the housing market next year. But the jump in prices could provide a bright spot: equity for owners to borrow against. TransUnion SVP and Mortgage Business Leader Joe Mellman gives us a look into 2023.
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers issued a new report showing the Black homeownership rate has dipped, and the racial homeownership is growing. So how do we finally reverse that trend? NAREB President Lydia Pope talks about the report.
The Federal Reserve meets again this week. Do we have enough economic data for the Fed to look at smaller rate hikes? Or maybe none at all? Duke University professor Connell Fullenkamp breaks things down.
The mortgage industry is looking at new ways to evaluate a borrower’s credit profile. Ashley Bell says his new Ready Life is the answer.
The FHFA raised conventional loan limits, including a cap of more than $1 million in certain high cost areas. Some critics, including the Wall Street Journal, say this means the government is subsidizing so-called McMansions. Peter Idziak, a senior associate attorney with Polunsky Beitel Green talks about whether this is a fair criticism.
Gen Z homebuyers are getting cold feet about buying a home, and they’re backing out of their purchase contracts. How can you coach them to buy with confidence? Newman Mortgage President Matt Newman shares some tips.
Homeownership is out of reach for many buyers, but is it? Even with high interest rates Morty’s VP of Mortgage Robert Heck says they are still closing deals.
It’s been a lot of doom and gloom when we look ahead to 2023. That’s not the case with Mortgage Educators and Compliance President David Luna. He tells us why he thinks next year will be better than most.
A Fannie Mae study found roughly one in third buyers are only getting one mortgage quote. So how do you build a connection with buyers who aren’t talking to multiple originators? Fannie Mae Deputy Chief Economist Mark Palim shares some insights.
NMP Magazine's 2022 40 under 40 list is here. Listen to what some of the industry's top young professionals say, including some tips to bring new recruits into your organization.
The MBA has revised its forecast for 2023, and once again it reflects slower business in the mortgage industry. Why? And are there trends we can take advantage of?
Sandra Thompson took over the FHFA a year ago. In an exclusive interview, the director talks about changes she's made and things she'd like to accomplish.
If mortgage professionals are confused about the VA loan, how are they supposed to help veterans? loanDepot is looking to fix that with its new VA Council. Council member David Smith joins the podcast.
Women are making strides, but the top levels still feel like a boys club. Rocket’s Accelerator program seeks to change that. Rocket Pro TPO Divisional VP Mallory Myers talks about the program.
Young adults are confused about where the market is headed, and their parents are often giving them outdated advice. That’s prompting them to back out of purchase contracts. Lemonbrew co-founder and CEO Samir Dedhia talks about how to help them.
Rates keep going up and down, and more potential homebuyers are confused by the trends. But is now actually the time to buy? MBS Highway CEO Barry Habib shares his insights.
An Analyst downgraded Rocket Companies's stock to "sell" Wednesday as the stock value was falling by more than 10 percent. Why? And what does Rocket say about its future value? NMP Magazine staff writer Katie Jensen breaks it down.
College degrees aren’t enough to close the racial homeownership gap, according to a new study by the Urban Institute. Student debt is one reason, but it’s not the only issue. One of the study’s authors shares some ways the mortgage industry can help overcome these problems.
Consumers don’t what to expect, with prices staying high and rates making wild swings. So how do you help them get through this market? Homebridge Financial Services CEO Peter Norden gives some advice.
One of the nation’s biggest retail lenders is making a big move to expand its footprint on the east coast. Movement Mortgage, the nation’s sixth-largest retail mortgage lender, has acquired Mortgage Network Inc.
Today we celebrate the top military lenders and originators, including a former Navy officer helping veterans understand the home buying process. Larry Gonzales, of Aligned Mortgage, tells us what originators need to know about working with veterans.
Think your customers see you as being better than the competition? Well, a J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey says the consumer sees no difference between lenders. So what are customers looking for? And how can you rise above the competition?
Origination keeps falling and homebuyers are still resetting their market expectations. How do you find the right loan for them?
