2025 Bank Deregulation: A Balancing Act Between Opportunity and Risk2025 looks to be a pivotal year for the banking industry, with a renewed focus on deregulation in the United States under a new administration. This shift promises both potential benefits and significant challenges for financial institutions, large and small. Can relaxing the changes instituted to make sure banking does not cause another major crisis actually be more negative than positive for the lending industry?  Here are some bullet points of the pros and cons of deregulation.Most of us do not need a reminder of the banks and rating agencies causing a housing collapse the last time there was not significant regulation. The Deregulation Push: What to ExpectThe core of the deregulation agenda is to ease regulatory bur... 06/26/2025

Why a Home Inspection Is a Must for HomebuyersLearn why a home inspection is essential for buyers—even in a competitive market. Discover how it protects your investment and helps avoid costly surprises. In a competitive housing market, many buyers are looking for ways to make their offers more appealing. But while waiving a home inspection might seem like a smart move to get ahead, it could end up costing you more in the long run.According to a recent report from Keeping Current Matters, about 1 in 5 buyers today are skipping the home inspection to try and win over sellers. While that strategy might work in a bidding war, it also comes with serious risks.Why You Don’t Want to Skip the InspectionA home inspection isn’t just a box to check—it’s a powerful tool that protects your investmen... 06/05/2025

Selling Your Home? What You Need to Know About Capital Gains Taxes Learn how capital gains taxes work when selling your home and how to reduce what you owe. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice. Mar 12, 2025 If you’re planning to sell your home, you may have heard about capital gains taxes —but what does that mean for you? The good news is, many homeowners can reduce or even avoid paying taxes on their profits if they meet certain requirements. Here’s a simple breakdown of how capital gains taxes work when selling your home and how you can potentially keep more money in your pocket. What Are Capital Gains Taxes? When you sell your home for more than you originally paid, that profit is called a capital gain. Depending on your situation, the IRS may require you to pay taxes... 03/19/2025

What is your reason for buying a home? I do a homebuying class and I always lead with what are the reasons for buying a home.  Here are a few of the top reasons that come to mind but perhaps not in the same order homebuyers think of it: 1) BUILD WEALTH   I always lead with this one.  Anyone can be a homeowner if they want to be and do the things that make it a reality. See below, this is from AI. According to most studies, homeowners typically have around 40 times higher net worth than renters, meaning a homeowner's wealth is significantly greater than a renter's; with data showing a median homeowner net worth of around $255,000 compared to a renter's net worth of only $6,300 2.  FLEXIBILITY/CONTROL TO DO WHAT ONE WANTS WITH THE SPACE  This one I believe a lot of potential buyers rank p... 10/25/2024

LET'S GET REAL ABOUT RENTING Renting has it's advantages, namely maintenance for one.   Rent costs have escalated recently due to a shortage of homes for purchase or rent.  Rent costs is one of the two biggest contributors to inflation currently.  Some economists expected to see rents begin to go down by now, but so far it is not the case, maybe next month.Getting real about renting, if one is paying $1300 a month in rent, that equates to $15,600 a year. In five years that is $78,000.  That's a lot of money used to pay off the owner of the property's mortgage.  What if instead those funds went toward a mortgage, reducing the balance while equity increases. When a rent lease is up the renter walks out as he/she walked in. When a homeowner sells especially after five years they walk out w... 09/12/2024

Feds still not budging on the discount rateNot unsurprising, the Feds' Powell announced no change in the discount rate for this month.  For that matter, the projection is for just one reduction in the discount rate for 2024.   According to Powell, whereas there was some news that would be encouraging for a reduction in the discount rate, it is not enough.  Powell says the fact the Feds have pulled back on the discount rate reductions for 2024 (one cut vs three), it could just mean more cuts in 2025.  The two biggest factors affecting stubborn inflation numbers are rental prices and auto insurance.  Most folks with car insurance can attest to the rapid increase in insurance premiums.  One would think eventually it would peak.  Until the Feds see reasons for reducing the discount rate, ou... 06/12/2024

HOME PRICES - ECON 101 HOME PRICES - ECON 101 it really is that simple if one grasps the law of supply and demand.  There are several factors that continue to drive up home prices. For those who OWN a home (or have a home and a home mortgage), the market is great. For those in the home buying market it is frustrating to say the least.  When will home prices come down? Why are home prices going up? Does waiting for lower home prices make sense?  So many questions. One primary answer to the questions is Econ 101- supply and demand.  Home prices went up when the demand was greater than the supply. Builders have been ramping up new home builds. That is helpful, but not enough.Another factor in the short supply is lower rates of 2020 to 2023.  Rates dropped into the 2's. Many folks took adva... 03/04/2024

