Are mortgage rates finally on the verge of moving lower?

In this episode of Market Shares, I break down the seven biggest economic signals pointing toward a potential shift in mortgage rates.

From cooling inflation and a softening labor market to falling oil prices, Federal Reserve commentary, and improving mortgage-backed securities, these are the indicators every homebuyer, homeowner, real estate professional, and loan officer should be watching.

📌 Topics We Cover

• Why falling oil prices could lead to lower mortgage rates
• How the Strait of Hormuz is affecting mortgage rates and the housing market
• Why mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are improving and why that matters for mortgage rates
• How cooling inflation and falling rents could help lower interest rates
• What the latest jobs report and labor market data mean for mortgage rates
• What Federal Reserve officials are signaling about future interest rates
• Why upcoming economic data could determine where mortgage rates go next
• My mortgage rate forecast and housing market outlook

🎙️ Listen now to learn what's really moving mortgage rates, what it means for homebuyers and homeowners, and where the market could be headed next.
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 New episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT!

🏡 Market Shares Rewind | Because great market insights don't expire 🏡

The mortgage industry has changed - but the fundamentals of building a successful business haven't.

In this Market Shares Rewind episode, I sit down with Chad Church, current Director of Product Management with NAF Tech and former SVP of NAF Leads, for a masterclass on modern mortgage sales.

From lead generation and consumer psychology to relationship building, sales fundamentals, refinance opportunities, and the evolution of consumer direct lending, this conversation is packed with practical strategies loan officers can use to grow in any market.

📌 Topics We Cover

• The evolution of consumer direct and retail lending
• Why relationship-based loan officers still outperform
• How online consumer behavior is changing mortgage sales
• The refinance opportunities many loan officers are missing
• Building stronger referral and Realtor relationships
• Turning internet leads into lifelong clients
• Sales fundamentals every loan officer should master
• Consumer psychology and communication strategies that build trust
• CRM, follow-up, and database management best practices
• Future-proofing your mortgage business in today's market

▶️ Listen now to learn how today's top-producing loan officers are adapting to changing consumer behavior while building businesses that last.
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 New episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT!

Are the headlines giving you the full picture of today's housing market?

In this episode of Market Shares, I break down the biggest housing and mortgage stories making news - and explain what's really happening behind the headlines.

From mortgage rates and global uncertainty to the starter home shortage, rising foreclosure numbers, increasing bank mortgage activity, and the ROAD to Housing Act, I separate fact from fear with practical insights every loan officer, real estate agent, investor, and homebuyer should understand.

📌 Topics We Cover:

• Why mortgage rates remain elevated
• How global events and oil prices influence the housing market
• Why starter homes are disappearing
• Why first-time homebuyers are getting older
• Are banks making a comeback in mortgage lending?
• What changing MSR regulations mean for lenders
• The ROAD to Housing Act explained
• How ADUs, modular, and manufactured housing could improve affordability
• Why foreclosure activity is rising - and why this isn't 2008
• FHA and VA foreclosure trends
• Potential FHA loan limit increases
• How staying informed helps mortgage and real estate professionals better serve their clients

🎙️ Listen now to understand what's really driving today's housing market - and why reading beyond the headlines matters.
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 New episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT!

🏡 Market Shares Rewind | Because great market insights don't expire 🏡

I thought insurance covered this. Turns out, I was wrong.

After 27 years in the mortgage industry and multiple home purchases, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of homeowners insurance. Then, within days of each other, I experienced two major home issues that I believed would be covered by my policy.

A failed sump pump flooded my crawl space, destroyed my HVAC system, and resulted in an $18,000 replacement estimate. Then I discovered a leaking shower pan that had been causing hidden water damage behind the walls. The biggest surprise wasn't the repairs - it was learning that neither claim was covered by homeowners insurance.

In this Rewind episode, I share what happened, what I learned, and why every homeowner, homebuyer, mortgage professional, and real estate agent should have a better understanding of what insurance actually covers - and what it doesn't.

If you've ever assumed your insurance policy would protect you from costly home repairs, this is a conversation you need to hear.

📌 Topics We Cover

• The two home disasters that happened in the same week
• How a failed sump pump led to an $18,000 HVAC replacement
• Hidden water damage from a leaking shower pan
• Why both homeowners insurance claims were denied
• The difference between maintenance issues and covered losses
• What insurance companies mean by "sudden and accidental" damage
• Common homeowners insurance misconceptions
• Why homeowners should have an emergency repair reserve fund
• What first-time homebuyers need to know before purchasing a home
• Why mortgage and real estate professionals should discuss these risks with clients
• The growing challenges facing the homeowners insurance industry

🏡 I hope my experience helps you avoid the same costly surprise. If this episode changes the way you think about homeowners insurance, share it with another homeowner - they'll thank you later.
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 Episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT! 

When will mortgage rates drop?

That's the question everyone is asking - and in this episode of Market Shares, I break down the economic signals that could determine the answer.

From oil prices and inflation to the latest jobs report, Federal Reserve policy, and mortgage spreads, I explain why mortgage rates haven't fallen as quickly as many expected - and why I still believe lower rates are coming.

📌 Topics We Cover

• When mortgage rates could finally start coming down
• Why oil prices remain an important market indicator
• The connection between inflation, jobs, and mortgage rates
• What the latest BLS jobs report means for the Fed
• Why the Federal Reserve remains cautious on rate cuts
• How mortgage spreads are helping keep rates lower
• Why lower rates could unlock pent-up housing demand
• Housing market outlook for the next quarter
• Market Shares summer schedule update and what to expect

🎙️ Listen now to understand how the Fed, inflation, jobs, and oil prices could shape the next move in mortgage rates and the housing market.
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 New episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT!

