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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 - 3.33% CANHOU 12/15/31 [-0.03%]     10 Year - 3.76% CANHOU 09/15/36 [-0.03%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 2.53% [-]     Prime Rate 4.45% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.84% CAN 05/01/28 [-0.01%]     3 Year - 2.96% CAN 03/01/29 [-0.01%]     5 Year - 3.15% CAN 03/01/31 [-0.03%]     10 Year - 3.53% CAN 06/01/36 [-0.04%]    
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
Over the last few weeks, we've had several conversations with brokers, investors, and clients asking about the large housing bill that recently passed through Congress and why it suddenly hit a pause before becoming law.Whenever something gets labeled as the biggest housing legislation in decades, people naturally want to know what it means for the market.The honest answer?Probably not much in the short term. Real estate tends to move slower than the headlines.Policies get debated, modified, delayed, and revisited. Local markets continue doing what local markets have always done. Buyers keep looking for homes, investors keep searching for opportunities, and borrowers still need financing solutions that fit their situations.The bigger conversation, in our opinion, isn't really about one ...
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By Stephen Steakley, Straight talk on Texas mortgages. 25 years in.
(CrossCountry Mortgage)
For every realtor with a self-employed buyer who just got a head-scratcher of a denial — and every business owner who took it personally: this one is for you. Originally published on the Steakley Mortgage blog.Here's a pattern I've watched repeat for 25 years, and it never stops being ridiculous.A W-2 employee making $85,000 a year walks into a bank and gets a mortgage approval in a week. A business owner who runs payroll for six of those employees, drives a paid-off truck, and moves $40,000 a month through her business account walks into the same bank and gets denied.She didn't do anything wrong. Her paperwork did.America is minting business owners faster than banks can say noThe Census Bureau counted about 524,000 new business applications in May 2026 alone — and more than 70% of thos...
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By Stephen Steakley, Straight talk on Texas mortgages. 25 years in.
(CrossCountry Mortgage)
A Central Texas note before we start: Stephen and Julie live in the Austin area, and this guide is written for Texas homeowners — including the 80% homestead rule most national articles skip. Originally published on the Steakley Mortgage blog.Somewhere around 2021, you locked in a mortgage rate that starts with a 2 or a 3, and you've been quietly smug about it ever since. Good. You earned it. Never give it up.Here's the problem: your house went up a few hundred grand in value, your kid needs tuition, your kitchen is from the Clinton administration, or your credit cards are charging you rates that should require a ski mask — and every article you read says the only way to get at your equity is to refinance.That's wrong, and it's been wrong the whole time. Let me explain, because after 25...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
Every rental property owner hits a moment where the original plan stops making as much sense as it used to. The question is whether you notice it before the market makes the decision for you.Holding is comfortable, and often the right call. A property with stable cash flow, consistent tenants, and favorable financing is hard to argue with. But equity builds quietly over time, and a lot of rental owners are sitting on significantly more than they realize without a plan for what to do with it. A property that doubled in value over five years may still look fine on the surface while the actual return on that equity has quietly shrunk.Selling makes sense when appreciation has run ahead of fundamentals, when a 1031 exchange can roll gains into a stronger position, or when the property simply...
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By Franz Sag, SBLC & Bank Guarantee Real Estate Exposure
(Bear Capital Ventures Limited)
Real Estate Financing with Bank Guarantees: Understanding Types, Benefits, and Business ApplicationsReal estate development requires more than a strong market opportunity and valuable assets. Large-scale property projects depend on reliable financing structures, investor confidence, and financial security between developers, contractors, lenders, and business partners.Because real estate transactions often involve significant capital commitments and long-term contractual obligations, businesses need financial instruments that reduce risk and strengthen trust. One of the most widely recognized instruments used to support these transactions is the Bank Guarantee (BG).A Bank Guarantee provides assurance that contractual or financial obligations will be fulfilled, helping real estate develo...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 3.31% CANHOU 12/15/31 [-0.03%]     10 Year - 3.75% CANHOU 09/15/36 [-0.03%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 2.53% [-]     Prime Rate 4.45% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.83% CAN 05/01/28 [-]     3 Year - 2.94% CAN 03/01/29 [-]     5 Year - 3.13% CAN 03/01/31 [-0.03%]     10 Year - 3.52% CAN 06/01/36 [-0.03%]    
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By Melvin List, Purchase Specialist
(https://www.flbestrate.com/)
At C2 Financial, we offer specialized Zero Down Payment Doctor Loans (also known as Physician Loans or Doctor Loans) designed exclusively for high-earning medical professionals across Florida. These powerful 100% financing programs let qualified doctors purchase or refinance a home with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and flexible guidelines that recognize the unique career path of physicians.Who Qualifies for Doctor Loans in Florida?Our Physician Loan program is available to the following licensed professionals: Medical Doctor (MD) Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) Doctor of Dental Science or Surgery (DDS) Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Doctor of Ophthalmology (MD or DO) Doctor of Psychiatry (MD or DO) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VM...