Technology can help cover your flaws. But if upgrades aren’t working together, it can also just rearrange the deck chairs on a sinking ship. Inflooens founder and CEO Amit Ghole and SVP of Marketing and Strategy Melody Wright talk about how to get the most out of your tech.
Andrew Pohlmann, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Guaranteed Rate, says their technology is helping loan officers with better marketing tools in a purchase- focused marketplace.
Does your company have a communication problem? How do you even know? And how could you fix it? NMP Insider and RCN Capital CMO Erica LaCentra gives us tips.
One mortgage company is determined to cut out the competition. In the midst of an aggressive wholesale war, it’s natural to want to make sense of why this is happening. Argus Research analyst Kevin Heal explains why UWM is ramping up its competitive edge for the sake of being number 1.
UWM COO Melinda Wilner responds to allegations that the price war is hurting brokers by eliminating their options. Moreover, a new study finds Veros AVM technology shows no evidence of racial bias, and mortgage applications continue their downward tumble.
Austin Niemiec gives us his take on the price war between Rocket and UWM that’s reshaping the wholesale market. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo is under investigation by the SEC and D.O.J. for conducting fake interviews to meet diversity requirements.
The Federal Reserve is meeting again this week as it tries to bring inflation under control. A rate hike is likely. Veros Chief Economist Eric Fox tells us whether that will drive mortgage rates higher. He also tells us what Veros is projecting for home sales.
Experts think the Fed will raise interest rates by 75 basis points again next week. Will this push surging mortgage rates even higher? Or have we seen rates peak? Duke economics professor Connel Fullenkamp tells us what he expects.
A study by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition found significant bias in appraisals in Baltimore. The study used interracial couples, with the white party getting better service and higher values that their Black significant others. MNN Editorial Director Christine Stuart tells us about the study and how to fix the problem.
Teaser: How to make yourself worth more than the interest rate. Description: With mortgage rates and home prices constantly going up, borrowers are chasing the best deal they can get. So how do you show value beyond the numbers? Lisa J. Oliver, President and CEO of the Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, talks about how to be more than a commodity with rapidly-changing rates.
A three-judge panel recently struck down a CFPB rule because the agency’s funding scheme violates the Constitution. But what happens to all the other rules put in place since the agency was created?
Originations continue to dry up, but opportunities are out there. You just have to know where to look. TransUnion has a new report detailing which groups of customers provide that opportunity and how to connect with them.
KBRA says Non-QM-backed securities issuers aren’t redeeming these holdings once they are callable. In fact, 27 securities are waiting. Why is this happening? And could this cause problems for Non-QM origination, since lenders in this market have fewer funding options?
Depending on where you look, the average rate for the 30-year fixed mortgage is more than 7%. So when will rates stop climbing? And how do you close loans when affordability remains a problem? Originator Success Founder and CEO Hammer J. Helmer shares his insights.
Garth Graham, a senior partner at the Stratmor Group, says mergers and acquisitions are at their highest point since 2018.
Today we celebrate the Powerful Women in Mortgage Banking by talking to one of the honorees, Mortgage Connect SVP and Chief Strategy Officer Cristy Ward. She talks about breaking into a male-dominated field and how we recruit more women into the mortgage industry.
Rocket has launched its new "Correspondent Assist" program that lets lenders utilize the company's tech and its staff. Vice President of Wholesale Austin Niemiec talks about how the program works, and how it's part of Rocket Companies' efforts to diversify its revenue streams.
Parts of Florida are looking to rebuild after Hurricane Ian destroyed homes and other buildings. CrossCountry VP of Mortgage Origination Elizabeth Smith talks about whether the local housing market is ready. And whether this means new zoning regulations and insurance requirements that protect homeowners, but could also raise the cost of homeownership.
Borrowers always want the lowest rate, but that’s especially true in the current environment. Mike Darne, VP of marketing for CreditXpert, talks about how technology can help project how high your customers’ credit scores can go.
It's more important than ever that businesses and individual professionals have goals in kind ahead of the new year. We chatted with NMP contributor Mary Kay Scully about the best ways for originators to align their goals.
What’s next for Finance of America? Finance of America had a letter of intent to seal it’s retail operation to Guaranteed Rate. But that fell through. NMP Editor David Krechevsky talks about what happened and what this means for FOA.