REALTOR ADMIN FEE AT CLOSING A homebuyer has many real estate firms at his/her disposal to select the one that best suits them.  It is important to find an agent who represents the buyer as fully as possible. In selecting an agent to work with as a homebuyer, be sure and discuss the realtor admin fee.  Does your realtor charge an admin fee? What is the purpose of the admin fee? By asking this question up front you can be sure the topic is discussed BEFORE you get to closing.  As a mortgage broker I am required to get exact fees for my borrowers.  I do my utmost to save borrowers money.  In processing the loan there are several disclosures of funds to close.  When a borrower is anticipating a certain amount to close and then a realtor admin fee is added to the settlement sheet at closing... 10/17/2023

APPRAISAL WAIVER CONSIDERATIONS What is an appraisal waiver? How can one get an appraisal waiver? What is the benefit of an appraisal waiver? Why would one not want an appraisal waiver?  What is an appraisal waiver?  An appraisal waiver is when the lender approves a home mortgage loan without requiring an appraisal.  How can one get an appraisal waiver?  Mortgage loans for the most part are run through automated underwriting. Through that process Fannie or Freddie may indicate the value as input is acceptable and an appraisal is not needed.  When automated underwriting accepts the value without an appraisal, the borrower can still request an appraisal if they want. Usually a home located in a rural area is less likely to receive an appraisal waiver simply because it does not have all th... 08/22/2023

EQUITY LINE FOR DOWN PAYMENT In this tight inventory market the homebuyers who are most prepared to write a contract are the ones who will end up with the home.  Everyone in the homebuying market should get pre qualified for the purchase. On a financial level this ensures one has considered credit score, income, assets, and acceptable house payment. On another level, one can be more at ease with the process.What I see a lot in the current homebuying market is that sellers generally will gravitate toward the offer that is what they consider the "best". Usually that means no contingencies for the sale of another home, the higher down payment option and the higher net profit.  Using an equity line for down payment: Many homeowners are sitting on a lot of equity, which they want to use to b... 06/29/2023

Do you ever get angry when things don't go your way?  It seems to be human nature, and real estate dealings can bring out the worst in folks.   Some of us have control issues and this can cause problems.The origins of Feng Shui are shrouded in mystery, but I wonder if control was the first reason Feng Shui was developed.When we start controlling others though, we have to be careful, lest it backfire.There is a story that illustrates this:Long ago there was a Feng Shui master who was traveling home from working in a far-away country.  He was tired and thirsty when he came upon a woman working in the field.  His appearance told her he had been traveling a long way, so she ran to get him a drink.  As she approached him with the cup she took note of how tired and thirsty he was, then stoppe... 06/14/2023

WELCOME HOME 2 bd, 1.5 ba, 960 Sq. Ft. | Available 6/16/23 1127 Pembroke Oak Grove Road is a townhome with two bedrooms, one full bathroom and one half bathroom with almost 1,000 square feet of living space and is just minutes from 1-24 and Fort Campbell. The living room has LVP flooring and off of the living room is the half bathroom with a pedestal sink. The eat-in kitchen comes equipped with a stove, oven and fridge. In the kitchen is the utility closet that houses the washer and dryer. Upstairs you'll find the two bedrooms and full bathroom. The full bathroom has a single sink vanity and a shower/tub combo. Each unit has a back patio. Pets are accepted with an approved pet screening, $350 pet fee per pet with an additional $25 monthly pet rent per pet. For additional information or ... 06/06/2023

Welcome Home to 206 Allensville Street         New listing - Open House Saturday June 3, 2023  - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm This is a MUST SEE HOME - Completely Updated in 2019 with New Electric, Plumbing, Windows, Roof, Siding, HVAC, Water Heater, Stainless Steel Appliances, Detached Garage with electric. - To much to list .....  Stop by and see this home in person to   appreciate all it has to offer.    Be sure to check out the entertainment area   in the back with a pool. - There is the whole      summer to enjoy this pool with your friends    and family during your own back yard BBQ !  See more photos of the inside of 206 Allensville Street here   Online Tour of this beautiful home now    Blue Cord Realty & Property ManagementListed By Chris DavenportShown By Roland Woodworth  06/02/2023