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By John Lake, Sarasota and Cape Cod Mortgage Ba
(loanDepot)
After 18 incredible years with Shamrock Home Loans, I have decided to make a change. I am deeply grateful for the memories made and the fantastic people I’ve worked alongside at Shamrock. To my amazing Realtors, referral partners, and clients—thank you. Together, we have helped so many families achieve the dream of homeownership while managing mortgage debt to keep it truly affordable.Today, I am excited to announce that I am beginning a new chapter in my career by joining the team at loanDepot!In today's volatile real estate market, having the right support matters more than ever. I am thrilled to continue providing the highest level of service, dedication, and commitment to making the mortgage process as seamless and stress-free as possible for my clients and partners.Let’s connect an...
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By Melvin List, Purchase Specialist
(https://www.flbestrate.com/)
Florida’s veteran community is one of the largest in the nation, and many service members and retirees dream of building a custom home tailored to the Sunshine State lifestyle. With strong population growth and limited inventory in popular areas like Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, South Florida, and the Panhandle, a VA one-time construction loan (also called a VA OTC or construction-to-permanent loan) offers an outstanding solution. As a dedicated Loan Officer at C2 Financial serving all of Florida from Tampa, I’m Melvin List (NMLS #123087), and I specialize in helping veterans navigate this powerful financing option. Here’s why the VA one-time close construction loan stands out as one of the smartest ways to build in Florida in 2026.What Is a VA One-Time Close Construction Loan?A V...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
Your deal is good. Your credit is good. Your bank still said no.If you own rental properties in California and have tried to add another one through a conventional lender, you may have already hit this wall. Not because anything went wrong, but because the loan product you are using was never designed for someone in your position.Here is what happens: Conventional lenders calculate your debt-to-income ratio using every mortgage you currently carry. The rental income from those properties only partially offsets what shows up as debt on paper. By the time you apply for a third or fourth purchase, your DTI has often climbed past the 43% - 45% threshold that most banks require, regardless of how well the properties are performing. The deals are sound. The financing structure just has a ceil...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
I think we have all been watching the California housing market and waiting for it to take a breath, but of course, it just set another record instead!The story underneath this headline is more interesting than the number itself. The market is not rising evenly, it’s splitting in two, and where you sit in that divide matters a lot right now.According to the California Association of REALTORS, the statewide median hit $930,260 in May, the second consecutive record. At the top end, things are moving fast! A record 38.5% of all statewide sales were million-dollar homes, with transactions in the 1 million to 2 million ranges up 8.2% year-over-year, and above 2 million was up 8.5%.  And that segment of the market is not slowing down.The “mid market” is a different story however. Homes priced...
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By Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI 623-582-4444
(Level 4 Funding )
Beyond private financing, consider government loans, traditional lenders, and personal equity.The overview below outlines popular loan options for investors, including those suitable for less-than-perfect credit.203K Loan: Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, 203K loans are available to eligible buyers looking to purchase and rehabilitate older or damaged properties. Only owner-occupants may apply for this loan, and the property must require repairs that meet FHA standards.Home Equity Loan: Homeowners with enough equity may qualify for a home equity loan or line of credit. Eligibility typically requires a solid credit profile and adequate collateral.FHA Loan: Designed for those with imperfect credit or limited funds for a down payment, FHA loans are available only to buyers int...
