John Meussner's Blog

In today's tight-inventory real estate market, there's often a preference, either real or perceived, toward cash buyers.  "They're buying cash" is often used as a way to portray a buyer as some kind of powerhouse.  Sellers are often told that cash offers are better, because "it's cash!".  In real...

Ok, last blog about the recent changes to LLPAs (loan level pricing adjustments)- I hope.  But in the spirit of working to force FHFA to get it right, I'm finding it necessary to highlight the topic again.A LOT of people believe that the May 1 LLPA changes were cancelled, abandoned, or pulled bac...

FHFA DTI Adjustment Rescinded Last week I had the pleasure of speaking to ActiveRainers on Tuesday's call, and discussed recent changes to FHFA Loan Level Pricing Adjustments.  In that call, I discussed a change that was scheduled to take place in the coming months to pricing based on a borrower'...

EDIT - I've updated the registration links below - they should now allow you to register I was fortunate enough to join some fellow ActiveRainers this week and present some information on the recent Conventional loan LLPA changes.  Since yesterday, I've continued to see some misinformation circul...

Changes to pricing for conventional loans are in the news as the proposed changes are set to take place in May.  The reality is that these changes have already taken place, because they are effective for loans delivered to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac in May.  Loans closing in the next couple weeks ...

The Benefits of NonQM Mortgage Loans The real estate and mortgage industries haven't forgotten 2007-2008.  It was a year of lenders closing almost daily, loan products disappearing, and for many, the American Dream itself turning into a nightmare as the real estate bubble burst and the Great Rece...

The Importance Of A Great Title Agent Depending on the state or area you're in, when getting a mortgage, you'll be working (knowingly or not) with a title agent.  They may be referred to as "title", "closing attorney", or "escrow officer", but despite the title, the work they perform is the same ...

FHA Loans Are Getting More Affordable For the first time in a long time, HUD has announced that FHA loans are getting more affordable!  A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away (specifically, circa 2009 when housing was in a bubble that was bursting), HUD was losing a ton of money due to housin...

As in year's past, we took a look at recent data, historical data, and expected news and economic metrics to come up with a forecast for 2023.We discuss housing, rates, inflation, and recession to come up with some overall forecasts for the housing market.  It's good news for buyers, sellers, and...

"Marry the house, date the rate!" Has anyone heard this one before?  And by before, I mean, throughout 2022 as rates have risen and pushed most home buyers to the sidelines, bringing the real estate industry nearly to a halt? It's perhaps the most widely used marketing pitch in real estate this y...