Month: April 2026

“A tax versus a fine? A fine is a tax for doing something wrong. A tax is a fine for doing something right.” Yes, the traditional tax deadline is tomorrow, with our tax dollars funding a plethora of government programs and payrolls. Money for the government can come from individual income taxes, payroll taxes, and corporate income taxes, and it collects revenue from excise taxes, estate taxes, tariffs, and fees, which together finance public services and programs. It’s hard to believe that…

If you want to be paid to move to, or stay in, Detroit, this new program paying big bucks is your chance! Hats off to those marketing folks… Do you know the difference between “used,” “pre-owned,” and “pre-loved?” Marketing. Words matter. Do you know the difference between a mortgage and a lien? A mortgage (“death pledge,” same root as mortician or mortuary) is the loan you take out to buy property, and a lien is a clause in the mortgage contract which gives the lender the right to hold and…

Collections of people who work at lenders, investors, and especially third-party providers spend a chunk of their time in hotels, probably rack up loyalty points with certain hotel chains. They’re an “asset” for you, but a “liability” for hotels. Hotel and motel chains have to literally account for the fact that they technically owe their customers money. This adds up: seven large hotel groups collectively owe $11.6 billion to their guests , squirreled away across millions of loyalty…

Let’s take a look at the mail bag. “Rob, with the war in the Middle East pushing gas prices higher, and transportation costs impacting everything, are you seeing a shift in what lender sales managers are telling their staff? ” Absolutely. We are constantly reminded that interest rates are out of our control, and lenders are focusing on how to grow in a tough market, and training and encouraging MLOs to use the tools they have to help borrowers and “play the long game.” Having humans involved…