When it comes to selling a home, many homeowners explore various options to maximize their profit and streamline the process. One increasingly popular choice is selling to cash buyers or real estate investors who offer to buy houses directly. In this blog, we'll explore why cash buyers have become attractive to home sellers. We'll discuss the benefits they offer, the convenience they provide, and the advantages of working with professional home buyers. So, if you're considering selling your home, keep reading to discover why cash buyers may be the ideal solution for you.Speedy and Convenient TransactionsOne of the primary reasons why cash buyers are appealing to home sellers is the speed and convenience they offer. Unlike traditional real estate transactions that can involve lengthy pro... 05/23/2023

NO PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE (PMI) LOANSI'm sitting here in my office listening to a radio ad play multiple times regarding "no private mortgage insurance loans".   Homebuyers have learned to hate PMI insurance.  When a lender is offering NO PMI insurance, it gets their attention. Typically when a lender is offering NO PMI insurance it is a good idea to do a comparison to a loan with PMI insurance.  The loan without PMI insurance can be offered as LPMI (lender paid private mortgage insurance). I can offer a homebuyer a mortgage loan with and without PMI insurance.  The loan without PMI insurance has a lower interest rate; the one without monthly PMI insurance has a higher rate.  Loans without monthly PMI are a thing. Usually it is because the lender is absorbing that into the interest ... 04/27/2023

HUD ANNOUNCES REDUCED MONTHLY MORTGAGE INSURANCE HUD announces reduced monthly mortgage insurance for FHA loans. It's been expected for a while there would be a change in either the monthly or up front mortgage insurance on FHA loans and now it's here.Monthly mortgage insurance is going down by 30 bps.  For most homebuyers who utilize a FHA loan this means monthly mortgage insurance will go from 85 bps to 55bps of the loan amount.   An example calculating savings for a $200,000 loan amount the lower MI would be a savings of $600 the first year. FHA loans have different MI levels for different loan amounts based on down payment and term.  It is great to see the HUD feels they can help homebuyers with mortgage payments in this way. FHA is a great loan program for many homebuyers.  Typical... 02/24/2023

Cash Out Refinances Are More ExpensiveIn 2022 Fannie/Freddie increased LLPAs (loan level price adjustments) for cash out refinances, making it more costly to pull cash out.Freddie Mac announced for 2023 a seasoning period of 12 months before cash can be pulled out of a property (note date to note date) to pay off a mortgage. When one agency makes an announcement the other follows, so consider this a Fannie/Freddie thing. Twelve months seasoning affects a cash out Fannie/Freddie loan, one can do a limited cash out (rate/term) after six months. While these changes make cash out more costly, FHFA (regulator of Fannie/Freddie) announced improvements for costs affecting first time buyers utilizing Home Ready or Home Possible type loans.  This change is most helpful for those in the lower inc... 01/11/2023

Temporary Rate BuydownWhat is a temporary rate buydown and how does it work?  Sometimes we are in an unusual market and some tools are better than others for home buyers and sellers alike.  A temporary rate buydown is such a tool I encourage buyers to consider in today's market. Briefly a 2-1 buydown reduces the interest rate by 2 points the first year and 1 point the second year. The third year the rate goes to the note rate. A homebuyer can save a substantial amount of money on a mortgage the first year and in a market where it seems mortgage rates may go down in the future the homebuyer could have an opportunity to refinance the original mortgage to a permanent lower rate. How can one pay for a temporary rate buydown?Given the current environment a home seller can pay for the buydown... 11/16/2022

Feds Funds Rate, Mortgage Rates and Inflation - Buckle UP!Waking up to pricing for long term mortgage rates this morning is like waking up with the worst hangover.  Yesterday we saw the Feds again raise their Fund Rate by .75%. They toyed with a full point increase, but settled on 3/4 point. The experts I subscribe to imagined an 80% chance long term mortgage pricing would be better today. It was quite the opposite. I feel like I've said it a million times. When the Feds raise their Funds Rate it does not mean long term mortgage rates go up the same. Sometimes we see long term rates improve on the announcement. So far today the reaction is not better pricing, it is worse pricing. The reaction is due to fear in the markets. Fear that the Feds don't have a grasp on inflation. Powell menti... 09/22/2022

Interest Rate Buydowns  Interest rate buydowns for home loans are coming back into focus.  What are the benefits of an interest rate buydown and who is the best candidate?In general the best candidate for an interest rate buydown would be someone who is expecting to have a greater income in a couple of years. A buydown allows the home buyer to ease into a higher rate (payment) in year #2 and #3. Another candidate would be someone who perhaps sees the home as a short term investment if he/she moves or transfers often.  In light of rising home prices and interest rates, a buydown can help those with budget concerns initially.  Think about someone who is paying off student loans or an auto payment which would be paid off in 2 years. Each home loan situation is different so there are differ... 08/23/2022