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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 William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡💰 WHY WE TALK PROPERTY TAXES BEFORE BUYERS FALL IN LOVE WITH A HOUSE 💰🏡Mortgage rates get all the headlines.But you know what catches many homeowners by surprise?👉 Property taxes.And they're rising in virtually every major metro across America.According to new data from LendingTree:📈 The median homeowner now pays $3,119 per year in property taxes.📈 Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $3,489 annually.📈 Property taxes increased in all 50 of the nation's largest metro areas between 2023 and 2024.The reality is this:A fixed-rate mortgage doesn't mean a fixed monthly payment forever.While your interest rate may stay the same...❌ Property taxes can rise❌ Homeowners insurance can rise❌ HOA fees can riseAnd those increases directly impact your monthly payment.That's why I have a differe...
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By Jacob Maslow, Your Brooklyn Connection
(Torsx)
Buying a holiday home abroad feels like a sound financial move until you run the actual numbers. The appeal is obvious, a property in a warm-weather market that generates rental income when you're not using it, appreciates over time, and doubles as a private retreat. What gets left out of that pitch is a full accounting of costs, taxes, currency risk, and exit friction that can quietly hollow out the return.Why the Advertised Yield is Almost Always WrongThe very first thing you'll be shown by a developer or listing agent is gross yield, annual rental income divided by the purchase price, expressed as a percentage. A property listed for $300,000 that rents for $27,000 per year produces a 9% gross yield. That number is easy to understand.The problem is that number is also meaningless. It ...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
The Mortgage Payment Isn't Always the ProblemWhen people hear that foreclosure filings recently reached their highest level in 6 years, the assumption is usually the same:Homeowners can't afford their mortgage payments.The reality however, may be more complicated.Over the last few years, many homeowners locked in mortgage rates they would love to keep. So their principal and interest payment hasn't changed. What has changed is almost everything around it!Insurance premiums have climbed. Property taxes have increased. HOA fees have risen in many communities. So for some homeowners, the total cost of owning the property has grown much faster than their income.At the same time, the housing market is beginning to shift.Inventory has been increasing, reaching some of the highest levels we've...
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By John Lake, Sarasota and Cape Cod Mortgage Ba
(loanDepot)
We are staring at a massive, double-barreled shift in the financial markets. The convergence of a geopolitical breakthrough (the end of the war with Iran) and a structural regime change at the central bank (Chairman Kevin Warsh’s first FOMC meeting this week) creates a unique environment for mortgage rates.Historically, these two forces would work in opposite directions, but together, they are likely to bring substantial volatility followed by a significant downward trajectory for mortgage rates heading into the summer.Here is exactly how these two massive events will ripple through the bond market and impact your pipeline:1. The End of the War with Iran: The "Inflation Relief Valve"The geopolitical resolution is a massive win for the bond market because it directly attacks the primary ...
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By Darren Copeland, National Mortgage Broker. KC Market Expert.
(Summit Lending)
Before choosing a mortgage lender, read the reviews.Not just the star rating. Not just the first review you see. Read what people actually say about the experience.For homebuyers in Lee’s Summit, Kansas City, Jackson County, and the surrounding metro, choosing a mortgage lender is not just about finding someone who can quote a rate.It is about finding someone who:🔵 Communicates clearly🟢 Explains your mortgage options🟡 Responds when things get stressful⭐ Helps you get to the closing table with fewer surprisesA mortgage is a major financial decision. The reviews can tell you a lot about what it may feel like to work with that lender.Why Mortgage Reviews MatterMost buyers know they should compare mortgage options. That is smart.But reviews give you something a rate quote cannot: a look at ...
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By LISA ORME, Mortgages-Self Employed-DSCR-Reverse-Manuf. Homes
(LOCAL Bank)
Happily, my team has already closed two of our LOCAL Heroes loans this month!  One retired veteran purchased a new retirement home with a first floor master suite to enable one-floor living.  One young doctor purchased a great home with an accessory dwelling unit.  (Income from the extra unit can help pay off all those med school bills!)  Each received an extra $500 credit at closing.  Will you be next?  Lending in 50 states and offering a full range of financing products to help you maximize your own personal financing situation.  Call, DM, or reach out via my website to discuss YOUR scenario!  