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By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
The loan or credit card application process is not just about filling out an application; it's about demonstrating that the application has been well organized by providing financial documentation. Lenders use the documents on your loan application, and your credit application records, to determine how much money you earn, how you spend it, how much debt you have, and how much you have to pay. If you don't have an organized system, you can suffer delays, mistakes, or even be turned down.A good financial record keeping system will help you to be able to ready any document a lender may ask for quickly. It also demonstrates responsibility and preparedness, which can positively influence a lender’s decision. Appropriate organization enables the applicants to prevent last minute scrambles, r...
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By Tammie Jungling, Strategic Mortgage Solutions for Florida & Georgia
(Certainty Home Lending)
Happy Friday!Markets were closed today in observance of the Independence Day holiday weekend, but Thursday provided encouraging news for mortgage borrowers.A weaker-than-expected June employment report suggested the labor market is continuing to cool. That helped improve the bond market and eased some pressure on mortgage rates heading into the holiday weekend. While rates continue to move daily, this week's direction was slightly better than last week.This Week's Market Snapshot Mortgage rates improved slightly compared to last week. The June Jobs Report showed hiring slowed and previous months were revised lower. Markets interpreted the report as supportive for mortgage bonds. Bond and stock markets closed Friday for the Independence Day holiday. What This Means for BuyersEven small i...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 3.23% CANHOU 12/15/31 [-0.04%]     10 Year - 3.67% CANHOU 09/15/36 [-0.03%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 2.53% [-]     Prime Rate 4.45% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.74% CAN 05/01/28 [-0.04%]     3 Year - 2.85% CAN 03/01/29 [-0.03%]     5 Year - 3.04% CAN 03/01/31 [-0.04%]     10 Year - 3.43% CAN 06/01/36 [-0.03%]  
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡🎉 Hey Melanie Rybarski & Laura Sandoval what a perfect way to close out the month—with back-to-back closings! 🎉🏡Mark & Michele We wish you nothing but happiness, wonderful memories, and many years of making this house your home.Thank you for trusting us to be part of such an important milestone. It was truly our pleasure to assist you throughout the mortgage process, and we hope you'll continue to look to us as your trusted mortgage advisor for years to come.If you ever have questions about your mortgage or other financial needs, we're just a phone call away. And if we can't help directly, we have an outstanding network of trusted professionals who can.The greatest compliment we can receive is your referral. If you know a friend, family member, or coworker who is thinking about buying ...
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By Ken & Ari Walker - Husband & Wife Team, Your Direct Private Money Source
(Pacific Direct Mortgage)
One of the more interesting things about real estate investing is that the best opportunities often don't look very exciting at first glance.In fact, if you lined up some of the most profitable deals next to the prettiest homes on the market, many investors would probably choose the wrong property.That's because value isn't always hiding in a fresh coat of paint or a perfectly staged living room. Sometimes it's hiding in a floor plan that no longer fits how people live today.A few decades ago, formal dining rooms and formal living rooms were considered “must have” features. Families entertained differently so homes were designed differently, and those spaces served an important purpose.Today, many buyers are looking for something else:An extra bedroom.A home office.A private space for e...
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By Darren Copeland, National Mortgage Broker. KC Market Expert.
(Summit Lending)
How does someone go from growing up in Kansas City to becoming National Broker of the Year? For Darren Copeland, it didn't start with awards or a business plan. It started with a promise he made to himself as a five-year-old.Recently named National Broker of the Year by AIME, Darren's recognition reflects years of leadership, performance, and commitment to helping families achieve homeownership. But the real story began decades earlier right here in the Kansas City area.Growing Up in Kansas CityDarren introduces himself simply:"I'm Darren Copeland, President and CEO of Summit Lending here in Lee's Summit."Like many local families, his childhood wasn't about luxury—it was about making the most of what they had.He grew up with a hardworking single mom, neighborhood sports, and lifelong fr...
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By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Commercial Bond Yields CMB 5 Year - 3.23% CANHOU 12/15/31 [+0.05%]     10 Year - 3.66% CANHOU 09/15/36 [+0.06%]     Floating Rate insured cost of funds 2.53% [-]     Prime Rate 4.45% [-]     GoC 2 Year - 2.76% CAN 05/01/28 [+0.03%]     3 Year - 2.86% CAN 03/01/29 [+0.03%]     5 Year - 3.04% CAN 03/01/31 [+0.05%]     10 Year - 3.42% CAN 06/01/36 [+0.06%]  
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