“We all get the same 365 days. The only difference is what we do with them.” In 2024 a lot of lenders buckled down every day. Time to take a breather? Maybe not: mortgage bankers still face pressure on profit margins. In today’s Advisory Angle at 11AM PT, powered by the Chrisman Commentary, STRATMOR Senior Partner Garth Graham, Principal Advisor David Hrobon, and Senior Advisor Rob Chrisman discuss managing margin compression, including cost management techniques, improving operational efficiency, and optimizing loan product offerings. In a sense, homeowners have “profit margins” in terms of what makes sense to do ahead of a sale. Pass this along to your real estate agent clients interested in improving curb appeal: A new garage door cost on average $4,513 in 2024, but added $8,751 to the resale value of the home, a 194 percent cost recoupment and one of the best things one can do to juice the sale price. Other clever and cost-effective renovations include replacing an entry door (adds $4,430 to resale value at a cost of $2,355), dabbling in landscape maintenance or lawn care, or refinishing hardwood floors. Some renovations are bad bets: remodeling a kitchen might cost $158,530 but only add $60,176 to resale value, recouping just 38 percent of the cost. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by CoreLogic. CoreLogic gives mortgage professionals the tools they need to establish long-term relationships with their clients, helping them keep future business in-house and transforming the way they do business. Today’s has an interview with Bank of Oklahoma’s Chris Maloney on MBS issuance, the money supply, neutral interest rate, and his predictions for future Fed moves.)