As Florida’s homeowners, insurance companies, and companies that service loans in Hurricane Ian’s path, brace for the storm, lenders nationwide continue to grapple with a very, very difficult environment. Everyone wants a decent HELOC. Servicing sales have dropped. Buydown loans are back in vogue. (Ask your investor if they buy them, but Planet Home, AmeriHome, and Northpointe jump to mind.) Everyone wants a viable ARM product, at a fixed rate program with some points back. There are many asking if the days of paying 125-150 basis points to IMB LOs are numbered. There is a lot going on as we wrap up September. In fact, some would say it’s pumpkin spice season again, which can only mean one thing: it's time for the 2022 MBA Annual Conference. I spotted Garth Graham and David Hrobon from STRATMOR on the attendee list, who told me their schedule is quickly filling up. Any lenders considering their options as a seller in the current market should reach out to lock in an appointment. Send a confidential email to Sarah Houser to schedule. (Today’s podcast is available here and this week’s podcast is sponsored by AIM-Port, an appraisal management platform built to reduce costs and elevate the borrower experience for lenders managing appraisal operations. Go to aim-port.com for more information or click here to reach out to a team member today!) Lender and Broker Products, Services, and Software Ribbon Home is the loan officers’ secret weapon. Like a Swiss Army Knife, Ribbon is a multi-purpose tool to help your homebuyers, agents, and business excel in challenging situations. In today’s market, one-third of all homes are purchased with cash. This puts clients that need home financing at a disadvantage. Ribbon allows clients that need home financing to compete for every home on the market by eliminating the financing, home sale, and appraisal contingencies, turning their offer into a guaranteed-to-close, all-cash offer. Ribbon is not a lender, agency, or iBuyer, and works with mortgage and real estate professionals in these supported states. By partnering with Ribbon, you can help more homebuyers turn pre-approvals into funded loans and earn more agent relationships. Join our lender webinar every Tuesday to learn more.