Jillian White, head of growth with Aloft Appraisal, said it’s about educating young women that this is a flexible career path.
Can the lack of competition in the fall cool prices, reinspire buyers? Autumn usually means fewer buyers are interested in moving. But can that create a market that welcomes back customers who backed out during the summer? ATTOM EVP of Market Intelligence Rick Sharga talks about whether data on seasonal trends shows an opportunity.
One industry vet is worried about what will happen. Hurricane Ian has caused billions of dollars in damage, and whole parts of Florida will need to rebuild. Can the region’s housing market absorb this shock? And could this catastrophe lead to changes that inadvertently make home buying harder? Inflooens SVP Melody Wright shares her insight.
What is a home equity investment and why are owners taking advantage of it? Home equity investments are a newer product that lets owners cash in on their equity. But how do they work? And are there risks? NMP Magazine staff writer Doug Page explains.
When will things turnaround for wholesale? loanDepot is lowering its funding capacity by $500 million. This is the second time the company has done this since announcing it was leaving the wholesale channel. NMP Editor David Krechevsky talks about loanDepot's decision and what's been going on with wholesale.
Even with rates rising, private investors are playing a big role in the mortgage market. What did you need to know about working with them? Haus Lending TPO Head of Sales Melissa Deal shares some insight.
It was easy to be an originator when the phone never stopped ringing. But now origination is slowing down. Consultant and presenter Steve Richman shares his insights on how to get back to basics.
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion access was left in the hands of state lawmakers. And now, homebuyers say they care about what those officials think. Redfin Senior Economist Darly Fairweather talks about how social issues could impact the housing market.
A cyberattack in Suffolk County, New York, shows that hackers are looking to get personal information wherever they can find it. MBA Vice President of Industry Technologies Rick Hill shares tips to make sure your business is protected.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but Texas-based Independent Mortgage Bank Thrive Mortgage and Ohio-based American Mortgage Service Company plan to merge by the end of the year.
Mortgage rates have been on a five-week climb. So what can we expect going forward? Tavant Business Head of Fintech Abhinav Asthana gives his prediction. He also talks about the need to invest in Fintech as a way to cut costs.
Zillow is facing a lawsuit that "session replay" technology is the same as wire-tapping visitors to its website. But does the lawsuit hold up? A lawyer gives his take.
As President Joe Biden pushes his plan to forgive student debt, a new study shows how the proposal might impact the housing market. The authors talk about their findings.
Millennials and Gen Z consumers do want to buy a home, despite what you may have heard. But they have different views and a different approach to shopping for a home. Finlocker Vice President Prabhakar Bhogaraju talks about how to reach these groups of potential borrowers.
We talked to Michael Brenning, former founder and president of Amerisave’s Wholesale Division, about what’s happening in the channel and the impact of the price war.
Steven Milner, founder and CEO of U.S. Mortgage Corp., is a life-long New Yorker, but he https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/magazine/nmp-magazine/i-hate-ny (understands how hard) it is for LO’s and independent mortgage bankers to get licensed in the state.
The wholesale channel has been going through a tough time, with lenders making layoffs or leaving altogether. But Home Point Financial says it’s still committed to wholesale.
RCN Capital’s Chief Marketing Officer Erica LaCentra describes professional ghosting and how to handle it.
CPI was up slightly in August, but the annual inflation rate still came down. A rise in shelter costs is one reason inflation didn’t come down further. Duke University economics professor Connell Fullenkamp says housing prices will continue to be a problem for the Fed. He also talks about what the Fed will do next week.
Nexa Mortgage CEO Mike Kortas continues his explanation for leaving AIME and brings up his suspisions about UMortgage's tight-knit relationship with the association
Nexa Mortgage CEO Mike Kortas says AIME has allowed renegade cliques of brokers to “terrorize” larger broker shops.
Technology can make you and your team more efficient. But what happens when it relies on data that’s biased? Roger Fendelman, chief compliance officer with Roostify, shares some tips to make sure your technology isn’t biased.