No market update this week - just a quick message.

As we celebrate the 4th of July, let's take a minute to appreciate what makes this country so special. This year is an especially meaningful one as we celebrate 250 years!

Whether you're grilling with family, watching fireworks, or just enjoying a long weekend, I hope you get the chance to reflect on the freedoms we have and the opportunities that come with them.

For those of us in the housing industry, it's a reminder that helping people achieve the dream of homeownership is something we're proud to be a small part of every day.

From everyone at Market Shares, have a safe, fun, and happy 4th of July!

🇺🇸 God bless, and here's to the next 250 years.

The loan officers who are winning right now aren’t necessarily doing more… they’re just doing the right things. So what are they actually focused on?

In this episode of Market Shares, I break down the 3 mortgage strategies top producers are using right now to consistently grow production in today’s market.

And here’s the key - none of these are new. But the way they’re being used right now is completely changing results. DSCR lending is opening up investor pipelines most loan officers aren’t tapping into. Builder relationships are creating steady, repeatable purchase business. And AI is quietly becoming the biggest productivity multiplier in the mortgage industry - helping loan officers find deals, move faster, and stay ahead.

Because the gap isn’t about effort anymore - it’s about strategy.

📌 Topics We Cover

• 3 mortgage strategies top producers use right now
• Why DSCR loans are driving investor growth
• Cash-out refi strategies unlocking hidden equity
• How non-QM expands lending opportunities
• Using social media to attract investor clients
• Builder relationships that drive consistent purchase deals
• Becoming a trusted backup lender for builders
• The mindset shift to win builder partnerships
• How AI is changing mortgage productivity
• Using AI to find loan & refinance opportunities faster
• Mining databases for hidden refinance deals
• Why top producers are pulling ahead now
• 90-day non-QM challenge for loan officers

🎙 Listen now to learn how top producers are using DSCR, builder relationships, and AI to grow production and gain market share right now.
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 New episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT!

Is the housing market about to shift faster than most people expect?

In this episode of Market Shares, I break down the key forces moving mortgage rates, housing demand, and the broader economy right now - from falling oil prices and geopolitical developments to Kevin Warsh’s first Fed meeting and fresh housing demand data.

We’re already seeing signs of what happens when buyers step back into the market, while builders pull back and inventory stays tight - which is exactly why the next move in rates could matter more than most people are pricing in.

📌 Topics We Cover:

• Iran peace deal developments and market impact
• Oil prices falling and inflation implications
• Why mortgage rates haven't reacted yet
• The 10-Year Treasury outlook
• Kevin Warsh's first FOMC meeting as Fed Chair
• How Fed policy could change under new leadership
• Interest rate expectations for the second half of the year
• Barry Habib's housing demand data
• Why buyers returned when rates moved lower
• Builder pullbacks and inventory challenges
• The potential return of multiple-offer markets
• What mortgage and real estate professionals should be watching right now

🎙 Listen now to understand how falling rates, Fed policy shifts, and housing demand trends could reshape mortgage opportunities - and what you need to watch next.
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 New episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT!

Could loan officer compensation rules finally be changing?

I break down the MBA's proposed changes to LO compensation rules - including pricing flexibility, affordable housing and bond loan compensation, and potential clawbacks for errors and compliance violations.

I explain what the CFPB may do next, how these changes could impact loan officers, lenders, and borrowers, and why implementation could vary dramatically from one mortgage company to another.

📌 Topics We Cover

• MBA proposed changes to loan officer compensation rules
• CFPB review of LO comp regulations and Dodd-Frank legacy
• Allowing LO comp reductions to match competitor pricing
• How compensation works differently across brokers vs mortgage banks
• Affordable housing, bond loans, and HFA program compensation changes
• Why lower-margin government loans create participation challenges
• Loan officer clawbacks for errors, compliance issues, and EPO/EPD risk
• Financial accountability and operational mistake policies
• How lenders may implement compensation rules differently
• Market-driven vs regulation-driven compensation structures
• Recruiting and retention impact of LO comp flexibility
• Competitive advantages across mortgage companies
• What CFPB action could mean for loan officers and lenders next

🎙 Listen now to learn how proposed LO compensation changes could impact your pay, pricing flexibility, and competitive advantage.
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 New episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT!

What actually separates top mortgage professionals from everyone else?

In this episode of Market Shares, Sales Manager Stacey Chevalier and I break down the real drivers of long-term success in today’s mortgage industry - from live events and masterminds to mentorship, coaching, and leadership development.

We also dive into what it really takes to move from loan officer to branch manager or regional leader, including the mindset shift, financial realities, and career tradeoffs most people don’t talk about. 

Whether you're trying to grow production, step into leadership, or simply stay competitive in a changing market, this conversation highlights the habits and decisions that consistently separate top performers from everyone else.

📌 TOPICS WE COVER

• Why live events accelerate mortgage career growth
• The power of masterminds and in-person networking
• How mentorship impacts loan officer success
• Why coaching is common among top producers
• Transitioning from loan officer to branch manager
• The real economics of mortgage leadership roles
• What it takes to replace lost production in leadership
• Why promotions require you to raise your hand
• Building a business-owner mindset as a loan officer
• Servant leadership in mortgage management
• How top producers think differently about growth
• Staying competitive in a shifting mortgage market

🎙 Listen now so you can learn how top producers are building careers, teams, and leadership paths that win long-term!
🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe and stay ahead of the game with Market Shares.
📌 New episodes drop every Friday at 10 AM PT!