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NewsReal

Mortgage Insights

Can MLOs Truly Be Independent Contractors?

Is it a Federal or State Law? Many mortgage companies operate under the assumption that classifying Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) as independent contractors is permissible, often citing a perceived lack of concern from state regulators. However, it's crucial to understand that

Mortgage Insights

What It Takes to Pass the NMLS Test!

If you are thinking of getting a Mortgage Loan Originator State License, you should know the NMLS pass rate for first-time test-takers is in the mid-50s. To clarify, that means roughly half of everyone sitting for the first time fails!

Mortgage Insights

California's AB 3108: New Felony Charges for Mortgage Brokers

When a Borrower Doesn't Qualify for Conventional Financing—Think Twice Before Defaulting to Non-QM! It’s tempting to label a loan as investment purpose when a borrower doesn’t meet conventional guidelines—even when they plan to occupy the home as a primary residence. Well, that

Mortgage Insights

Mortgage Training Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming or Expensive—Here’s a Better Way!

Looking for a smarter, more affordable way to learn the mortgage business? Starting a career as a mortgage loan originator (MLO) comes with a steep learning curve. You need to understand loan products, guidelines, compliance rules, and how to build relationships

AML, Compliance, Originators

Introducing CLOES.online - Loan Originator Training Membership Subscription

Check out our new membership subscription option for any loan originator who is ready to learn how to earn more money and become a mortgage expert in under a year. This material will set up a mortgage originator for life. This plan

Mortgage Insights

NAR's Home Finance Resource Certification presented by Deb Killian

NAR's Home Finance Resource Certification presented by Deb Killian Watch video:

Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insights, NMLS Licensing Education, Originators

What New Mortgage Loan Originators Need to Know That Nobody Ever Tells You

The mortgage origination field can seem quite appealing, offering the potential for high earnings, autonomy, and the satisfaction of assisting others with their home financing. However, this allure often leads to unrealistic expectations and, ultimately, disillusionment and failure. True success in

Compliance, Mortgage Broker Business, Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Employment, Mortgage Insights, Mortgage Lender, NMLS Licensing Education, Originators

When Starting a Mortgage Broker Business...Hope is Not a Strategy!

I have been receiving many inquiries about what it takes to start a mortgage broker business and how to get started. I recently spoke to a gentleman who thought he wanted to start his own business, but after our lengthy

Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insights, Originators, Real Estate, Real Estate Continuing Education

The Top 10 Reasons to Teach Real Estate Continuing Education!

For the past 20 years, I have been teaching real estate classes. Initially, I began teaching as a way to build and maintain professional relationships and gain referrals. Unlike sponsoring open houses or arranging casual coffee meet-ups, I found that

AML, Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Employment, New Mortgage Program, NMLS Licensing Education, Originators

MLO Licensing to Mastery - Your 1st Year

The definition of insanity: doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. Welcome to the mortgage business! Mortgage company owners and recruiters often entice new Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) into the industry with the allure of minimal entry

Mortgage Insights

DOL Closes the Door on Mortgage Originators Paid as Independent Contractors

In the fast-paced world of mortgage lending, a crucial yet often overlooked issue is always lurking between companies and those mortgage loan originators they employ; the misclassification of mortgage loan originators. Often labeled as independent contractors, many of these financial professionals

Mortgage Insights

Under 20 Employees? Your Business May Be Subject to New Beneficial Ownership Interest (BOI) Rules!

I usually write about mortgage or real estate professionals, but since I teach Anti-Money Laundering classes, I thought it would be helpful for all small businesses to know what’s coming. On September 18, 2023 the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published

Banks, Compliance, Credit Unions, Mortgage Broker Business, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insights, Originators, Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Brokers

CFPB Issues Fines for Favors: Mortgage and Real Estate Firms Handed $1.95M Penalty for RESPA Violations

In a startling turn of events, two major players in the mortgage and real estate industry have been dealt a hefty blow with fines totaling a staggering $1.95 million. The penalties come as a result of their failure to comply

Mortgage Education, Mortgage Employment, New Mortgage Program, NMLS Licensing Education, Originators, Originators, Processors, Underwriters

"Accelerate Your Success with Our Exclusive 20-Hour Pre-Licensing Education Program: Unbeatable Value at Just $299!"

Ready to embark on a rewarding career as a mortgage loan originator? Look no further! We're thrilled to announce our latest offering: the comprehensive 20-Hour Safe Pre-Licensing Education Program Our newest course was written by and taught by veteran mortgage loan

Certification, Learning Management, Live Events, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insights, New Mortgage Program, Originators

7 Hours in Front of 125 Real Estate Agents! Loan Originators Pay Attention! Now Is The Time...Learn to Teach Real Estate Continuing Education!