Your customers may not be as happy as you think. And even if they’re satisfied, that doesn’t mean they’re helping you get new customers. Mike Seminari, head of customer experience at Stratmor Group, talks about why customers are dissatisfied.
Austin Niemiec joins the podcast to announce that Rocket will be increasing conventional loan limits to $715,000, giving their broker partners a competitive advantage and allowing consumers to get a better deal on their mortgage.
Inventory increased again in August, as the summer sale season remained slower than normal. Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale talks how originators can help borrowers navigate the market.
Mutual of Omaha's own Daniel Diaddigo joined us to speak about their new distribution channel, which aims to bring its residential mortgage products into banks and credit unions.
How do you cut through the noise and reach your customers? Michael Oddi, chief marketing officer for Velocity Mortgage, shares some ways you can improve your marketing.
Are we headed for a recession? What will that mean for home sales and mortgage origination? David Luna, president of Mortgage Educators and Compliance, joins the pod to share his thoughts.
Ralph Rosynek of Moneyhouse says the reverse mortgage is experiencing a boom and is a great product for brokers to offer now that refis have all but disappeared.
Austin Niemic, executive vice president at Rocket Pro TPO, talks about how to improve your skills in a changing market.
Founder and CEO of NAMMBA, Tony Thompson, sat down with us at the Originator Connect conference to talk about growing origination volume by serving marginalized borrowers. The industry as a whole needs to get more in touch with the multicultural market (Latinos, Asians and African Americans) as well as millennials, all of whom make up a significant portion of first time homebuyers.
These are scary times in today’s market — layoffs, closings, volatile interest rates — but Rocket Mortgage’s President and Chief Revenue Officer, Tim Birkmeier, says now is the time to adjust and become creative. Learn how you should be viewing today’s market from one of the industry’s top veterans.
We spoke with Mike Fawaz at Originator Connect in Las Vegas about the industry, where it’s headed and what happens if there’s a recession.
Companies across the industry are downsizing. And a few have even shut their doors. RCN Capital Chief Marketing Officer Erica LaCentra says networking is crucial, and social media has to be part of that.
Ashley Gravano, vice president of marketing solutions for Mortgage Cadence, talks about the challenges of juggling work, motherhood and success.
Rocket Mortgage and Santander Bank announced last week that they're teaming up to offer customers a new home loan experience. We sat down with Rocket's own Sam Schey, who's in charge of strategic partnerships, to talk about the collaboration.
Today we talk with Denny Ceizyk, a senior writer with LendingTree, about cash-out refis and whether they are still a good option for certain homeowners.
American Business Media CEO Vince Valvo gives us a look at Originator Connect, which starts on Friday. He talks about the need to keep developing new skills, even when you think you're doing well.
Mike Fawaz, Rocket TPO's broker ambassador, talks about the need to talk with customers and guide them to financial decisions that make sense for them. He shared his tips with NMP Magazine Staff Writer Doug Page. Listen to https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/podcasts/principal/conversation-rocket-tpos-mike-fawaz-part-i (Part I) of the conversation.
Mike Fawaz, Rocket TPO’s Ambassador to brokers, didn’t feel the joy of a hot shower until he moved to the U.S. at 18. He talked with NMP Magazine staff writer Doug Page about how that’s impacted his path.
loandepot reported losses of more than $200 million, and told brokers that Oct. 31 will be the last day it will fund loans in its wholesale pipeline.
Buyers are coming back to the market, but they’re not buying yet. And price drops are making would-be sellers reluctant, keeping inventory down. Redfin Senior Economist Daryl Fairweather talks about where the market is.
Angel Oak Companies Chief Marketing Director Steve Winokur says there will always be a need for Non-QM loans because the number of self-employed business owners continues to climb.
Buyers sudden have leverage to seek concessions before buying a home. Attorney Peter Idziak says he’s seeing more sellers, especially builders, offering temporary buydowns as a way to close a deal. How can you take advantage of this trend.
It can be easy to back off from upgrading your tech when finances get tight. But Brimma Tech Customer Success Director Trevor Bono says companies that continue to invest in themselves are finding payoffs.
