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Blog

21 Jul, 2025

“Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life outta nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops. (Where did you think that was going?)” Lots of people want to know what to expect with interest rates and, surprisingly, pay some firms to predict the future. (Everyone out there is striving for business regardless of the direction of interest rates.) Here’s something for free: Morgan Stanley, for one, doesn’t see any Fed rate cuts until 2026. LOs can depend on interest rates for their livelihood: ongoing subdued mortgage originations are forcing mortgage brokers, and MLOs in general, to move beyond just agency originations to other loan products such as non-QM, home-equity, and investor financing. Such alternative offerings provide a lifeline to additional income avenues for originators. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s podcasts are sponsored by Wholesale Mortgage Direct (WMD), whose mission is to deliver high demand, innovative products unique to the wholesale industry, including MyEQNow, which is one-of-a-kind TraDigital HELOC platform. WMD is your trusted partner for innovative HELOC, NonQM and/or Reverse options. Interview with ABL’s Kevin Rodman on how hard money lending has evolved, what innovations are shaping the future, and why private capital is gaining ground in today’s high-rate, high-stakes real estate market.) Products, Services, and Software for Lenders and Brokers “Your AI Command Center for HELOCs! NFTYDoor just launched its most powerful platform yet: an AI-powered HELOC experience built to help you move faster, communicate smarter, and scale with ease. 1-Minute Application: Whether it’s you or your borrower, get instant PreQual results… Some “Fast Pass” loans close in as little as same day. Built-In Chat + SMS. No more email chains. Instantly message our team or your borrower: everything in one place. Designed to Scale: Add your assistant, customize your notifications, and streamline how you manage your pipeline. This isn’t just a LOS. It’s your all-in-one task manager, communication hub, and real-time visibility engine. Built with transparency. Designed for maximum conversion. Now live on NFTYDoor: digital HELOCs made fast, simple, and profitable. Want to see it in action? Register for our live demo THIS Wednesday at 1pm ET.”

20 Jul, 2025

Florida home affordability is increasingly strained. The median home price in Florida reached approximately $420,000 in late 2023/early 2024, substantially higher than the national median. Significant property insurance cost increases often exceed $6,000 annually, adding thousands to the actual cost of homeownership. Rising interest rates compound the affordability issue, making mortgages more expensive. Many Florida markets are considered overvalued, increasing risks for buyers. A large percentage of Florida residents are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing. Limited housing supply, especially in desirable coastal areas, drives up prices. Income growth is not keeping pace with the rise in housing costs. Certain areas like Miami, Naples, and Sarasota face extreme affordability challenges.

19 Jul, 2025

* Homes with professional real estate photos sell 32% faster.
* Listings with professional photos garner 118% more online views.
* High-quality photography can boost sales prices by up to $11,000.
* 90% of home buyers start their search online, making photos crucial.
* Professional photographers understand composition, lighting, and editing to showcase properties effectively in Florida’s unique environment.
* Properties in Florida with drone photography and video tours attract more attention, highlighting coastal or landscape features.
* Virtual tours and 3D models can increase buyer interest and engagement.
* HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography captures the bright Florida sun and interior details.

18 Jul, 2025

Florida offers resources to assist first-time homebuyers. Key programs include down payment and closing cost assistance, potentially reducing upfront expenses by thousands. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) is a primary resource. Eligibility typically requires income limits (varying by county and household size), credit score minimums (often 620 or higher), and completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Loan options may include Florida Housing Loan Program, Military Heroes Loan Program, and Homeownership Loan Program (HELP). Interest rates and loan terms vary. In 2023, the median sales price for existing single-family homes in Florida was roughly $400,000, making affordability a significant concern. These programs aim to bridge that gap. Available funding is often limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

18 Jul, 2025

At the end of a week with a few big ticket economic reports and unexpected headline-induced volatility, who wouldn’t like a break?  Friday’s calendar offers respite with only Consumer Sentiment and residential construction numbers.  Neither are market movers.  As such, because bonds were green overnight, they remain green as we head into the afternoon. If markets closed right now, we’d be perfectly unchanged on the week.

17 Jul, 2025

Florida real estate flipping offers profit potential due to strong population growth and diverse markets. Key strategies involve identifying undervalued properties, securing financing (cash, hard money loans), and efficient renovations. Average gross profit margins can range from 10-20%, but higher returns are possible with strategic deals. Important factors include accurate ARV (After Repair Value) assessment and managing renovation costs, which can easily exceed budget. Recent data indicates an average hold time of 6-12 months for flipped properties in Florida. Top markets include Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville due to relative affordability and demand. Common pitfalls involve overpaying for properties, underestimating repair costs, and failing to secure necessary permits. Understanding local market trends and building a reliable contractor network are crucial for success.