In the last 3 weeks, I spent 7 hours in front of 125 real estate agents! A captive audience. Curious how I got there? If you've read this far, this is not a brag post. It's an opportunity for you

Mortgage Insights

Jeanne Kelly & Debra Killian Announce New Program for Originators Working with Realtors!

Join Jeanne Kelly Credit Coach and Debra Killian on Credit Over Coffee as they discuss getting into the mortgage industry and Debra's E-Course, Mortgage Origination Practices. 2023 will be a challenging year for most mortgage companies and originators. Everyone wants purchase business. This

Compliance, Mortgage Broker Business, Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Employment, Mortgage Insights, Mortgage Lender, Mortgage Recruiters, Originators, Originators, Processors, Underwriters

Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act

On October 13, 2022 the Federal Department of Labor published findings in Vol. 87, No. 197 of the Federal Register. The W-2/1099 controversary hits many businesses. As stated in previous posts, there is no special 1099 consideration for mortgage loan originators. Regardless

AML, Compliance, Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Brokers, Real Estate CE

Is Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Mandatory Compliance Coming for Realtors?

Do you know how money is actually laundered through real estate transactions? Do you know your Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Training Requirements? Between 2015 and 2020, at least $2.3 billion was laundered through US real estate, with estimates by Washington, D.C. think

Banks, Compliance, Credit Unions, Mortgage Broker Business, Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insights, Mortgage Lender, New Mortgage Program, Originators, Originators, Processors, Underwriters

UDAAP-ECOA-TILA Are You Ready for Examiners?

The overlap between federal and state laws and regulations becomes very apparent once there is an examination and/or an enforcement action. With COVID dominating our work environment over the past two years, not many audits or exams were scheduled by state

Learning Management, Mortgage Broker Business, Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insights, Originators, Originators, Processors, Underwriters, Processing

Changes to the Appraisal Form and Data Coming!

With the new URLA behind us...along comes the next major change in residential lending. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (aka the GSEs) have provided an update on the new URAR. Yes, the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report is undergoing some major changes. Here

Compliance, Mortgage Broker Business, Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Employment, Mortgage Insights, Mortgage Lender, Mortgage Recruiters, NMLS Licensing Education, Originators, Originators, Processors, Underwriters

The Feds Beef Up Employment Enforcement on Independent Contractors

With rates going up, refinance volume quickly heading south and originators looking for the next shiny thing, we are bound to see movement in the industry. That means mergers, buyouts and some companies closing. Migrating originators can be a tricky

Mortgage Insights

Fannie Mae COVID Guideline Change

With the pandemic pointing toward endemic, it's a relief that the GSEs are starting to look at removing some of the COVID-related guidelines. Self-employed borrowers may find it a bit easier to qualify for a mortgage now...,just in time as rates

AML, Banks, Compliance, Credit Unions, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insights

Mortgage Company Compliance Requirements for AML Training

How does a mortgage company meet the statutory requirement for Anti-Money Laundering education? The question comes up because many companies do not comply with the annual education requirement for all employees. In our opinion the law and regulations on AML training

Mortgage Insights, Image

The Myths and Realities -1099 vs W-2 for Loan Originators!

As someone who has followed this topic for many years, with many debates, I've heard it all. Just today, posts on Facebook brought it up...again! What's different now is a few weeks ago, I decided to get reliable information from

Banks, Compliance, Credit Unions, Mortgage Insights, Processing

8 Episodes of Fundamentals of Processing Teaches the WHY!

Mortgage Processing Fundamentals is an on-demand, video recorded program which presents the base of knowledge needed to succeed at residential mortgage processing. The course is written and presented by a 25-year seasoned loan originator who has processed her own loans. The fundamentals

Mortgage Insights

Real Estate Update May 2021

Don’t Try to Outsmart the Markets Getting ready to refinance your mortgage but waiting for rates to fall just one more time? Is that extra 1/8th percent ready to drop? Some consumers begin to follow economic news and perform no shortage

Mortgage Insights

Real Estate Update March 2021

Mortgage Insights

Redesigned URLA Video - How to Use the 2021 Loan Application

Ahhh...another industry change while volume is at an all time high! Just what we need in 2021! We started talking about the new URLA in 2018; and then it changed...and then it changed again. Finally! After several years of the

Banks, Credit Unions, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Employment, Mortgage Insights, Mortgage Recruiters, Originators, Processors, Underwriters

Happy Thanksgiving! - 2021 Loan Limits Released!

You wouldn't know we were in the middle of a pandemic based on the housing market. That conforming limit keeps creeping up. It all seems crazy from when I started in the mortgage business in 1994, the conforming loan limit was

AML, Banks, Mortgage Competencies, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insights

Are Customers "Cleaning" Their Money In Your Transaction?

Money laundering is a huge problem for financial institutions and monitoring compliance and reporting is a challenge. As I read through FinCEN's recent announcement, it became clear...the law is not really clear! Because real estate transactions are large in dollars,

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