A Federal Reserve survey found senior loan officers are worried credit standards will tighten over the rest of the year. High Definition Mortgage President Marty Remillard talks about how much tighter standards will get, and how originators can adapt.
Homeownership is often viewed as the entree to the American dream and the gateway to intergenerational wealth. However, this pathway is often less achievable for Black and brown Americans who have lower rates of homeownership than whites. So how do you get a piece of the American dream without the resources? That’s where TD Bank steps in.
RCN Executive Erica LaCentra says lending officers should be going after private investors as refi and purchase activity subsides. And there’s new ways for investors to do that through new platforms called Invown.
University of Connecticut business Professor Emeritus John Clapp talks about what a recession will do to the housing market. He also looks back at past recessions to see if there’s any similarities with what’s happening now.
Experts keep warning that we're headed for a recession. What will happen to home sales and origination? Brent Nyitray, Ark Mortgage CFO, tells us what he thinks will happen.
Invown President Levi Brackman says he’s found a way to democratize real estate investment by creating a platform that allows investors to spend as much as $500 for a piece of a home. The return on investment is part of the equity of that home.
Everywhere you turn, there's another sign that the mortgage market is trending down. But is this the time for some originators to rise to the top? American Business Media CEO Vince Valvo talks about how originators can turn this into an opportunity to separate yourself from the field.
What will the Fed do when it meets on Wednesday and Thursday? And what will that do to a housing market already in flux? Mortgage Cadence EVP of Sales and Strategy Joe Camerieri talks about what might happen if the Open Market Committee doesn't get inflation under control.
Bruce Adams, President and CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut, talks about the 40-year mortgage and why it might not be right for everyone. We also check in with Adams on what he’s hearing from his customers during a time when the 30-year mortgage is at 5.54% and inflation is at 9.1%
Duke University Economist Connel Fullenkamp looks ahead to next week's Federal Reserve meeting. How much are housing prices and mortgages impacting what the Fed will do? And will we be in a recession?
Are people moving to less expensive metros? Inflation is hitting every aspect of living, but how is it altering homebuyer behavior? We sat down with Taylor Marr, deputy chief economist at Redfin, to discuss the impact of inflation on housing costs. Marr also talks about whether we've moved to a buyers' market.
Are the troubles at FGMC and Sprout signs of broader problems for Non-QM lenders? Kevin Heal, chief compliance officer and senior analyst at Argus Research Group, joins the podcast to talk about what investors think.
JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo are all reporting big drops in net income from last year. What's driving this? And are their signs about what to expect for mortgage origination over the next few months?
A&D Mortgage scored upgrades from S&P Global on three offerings of its Non-QM offerings. Founder and CEO Max Slyusarchuk joins the Principal to talk about what this means for his company, and for Non-QM lenders in general.
It's the time of the season for conferences and industry events. But are you ready? RCN Capital CMO and NMP Insider Erica LaCentra tells us how to network like a champ.
Are the troubles at FGMC and Sprout isolated or the beginning of a trend? Flagstar Bank is tightening its standards before Non-QM lenders can get advanced funding. Is this a sign that investors are backing away from Non-QM loans? Where do these lenders get the investments they need to remain viable?
And what does it mean for the market. Nearly 15% of homebuyers canceled their purchase contracts in June, the most since the housing market basically stopped in March and April of 2020. Redfin Chief Economist Darly Fairweather talks about why this is happening and what it means for the market.
Are you taking advantage of programs that help borrowers? Cities and states have programs designed to help people get approved for a loan and buy a home. Are you taking advantage of them? Sean Moss of Down Payment Resources tells you what you need to know.
Are you recruiting the right employees to your company? And how are you making sure you're retaining your staff --- and making the most of your investments in them. Tim Pascarella, president of Ross Mortgage, shares some tips.
Sprout Mortgage surprised everyone Wednesday, holding a virtual meeting to tell more than 300 employees that the company was closing its doors and letting them go. Employees say they thought Sprout was doing well. So what happened?
