We’re more than halfway through January already, the MBA has lowered its 2025 projection to $2.1 trillion, and there is a sense of “wait and see” out there among lenders and vendors regarding rates, products, regulations… Maybe you should do something besides just making a few extra calls. STRATMOR’s current blog is “Leaders Don’t Wait for Markets” which may give you some tips. In 2023, 12 percent of Americans changed residences (leaving states like CA, FL, and NY), a statistic not lost on top LOs and real estate agents. Elon Musk has the luxury of being geographically mobile, putting headquarters of various companies in places like Texas, but others not so much. The statistical gap between “the haves and the have nots” is widening. Here are some statistics that are probably all too familiar with underwriters and loan originators. In 2022, almost half of American households had no savings in retirement accounts, according to the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). More than one in four Americans (28%) have savings below $1,000. 12 percent said they had no savings at all. Helping someone save is a good way to lay the groundwork for future business and referrals. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by Calque. White-labeled buy-before-you-sell solutions powered by Calque help you increase purchase volume and increase realtor business by helping them differentiate with a better process. With coverage in the 48 contiguous states, what are you waiting for? Hear an interview with RAMS Vik Kasparian on supply and demand in the mortgage asset sales space, secondary market dynamics, and current production trends.)