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
📊🏡 MORTGAGE RATES RISE AGAIN — WHAT BROKERS & BUYERS NEED TO KNOW 📊🏡Mortgage rates are moving higher for the second straight week, and the data is sending a clear message:👉 Relief is not coming anytime soon📈 LATEST RATE UPDATEAccording to Freddie Mac:🏠 30-Year Fixed: 6.52% (up from 6.48%)🏠 15-Year Fixed: 5.84% (up from 5.79%)📉 Still lower than last year — but trending upward short-term🔥 WHAT’S DRIVING RATES HIGHER?The answer is simple: inflation.📊 CPI rose to 4.2% YoY — highest since 2023⛽ Energy accounted for 60%+ of the monthly increase📉 Markets now see very low probability of near-term Fed cuts🏦 WHAT THE FED IS SIGNALINGWith the upcoming FOMC meeting:• No rate cut expected• Policy likely staying restrictive• Focus shifting from “relief” → “stability”🏠 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUYERSEven w...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡💡 MORTGAGE BASICS: WHY APR MATTERS 💡🏡When shopping for a mortgage, many buyers focus only on the interest rate.But here's the catch...👉 The lowest rate doesn't always mean the lowest cost loan.That's where APR (Annual Percentage Rate) comes in.📌 Interest RateThe cost of borrowing money and the number used to calculate your monthly principal and interest payment.📌 APRThe total cost of the loan, including the interest rate plus certain lender fees, discount points, and mortgage insurance (when applicable).Here's a simple example:🏠 Loan A• Interest Rate: 6.00%• APR: 6.23%• Loan Costs: $12,000• Monthly Payment: $2,398🏠 Loan B• Interest Rate: 6.00%• APR: 6.075%• Loan Costs: $4,000• Monthly Payment: $2,398Same rate.Same payment.But Loan B has significantly lower loan costs.💡 That's why compa...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
A few years ago, artificial intelligence felt like something reserved for large tech companies and science fiction movies.Today, it's showing up everywhere.Whether people realize it or not, AI is already helping write emails, create marketing campaigns, analyze data, answer customer questions, generate reports, summarize meetings, and automate tasks that used to consume hours of someone's day.The mortgage industry is no exception.In fact, it seems like every week a new AI platform is being introduced to lenders, brokers, real estate professionals, and service providers. Some promise faster underwriting. Others focus on marketing, customer communication, document review, compliance, analytics, or lead generation.With so many options appearing so quickly, it's understandable why some peop...
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By John Lake, Sarasota and Cape Cod Mortgage Ba
(loanDepot)
We are currently navigating a "higher-for-longer" rate environment, and the crystal ball for the rest of 2026 is tightly tethered to inflation data and Federal Reserve policy. After the volatility we saw following the hot CPI/PPI reports and the Fed's firm holding pattern at their late-April meeting, the market has settled into a predictable, data-dependent rhythm. Here is the outlook for where mortgage rates are heading as we move into the summer and back half of 2026: 1. Short-Term Forecast (Next 30–60 Days): Ceiling & Stability We have likely seen the peak for the first half of the year. When the 10-year Treasury yield surged to 4.56% a few weeks ago, it pushed 30-year fixed rates deep into the upper 6% range. Where they are landing: Rates are currently hovering in the mid-to-high 6...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
Gen Z Wants to Buy Homes. Getting There Is the Hard Part.If you've spent any time around younger adults lately, you've probably heard a common theme. Many of them want to own a home.They're saving money, building careers, paying down debt, and trying to do everything they were told would prepare them for homeownership. Yet despite those efforts, many still feel like the goal keeps moving further away.The latest data suggests that feeling isn't just perception.According to the National Association of REALTORS®, Gen Z accounted for only 4% of all homebuyers this year. At the same time, first-time buyers represented just 21% of purchases nationwide, the lowest share recorded since the organization began tracking the data more than 40 years ago.That doesn't necessarily mean younger buyers h...
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If you've ever been turned down for a commercial loan because your tax returns showed losses — even though your properties cash flow every month — you're not alone. It's one of the most frustrating experiences in real estate investing. Your buildings are profitable. Your tenants pay on time. But on paper, depreciation and write-offs make you look like you're losing money. That's exactly the problem DSCR loans were built to solve. What Is a DSCR Loan? DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio. It's a way of underwriting a loan based on the income a property generates — not the borrower's personal income or tax returns. DSCR = Net Operating Income ÷ Annual Debt Service A DSCR of 1.0 means the property generates exactly enough income to cover its loan payments. Most lenders want to see 1...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡📈 MORTGAGE RATES MOVE HIGHER AS INFLATION REMAINS STUBBORNMortgage rates continued their upward trend in May as inflation pressures remained elevated and energy costs surged.📊 Rate Snapshot• 30-Year Fixed Mortgage: 6.41%⬆️ Up 7 basis points from April• 15-Year Fixed Mortgage: 5.76%⬆️ Up 7 basis points from AprilSince the conflict in the Middle East began, mortgage rates have climbed significantly, adding additional pressure to affordability.⛽ What's Driving Rates Higher?🔥 Gasoline prices increased 5.4%🔥 Fuel oil prices increased 5.8%🔥 Inflation continues running hotter than expected🔥 10-Year Treasury Yield averaged 4.47%Higher energy costs continue to ripple throughout the economy, making it more difficult for inflation to cool.💰 Consumers Are Feeling ItAs household expenses rise, Amer...
