What are the best sources and tools for staying updated on mortgage industry trends?

As a mortgage adviser I am expected to keep up to date with industry trends by my clients and through my annual CPD. I do this by: •Reading Industry publications such as mortgage strategy and mortgage solutions. • Subscribing to mortgage lender emails that inform me of criteria enhancements or changes. The withdrawals of mortgage products and associated deadlines of those withdrawals. • I attend networking and events with mortgage lenders. These can be online through webinars or face to face. They usually involve conversations with Business Development Lenders to build relationships between myself and the mortgage lenders. Round tables are an efficient way of speaking to many lenders over the course of a day at these conferences.

there are multiple aspects of the industry to stay current in the mortgage industry...for rates, I use MBSLIVE because they give real time pricing and have a free link to Thompson Reuters news feed. Bloomberg.com has a great tv show called "Real Yield" that provides a weekly overview on the bond market. Twitter has many good sites to follow as well for real time information, particularly good for breaking news coverage

It is SO VERY difficult to stay up-to-date with the never ending list of potential tools for marketing. Just as you learn one, there is better widget that you want to learn next. Sometimes I find myself wanting to learn them ALL just because I am a middle Boomer who didn't learn all this stuff until my later years & now am a child in a candy shop. I am trying to focus on 2 AI writing tools (Chat GPT and Perplexity), 2 AI creation tools (Canva & Typeset), 1 video production tool (Capcut) & only focus my social media efforts on LinkedIn & Facebook with posting all my videos on YouTube. I don't have enough years left to learn them all. I settled on Microsoft & Sharepoint for organizing myself & Sales Engine as my CRM. Ready to rock it!

One of the best ways to stay informed is through newsletters and blogs. They’re convenient and packed with insights, and you can access them right from your inbox or browser. I manage a free weekly newsletter called Mortgage Marketing Unleashed. In it, I share a wealth of marketing knowledge tailored specifically for mortgage brokers. From innovative marketing strategies to the latest industry news, my newsletter is designed to keep you ahead of the curve. Besides my own newsletter, there are numerous other blogs and newsletters out there offering a wealth of information. Check out platforms like The Mortgage Reports or HousingWire. They cover everything from market analysis to regulatory updates, all in an easily digestible format.

Newsletters and blogs from reputable mortgage and finance publications. Industry podcasts, webinars, and networking events. Reports and surveys from Freddie Mac, and Ellie Mae provide in-depth data and analysis. Following relevant social media accounts and forums to connect with other professionals. Tracking economic indicators like CPI and PPI that impact mortgage rates and local real estate market data from realtors. Utilizing your data and metrics to understand your business performance and identify opportunities

Podcasts are my go-to for staying up-to-date within the industry. I also listen to other topics, such as marketing, AI, neuroscience, and more, to remain well-rounded. The more curious you stay - the more powerful you can be!

In my opinion, I use YouTube to stay up to date with the latest Fed trends, inflation reports data and anything else that is relevant to our state of economy and market activity. There are many Youtube channels that report on these data sets even live as they come out. For example, MeetKevin is my absolute favorite.

Podcasts and Webinars: Look for reputable mortgage-focused podcasts, such as Mortgage Marketing Radio or HousingWire Daily, and listen during your commute or workout. Participate in webinars offered by industry leaders, and don’t hesitate to ask questions to deepen your understanding of complex topics.

It’s all about information gathering - staying up to date on trends, reading the news, and doing some work to gather enough resources to make educated decisions.

That's a great point! At Mortgage Allies, we offer a comprehensive library of webinars aimed at educating our clients. These webinars are designed to empower clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions that best suit their unique financial situations.

In addition to industrywide trends and surveys make use of your own data. Many loan originators never look beyond selling the next deal. This is a business. Do you know your cost to acquire a qualified lead, what the highest and best use of your time is, and the expense to originate a loan? Hire a coach or consultant if necessary.

For mortgage professionals eager to stay ahead of industry trends, in-depth reports and comprehensive surveys are invaluable tools. CoreLogic provides extensive data on property and mortgage performance, crucial for assessing economic impacts on real estate and lending. Additionally, Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group issues detailed monthly insights into broader economic trends that influence mortgage markets. These resources, rich with data and analysis, equip professionals with the critical information needed to forecast market shifts and make informed business decisions. Leveraging these reports and surveys ensures you have a pulse on both current conditions and emerging patterns.

Don't forget to follow and learn about how economic news impacts rates. Check the calendar for the week to see what's coming up. CPI and PPI are big indicators right now. There are some great people who post about this on social that you can follow to get snapshots of data that is on the horizon and the impact it could have depending upon where the numbers are when they report. Many realtors also provide monthly newsletters that discuss inventory in specific markets that can be very helpful. They post sales for the month and show the trends in that market. It's all great news that is free and easy to use and share.

Reports and Surveys: Review annual reports from organizations like the Mortgage Bankers Association to gain insights into market forecasts and consumer behaviour. Use the data from these reports to inform your strategies and share key findings with your team or clients.

There are some great thought leaders on social who generously share their knowledge about growing your business. They provide concrete steps you can follow to increase your reach on social and attract both clients and referral sources. Take time to look through posts and start following people that interest you. You'll be amazed where it can lead.

I search for the top realtors and mortgage brokers in my area who are active on the various social sites. I reach out to a few and see who is willing to go live or a brief interview, sometimes I want to broadcast it and sometimes it's just for my own knowledge. The best source of info is from people on in the market working every day.

Social Media and Forums: Join LinkedIn groups or Reddit forums dedicated to mortgage professionals. Engaging in discussions can help you stay ahead of industry shifts and connect with peers. Follow influencers in the mortgage industry on platforms like Twitter for quick updates and commentary.

I have learned to use a combination of face-to-face interaction and social media posts to network in the past few years. I was reluctant at first, but I've found it is efficient and productive. Great for a quick thought or share while on the go.

MBS Live (a paid site from Mortgage News Daily) helps me track bonds, gives great insights and has built in marketing that keep me on top of market movements and the "why" of each movement.

In the fast-paced world of mortgage trends, software and apps are invaluable allies. I've found them to be vital for not just gathering but also analyzing industry data. Applications like Mortgage Coach offer insightful analytics, helping to break down complex market trends into understandable insights. This tool is particularly useful for visualizing loan scenarios, making it easier to explain options to clients. Moreover, staying organized and on top of the flood of information is crucial. That's where apps like Hootsuite, Buffer and Content Studio come into play. It streamlines managing various news feeds and social media platforms, ensuring I never miss important updates.

Software and Apps: Explore tools like MBS Highway or SimpleNexus that offer mortgage rate trends, market analysis, and client management features to enhance your advisory services. Stay updated on new software releases and attend demo sessions to ensure you’re using the best tools available.

Intento asistir a todas las capacitaciones y actualizaciones que me brindan los bancos y demás socios comerciales. La mayoría de las veces son de manera remota, y a veces también de manera presencial. Pero en ambos casos son una excelente forma de mantenerme actualizado acerca del sector hipotecario.

Leverage a mix of reputable sources and tools such as industry journals (e.g., Mortgage Bankers Association), financial news websites (e.g., Bloomberg, CNBC), and specialized market research reports. Subscribe to newsletters from leading mortgage and real estate organizations, and utilize analytics platforms and social media to monitor real-time updates and expert insights.