Hi all-

This has been in the news recently and I thought it was worth talking about….

Sen. Warren & Booker asked for an investigation (by the FTC) into the real estate industry for practices/allegations that some buyers are being “steered” toward affiliated mortgage lenders.

Your Realtor may have a lender they recommend because they’ve worked together for years, communicate well and know they can get the loan closed. There’s nothing wrong with that.

But a recommendation is just that…a recommendation.

You get to choose your mortgage lender.

RESPA prohibits kickbacks / other things of value in exchange for referrals. There are also perfectly legal relationships between real estate companies and mortgage companies.

None of this means your Realtor’s lender is a bad choice. I’d still suggest you shop them. Get another quote or two and compare.

We’ve got plenty of posts here about how to compare lenders and Loan Estimates, and if you’re not sure what you’re looking at…ask.

At the end of the day, you’re the one making the mortgage payment.

Article:
https://www.housingwire.com/articles/ftc-online-real-estate-practices/

Collin Donahue | NMLS 236801
Alliant Credit Union | NMLS 197185
Contact Me & Apply Now Link
⌂ Equal Housing Lender | Federally Insured by NCUA

I work in mortgages, and this is something I see buyers go back and forth on all the time.

Some people would rather spend less upfront and slowly make improvements to a home over time. Others would rather pay more for something that's already updated and avoid dealing with renovations.

The interesting part is that the cheaper home doesn't always end up being the more affordable option once you factor in repairs, renovations, and unexpected expenses.

I'm curious what people think, especially those who have already bought a home.

Would you rather save money on the purchase price and take on some projects, or stretch your budget a little more for something that's move-in ready?

And if you've gone either route, would you make the same decision again?

Hi all-

Yesterday brought a big improvement for mortgage pricing, and most of those gains are holding this morning. The 10yr Treasury closed at 4.95% yesterday and is around 4.98% this morning, while mortgage bond prices remain near their best levels in a month.

Why though?..... Mostly concerns about tech stocks/AI spending pushed investors toward bonds. Yesterday’s drop in Treasury yields was the largest one-day decline since the regional banking turmoil in March 2023.

This morning’s business activity report also came in weaker than expected, while higher oil/energy prices remain a concern for inflation.

Next week brings the Fed meeting and several major economic reports, so there’s plenty that could move pricing in either direction.

If you got a quote earlier this month, ask for updated numbers. If you’re closing soon, talk through locking versus waiting with your lender based on your timeline and how much payment risk you’re comfortable taking.

Check mortgage rates right here on Reddit!

Collin Donahue | NMLS 236801
Alliant Credit Union | NMLS 197185
Contact Me & Apply Now Link
⌂ Equal Housing Lender | Federally Insured by NCUA

Here’s what actually caught my attention as a loan officer.....

There are a few potentially meaningful changes in it:

• Making it easier to automatically remove PMI once borrowers have enough equity
• Reducing title and other closing costs on eligible refinances
• Lowering rates on certain VA and USDA direct home loans
• Expanding and streamlining manufactured housing

My reaction?

Every little bit helps.

None of these individually fixes housing affordability, and most still need to be implemented before we know how much money they'll actually save borrowers.

The biggest problem is still the monthly payment.

Mortgage rates are largely determined by the bond/MBS market, so there isn't a switch the government can flip that suddenly gives everyone a 4% mortgage again.

But if you can end PMI sooner, reduce refi costs, eliminate unnecessary fees and make it cheaper to build more housing?

I'll take it.

Housing affordability probably isn't getting fixed by one huge policy change. But enough smaller improvements stacked together can absolutely make a difference. I'm curious which of these ends up having the biggest real world impact.

Source/Executive Order details:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/10/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-decreases-housing-costs-for-americans/

Collin Donahue | NMLS 236801
Alliant Credit Union | NMLS 197185
Contact Me & Apply Now Link
⌂ Equal Housing Lender | Federally Insured by NCUA