Scott Roller, of Vendor Surf, says the mortgage industry is largely behind on the times compared to healthcare, travel and other industries. But he says there are small things companies can do to start seeing big payoffs.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is using the July 4th holiday to promote the VA loan program and some recent improvements. Last year, 440,000 homes were purchased with VA loans.
There’s a lot of volatility in the mortgage market at the moment, but could things be stabilizing? American Business Media CEO Vince Valvo talks about the market and what he’s hearing from LO’s.
Can Washington help fix the problem? A Congressional subcommittee held meetings Tuesday and Wednesday on home affordability and availability. But members can't even agree on the root of the problem. So what, if anything, can Washington do to help homebuyers?
Employees are upset with the way they were told they're losing their jobs. First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation let go of more than 400 employees Friday. But it's the way the company informed the employees that's getting attention. And what happens to loans that were in the works?
Can your staff relate to a shifting group of homebuyers? The U.S. population is shifting, meaning the demographic looking to buy homes will be very different in the coming years. Staff Writer Katie Jensen talks about why companies should make sure their staff reflects this shift. Jensen's article on this topic appears in the July issue of Mortgage Women Magazine.
Daniel Jacobs, founder and managing director of TruLoan Mortgage, talks about how lenders can help borrowers through the buying process. He says this advice is especially important for first time homebuyers, who are otherwise getting advice from family members who dealt with a very different market.
Caleb Mittelstet, executive vice president, National Production and Distributed Retail Sales for Planet Home Lending, offers his insight into how mortgage rates will respond to the Federal Reserve's decision to raise the rate by 0.75%, the largest increase since November 1994.
Deb Killian of CLOES.online once had a rival company hire away several top originators. Those originators took customer files with them, leading to litigation. Killian talks about the struggle to survive after a raid, and what the company can do to stop it.
CFPB Chairman Rohit Chopra said in a blog post that he wants to update CFPB's extensive regulations, including making them easier to understand and enforce. So what does that mean for mortgage lenders?
For some borrowers, past credit problems stand between them and homeownership. Now credit repair companies are fraudulently trying to wash those borrowers' histories. What do you need to know about the latest trend in fraud?
Home prices and rates keep going up, pricing more buyers out of the market. Redfin says fewer buyers are engaging in bidding wars, and that means more buyers are dropping their prices.
Do economists think the Fed's 75-basis point hike was the right move? Or did it push us further toward recession? Staff writer Doug Page tells us how experts reacted to Wednesday's meeting.
Why did the Fed decide to raise rates by 75 basis points? The Fed bucked expectations and raised rates by 75 basis points. Why did they go so high? And what does that mean for the market?
Duke Economics Professor Connel Fullenkamp looks ahead to the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee meeting Tuesday and Wednesday. What will the Fed do? Is it the right move? And could we see the Fed get more aggressive with rate hikes.
Several companies are suing each other for allegedly poaching employees and then working with them to steal customer information and other data. But this is not a new problem. So will the industry finally figure out how to regulate poaching?
Inflation jumped another 8.6 percent in May. That's the worst rate since December 1981. The Consumer Price Index numbers come just days ahead of the Fed's next meeting tray and slow inflation.
A former executive is suing Better.com, claiming the CEO Vishal Garg fired her in retaliation. Sarah Pierce claims she spoke out about misleading statements and other problems, and that's what prompted Garg's retaliation.
Corelogic Deputy Economist Selma Hepp talks about how high she expects mortgage rates to go this summer and how it’s impacting home prices.
Working from home has blurred the lines of when the business day ends and home life begins. Add in a shrinking market, and originators can feel the pressure to produce, produce, produce. RCN Capital CMO and NMP Magazine Insider Erica LaCentra shares tips on how to restore the work-life balance.
Mortgage companies are suing each other for allegedly recruiting employees as part of a broader plan to steal customers and even more staff. Quinnipiac University law professor Gary Phelan talks about what originators need to know if they're considering changing jobs. How do you leave without violating your contract?
NMP Editor Dave Krechevsky joins us for an update on a new report from Corelogic, which found that Non-QM’s have nearly doubled this year.
Nadia Evangelou, director of forecasting for the National Association of Realtors, joins the Principal to talk about where we are in the market and what she expects in the foreseeable future. Evangelou forecasts housing prices and inventory and mortgage rates.
