Month: December 2025

Will rates impact the latest MBA origination forecast of $2.2 trillion next year? Sure, although… The Federal Reserve has cut overnight rates, but longer-term rates (like 15- and 30-year mortgages) have done little or have gone up. Recently news came out that Freddie and Fannie are buying securities that they produce. If GM is buying its own cars, should its stock price go up, or does the price of its cars go up? Do GSE MBS purchases really move rates? The recent news that the GSEs have been…

“My mother used to say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Wonderful woman, lousy surgeon.” Jokes about jobs are usually decent, and, speaking of jobs, as we approach the end of the year, we’re seeing the usual interest in other opportunities, especially if pipelines aren’t full or management is dealing with people “aging out.” I received this note: “Rob, I need a very targeted approach to finding a new CFO, as my current one is retiring. Know anyone who can help?” I do…

The way time flies can be jaw dropping; change is constant. (Lenders wonder if the change to Federal workers holidays next week impacts wiring.) Sunday is the Winter Solstice, a time when plenty of nature lovers, witches, and wiccas head to unique outdoor venues and celebrate the gradual, daily increase in daylight for the next six months. Something else that is jaw dropping is… Toni Basil . You know, of “Mickey” fame? She’s 82 years old and interacted with Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby! At…

Husband: “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?” Wife: “The good news.” Husband: “The good news is that your car’s airbag worked perfectly.” Good news or bad news, the news that lenders and LOs have to pay attention to continues into the holidays. There’s the UWM/Two Harbors news, sliced and diced below. For LOs who want to spread the news of their business, licensed loan officers can now view their 2025 Loan Officer Recap Highlight Reel , a free, personalized look…

Nothing is permanent except for change, including changing issues and narratives. The Rolling Stones have cancelled their 2026 tour… medical issues with 82-year-old Keith Richards. Jack in the Box is closing 200 stores and is struggling… a lack of dedicated fans. Lennar’s stock price is falling due to “housing headwinds.” Meanwhile, on tomorrow’s The Big Picture at 3PM ET, Mike Metz engages in an end-of-year conversation on the issues and narratives shaping housing and mortgage:…

“’Girl math’ is booking a trip so far in advance that you’ve forgotten how much everything costs, so the trip is basically free.” What isn’t free is running a mortgage company, and lenders are trying to cut costs and increase efficiency everywhere. For example (and this is not a paid ad), Lenders One offers some member benefits that may be of interest: L1 Credit for credit reports and fraud tools, L1 Flood for NFIP compliance, and L1 Insurance to help borrowers get competitive homeowner…