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Mortgage / Finance

Anybody that's hung around the ActiveRain “water cooler” for any length of time understands the value of the relationships built on the site. AR is so much more than a social networking site, however.


It's also the place to get up-to-the-minute information on topics that affect your clients. Ask yourself: what's the most confusing aspect of buying a home for the real estate consumer? The answer is most likely financing the purchase. Credit scores and how they affect the mortgage rate, types of loan products, points, fees – whew! -- there's a lot to know about mortgages.


To serve your clients effectively you need to know about this stuff and keep abreast of changes in the mortgage industry. Thankfully, ActiveRain is not only popular with real estate agents and brokers but with finance professionals as well.


Whether you're an agent trying to figure out what the Fed's latest move means to your clients or a mortgage pro who needs input on how to build relationships with real estate agents, ActiveRain is the place to tap into a wealth of knowledge.

Recent blogs on Mortgage / Finance
By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 3.05% CANHOU 06/15/30 [+0.07%]     10 Year - 3.67%* Est. CANHOU 09/15/35 [+0.07%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 3.40% [-]     Prime Rate 4.95% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.68% CAN 03/01/28 [+0.05%]     3 Year - 2.77% CAN 03/01/29 [+0.05%]     5 Year - 2.84% CAN 03/01/30 [+0.07%]     10 Year - 3.25% CAN 12/01/34 [+0.07%]     GOC Bonds are for reference purposes only * denotes interpolated rate
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By Linda Peltz, It's The Sold That Counts
(eXp Realty)
When it comes to buying a home, most people focus on the fun part—finding the perfect kitchen, scoping out the backyard, or imagining the first housewarming party. But behind every successful home purchase is a key player often overlooked: the lender. In a recent interview of Linda Peltz Clovis Realtor with seasoned mortgage professional Eric Becerra, also known as The Loan Wolf, we get a behind-the-scenes look at why choosing the right lender isn’t just a smart move—it’s essential.Tune in to video below  Not All Loans Are Created EqualOne of the biggest misconceptions among homebuyers is that mortgages are a one-size-fits-all product. According to Eric, “Every scenario is so different.” From credit history to employment type and financial goals, no two buyers are alike. That’s why havi...
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By ReadySetLoan Team, Home Loans, Market Trends, Condo Approval Experts
(ReadySetLoan)
Jobs data, tariff talk, and Fed speeches could drive mortgage rates even lower — are you ready?Mortgage rates have been sprinting downhill since January 14, surprising many experts who expected inflation and trade tensions to push them higher. For homebuyers, this drop has been a welcome tailwind, giving a noticeable boost to purchase applications through Q1.Now, all eyes are on April 2 — dubbed “liberation day” by President Trump — as we wait to see what new tariff developments might emerge. But that’s not the only headline with the power to move markets. This week also brings critical labor market data and several Federal Reserve speeches. At ReadySetLoan, we believe jobs data often packs more punch than inflation chatter when it comes to influencing mortgage rates.Let’s unpack what t...
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By ReadySetLoan Team, Home Loans, Market Trends, Condo Approval Experts
(ReadySetLoan)
As we head into the 2025 election cycle, the mortgage industry is watching closely: what will Trump 2.0 mean for housing? While there’s still a lot of uncertainty, some early signs suggest big changes could be coming—especially for government-backed loans and low-income borrowers.No Change (Yet) to Loan LimitsFHFA Director Bill Pulte recently reassured the industry that there are no plans to lower the conforming loan limit, which currently sits at $806,500. That’s a relief to many, since a reduction would push more buyers into private, non-guaranteed mortgages—likely with higher rates and less protection.But make no mistake—talks of downsizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are back.🐷 RSL Piggy Points: What You Need to Know Conforming loan limits are safe for now, but changes could still co...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 2.66% CANHOU 06/15/30 [-0.04%]     10 Year - 3.27%* Est. CANHOU 09/15/35 [-0.03%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 3.40% [-]     Prime Rate 4.95% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.33% CAN 03/01/28 [-0.09%]     3 Year - 2.39% CAN 03/01/29 [-0.06%]     5 Year - 2.45% CAN 03/01/30 [-0.06%]     10 Year - 2.83% CAN 12/01/34 [-0.05%]     GOC Bonds are for reference purposes only * denotes interpolated rate
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By Jeff Markell, Sr. Mortgage Consultant - Forward & Reverse
(Empire Home Loans Inc.)
Retirement is no longer an abstract concern—it’s a time to ensure financial security, maintain independence, and create a legacy. Below are some of the most pressing questions seniors have, along with strategic solutions to address them.1. How Do I Best Provide Inheritance While Alive?Many retirees want to pass on wealth to their loved ones while they are still alive. Options include gifting assets, setting up a trust, or using financial strategies that allow controlled distributions. A Reverse Mortgage can help by providing tax-free funds from home equity, allowing seniors to gift money without depleting their retirement savings.2. How Can I Enhance My Private Pay Options for In-Home Care and Ease the Burden on My Family?Long-term care insurance, annuities, and personal savings are com...
