Today’s episode of The Big Picture with Rich and Rob featured an incredible conversation with MBA Chair and Lennar Mortgage President, Laura Escobar. We started by breaking down yesterday’s Fed rate cut and Jerome Powell’s comments, diving into what this all means for mortgage rates in the short and medium term. Laura brought her signature leadership insights to the discussion, sharing her priorities as the incoming Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association. From tackling affordability and accessibility in homeownership to addressing regulatory challenges and advocating for thoughtful policy changes, Laura outlined an inspiring vision for the industry. We also explored trends in homebuilding, the ongoing demand-supply imbalance, and how sustainability is shaping the future of lending and construction.

We’re also thrilled to welcome our new long-term show sponsor, Depth, a powerhouse PR firm dedicated to the real estate finance industry. Their expertise in amplifying brand stories and navigating complex narratives is unmatched—perfect for organizations looking to make an impact. Huge thanks to Depth for their support of The Big Picture! If you missed today’s episode, catch the replay and stay tuned for next week’s discussion as we continue unpacking the key trends and challenges shaping the mortgage industry.

In today’s insightful episode of The Big Picture, Rich and Rob were joined by special guest Kristin Messerli, a leading voice in housing innovation and diversity. The discussion kicked off with a deep dive into the November CPI report, which showed a 0.3% rise in overall and core inflation. Kristin shared her perspective on the housing affordability crisis, offering actionable ideas on how the mortgage industry can better support underserved communities. 

Kristin brought unique insights into engaging Millennial and Gen Z homebuyers, emphasizing the importance of fintech solutions and personalized experiences. Finally, the conversation shifted to potential housing policy changes under the next presidential administration and other government initiatives aimed at tackling affordability. It was an episode packed with forward-thinking ideas and practical takeaways for anyone in the mortgage or real estate industries. Don’t miss out—catch the replay now! 🏡📊✨

Today’s episode of The Big Picture with Rich & Rob featured an in-depth conversation with Chris Bennett of Vice Capital Markets, offering valuable insights into the shifting mortgage and housing landscape. The discussion explored the potential impacts of a Trump 2.0 administration, including speculation on dismantling the CFPB, ending GSE conservatorship, and slashing regulations. The trio also examined the 5.2% increase in the conforming loan limit to $806,500, the bond market’s reaction to Scott Bessent’s Treasury Secretary nomination, and CFPB Director Chopra’s aggressive final moves targeting data brokers and mortgage brokers.

Chris shared his expert analysis on the current mortgage rate climate (still around 7%), inflationary pressures, and the possible outcomes of the December Fed meeting. He highlighted key trends in the secondary market, including investor behavior, and discussed how the release of GSEs from conservatorship might influence mortgage rates. Wrapping up, Chris provided his 2025 rate forecast and actionable insights for lenders and borrowers preparing for future market conditions. It was an engaging, knowledge-packed episode that provided clarity on pressing industry questions. Stay tuned for more impactful discussions next week!

On the latest episode of The Big Picture with Rich & Rob, special guest Bronwyn Morrissey shared her inspiring journey into leadership within the mortgage industry. She reflected on pivotal moments that shaped her career, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability in overcoming challenges. Bronwyn discussed how leadership in the mortgage sector has evolved over the years, highlighting the critical skills of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the ability to foster innovation. She emphasized that leadership is not just inherent but a skill that must be consciously developed, sharing insights on how intentional strategies can help aspiring leaders succeed in a rapidly changing industry.

Bronwyn also delved into fostering innovation and adaptability within teams, particularly as technological advancements continue to reshape the mortgage landscape. She provided valuable strategies for identifying and nurturing leadership talent, focusing on qualities like empathy, vision, and collaboration.  For aspiring leaders, she offered motivational advice on overcoming hesitation, encouraging them to embrace opportunities for growth and make a lasting impact on the industry. It was an insightful and energizing discussion packed with takeaways for leaders at every level.

In today’s episode of The Big Picture with Rich and Rob, former FHFA Director Mark Calabria returned to provide insights into the future of housing finance under the potential changes brought by the Trump administration. A key focus was on the timeline for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s potential exit from conservatorship, with Calabria offering a nuanced view of what steps could expedite the process. He also explored strategies to mitigate market disruption, emphasizing a careful, phased approach to ensure stability and prevent sudden shifts in mortgage rates or housing affordability.

