The Mortgage Porter

I'm speaking at Mortgage Tech Summit next week!

At last year's Mortgage Tech Summit, I presented a session on my "talking" good faith estimates and rate quotes. This is something that I do for my clients to help review their personal mortgage scenario.

On February 9 and 10, I'll be in Scottsdale at MTS to share how I am able to work with clients I really enjoy from my blogging and other social media efforts. I'm often contacted by mortgage originators across the country wanting my advice on social media - here's your chance to learn from some of the folks I consider the best in our industry.  I'm honored to be one of the speakers in this line-up and can't wait to attend the other sessions.

If you're a mortgage or real estate professional, I encourage you to check out this event. Learn more at www.mortgagetechsummit.com.

 

And of course, I will be checking my email and voice mail on breaks while I'm away. 

Mortgage Master Service Corporation receives Outstanding Lender Award

I'm very proud of my employer, Mortgage Master Service Corporation, the Porter family and my co-workers for being recognized last night at the Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals (WAMP)  2011 Leadership Awards for Outstanding Lender (retail mortgage company).  

Mortgage Master Service Corporation was established in 1976 by the Porter family (my in-laws) and it was such an honor to be there with Marilyn Porter, President of Mortgage Master, and my sister-in-law, to receive the award.

I'm honored to be one of four finalist for Outstanding Mortgage Originator in Washington State by WAMP.

Congrats to all the nominees and those who took home awards last night. It was a fun evening made extra special by enjoying it with my sister, Nicole Christy, Frank Garay and Brian Stevens, Anny Havland as just few of the fine folks at our table. And it was nice to so many old friends after being in the industry for 25 years.

Photo credit: Nicole Christy (my sister and Account Executive at Kinecta Credit Union).

West Seattle Street Fair

The West Seattle Street Fair (aka  West Seattle Summer Fest) is taking place right now (actually started yesterday) in "The Junction" on California Avenue.  If you've never been to the fair, it's a lot of fun, food, arts, crafts and music.  The fair ends tomorrow at 5pm and goes on until midnight tonight...so don't delay!

 

 

My First Post "In Flight" on Alaska Airlines

I'm actually in route to Denver as I type this post.  I'm a speaker at the first ever Mortgage Tech Summit which will be taking place tomorrow. I'm going to be showing fellow mortgage professionals how I create "talking" rate quotes and good faith estimates.  If I've helped you with a refinance or buying a home in the past few years, then you're familar with this tool that I provide my clients.  I've received wonderful feedback since my clients can refer back to their talking quotes and good faith estimates at their convenience and share them with their trusted financial advisor, real estate agents or family members.  It's been an instrumental part of my business practice.

Even if I wasn't invited to speak at this event, I'd be on my to Denver for this event. I'm looking forward to all of the sessions and to learning from mortgage professionals from across the country whom I respect. 

It's not too late to sign up if you're interested in joining us and you can follow the event by watching #MTS11 on Twitter.

I will be checking email and voice mail on breaks and will be back in Seattle on Friday.

This Week Could be a Doozie for Mortgage Interest Rates

In the past, I've included the scheduled events that may impact mortgage interest rates in my rate weekly rate post.  However, this week is so packed data that I thought it was worthy of a post all its own.  Check this out (items that are bold tend to be the may be the most influential to rates):

Monday, April 25:  New Home Sales

Tuesday, April 26:  Consumer Confidence

Wednesday, April 27:  FOMC Meeting and Durable Goods Orders

Thursday, April 28:  Gross Domestic Product, Initial Jobless Claims, GDP Chain Deflator and Pending Home Sales.

Friday, April 29:  Personal Consumption Expenditures and Core PCE, Employment Cost Index, Chicago PMI and Consumer Sentiment Index (UoM).

Wednesday, we'll learn if the Fed's interest rate decision and possibly gain clues as to their plans with QE2.  Ben Bernanke is going to be having a news conference following the FOMC meeting which many will be tuned into hoping for clarity on his views of the direction of our economy.  You can see the entire week offers plenty of data to be digested.  

Remember, mortgage rates are based on mortgage backed securities (bonds) and are not set by the Fed.  Mortgage rates may are impacted by how MBS are being traded on the bond markets.  When the stock market is rallying or there are signs of inflation, mortgage rates tend to raise higher.  When the stocks are tanking, investors will often seek the safety of bonds which will cause rates to move lower.

