Mon, Jun 1 2020, 8:56 AM
I was speaking to a successful long-time real estate agent this weekend who is as busy as she’s ever been. Couples are weary of working from home in a...
Fri, May 29 2020, 9:12 AM
Here’s something you can do for your friends, relatives, and borrowers, especially older ones: Remind them that the current batch of coronavirus relie...
Thu, May 28 2020, 8:51 AM
With two business days left in May, one can feel the anticipation of the start of the “National Standing Desk League” opener coming up soon. I’m excit...
Wed, May 27 2020, 10:46 AM
As California prepares to open some retail stores , the racoon has been named the official mascot of 2020: washes hands insanely, always wears a mask,...
Wed, May 27 2020, 9:05 AM
Making the rounds is, “The spread of Covid-19 is based on two factors. #1: How dense the population is. #2: How dense the population is.” As a nation,...
Tue, May 26 2020, 8:43 AM
I doubt if I have ever pressed “7” or “8” on my microwave oven keypad. Speaking of 7 & 8 (I know, a weak segue), originators are keenly aware of what ...
Fri, May 22 2020, 8:52 AM
The Friday before a three-day weekend (honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military)! Can’t you just feel that anxiousness t...
Thu, May 21 2020, 9:00 AM
Some lenders and vendors are easing back into offices, or at least planning voluntary phases. (Hmmm… wear a mask and have 2 per elevator, or work from...
Wed, May 20 2020, 8:47 AM
Jury trial by Zoom? Leave it to Texas to give it a shot. Michigan and Indiana are now offering the bar exam online for aspiring attorneys. Out of Penn...
Tue, May 19 2020, 9:34 AM
It’s one thing to have confusion & bickering over whose turn it is to put the Scrabble tiles away face down after the game. It’s a whole different lev...
Mon, May 18 2020, 8:48 AM
“All of our dogs think we quit our jobs to spend more time with them while all of our cats think we got fired for being the loser they always knew we ...
Fri, May 15 2020, 9:29 AM
I messed up yesterday, not knowing “Bike to Work” Day was postponed until September. Getting out of the bedroom was okay on my Schwinn Varsity, but co...
Thu, May 14 2020, 10:12 AM
As we race toward the Memorial Day holiday on the 25th, for the first time in history we can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doin...
Wed, May 13 2020, 9:09 AM
Remember the old days at a birthday party when someone would blow on the cake before everyone ate it? Things are certainly changing, including process...
Tue, May 12 2020, 9:51 AM
I have a confession to make. I grew up drinking whole milk. In fact, I’m so old, when we were thirsty playing sports on the street, we drank out of wh...
Mon, May 11 2020, 9:09 AM
In the last two months everyone figured out the difference between “WFH” and “WTF,” and many in captivity are looking forward to being released , if o...
Fri, May 8 2020, 8:59 AM
Huh? Your company has 20,000 square feet of office space along 635 in Dallas, or 15 in Salt Lake City, or 405 in Orange County, that’s been empty for ...
Thu, May 7 2020, 9:08 AM
Plenty of people are clamoring to be released from captivity , and changes in staying sequestered or opening up has become political. The lending clim...
Wed, May 6 2020, 9:03 AM
May 6th, of course, is the anniversary of the first tequila hangover. Alcohol consumption has increased as people continue to adapt to the working fro...
Mon, May 4 2020, 9:15 AM
May the 4th be with you as the use of the word “unprecedented” continues to be… unprecedented. While in captivity it is important to get out outside o...
Fri, May 1 2020, 10:01 AM
May Day! A third of the way through with 2020 already? Seven weeks ago it was, “Use us! We have the best rates and products!” Now it’s, “During these ...
Thu, Apr 30 2020, 9:36 AM
As analysts pour through Freddie Mac’s earnings announcement this morning, when in captivity it is important to settle in quickly and efficiently . It...
Wed, Apr 29 2020, 10:26 AM
While in captivity it is important to observe the impact of your words during meal times. (Warning: Rated R for language.) Measuring the financial imp...
Tue, Apr 28 2020, 8:55 AM
Folks will sometimes ask me, “It’s a mystery: What kind of preparation do you do before writing your daily commentary?” Although no one has ever filme...
Mon, Apr 27 2020, 9:00 AM
My Saturday was going pretty well until I realized it was Sunday. Remember when Zillow was going to take over the mortgage business? Or Amazon was goi...
