Just in time for the holidays, Troy Palmquist looks at how this legacy manufacturer bounced back from a market downturn and how agents can, too A few weeks ago, on a podcast, I was asked which brands I admire most. Without hesitation, I said LEGO. The toy company has an incredible comeback story, from the […]
What real estate can learn from LEGO’s reinvention Read More »
There’s a narrative making the rounds in certain mortgage lending circles. Some are suggesting that with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau seemingly scaling back certain activities, compliance pressures may soon be easing. The current federal government shutdown seems to add credence to this story. Is it possible that after years of struggling through the downturn
A slowdown in compliance? Don’t believe it! Read More »
Mortgage refinance demand is 111% higher than last year, a surge fueled by declining mortgage rates and renewed interest from homeowners looking to improve their financial position. Refinancing can certainly be a smart move—a way to lower monthly payments, consolidate debt, or tap into home equity. But this sense of routine can mask the very
Title insurance vital to reduce risk on refinances Read More »
Every few years, someone in mortgage lending announces that we’re witnessing the dawn of the super-lender era. This time, they say, it’s different. The big players have the technology, the capital and the market conditions to finally achieve total vertical integration. Soon, we’ll all either work for a handful of massive institutions or find ourselves
The mega-lender myth: Why consolidation won’t deliver the holy grail Read More »
The idea of the 50-year mortgages flooded the news recently. It is the newest attempt by the Trump Administration to bring down housing costs, but I don’t think it was thought through entirely. On paper, it seems like a crazy but good idea. 50 years is a long time, but at least it would allow
50-year mortgage proposal could reshape U.S. housing costs Read More »
A 2021 NPR podcast segment painted a picture of the American Dream turned Nightmare: a Louisiana family faced the loss of their five-generation-home that had been owned by the family’s great, great, great grandfather, Jacob Loud, who was formerly enslaved. That segment from four years ago is still relevant today. And the Loud family’s story
A rising threat to homeownership: How heirs’ property undermines affordable housing Read More »
Veterans Day serves as a meaningful opportunity to honor the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform who have served our country. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the challenges veterans face as they transition back to civilian life, including navigating the homebuying process. For real estate professionals, it’s important to recognize
Helping heroes home: how real estate pros can better serve veterans Read More »
At the core of real estate lies one constant: our duty to communicate clearly, act with integrity, and put our clients first. When those principles slip—even unintentionally—the results can be costly. Not long ago, a situation discussed during one of our coaching calls served as a powerful reminder of how quickly professionalism can unravel when
Why communication failures can cost real estate agents Read More »
Mortgage marketing is stuck in 2008. Not because the tactics are old. We have webinars instead of lunch-and-learns, sponsored posts instead of postcards. The problem isn’t outdated tools. It’s the mindset, the fact that most of us never really learned how to market in the first place. That’s not an indictment of the people doing
Stop marketing like it’s 2008: You’re invisible Read More »
Mortgage-pricing data has gone digital. But when does transparency turn into coordination? In early October 2025, mortgage-technology provider Optimal Blue and three major lenders were sued in a proposed class-action alleging price-fixing and market manipulation in U.S. mortgage rates. At the center of the case is a question that goes well beyond one software firm:
The Optimal Blue lawsuit: Data transparency or market manipulation? Read More »