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By Sandra Nickel, The Hat Team
(Sandra Nickel REALTORS)
Let’s face it, selling and buying a house at the same time can be very overwhelming and usually involves some element of risk. However, it is common for people to have to buy and sell at the same time. Per the National Association of Realtors, 71% of repeat home buyers still owned their previous residences, which means it’s highly likely that most of them were both buyers and sellers.If you are lucky enough to time it right, you may hit that perfect “sweet spot” where you sell your house, make a profit that can be used for a down payment, and then find your next dream home, in that order. But chances are, things might not go as planned and hoped for.Let’s look at some common challenges you might face, different avenues that might work better for you, and tips for getting through the pro...
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By Linda Peltz, It's The Sold That Counts
(eXp Realty)
Many buyers face the frustrating reality of making contingent offers, which can be less attractive to sellers. This is where bridge loans come in. A bridge loan allows you to leverage the equity in your existing home to purchase your new home before selling the old one. This gives you flexibility, improves your buying power, and eliminates contingencies that might otherwise weaken your offer. With Kyle Poulin and Van Patten Mortgage, you can access specialized financing solutions to navigate the real estate market with confidence. Recently Kyle held an insightful discussion with Linda Peltz, Fresno realtor. They covered all topics from DCSR, Bridge Loan to Reverse 1031, tune in to video below for more What is a Bridge Loan, and How Does It Work?A bridge loan is a short-term financing op...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 2.89% CANHOU 06/15/30 [-0.06%]     10 Year - 3.48%* Est. CANHOU 09/15/35 [-0.06%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 3.60% [-]     Prime Rate 4.95% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.56% CAN 03/01/28 [-0.05%]     3 Year - 2.63% CAN 03/01/29 [-0.05%]     5 Year - 2.69% CAN 03/01/30 [-0.05%]     10 Year - 3.05% CAN 12/01/34 [-0.05%]     GOC Bonds are for reference purposes only * denotes interpolated rate
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
The C-Note: Your Quick Guide to All Things Real EstateWelcome to The C-Note, the go-to source for everything real estate in Pensacola, Pace, and Gulf Breeze, Florida. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or managing rental properties, we’ve got you covered. With Charles Stallions as your trusted real estate broker, you’ll find expert advice and actionable insights to help you make confident decisions.Have a question about the local area, from top dining spots to job opportunities or real estate guidance? Call or text Charles at 850-476-4494, or email charles@charlesstallions.com—it’s who we “R.”Mortgage 101: Simplifying the ProcessAre you considering financing, refinancing, or just navigating the mortgage landscape? Charles Stallions is here to demystify the process. Whether you n...
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By Jeff Markell, Sr. Mortgage Consultant - Forward & Reverse
(Empire Home Loans Inc.)
Let’s talk credit scores — and I’m not talking about boring number crunching. I’m talking about the 5 things everyone needs to know to keep your credit score strong and your financial future wide open. Let’s dive in!________________________________________🎯 1. Check Your Score Regularly — It Won’t Hurt You!A lot of people think peeking at their credit score might hurt it. That’s a myth! Checking your own score is smart — it helps you stay in the loop on what lenders see when you’re applying for a loan, a credit card, or even setting up a new cell phone plan. Knowledge is power, and when it comes to your credit, power means better deals and more opportunities. You can check your report and order scores via Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.________________________________________💸 2. Pay...
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By ReadySetLoan Team, Home Loans, Market Trends, Condo Approval Experts
(ReadySetLoan)
The Unexpected Roadblock for Condo OwnersImagine being steps away from closing on the sale of your condo—only to hit an invisible wall. That’s exactly what’s happening to thousands of condo owners nationwide due to a growing, largely undisclosed mortgage blacklist.Many condominium properties are finding themselves ineligible for Fannie Mae-backed mortgages, making it increasingly difficult for buyers to secure loans. If a condo complex appears on this list, deals can fall apart in an instant, leaving homeowners stuck at the starting line with no clear path forward.What’s Causing Condos to Get Blacklisted?Fannie Mae’s list includes properties flagged for inadequate insurance coverage or urgent structural repairs. This initiative gained momentum following the tragic Surfside condo collaps...
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By Jeff Markell, Sr. Mortgage Consultant - Forward & Reverse
(Empire Home Loans Inc.)