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By Debe Maxwell, CRS, The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!
(Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310)
ZERO INBOX - A Dream Come TrueIf your inbox feels like a full-time job lately…you are NOT alone. Over the past several weeks, I’ve heard from (and read of) more and more agents talking about the overwhelming amount of spam, junk emails and frankly, quite dangerous phishing emails, hitting their inboxes daily. This is happening both locally, here in Charlotte and across the ActiveRain platform. Management of all of these emails is simply exhausting.I wanted to share something that has absolutely SAVED my sanity for the past 10 years: SaneBoxI am not exaggerating when I say I cannot imagine managing my email without it. Last week alone, I received nearly 3,000 emails. THREE THOUSAND! Yikes! 😳The beauty of SaneBox is that it learns your habits and intelligently filters the clutter OUT of y...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
  Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 3.38% CANHOU 12/15/31 [+0.13%]     10 Year - 3.78% CANHOU 09/15/36 [+0.10%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 2.53% [-]     Prime Rate 4.45% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.90% CAN 05/01/28 [+0.12%]     3 Year - 3.00% CAN 03/01/29 [+0.12%]     5 Year - 3.19% CAN 03/01/31 [+0.13%]     10 Year - 3.51% CAN 12/01/35 [+0.10%]     GOC Bonds are for reference purposes only * denotes interpolated rate
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
For the last several years, buying a home in Sonoma County often felt like a race.The goal wasn't necessarily finding the perfect property, the goal was finding a property before somebody else did.Buyers rushed to showings. Offers came in quickly. Multiple offer situations became common. In some cases, homes sold before buyers had much time to think through the decision. It wasn't unusual to hear stories of buyers losing out on multiple properties before finally getting an offer accepted.For a while, that simply became the reality of the market. Lately though, something feels different.The conversations happening around Sonoma County real estate have started to change.Instead of asking, "How quickly do we need to make an offer?" buyers are increasingly asking, "Is this the right propert...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
📉🏠 MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS DIP EVEN AS RATES EDGE LOWERA modest decline in mortgage rates wasn’t enough to bring borrowers back into the market last week, as demand continued to soften heading into the summer season.According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), total mortgage application volume fell 2.5% for the week ending May 29, 2026 (seasonally adjusted for Memorial Day).📊 Rate Movement• 30-year fixed rate dropped to 6.57%• Down from 6.65% the prior week• Small improvement — but not enough to shift demandAs MBA’s Joel Kan noted, easing energy prices helped push rates slightly lower — but borrower response remained muted.🏡 Purchase Demand Slows• Purchase applications fell 3% week-over-week• Weakest level since April• Still 7% higher than last year, when rates were ~35 bps higher...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
Mortgage rates took a small step backward this week after several weeks of improvement.The trigger wasn't real estate related at all. News surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East caused bond markets to react, which in turn pushed mortgage rates slightly higher. Fortunately, the impact was fairly mild. The average top tier 30 year fixed mortgage increased by just 0.04%, moving from roughly 6.56% to 6.60%.While any increase tends to grab attention, the bigger picture tells a different story.Even after this week's uptick, rates remain approximately 0.10% below the recent peak reached in mid May. In other words, borrowers are still seeing better financing conditions today than they were just a few weeks ago.That's an important reminder for anyone watching rates closely!Mortgage ...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡📉 ARE MORTGAGE RATES IN THE 6's THE NEW NORMAL?For the past couple of years, many buyers have been waiting for mortgage rates to fall.The reality?Rates may be telling us a different story.📊 After briefly dipping into the 5% range earlier this year, mortgage rates have moved back into the mid-6% range and continue to fluctuate as inflation concerns, global events, and economic uncertainty impact financial markets.Many industry experts now believe rates could spend much of 2026 somewhere between 6% and 7%.So what does that mean for buyers?🔑 It may be time to stop waiting for the "perfect rate."Here's why:🏠 Homeownership is still happening every day.🏠 Buyers are adjusting expectations.🏠 Sellers are becoming more realistic.🏠 Inventory is improving in many markets.Meanwhile, many buyers are...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡💰 THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR REFINANCING IN 2026?A lot of homeowners think refinancing is off the table because rates aren't back in the 5's yet.Not so fast.📊 According to a recent LendingTree analysis, if mortgage rates fall back to 6.0%, nearly 57% of borrowers who purchased homes between 2023 and 2025 could benefit from refinancing.That's a HUGE number.Even at rates around 6.37%, nearly one-third of recent homebuyers could potentially lower their monthly payment, with average savings exceeding $2,300 per year.💡 Here's what many homeowners don't realize:You don't always need rates to drop by 2% or 3% for a refinance to make sense.For many borrowers:✅ A lower payment✅ Eliminating debt faster✅ Consolidating higher-interest debt✅ Accessing equity strategicallyCan all create meaningful financi...
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