The vote that changed everything, maybe.

What did we say? BEFORE THE ELECTION AFTER THE ELECTION HOUSE 234 Republicans 201 Democrats (includes 1 vacant R seat, 2 vacant D seats) HOUSE 244 Republicans 184 Democrats 7 races still pending SENATE 55 Democrats (including 2 Independents who caucus with Ds) 45 Republicans SENATE 53 Republicans (net gain of 8) 46 Democrats Louisiana…

Mortgage Regulations 2015: The final chapter (?)

Approved.  Not Approved.  What happens before that stamp is inked and pressed involves a bit more than a stamp and ink. Myriad regulations have already been conceived, debated, negotiated, and implemented. And as the center piece for real estate transactions, Loan Officers are the often the point on which regulations are focused.  Many regulations came…

Legalize it (and count it as income)

These are the good old days What is income? How is it defined? Does the source of the income have any bearing at all on whether or not it can be considered for the purposes of approving a mortgage? Of course it does. And that’s exactly why the current climate surrounding the legalization of marijuana…

Finishing out the year on a strong note

As we head towards the end of the year, many loan officers are looking ahead at the holiday season and wishing it would come sooner. Some, though, are putting in late hours searching for opportunities from unexpected places before the pendulum swings its final stroke. But even those of you venturing beyond your normal comfort…

Shopping The Competition, Shopping Yourself

You’ve probably heard a quote from Steve Jobs, “… good artists copy great artists steal.”* That quote’s an appropriate starting point when discussing how well you and your service rate when compared to the competition. Not everything you may do is better or worse than the loan officer across the street, and not everything they…