What are the stages of the mortgage process? Uncover the steps involved in the mortgage process. Learn how to navigate each stage and ensure a smooth experience. #Mortgages #Homebuying #GetPreApproved #GrandpaMortgageHere's something they really should be teaching in school.These are the steps you'll go through in the mortgage process when you buy a home.1) The first step is Pre-Approval. This is when a lender reviews your financials and credit and pre-approves you for a home loan.2) Once you're pre-approved, the next step is to find a Realtor who will help you shop for a home.3) After you find your new home, your Realtor will write a contract to purchase the home.4) If the contract is accepted, the Realtor will Open Escrow and your lender will send your financial documents to an underw...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 2.92%* Est. CANHOU 06/15/30 [-0.06%]     10 Year - 3.48%* Est. CANHOU 09/15/35 [-0.03%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 3.60% [-]     Prime Rate 4.95% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.57% CAN 09/01/27 [-0.04%]     3 Year - 2.63% CAN 09/01/28 [-0.06%]     5 Year - 2.69% CAN 09/01/29 [-0.06%]     10 Year - 3.07% CAN 12/01/34 [-0.04%]     GOC Bonds are for reference purposes only * denotes interpolated rate
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By ReadySetLoan Team, Home Loans, Market Trends, Condo Approval Experts
(ReadySetLoan)
A major shake-up in credit scoring is on the way, and it could make mortgage approvals more confusing for homebuyers. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is rolling out a new system that will require lenders to evaluate four different credit scores instead of three when assessing mortgage applicants.Currently, lenders pull one score from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Under the new rules, lenders will now pull two scores from two bureaus—one from FICO 10T and one from VantageScore 4.0—creating a total of four scores per borrower.🔹 What This Means for Homebuyers🐷 More Confusion: Borrowers will see two different scores from the same credit bureau, which could differ by 100 points or more.🐷 Stricter Credit Evaluations: New scoring models analyze ...
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By ReadySetLoan Team, Home Loans, Market Trends, Condo Approval Experts
(ReadySetLoan)
Mortgage Market Turbulence: How Government Programs Are Reshaping Home Prices....(and not for the better) 🏡📉The housing market has been a rollercoaster in recent years, and despite high interest rates, home prices continue to climb. Why? A combination of government-backed mortgage programs and relief initiatives are keeping distressed borrowers in their homes—even when they struggle to make payments.Over the past decade, lending standards have shifted, making it easier for homebuyers to qualify for low-down-payment loans backed by government agencies like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). While this has expanded homeownership access, it has also increased risk. 🏡 In 2007, about 35% of FHA borrowers had debt-to-income (DTI) ratios exceeding 43%—a level generally considered risky....
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Real Estate)
What if I told you Treasury Secretary Bessent just stated "The housing market is stuck right now, but it will unfreeze in weeks" - while most economists remain pessimistic about mortgage rates?There's a major disconnect between headlines and economic indicators that few are talking about. While potential buyers and sellers remain frozen in place, the data shows mortgage rates could potentially drop below 6% if spreads return to historical norms—without requiring any Fed action. The video explains why.How To Squeeze Every Dollar From Your Home Sale Please remember to "like" the post and the video on YouTube too! Thank you. 🏡  Link to all homes for sale in Tallahassee 📺 Subscribe To The Joe Manausa Real Estate Channel and Get More Housing Market Reports, Listings, Real Estate Marketing Ti...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 2.92%* Est. CANHOU 06/15/30 [+0.03%]     10 Year - 3.44%* Est. CANHOU 09/15/35 [+0.02%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 3.82% [-]     Prime Rate 5.20% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.59% CAN 09/01/27 [+0.06%]     3 Year - 2.63% CAN 09/01/28 [+0.03%]     5 Year - 2.68% CAN 09/01/29 [+0.03%]     10 Year - 3.02% CAN 12/01/34 [+0.02%]     GOC Bonds are for reference purposes only * denotes interpolated rate
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By Peter Kici EA, Enrolled Agent
(Tax Debt Relief Group)
The IRS is facing significant downsizing, with staff reductions and office closures affecting operations nationwide. While this shift may seem like a relief to taxpayers concerned about audits and collections, it also comes with major implications. Understanding how these changes impact enforcement, customer service, and taxpayer rights is essential for those dealing with IRS issues. So what IRS Downsizing and Office Closures Means for Taxpayers.Longer Response Times and DelaysOne of the immediate consequences of IRS downsizing is an increase in response times. With fewer employees available to handle tax filings, audits, and collection cases, taxpayers can expect longer wait times when calling the IRS, delays in processing tax returns, and slower responses to appeals or penalty abateme...
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By Linda Peltz, It's The Sold That Counts
(eXp Realty)
Success in the real estate market isn't just about experience—it's about building the right connections and leveraging smart strategies. In Fresno and Clovis, California, Marshawn Govan and Linda Peltz are demonstrating how collaboration between mortgage professionals and buyer seller agents can create an exceptional home-buying and home selling experience.With Linda’s deep understanding of the local housing market and Marshawn’s expertise in innovative mortgage solutions, their combined approach offers clients seamless transactions and greater opportunities.Lets tune in to video belowElevating Mortgage and Marketing StrategiesTechnology-Driven Solutions for RealtorsMarshawn Govan goes beyond traditional mortgage lending by incorporating cutting-edge marketing strategies into the home f...
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