X-Rated Musings..and Calling Candybags! - 11/19/06 07:37 PM
                         Coined from 'this guy' I know in S. California who is part Sun-Tzu, part Gordon Gekko, part Machiavelli, and I even think he has some affinity towards Darth Vader. Although he'll probably tell me that all these guys (minus Gekko) are pansy's, for perpetrating that I 'know' his MO next time we speak...which will probably be soon. Actually he's a pretty nice guy, if he happens to like you. 
Anyway, thats my life right now, Controlled Chaos!!!
Nice meaningless intro huh... No! Darth Gekko is in the middle of … (21 comments)

There's No Discount Here! - 11/16/06 05:59 PM
What is a discount brokerage?  Over the years the term has come to be interpreted as discounted cost for discounted service, which is a time tested loser.  Discounting service is the surest way to become 'out of business'.  Discounting cost is often a strategy of less experienced brokers trying to gain market share...and often futile in attempt.
The blind labeling and stereotyping of a 'fixed fee for services' mortgage provider as a 'Discount Broker' is short sighted, to say the least, without looking further into the facts.  As someone who has overseen the origination of over 2500 loans, and fixed my costs … (6 comments)

Quotes, Zillow, and Guerrilla Blogging Tactics - 11/09/06 04:48 PM
While up in Cleveland, OH for a summit meeting with my partners and one sharp programmer (John McKnight, plug!) I had some time to reflect on some articles, posting, musings, and quotes that struck a cord with me.


Quotes: Jeff Belonger over at Active Rain asked me for some inspirational quotes to share with him for a blog post, these are some that have resonated with me:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference -Robert FrostYou will miss 100% of the shots you don't take. … (9 comments)

The Morgage Industry’s Internal Civil War - 11/09/06 03:28 PM

YSP’s have gradually made their way into the American homeowners conscious, rising from relative obscurity. While this is progress, their use in relation to their intent is still misunderstood, manipulated, and maligned. Although more consumers are now aware that YSP’s are cash rebates Lenders pay for a borrower to accept a higher interest rate than they qualify for…this hasn’t stopped Brokers and Bankers from misusing them as a tool to subjectively and unjustly enrich themselves.
 
Definition.
 Even well educated broker/bankers can’t properly define YSP’s intended purpose per RESPA letter law. As explained in the RESPA Policy Statement, yield spread … (128 comments)

The Potential Effect of Transparency in the Mortgage Service Industries - 11/08/06 04:04 PM
Some members of blogging and other community platforms I belong too tend to misinterpret my MO…calling me ‘negative’, an ‘idealist’, ‘mud-slinger’, etc. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not the Grim Reaper, although my posts may have a sensationalist, tongue-in-cheek, even rapine roll to them; so at times it is hard to convey what should be viewed as ’serious’ content over general and random opinion. Few people like to entertain the guy who trashes their business model as antiquated, especially those within the industry who currently enjoy a comfortable margin of success doing business under the self-prescribed ‘right way’. So, let me … (10 comments)

X-Rated Mortgage Calculators - 11/03/06 12:39 PM
      We've had many people write in positive comments regarding these mortgage calculators, so I thought I would share them with the AR community.  They are much more intuitive than the traditional versions found on many lender websites...So, for what it's worth, here they are....   Side by side loan comparison. Put loan programs side-by-side. Principle, Interest, Taxes & Insurance Calculate your total amortized monthly payment with PMI, hazard insurance, and property taxes.Interest-Only Calculate an interest-only vs. a fully amortized payments. Keep in mind you can always pay more than the ‘interest only’ payment.Current Mortgage Snapshot This shows how much you have already … (1 comments)

Lending Tree is Bearing Bad Fruit - 11/01/06 12:33 PM
 Lending Tree Accused of Unfair Business Practices
 <-- Now you know why....
Unless you are 'in' the industry, news like this gets shuffled into the abyss.
I wrote a quick post recently regarding the caveats of dealing with e-lenders or online bankers and mortgage lead aggregation sites.  The point of the post was that unscrupulous individuals lurk freely on the otherside of these pretty web facades.
Anyone with a license and some marketing bucks can become an affiliate of these sites, and that often means trouble.  It is near impossible to differentiate between the good and the bad broker/bankers when lead aggregation sites … (3 comments)