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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 - 3.76% CANHOU 12/15/31 [+0.03%]     10 Year - 4.21% CANHOU 03/15/37 [+0.01%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 2.55% [-]     Prime Rate 4.45% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 3.30% CAN 08/01/28 [+0.06%]     3 Year - 3.39% CAN 03/01/29 [+0.06%]     5 Year - 3.57% CAN 03/01/31 [+0.02%]     10 Year - 3.91% CAN 06/01/36 [+0.01%]
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
Every once in a while we come across an article that makes us stop and think, "Wait, is that really how people are defining hard money now?"This happened recently when we read two articles explaining the difference between Hard Money and Private Money. Both made essentially the same distinction: a hard money lender is a company with fairly standardized programs, while a private money lender is typically an individual lending their own money with more flexibility to negotiate the terms. It was the iteration of making a definite distinction between these two terms that we feel needs to be addressed, otherwise it could limit ones understanding of potentially beneficial financing solutions!We understand where that distinction comes from and there certainly are lenders that operate exactly t...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
ONE OF THESE IS AN OPINION. THE OTHER IS A PLAN. ☑️✅☑️ PRE-QUALIFICATIONYou tell a lender about your income, debts and savings, and they use the information you provide to estimate what you may be able to afford.It's a starting point.✅ PRE-APPROVALNow we're getting serious.Your lender has reviewed documentation, evaluated your financial picture and determined what you can realistically qualify for based on the information provided.Here's where it matters:🏠 You find the right house.📩 Multiple offers come in Sunday night.The listing agent isn't just looking at the offer price. They're asking:“Which buyer looks most likely to actually make it to the closing table?”A pre-qualification can tell a seller, “This buyer might qualify.”A strong pre-approval tells them, “This buyer has already tak...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
The Homebuying Gap Looks Different in Every State! Affordability challenges vary, but creative financing can open doors when traditional lending doesn’t fit. Private money may provide the flexibility needed for unique properties, timing, equity, or borrower circumstances. Have a real estate opportunity that needs financing? Let’s talk about how private money can help.  We recently came across a map comparing what households earn on average, with what it takes to comfortably buy a median-priced home in every state.  Have to admit it was hard not to stop and look a little closer! The numbers vary dramatically depending on where you live, but the bigger story is surprisingly consistent: In 37 states, the median household income falls below the estimated income needed to comfortably purchas...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
We recently came across a map comparing what households earn on average, with what it takes to comfortably buy a median-priced home in every state.  Have to admit it was hard not to stop and look a little closer! The numbers vary dramatically depending on where you live, but the bigger story is surprisingly consistent: In 37 states, the median household income falls below the estimated income needed to comfortably purchase a median-priced home.The data, compiled by MoneyLion using information from the U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FRED and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, shows just how different that gap can look from one part of the country to another. Hawaii has the largest shortfall, with a median household income of about $100,000 compared with more than $216,00...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
📈🏠 MORTGAGE RATES CLIMBED IN AUGUST — SO WHAT'S PUSHING THEM HIGHER?If you're waiting for mortgage rates to make a dramatic move lower, August brought another reminder:Mortgage rates don't move based on the Fed alone.A lot of the action happens in the bond market.According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.67% in August, up 13 basis points from July.The 15-year fixed averaged 5.98%, up 7 basis points from July.And since the conflict in the Middle East began, the 30-year mortgage rate has increased by more than 60 basis points.So what's behind the move?🌎 GLOBAL MARKETS ARE PLAYING A BIG ROLEThe 10-year Treasury yield—which is an important benchmark for long-term borrowing—averaged 4.68% in August, up 10 basis points from July.Investors are watching several maj...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🚨🏡 POLITICS, THE FED & MORTGAGE RATES — WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR HOMEOWNERS?There’s a lot happening in Washington and on Wall Street right now, and if you're buying a home, refinancing, or watching mortgage rates, it’s worth paying attention.President Trump recently called for lower interest rates and said he could stop trading with countries where the U.S. runs a trade deficit if rates aren't lowered. The comments came after the August jobs report showed stronger-than-expected job growth.But here's where things get interesting…📈 THE FED HAS A DIFFERENT JOB TO DO.The Federal Reserve is balancing employment, economic growth, and inflation when making monetary-policy decisions.At its July meeting, the Fed left its target range unchanged, while three voting members dissented and preferred a q...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🚨🏡 MORTGAGE RATES ARE INCHING TOWARD 7% — HERE WE GO AGAIN. 📈If you've been waiting for mortgage rates to fall, the latest move is a reminder of just how unpredictable this market can be.According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 6.71% for the week ending September 3.That's the highest level since July 2025.And the 15-year fixed rate jumped to 6.04%, up from 5.98% the previous week.So what's pushing rates higher?📈 Global bond-market pressure🔥 Persistent inflation concerns🛢️ Higher oil prices💰 Concerns surrounding the nation's massive debt📊 Rising Treasury yieldsThe 10-year Treasury yield climbed to approximately 4.74%, putting additional pressure on mortgage pricing.But here's what I really want buyers and homeowners to understand…🏡 DON'T LET THE RATE H...
