The month of December typically has the lowest weekly seasonal demand for housing, but it’s a big key to how the spring of 2026 will perform — if you know what housing data lines to focus on. Traditionally, I wouldn’t care so much about December housing data; however, post-COVID, the forward-looking seasonal demand data has […]
December housing data provides early signals for 2026 market Read More »
As interest rates continue to ease and borrower confidence rebuilds, originators are operating in a market that demands both adaptability and creativity. To better understand how mortgage professionals are approaching today’s environment, I asked four experienced originators to share how they’re guiding clients, leveraging non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) solutions, and refining their playbooks to stay competitive.
The originator’s playbook: Competing and growing in a shifting market Read More »
Bayview Asset Management has closed its acquisition of Guild Holdings Company, the parent of Guild Mortgage, in a deal that takes the lender private and removes it from the New York Stock Exchange. The transaction was finalized on November 28, according to a new 8-K filing. Under the agreement, shareholders received $20 per share in
Bayview closes acquisition of Guild, taking lender private Read More »
For many borrowers, the appraisal is the most stressful step in a refinance: part mystery, part high-stakes hurdle. Will the home appraise high enough? Will it delay closing? What actually determines the final value? Lenders can help ease these concerns by adopting the right combination of technology, strategy, and partnerships to modernize the process. A
Making the 7-day refi reality: Modernizing mortgage appraisals Read More »
As is most often the case, the Friday after Thanksgiving added nothing interesting to mortgage rate momentum. The average lender’s top tier 30yr fixed rate is exactly where it was on Wednesday. The underlying bond market closes early today, but will be fully open next week. At that point, we’re likely to see some volatility
Mortgage Rates Unchanged Versus Wednesday Read More »
The goal for artificial intelligence in mortgage isn’t total automation, but misunderstandings surrounding the purpose of the technology can lead some to believe it is, resulting in a certain level of apprehension and mistrust today. If anything, the technology industry’s efforts to market AI, particularly its ability to automate, might be too successful, unintentionally creating
AI marketing might create mortgage adoption hesitancy Read More »
For the past decade, rate marketing has been the dominant gravitational force in mortgage acquisition. Whoever shouted the lowest 30-year fixed rate the loudest won the most attention. But attention has never been the same as intent, and intent has never been the same as a closed loan. What’s happening now is more fundamental than
Just in time for the holidays, Troy Palmquist looks at how this legacy manufacturer bounced back from a market downturn and how agents can, too A few weeks ago, on a podcast, I was asked which brands I admire most. Without hesitation, I said LEGO. The toy company has an incredible comeback story, from the
What real estate can learn from LEGO’s reinvention Read More »
The Lubbock metro housing market has emerged as Texas’s deepest buyer’s market, with inventory levels reaching 8.1 months of supply as of Nov. 22, 2025. This marks a stark departure from the state’s overall 3.6 months of inventory, positioning the West Texas metro as an outlier in an otherwise balanced Texas housing landscape. Active listings
Lubbock inventory climbs to 8.1 months, marking Texas’s deepest buyer market Read More »
Toledo’s single-family home inventory surged to 1,150 active listings for the week ending Nov. 22, 2025, marking a 46% increase from 787 homes a year earlier. The dramatic inventory expansion coincides with widespread price adjustments, as 38.3% of active listings reduced their asking prices during the week. The median list price in the Toledo metro
Toledo housing inventory jumps 46% as Midwest markets recalibrate Read More »