It's Time to Challenge The Fed

by David H. Stevens, CMB

If you care about protecting the ‘American Dream’ of homeownership - the time is now to say enough! Inflation at 3.2% as recently released is far less a risk than crushing families with outrageous cost increases. This is most important when you already can see the trend of inflation clearly declining rapidly from its highs in 2022. Our advocates and leaders need to say ENOUGH! A long winter is coming - let the seasonal change finish the economic slow down. Stop the rate hikes. Ask your advocates to start talking about this. Whether trade groups at the state or federal level, members of congress, or consumer advocacy organizations, or simply using your social media posts, a collective increase in the noise level could help. This has really gotten out of hand. Click HERE to read more.

Data PointsTo A Cooling In The Housing Market This Fall

by Mike Simonsen

Mortgage rates have been stubbornly above 7% for two months and it sure looks like home buyers are growing weary. We can see signs that buyers are slowing, both in the sales volume and in the sales price data. This slowdown is not like last year, instead, it’s just slightly fewer buyers each week. As a result, sales volumes are inching down — making slightly worse comparisons to last year.

This is a different trend from January through June when demand was higher than we expected. It was mid-June when it looked like mortgage rates might continue to ease down but then the opposite happened. Rates rose from six to seven and that affordability impacts buyers. These subtle shifts are useful to watch each week so that we’re not surprised when some monthly number in the news comes in below expectations. Click HERE to read on.

Mortgage Payoff Fraud Rises 532% Quarter-Over-Quarter: CertifID

by Brooklee Han



With home sale transactions down, fraudsters are turning to mortgage payoff fraud to secure bigger payouts. Mortgage payoff fraud occurs when a title company mistakenly sends a mortgage payoff to a fraudulent bank account after receiving wiring instructions that appear to be from the mortgage servicer. The instructions, however, are actually from fraudsters. Mortgage payoff fraud doesn't always get as much attention as scams like seller impersonation (which is "seen" by a broader set of agents and consumers) -- but it's one of the biggest threats to a real estate or title firm today. Click HERE to read on.

8 Tips for Avoiding Your Leadership Blindspots

by Robert Bruce Shaw

Leaders are faced with two conflicting needs. The first is to act with a deep confidence in their abilities and the strategies they are implementing. The second is to be aware of their vulnerabilities and the need for a healthy dose of self-doubt. Those who fail to do so run the risk of having blindspots — which are the unrecognized weaknesses or threats that have the potential to harm a leader and his or her company. Learning to ask the right questions in the right way is a key technique for surfacing blindspots that can easily be overlooked.Click HERE to read on.

These are 5 Ways Surging Mortgage Rates Are Reshaping the Housing Market

by Scott Horsley

Mortgage rates have climbed to the highest level in more than two decades — and that's leading to a split-screen market in housing. Sales of existing homes have fallen sharply, but new homes are selling fast, as the shortage of "For Sale" signs elsewhere drives more buyers to consider new construction. Click HERE to learn more.

The Art of Mental Toughness: How Extraordinary Individuals Thrive in the Face of Adversity

by Polina Marinova Pompiano

Mental toughness is a quality that sets extraordinary individuals apart from the rest, enabling them to endure discomfort and uncertainty for extended periods. But what exactly is mental toughness? Can it be achieved without undergoing severe stress and trauma? Why do some people seem to possess it inherently while others struggle to develop it? Delving into the world of mental toughness, I explore techniques used by remarkable individuals to master it. Click HERE to learn more.

NEW! Virginia Title Center Keeps You Safe From Wire Fraud with CertifID

Digital banking makes moving money easier for everyone — including cyber criminals, who are getting more cunning every day. Every wire transfer you send or receive is at risk. Yet many ask if wire fraud is really that serious? Wire transfers continue to be the most frequently reported payment method for fraud with a reported aggregate loss of $2.4 Billion and an average loss of $120k per victim. And, did you know that one out of every three real estate transactions are targeted for wire fraud?

At Virginia Title Center, we take the safety of your money and your client's money seriously and now offer wire fraud protection through a partnership with CertifID. This offers end-to-end protection to keep customer information secured and insured at all times through a suite of services. CertifID makes it easy for us to securely send our wire instructions to clients and lenders; allows us to safely collect bank details from home sellers and other partners; verifies the bank details that have been provided are accurate and not tampered with; and, offers PayoffProtect to validate the authenticity of wiring instructions to ensure loan payoff payments aren't sent to fraudsters. All wire transactions are backed by Lloyd's of London and insured up to $1 million. Click HERE for a flyer you can share with your clients, and talk to your settlement processor to learn how using CertifID can protect you and your clients.