Mike's Blog

Hi gang,ok we have had a lot of mortgage volatility in the past 30 days or so.  On Jan 23, we had 30 year fixed rates at 4.875% for about 4 hours and today we have 30 year fixed rates at 6.25-6.375%.  When rates go up 2%, typically 30% of loan officer leave the business.  But what if the rates go...

Hi there . . . .Brian Buffini often talks of database calls, notes & pop-bys.  He made a great living doing the fundamentally solid yet mundane and sometimes scary parts of the real estate & lending business.  National speaker and authority on the topic and frequest guest on CNBC Dr. Kerry Johnso...

                          Turn the equity here                    into                        Safe, Liquid Cash here! In my practice, mortgage planning is quickly cathching on and clients are beginning to get it.  My greatest joy in preparing a comprehensive mortgage plan is when the client truly...

In today's blog, I thought I would focus some attention on something that affects us all: inflation.  Now let's say you go to the grocery store and purchase that 32 oz jar of Mayonaise for say $4.00 last month. Now this month, the maynaise has the same look and feel, but look closely . . . . ther...

My lil' guy was certainly curious about this.  Here he is sending out a mortgage update to a few of my clients.  So we got to talking and we came up with a few things:  First of all my lil' guy was curious as to what money really is and why we need it.  Second, he had some insights on how inflati...

My lil' guy was certainly curious about this.  Here he is sending out a mortgage update to a few of my clients.  So we got to talking and we came up with a few things:  First of all my lil' guy was curious as to what money really is and why we need it.  Second, he had some insights on how inflati...

I have seen many clients in the past year or so moving out of homes that appreciated (& they didn't consume all their equity) who experienced significant gains in real estate (yes they are out there). The underlying theme for a lot of these people is safety.  They feel they should take 100% of th...

Over the past 14 years I have seen a lot of good and bad things in the nature of the Realtor-Lender realtionship.  Today's post centers on how to improve this somewhat acrimonious relationship for the betterment of all concerned: especially the client in the middle.  From my vantage point as a mo...

Today the Fannie Mae 5.50% bond gave up significant ground and as a result mortgage rates climbed dramatically with three re-prices during today's wild ride.  I save 2 clients over $6,000 today in mortgage fees by locking ahead of these dramatic price movements.  Atlanta Fed Pres Dennis Lockhart ...

 Duirng the normal course of my day, I routinely run across people who state these statements with absolute certainty . . . . When The Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates dropHome equity is a good investment You should pay off your mortgage heading into retirement A 15 yr fixed & prepaying your mortga...