I’m not sure on that. I only saw MLO courses, but maybe they have the types of courses you’re looking for through a different access point on their website. You’d probably want to reach out to them and see.

Glad I could help. For me, it took about a day after getting my login credentials before I was able to access the Continuing Education tab, so that might be something to keep in mind in case you run into the same delay. I didn’t have any issues adding the courses to my basket or opening them once everything was active though. I just selected my…

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I just wanted to give a quick heads up in case you didn’t know that NEXA loan officers get free continuing education courses through Lenders One, covering both national and state hours.

I found an old email from June about CE access through Lenders One, but the link was expired. I just emailed them for an updated one, logged in through the LOLA…

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Peter, thanks for the detailed input. I followed your advice and framed it around buying power using a simple 1% change example with ranges and a clear educational disclaimer. Appreciate the help!

I’m curious how other MLOs are handling content around interest rates.

I was thinking about making a short video showing how a percentage drop in rates could impact monthly payments. For example, comparing the national average rate at its peak vs. now, or running a hypothetical on what payments might look like if rates dropped another half…

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Thank you for the detailed response. That is very helpful information. I appreciate all the advice. I’ll keep you updated on how it all works out!

That would definitely be an interesting project. Tracking both spending and migration patterns could reveal a lot about where demand is heading and how that might shape prices. My take is that California will always have strong demand in certain core markets, but shifts in affordability and where people choose to live will likely create…

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Really appreciate the thoughtful response. I agree that digging into the metro level detail could be very useful. That is the next step I want to take so we can see whether certain areas like the Bay, L.A., or San Diego are driving most of the statewide shifts.

On your question about price movements compared to inventory, at the statewide…

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I made this funny clip poking fun at how using a “family friend” as your realtor doesn’t always work out. Check it out for a quick laugh.

I’m trying to figure out the best way to use my YouTube videos to drive more traffic and improve SEO, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Is it generally better to post direct YouTube links when I share on forums, Pinterest, X, etc.? Or would it be smarter to embed the video on my business website and then share that website link instead?

My…

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Great additional points, Gus. I think the rise in listings is definitely easing some of the pressure buyers felt in 2022, but as you mentioned, it’s not translating evenly across markets. Some areas are seeing price softening while others are still competitive, which really shows how important it is to look at local data alongside the national trends.

California’s housing supply has bounced back sharply compared to just a few years ago. I put together a short video that looks at how California stacks up against the U.S. overall since 2016.

Highlights from the data:

· Both California and the U.S. hit their lowest point in early 2022, when competition was toughest for buyers

· …

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In 2022, inventory was at rock bottom and buyers were facing intense competition with multiple offers, bidding wars, and homes disappearing in just a couple of days.

I put together a short video walking through how things have shifted since then. The data shows:

• The pre-pandemic range from 2017 to 2019, when inventory was more balanced
• The…

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Where my mind goes when I hear a buyer say they’re skipping the home inspection to save a few bucks.

Check out this map I made showing median home prices by state for May 2025.

Is your state higher or lower than you expected?

Hi Everyone.

What are the options when a borrower has no recent rental history? For example, let’s say someone has been living in hotels for the past year, or maybe they were staying with family or friends and didn’t have rent in their name.

If the borrower has decent income, good DTI, and a low credit score around 590, how do you approach this…

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Those are great additional points, Bruce. Especially regarding the variations in local markets. Thanks for pointing that out.

There are now nearly 500,000 more homes for sale than buyers actively looking. See what that can mean for you.

I’m exploring possible solutions for a veteran client who’s interested in assuming a VA loan, and wondering if there are any creative financing options available to cover the remaining balance.

Scenario:

-The seller (also the landlord) is on board with the VA assumption.

-The sale price is $315K, but the current VA loan has a balance of…

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I’m also wondering about the right way to start that conversation with a realtor so it doesn’t come off like I’m trying to sell them something. How do you keep an intro message brief (since we all have short attention spans and won’t read long messages unless engaged) but intriguing enough to want to hear more?

I used to ride a regular bike a lot. But I’ve never tried an e-bike. Do avid bikers like them too or is their target audience pretty different? What do people like/dislike about e-bikes compared a standard mountain bike?