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By Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI 623-582-4444
(Level 4 Funding )
Buying a House with Bad CreditBad credit does not automatically block investors from buying property, but it changes which lenders and timelines are realistic. This guide cuts straight to how credit score, qualifying for a home loan, and other underwriting rules change your options - when conventional and government programs will stall a deal and when private hard money lender, using Level 4 Funding as a practical collateral-focused example, is the faster alternative. You will get clear decision criteria, the documents and metrics private lenders prioritize, and a checklist to close quickly without waiting months for credit repair.How credit score impacts access to conventional and government-backed mortgagesDirect effect: Lenders treat credit scores as a shortcut measure of borrower ri...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 3.59% CANHOU 12/15/31 [+0.03%]     10 Year - 4.07% CANHOU 03/15/37 [+0.02%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 2.55% [+0.01%]     Prime Rate 4.45% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 3.10% CAN 08/01/28 [+0.03%]     3 Year - 3.19% CAN 03/01/29 [+0.03%]     5 Year - 3.40% CAN 03/01/31 [+0.03%]     10 Year - 3.77% CAN 06/01/36 [+0.02%]    
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By Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI 623-582-4444
(Level 4 Funding )
You've come across the ideal house—the yard is large, the neighborhood is quiet, and the price is acceptable. But then the bank's bureaucracy gets in the way; it requires sixty days to complete the transaction and a huge number of W2 forms that you can't provide since you're an entrepreneur. (Team, 2026) If you're fed up with being outbid by cash buyers, owner-occupied hard money loans can give you the speed you need in order to keep up. Traditional lenders work according to strict checklists and ignore your real financial position. It's a nightmare to watch your dream home disappear while you wait for a loan officer to get in touch—with that experience, you have no reason to put up with it.It's annoying when the system lets you down simply because you don't fit into a tidy category. We...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
We pulled together some of the latest July housing data for Sonoma County because we wanted a clearer picture of what is actually happening locally in the communities we regularly do business in. At first glance, the countywide numbers suggest a market that is settling into a slower, more balanced pace. But once we started looking city by city, the story became much more interesting.Across Sonoma County, 364 single-family homes sold in July, down 6.2% from the previous month. The median sales price was $835,000, which was down 4.6% from June and 1.2% from the same time last year. Homes also took a little longer to sell, with average days on market increasing to 53. At the same time, properties were still selling for about 97% of their original asking price.The numbers point to a market ...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
If you've been half-listening to real estate chatter this summer, you've probably picked up the idea that things are finally opening up for buyers. More listings, more breathing room, more time to think it over. That narrative has pretty much been everywhere.The numbers tell a different story however. As of June, California had 106,880 homes for sale, down 6% from the same time last year. Meanwhile, home sales were actually up nearly 4.5% year over year. Homes are selling faster than new ones are hitting the market, which is the definition of a market getting tighter, not looser.That gap matters more than it sounds. It means buyers waiting for more options and less competition are working off an assumption that isn't holding up. And it means agents fielding the "should we wait?" questio...
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By Andrews Collen Guide Real Estate, California Real Estate in Orange County
(Orange County Real Estate Group)
The real estate market gives investors plenty of opportunities, but having access to those opportunities does not make every property a good investment. Property prices can change, demand can shift, interest rates can affect affordability and an investment that looks promising today may look very different a year from now. Without a clear process, it is easy to make decisions based on what the market happens to be doing at that moment.A real estate investment plan provides some structure. It sets out how you will approach property investments before real money and emotions are involved. While a plan cannot remove risk or predict exactly what the property market will do next, it can make your decisions more consistent.For both new and experienced investors, that consistency matters.What ...