CEO, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of American Business Media, Vince Valvo, joins us for a conversation about how loan originators are handling their new normal. How are they moving from being overwhelmed by a booming market to twiddling their thumbs?
Three different studies show home prices continued to soar through the first quarter, despite mortgage rates rising at the same time. So when will the Fed's efforts to tamp down inflation start working?
We finally get to see the minutes from May's Fed meeting and there's two big takeaways: The FOMC raised it's target range, and some board members are more optimistic about the economy. A business professor from the University of New Haven talks about why even Fed members can't agree on whether we're headed for a recession. He also gives his own forecast.
A new LendingTree study found that foreign-born people are less likely than those born in the U.S. to own their homes. The study's author talks about why this is happening and what lenders can do to help close that gap.
The MBA says independent Mortgage Bankers saw less profits per loan in the first quarter. Even worse, no home sales are also going down. So how do originators get by?
Business is quickly shrinking in the mortgage industry, so we talked with an expert about how companies and originators can remain strong.
A new study by the National Bureau of Economic Statistics found the shift to remote working is responsible for half the rise in home prices. Why is that happening and can it continue?
Home sales had a record year in 2021, and they're way up so far this year. But experts keep pointing to signs that a slowdown is coming.
CrossCountry Mortgage has been accused of systematically raiding multiple lending companies, including loanDepot, Caliber Home Loans, and Guild Mortgage Company, by poaching their employees, misappropriating trade secrets, and diverting thousands of mortgage loan customers. CrossCountry has neglected to comment on the matter, but one former branch manager who made the move from Guild to CrossCountry justified his decision by claiming he was bullied by former colleagues.
Federal regulators are looking at the first overhaul of the Community Reinvestment Act in nearly 30 years. But the Mortgage Bankers Association is not on board.
The cost to build residential homes is up 19 percent from last year. NAHB Director of Tax and Trade Policy David Logan joins to Principal to talk about why the cost keeps going up, what it's doing to the housing market and how we bring prices back down.
Add the Federal Reserve to the growing list of experts saying we'll have a hard time avoiding a recession. So what will happen to the mortgage industry?
Caliber has filed a federal lawsuit against CrossCountry, accusing its rival of systematically raiding employees. Caliber says CrossCountry stole 80 employees who produced a combined $2.3 billion annually in mortgage origination.
Rocket netted $1 billion in profits in the first quarter. That's down from 2021, but it still left the company with $2.3 billion in cash. So what's Rocket going to do with this money?
Could we be headed for a recession? Two economists think it’s possible. We’re joined by Staff Writer Doug Page to explain.
Guild Holdings saw a strong first quarter, but the company is still looking at shedding some employees amid concerns about the future. What’s next for mortgage lenders?
ZILLOW GROUP SAW EARNINGS GO UP 20 PERCENT YEAR-TO-YEAR IN THE FIRST QUARTER. BUT THAT NUMBER WAS HELPED BY THE COMPANY’S DECISION TO SELL OFF IT’S HOUSING STOCK AND GET OUT OF THE I-BUYING GAME.
The Fed raised rates by a half point Wednesday, its second increase this year. What will the Fed do going forward to try and bring down inflation? And what does that mean for mortgages?
The Fed is raising interest rates again. Industry insiders say this will push 30-year fixed-rate mortgages to 6%. Will this slow down loan applications?
The Government Sponsored Enterprise, Fannie Mae, reported their earnings were down slightly from the same quarter last year, but they cautioned about a “modest recession” in the second half of the year.
Analysts think conventional mortgages will drop by half this year. Can Non-QM loans find new customers and fill that gap?
Mr. Cooper Group announced net income rose 325% year-to-year in the first quarter. But the company is also eliminating 250 positions. Why? And what does this mean for the industry?
Great conversations start with great stories. Tune into The Principal podcast daily for your deep dive into the big issue of the day. Editors, reporters and sources involved in the days top news take on topics with vigor and valor, unafraid to speak openly and honestly so you get the truth about what’s changing the mortgage market. Launches May 2