Does the BDM need to be a licensed MLO in the same state as the partnering Realtor/MLO? Or are they able to partner with Realtors in any state, even where they are not licensed?

Any advice on the best ways for a BDM to initiate those partnerships with other Realtors, particularly when you don’t already have a relationship with them?

Great advice! Do you have any thoughts on the best way to establish new referral partners for an MLO? Is direct messaging Realtors and other professionals within LinkedIn effective if done in a targeted way (e.g., finding Realtors within a niche that aligns with my value proposition)?

I wish I had known that while growing up in Wisconsin. I feel like I missed a good opportunity, lol.

This is a great explanation. Very informative.

This video breaks down the essentials of FHA mortgage insurance premiums. Before getting into the details, here are the key points:

Purpose:

It protects the lender if you default. This protection is important because FHA loans usually require low down payments.

Two Key Components:

Upfront Premium: Typically, 1.75% of the loan amount.

Monthly…

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I put together a short video that explains FHA loan limits. Here’s a quick overview of the key points:

• What Is an FHA Loan Limit:
The maximum amount the government will insure for a home loan, helping protect both the borrower and the housing market.

• Loan Limits by Property Type:
Loan limits vary based on the number of units in a…

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Are you considering your mortgage options and wondering if an FHA loan might be right for you? I’ve put together a short video that breaks down the essentials for qualifying for an FHA loan: Here’s a quick summary of the main points from the video. And check out the video link to learn more.

• Low Down Payment & Credit Score Minimums:
…

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Sukhothai is a great place to visit if you’re into history. Once the capital of Thailand’s first kingdom, the area is now filled with open parks and ancient ruins that let you step back in time more than 700 years. Walking around Sukhothai Historical Park, you can see old temples, simple stone carvings, and Buddha statues that have lasted…

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There is a beach in southern Thailand called Monkey Beach. I’ve seen firsthand that they aren’t always super friendly with people though. Here’s a video of what it’s like.

https://youtu.be/XO3U6Xxh200?si=pYCtLs4LttLhNMdg

I recently dug into the details of the Hope for Homeownership Research Program. If you’re not familiar with it, this program is designed for FHA homebuyers—and it actually pays you to install solar panels on your new home.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Cash Incentive:

-You receive 3.5% of your home’s purchase price—up to $13,000. This means if…

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My first road trip in Thailand took me to a spot just outside Chiang Mai, in the northern part of the country. COVID-19 restrictions made it tough to explore the city center at the time, so I stayed with my wife’s family in the surrounding area. If you’re into the outdoors, this region is well worth checking out—I’m already looking forward to…

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That sounds great. Thanks, Gus!

Thanks!

Hello, I’d like to start a series of posts about my travels around Thailand. Over the last three years, I’ve been back and forth quite a bit to visit my (now) wife’s family and friends, and during that time, I’ve gotten to see a surprising amount of the country.

One fun fact: I actually got married in Thailand at the end of 2024.…

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Good question! Qualifying for a VA loan as a veteran or service member is pretty straightforward. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know.

1. Service Requirements:

• Veterans: If you served after September 7, 1980 (or October 16, 1981, for officers), you’ll usually need at least two years of service. But, if you served during wartime,…

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Excellent point, Gus. It’s definitely an issue for some homeowners in fire zones here in California. Companies like State Farm and Allstate have started pulling back, which means people in areas like San Bernardino are getting dropped or just can’t get coverage at all from many of these insurance companies. The only option for a lot of folks now…

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Yeah, the Airport Fire is the one in Orange County (Trabuco Canyon). That one was accidental, caused by county workers using heavy equipment. And I think it’s 31% contained as of yesterday.

The Line Fire looks to be arson, though. It’s ridiculous that someone would intentionally set a fire, especially knowing the kind of damage these things…

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A wildfire recently broke out near me in Orange County, and I could see the giant smoke plume from my place in Irvine for several days. It reminded me just how real the threat of wildfires can be here in California. If you’re not from the area, you’ve probably at least seen all the news about wildfires across the state.

While wildfires are…

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