Fri, Apr 24 2020, 9:19 AM
While in captivity, it is important that your home have the right ambiance, and emanate a welcoming feeling . Real estate agents are good at helping s...
Thu, Apr 23 2020, 10:16 AM
Other than things like a mother’s love, most things have prices, and Fannie and Freddie set theirs for buying loans in forbearance in the form of tack...
Wed, Apr 22 2020, 10:01 AM
While in captivity it is important to amuse oneself . And here’s a tender song – the video is only 30 seconds. By the way, the residential industry is...
Tue, Apr 21 2020, 9:58 AM
Another stimulus package is in the headlines but no one is talking about inflation being a concern with near-term oil futures prices actually below ze...
Mon, Apr 20 2020, 9:31 AM
As oil prices plummet this morning, while in captivity, uninterrupted sleep is a good thing. I know for a fact that the staff of the Mortgage Bankers ...
Fri, Apr 17 2020, 9:10 AM
While in captivity, watching the time, and waiting for release , can seem like forever. We’re always waiting for something, whether it is the CFPB rol...
Thu, Apr 16 2020, 9:16 AM
Unlike 2008, when, arguably, the lenders, banks, and investment banks, via lending & underwriting policies and lax securitization procedures, were the...
Wed, Apr 15 2020, 9:25 AM
While in captivity sometimes it is difficult social distancing . Working from home, and having video meetings, takes some getting used to. I was telli...
Tue, Apr 14 2020, 10:13 AM
Bill M. sent, “It's not at all boring to stay in the house. But how come one bag of rice has 22,373 grains and the other bag 24,201?” Yes, things have...
Mon, Apr 13 2020, 10:20 AM
It was a rough weekend. The still in our basement blew up, throwing potatoes everywhere and setting us back weeks. That happened just as I was sending...
Thu, Apr 9 2020, 10:56 AM
As the market looks at this morning’s Federal Reserve huge aid package announcement, while in captivity/quarantivity, testing yourself is important . ...
Wed, Apr 8 2020, 9:22 AM
While in captivity it is important to keep calm . “Many parents are discovering that the teacher was not the problem.” One of the kids next door phone...
Tue, Apr 7 2020, 9:10 AM
Is there good news out there? You bet! Ying Ying and Le Le mated . That aside, Day 98 of captivity. We’ve all found out that really hot water and suds...
Mon, Apr 6 2020, 9:07 AM
Twas a rough night since today it’s garbage day. I was worrying all night, “What should I wear to take it out?” Jeannette M writes, “On January 1st I ...
Fri, Apr 3 2020, 9:16 AM
While in captivity it is important to focus on the friends you’ll see when you’re released . Your borrower doesn’t want the fuss and muss of typing up...
Thu, Apr 2 2020, 9:30 AM
Yesterday I decided to put thoughts of SRP values plummeting, and EPO & EPD penalties being enforced, out of my mind and get some exercise. My cat Myr...
Wed, Apr 1 2020, 9:19 AM
“I hadn’t planned on giving up quite this much for lent.” So true. It is a different world than only a month ago. Of course rates are going to stay at...
Tue, Mar 31 2020, 9:03 AM
Remember when all we had to worry about was Amazon taking over mortgage banking? The sun hits different here in March – see joke at bottom. (Thirty da...
Mon, Mar 30 2020, 8:50 AM
After a long time in captivity with the same people, one may become, uh, less than enamored with their pals. “12 th day of self-isolation and it’s lik...
Fri, Mar 27 2020, 9:33 AM
While in captivity it is important to have good communication . (Early anecdotal chatter indicates that the remote workforce has signs of improved pro...
Thu, Mar 26 2020, 9:08 AM
While in captivity it is important to keep busy . Every day people ask me where I think rates will be next week. Here you go: my forecast ! After you ...
Wed, Mar 25 2020, 9:03 AM
While in captivity it is important to have a hobby . “Dad, why is my sister named Paris?” “Well, uh, that’s because we were in Paris when she was conc...
Tue, Mar 24 2020, 9:04 AM
While in captivity it is important to have discipline . Independent mortgage banks exercised discipline and had a great 4 th quarter, profit-wise , bu...
Mon, Mar 23 2020, 9:19 AM
While in captivity it is important to have a goal . And remember, “It's only quarantine if it comes from the quarantine region of France; otherwise, i...
Fri, Mar 20 2020, 9:00 AM
Today, with the official start of Spring, and while the industry waits for the FHFA to answer concerns about appraisals, VVOEs, and other issues, ther...
