Brokers, get ready – Economic outlook, market predictions & key opportunities
Mortgage Professional America
Insider coverage of the real estate and mortgage industries, with innovation, tips and info you won't find in the press.
In today's Mortgage Minute
?? The power of collaboration—why brokers shouldn’t go it alone
?? Rate uncertainty—should your clients lock it in now?
?? What happens if the CFPB disappears?
?? The latest push for mortgage industry reforms
?? Seniors are cashing out—what’s driving the trend?
?? And more…
Pro Tips & Tactics | Actionable advice to boost leads, retain clients, and drive profits.
one of the biggest misconceptions about becoming an independent mortgage broker is that it’s a solo journey. While in the past brokers who chose to strike out on their own often lacked the resources, training, and community that their retail counterparts enjoyed, today, that landscape has changed — largely due to organizations like the AIME .
“If you want control over your business, better pricing options, and the ability to offer more solutions to your clients, the broker channel is hard to beat,” Dempsey says.
Sun West Mortgage CEO Pavan Agarwal warns that market uncertainty makes timing critical. His advice?
“If you have a borrower with the money and there’s a true benefit to refinance, I would always advise them to take the trade, lock it in.”
Industry Pulse | Expert insights on market moves and what they mean for you.
Mortgage professionals across the US are preparing for what's sure to be a busy 12 months ahead, with plenty of twists and turns expected in 2025. How should they be readying for that market - and what's needed to eke out business in the coming year?
We caught up with Kristin O'Neil of Open Door Lending to hear what she's been keeping top of mind about her approach to 2025.
Trending Now | This week’s must-read mortgage news – stay in the loop.
The Trump administration is continuing to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), issuing termination notices to dozens of employees this week just days after its offices were shuttered and activity halted at the watchdog.
“I’m sure it would be disruptive in the short term until it’s settled out what laws we’re now reverting back to and [whether those encompass everything – even just the changes over the last five years within the industry,” said Rebecca Richardson, AMP of The Mortgage Mentor . .
Central bank has given little indication of its path ahead amid political and economic chaos.
Rochelle Shelly Antoniewicz , chief economist at the Investment Company Institute (ICI), told Mortgage Professional America that "inflation is going to be the key factor they’re going to look at, particularly if tariffs go into place, and if there are reciprocal tariffs they’ll be looking at the potential estimate for inflation."
“It could be a one-time bump up in prices – so if we’ve got no escalating tariffs but just a one-time bump in tariffs, you get a one-time bump in prices. We’d see a big increase in inflation if that happens in that period."
Specialty Highlights | Hot niche markets to watch: your guide to growth.
Skyrocketing credit report costs are a growing scourge for mortgage borrowers and brokers alike – and moving to bring those fees lower requires urgent action, according to the NAMB - National Association of Mortgage Brokers .
NAMB president Jim Nabors hit out at those rising costs and said the association was proposing a simplified structure to ease some of the price pressures for borrowers.
Meanwhile, Valerie Saunders , NAMB’s chief executive strategist, pointed out that, in addition to FICO’s charges, borrowers are required to pay three credit bureaus’ fees – and the credit reporting company providing the reports is also a third party to the bureaus.
A cost-of-living crisis coupled with inflation and mounting rates means that for many the benefits outweigh the stress of moving in later life. Elena Boland , from Wholesale Mortgage Services, LLC , said she’s seen a boom in the number of downsizing clients over the past few years – especially in the Northern Nevada market.
“Downsizing isn't just a financial decision; it's about improving the quality of life,” she said. “Many seniors in our area are moving from larger homes with high maintenance to more manageable living spaces."
美国银行 (BofA) is reportedly in talks to acquire a $9 billion portfolio of jumbo mortgages from TD as the Canadian lender works to trim assets and comply with US regulatory limits.
Question of the week: What’s one partnership that has helped you grow your mortgage business?