17 Jul, 2025

“I forgot to put the seat belt on my five-year-old boy this morning and as we were leaving the trailer park, somebody shouted, ‘You’re an irresponsible father!’ I yelled, “Who the hell said that?! Stop the car, son!’” Lenders know that not all manufactured homes are trailers, and in fact there are some great MHs out there. In a few weeks I head to Michigan for the MMLA conference. It turns out that that over 25 percent of manufactured homes in Michigan are owned by private equity or similar entities per the Private Equity Manufactured Housing Tracker. In 2020 and 2021, they accounted for 23 percent of all manufactured home purchases, up from 13 percent between 2017 and 2019. Housing market trends will be discussed in today’s The Big Picture will start at 11:15AM PT, with Pete Mills from the Mortgage Bankers Association also discussing upcoming policy developments, GSE reform and the MBS guarantee, and what the MBA is watching. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s are sponsored by Ocrolus. Ocrolus is transforming the mortgage industry with AI-powered data and analytics, featuring cutting-edge tools for automated indexing, income analysis, and discrepancy insights that empower underwriters to make timely, confident lending decisions. Hear an interview with Garrett, McAuley & Co.’s Joe Garrett on the future of mortgage commissions, debating whether automation, shrinking margins, and smarter underwriting tools will make 100-basis points payouts a thing of the past.)

17 Jul, 2025

“I forgot to put the seat belt on my five-year-old boy this morning and as we were leaving the trailer park, somebody shouted, ‘You’re an irresponsible father!’ I yelled, “Who the hell said that?! Stop the car, son!’” Lenders know that not all manufactured homes are trailers, and in fact there are some great MHs out there. In a few weeks I head to Michigan for the MMLA conference. It turns out that that over 25 percent of manufactured homes in Michigan are owned by private equity or similar entities per the Private Equity Manufactured Housing Tracker. In 2020 and 2021, they accounted for 23 percent of all manufactured home purchases, up from 13 percent between 2017 and 2019. Housing market trends will be discussed in today’s The Big Picture will start at 11:15AM PT, with Pete Mills from the Mortgage Bankers Association also discussing upcoming policy developments, GSE reform and the MBS guarantee, and what the MBA is watching. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s are sponsored by Ocrolus. Ocrolus is transforming the mortgage industry with AI-powered data and analytics, featuring cutting-edge tools for automated indexing, income analysis, and discrepancy insights that empower underwriters to make timely, confident lending decisions. Hear an interview with Garrett, McAuley & Co.’s Joe Garrett on the future of mortgage commissions, debating whether automation, shrinking margins, and smarter underwriting tools will make 100-basis points payouts a thing of the past.)

17 Jul, 2025

“I forgot to put the seat belt on my five-year-old boy this morning and as we were leaving the trailer park, somebody shouted, ‘You’re an irresponsible father!’ I yelled, “Who the hell said that?! Stop the car, son!’” Lenders know that not all manufactured homes are trailers, and in fact there are some great MHs out there. In a few weeks I head to Michigan for the MMLA conference. It turns out that that over 25 percent of manufactured homes in Michigan are owned by private equity or similar entities per the Private Equity Manufactured Housing Tracker. In 2020 and 2021, they accounted for 23 percent of all manufactured home purchases, up from 13 percent between 2017 and 2019. Housing market trends will be discussed in today’s The Big Picture will start at 11:15AM PT, with Pete Mills from the Mortgage Bankers Association also discussing upcoming policy developments, GSE reform and the MBS guarantee, and what the MBA is watching. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s are sponsored by Ocrolus. Ocrolus is transforming the mortgage industry with AI-powered data and analytics, featuring cutting-edge tools for automated indexing, income analysis, and discrepancy insights that empower underwriters to make timely, confident lending decisions. Hear an interview with Garrett, McAuley & Co.’s Joe Garrett on the future of mortgage commissions, debating whether automation, shrinking margins, and smarter underwriting tools will make 100-basis points payouts a thing of the past.)

16 Jul, 2025

Florida’s real estate market faces uncertainty. While prices rose significantly during the pandemic, fueled by migration and low interest rates, experts predict a potential slowdown. Inventory remains low in many areas, but rising mortgage rates are impacting affordability and demand.

Key Facts & Figures:

* Median home prices in Florida increased substantially from 2020-2023.
* Rising interest rates (above 7% as of late 2023) are cooling buyer demand.
* Inventory levels are still below pre-pandemic norms, but are increasing in some markets.
* Property insurance costs are a significant concern, deterring some buyers.
* Migration to Florida, while still positive, has slowed compared to peak pandemic years.
* Some experts predict price stabilization or modest corrections in specific areas, while others forecast continued, albeit slower, growth.
* Affordability is a major challenge, especially for first-time homebuyers.