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By Jacob Maslow, Your Brooklyn Connection
(Torsx)
A 67-year-old retiree in Tampa sat through a 95-minute reverse mortgage counseling session in February 2025 and walked out unable to name a single alternative to the loan she had applied for. Her counselor had followed the script. The script had failed her. Counseling is the gate every federally insured reverse mortgage borrower must pass, and the quality of that gate determines whether the borrower understands what they are signing. The rules are specific. The execution is uneven.The Counseling MandateEvery borrower seeking a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, the federally insured reverse mortgage that accounts for more than 90 percent of the US market, must complete counseling with an agency approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development before the lender can process the a...
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By Jacob Maslow, Your Brooklyn Connection
(Torsx)
A dentist in Leeds bought a surgery in 2024 and assumed the mortgage would feel like the one she took out on her flat in 2022. She submitted two years of personal tax returns, three months of payslips, and a bank statement. The commercial lender asked for three years of business accounts, a rent roll from the prior tenant, and a personal guarantee. The file took 11 weeks, not the four she had budgeted. Residential and commercial underwriting share a vocabulary and almost no mechanics.The Borrower Versus the PropertyResidential underwriting assesses the borrower. The lender wants to confirm the individual can service the debt from personal income, and the property is the collateral. Commercial underwriting assesses the property. The lender wants to confirm the asset can service the debt ...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡📞 BEFORE YOU ASK YOUR LENDER, “WHAT’S YOUR RATE?” — ASK THESE QUESTIONS FIRST.☺️ Almost every first call starts the same way:“What’s your rate?”And I completely understand. It’s the number everyone sees online.But here’s the problem…The rate is only ONE piece of your mortgage.If I were sitting on the other side of the desk, these are the questions I’d be asking:✔️ Which loan programs actually fit my situation — and WHY?✔️ Are we building a mortgage strategy around both my short-term AND long-term financial goals?🔥 This one is BIG.✔️ What is my TOTAL cash to close?Not just the down payment — I want to understand the whole picture.✔️ Who is actually handling my loan day-to-day?And more importantly… who do I call when something goes sideways at 4:30 on a Friday? 😳✔️ How quickly can you ty...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
Imagine you've spent decades building your wealth.Maybe you sold a business years ago. Maybe you've built a successful career, accumulated investment properties, or simply made smart financial decisions over time. Whatever your journey looked like, you've reached a point where you have choices.One afternoon you're meeting with your financial advisor, reviewing your portfolio and discussing what's next. Before the meeting wraps up, they ask a simple question: "You have another $100,000 available to invest. Where would you like to put it?"For a moment, you pause.Twenty years ago the answer may have come quickly. Buy another rental property. Put it into the stock market. Pay down your mortgage. Each option seemed fairly straightforward.Today's market feels different however.Interest rates ...
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By John Lake, Sarasota, Cape Cod Mortgage Banker
(loanDepot)
The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data released yesterday came in higher than preferred, keeping upward pressure on bond yields and sending mortgage rates slightly higher.   Key Impact & Market Reaction Hotter Inflation Data: Core PCE inflation came in elevated at around 3.3% year-over-year. Because PCE is the Federal Reserve's primary gauge for inflation, the hot reading reinforces concerns that the Fed will keep benchmark interest rates elevated for longer. Bond Market Sell-Off: Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and 10-year Treasury yields which directly influence mortgage pricing—sold off following the release. Mortgage Rate Movement: The higher-than-expected inflation reading pushed average 30-year fixed rates up slightly, with daily rate benchmarks inching up to ...
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By John Lake, Sarasota, Cape Cod Mortgage Banker
(loanDepot)
The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data released yesterday came in higher than preferred, keeping upward pressure on bond yields and sending mortgage rates slightly higher.    Key Impact & Market ReactionHotter Inflation Data: Core PCE inflation came in elevated at around 3.3% year-over-year. Because PCE is the Federal Reserve's primary gauge for inflation, the hot reading reinforces concerns that the Fed will keep benchmark interest rates elevated for longer.    Bond Market Sell-Off: Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and 10-year Treasury yields which directly influence mortgage pricing—sold off following the release.Mortgage Rate Movement: The higher-than-expected inflation reading pushed average 30-year fixed rates up slightly, with daily rate benchmarks inching up t...
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