There is always non-mortgage financial news. Mark Cuban is both selling his share in the Dallas Mavericks and leaving Shark Tank. Berkshire Hathaway’s Vice Chairman Charlie Munger has died. When I want something bougie to give as a Christmas present, I go to… Alabama? U.S. airlines lose 2 million suitcases a year, and they all go here along with the contents up for sale. Will Rogers came up with, “Things will get better… Despite our efforts to improve them.” Things certainly aren’t getting better in the credit & verification world. Costs keep going up. Blame the CRAs (credit reporting agencies), Fair Isaac, or the bureaus (Experian, Transunion, or Equifax). Lenders of all shapes and sizes have a renewed interest in managing those costs... At this point, why wouldn’t you charge the borrower up front? Meanwhile, originators are continuing to scramble for business, despite rates having dropped somewhat in recent weeks. (STRATMOR’s current blog is titled, “Listening to Real Estate Agents Can Pay Off for Originators”.) $766,550 is the base conforming loan limit for 2024. Today’s podcast can be found here, and this week’s is sponsored by MCT. MCT’s technology and know-how continues to revolutionize how mortgage assets are priced, locked, protected, valued, and exchanged, offering clients the tools to thrive under any market condition. Hear an interview with Argyle’s John Hardesty on the company’s recent case study with NFM Lending. Lender and Broker Products, Programs, and Services