Since the outset of the pandemic, market conditions have triggered record numbers of loan originations. Over the past year, we’ve seen low rates, high demand and a dramatic acceleration in home prices. These unprecedented market factors have continued to underscore the importance of managing appraisal risk.

2020 was a year unlike any other for mortgage lenders, and planning for 2021 can be a tall task. Who knows where we’ll be a month or two down the road, let alone by the end of the year? For this reason, it can be extremely difficult to plan out your marketing strategy. Nonetheless, there are universal strategies we should all be focusing on to bring the right customers through the door.

In addition to your credit score, your debt-to-income ratio is a key metric to monitor when calculating your financial wellness. Measuring your debt-to-income can be one of the first steps in determining whether you’re comfortable with your current debt, as well as the extent to which you’re prepared to take on new debt.

On Tuesday, the Mortgage Bankers Association released its estimates for the remainder of the year, as well as projections for 2021. Although the MBA expects to see a decrease in both refinances and purchases next year, there is no reason to believe the market is facing a substantial slowdown. In fact, it projected originations to come in at $2.56 trillion, which would still be the second-highest origination total in the last 15 years.

The credit bureaus always want to demonstrate whether you’re opening credit accounts responsibly. When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will pull your credit, and a notation will be placed on your report indicating that it has been viewed. This is called an inquiry. Inquiries for car loans, mortgages and student loans are all regarded as inquiries and will typically lower your credit score.

It’s a spooky time of year, but all tricks and treats aside, there has been some really unsettling news involving mortgage fraud schemes in recent months. Check out these haunting headlines:

Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Just when you thought you were on a clear path to closing, someone or something throws a monkey wrench into the plan. This is a reality Data Facts has seen time and again, and there are several things you need to be on the lookout for. Here are 5 common things that can derail a mortgage closing:

Your first-time homebuyers are at the very beginning of a life-changing experience, and you want to make sure it’s life-changing in all the right ways. Of course, sometimes that’s easier said than done, but with the right level of empathy and expertise, you can help your borrowers feel comfortable on this often-daunting journey. Here are some great quotes about homeownership that you can share with your first-time homebuyers:

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued a combined letter Thursday responding to the grievances of lenders in the wake of the announcement of the new 0.5% fee on mortgages.

In 2020, Millennials lead the pack of first-time homebuyers- but poised to make an impact soon is Generation Z.