Calabria and the hosts delved into the politicization of the GSEs over the last 15 years, with conservatorship creating significant government involvement in what was intended as a private market. They discussed the rise of guarantee fees (g-fees) since the financial crisis and how these fees have become a substantial factor in mortgage pricing. Lastly, Calabria addressed the evolving role of the Federal Home Loan Banks, considering how they might support the housing finance system in the future. This episode offered listeners a thorough, expert-driven look at the complexities surrounding the future of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the broader U.S. housing finance landscape.

In today's episode of The Big Picture, Rich and Rob were joined by MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, who provided a comprehensive update on the latest initiatives and priorities of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Broeksmit recapped highlights from the recent MBA Annual Convention, where issues like the proposed Trigger Leads Ban Bill and the MBA’s plea to modernize RESPA Section 8 took center stage. 

Broeksmit then shifted to discuss what a potential second Trump administration could mean for housing policy. He explored the likelihood of deregulation, bipartisan support for homebuilder assistance, and potential changes to the CFPB's direction that could impact mortgage lenders. Speculating on a future for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac outside of conservatorship by 2027, Bob discussed the potential impact of that to mortgage lenders while also providing his thoughts on who could be some of the appointed housing officials of the Trump administration.

In the recent episode of The Big Picture, Rich and Rob interviewed James Dwiggins, CEO of NextHome, diving into pressing topics within the real estate industry. Dwiggins shared his perspective on current market trends, highlighting how NextHome is adapting to shifts in buyer behavior and economic challenges. 

The conversation then touched on the impacts of the recent NAR settlement and potential changes to commission structures. Dwiggins discussed how NextHome is proactively preparing for shifts in agent-client fee negotiations and adjusting training programs to equip agents with skills that align with the new compliance requirements. The interview wrapped up with insights on the long-term effects of the settlement, with Dwiggins noting that while some industry practices may evolve, the core of real estate transactions will continue to center on client trust and strong agent relationships.

In this episode of The Big Picture, hosts Rich and Rob welcome Kingsley Greenland, a leading climate risk expert from Verisk Extreme Event Solutions, to explore the critical impacts of climate change on the real estate and mortgage industries. Kingsley shares his deep expertise on how extreme weather events—such as hurricanes, wildfires, and rising sea levels—are shaping the future of property values, insurance policies, and lending practices. He offers insights into how businesses, investors, and homeowners can better prepare for these inevitable risks while discussing the regulatory and financial shifts that are already occurring in response to climate change.

Whether you're in real estate, finance, or simply interested in how climate risk affects the broader economy, this episode provides invaluable information from one of the most respected voices in the industry. Tune in as Kingsley outlines the steps companies and individuals must take to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing environment, including how data analytics and risk models can help mitigate exposure to climate-related losses. Don't miss this important conversation on The Big Picture!

In Rich & Rob's interview with Mark Calabria on The Big Picture, the former FHFA Director offers his expert insights into the future of housing and finance policy. Calabria shares his unique perspective on the political landscape shaping housing finance reform, particularly regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's role in the mortgage market. Drawing from his tenure, he discusses the implications of potential policy changes and the increasing risks posed by the current structure of the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs).

Calabria delves into how the upcoming 2024 election could influence housing policy, with both parties having distinct approaches to housing finance. He stresses the importance of removing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from conservatorship and addresses the growing financial risks within the GSEs, particularly in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) with high debt-to-income ratios. This conversation offers a deep dive into how future reforms could stabilize the housing market while balancing affordability and risk.

This week on The Big Picture, hosts Rich Swerbinsky & Rob Chrisman welcome Eric Lapin, President of FormFree® to the show. The group dove into several pressing topics in the mortgage industry. They discussed the recent spike in mortgage rates following a stronger-than-expected jobs report and explored how the upcoming election, just 26 days away, could impact housing and the industry at large.

They also tackle the evolving challenges of climate risk in the mortgage space, as lenders and regulators adapt to environmental changes, and highlight recent developments in open banking.