Whether or not you should lock or float (not lock) your interest rate depends on your personal risk tolerance.  My general stance is that if you like the rate that is currently available - you should consider locking.  Decide which scenario is worse for you: losing today's rate by not locking or locking todays rate with a rate drop tomorrow.  Please discuss this with your local mortgage professional.  I am a NMLS Licensed Mortgage Originator dedicated solely to Washington State.    If you are interested in a mortgage for a home located anywhere in Washington State, I am happy to help you.

NOTE:  I plan on posting mortgage interest rates today.  Stay tuned!

My Interview of Frank Garay and Brian Stevens

The day before Seattle reBarCamp, Frank and Brian from Think Big Work Small, will be here teaching a one day class on video blogging and marketing for real estate professionals. Check out my quick video interview:

 

The NW Video Marketing Summit takes place on March 2, 2011 at the Seattle Center NW Rooms.   To RSVP or learn more about this event, please visit www.videomarketingsummit.tv the cost for the event is $100 and you'll walk away with your own video blog.  Real estate agents can receive 4 hours of c/e credit.

PS:  Seattle reBarCamp is on March 3, 2011 at the Seattle Center NW Rooms.

Links for both events are on the left.

Two Great Real Estate Events coming to Seattle Center in March

In less than two months, real estate agents, mortgage originators and other real estate folks, there will be two events they really should consider attending at the Seattle Center's Northwest Rooms.

On Wednesday, March 2, 2011, Frank Garay and Brian Stevens (the guys from Think Big Work Small) will be here to teach real estate peeps about video blogging at the Northwest Video Marketing Summit.  This is an all day event (sounds like a boot camp to me) where at the end of the day, you will have your own video blog.  This event is open to all real estate peeps and real estate agents may receive 3 clock hour credits.  The cost for this day long education (which includes your blog) is only $100.   For more information or to rsvp, click here and be sure to watch their video below.

The following day, Thursday, March 3, 2011, is something near and dear to my heart:  Seattle RE Barcamp.  This will also take place at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms (same place as last year). 

The Seattle RE Barcamp is an "un-conference" where real estate professionals learn peer to peer - not planned presentations.  The agenda is determined the morning of the event by what the attendees (participants) want to learn.  Ideally, participants are sharing with each other "what they're doing now".   It is all about active learning and sharing and it's not limited to social media; latest real estate trends and issues are also discussed.   RSVP for Seattle RE BarCamp here.

There is no fee to attend the Seattle Real Estate BarCamp - it's FREE!  We depend on our sponsors to keep it that way.   If you're interested in supporting this ad-hoc event and having the love and adoration of 300+ real estate professionals, please click here.  By the way, I'm a proud sponsor of this event and so are Brian and Frank. 

I hope to see you at both events.  

Please spread the word!  You can retweet on Twitter (hash tags for the events are #vmssea and #rebcsea) and post this info on Facebook.  Here's a flyer for Seattle RE Barcamp that you can print and post in your office.

The Mortgage Porter's 4th Anniversary

I'm not sure if it's an anniversary or birthday, but I do know that this blog was created four years ago today.   Here's the post that launched The Mortgage Porter.

I cannot imagine not having my blog.  It has become a significant part of my career.  It helps me communicate with my clients, has become a resource to help educate my readers, some days it serves as a form of therapy when I can "vent" frustration and it's also brought me amazing opportunities.   There are so many wonderful people whom I have had the opportunity to know because of Mortgage Porter and social media.

Thank you so much for reading Mortgage Porter.

Washington State LO's - You Don't Want to Miss This Event!

The Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals is holding their annual awards luncheon  which will be featuring speakers and presentations.   The person I am most looking forward to hearing is Laura Gipe.   Laura is a Compliance Officer with HUD and has been very involved with the Good Faith Estimate.  

She has been a great resource for me when I've had questions about HUD's 2010 GFE and I can't wait to learn what she has to say about the future of the GFE.

ANY mortgage originator who is planning on originating residential mortgage loans beyond this year should attend.  

This takes place November 5, 2010 at the SeaTac Holiday Inn.  You can register by clicking here.   Register by November 3, 2010 for discounted rates!

Download MortgageVibe2010Flyer

I hope to see you there!

Free Workshop for King County Marine Waterfront and Bluff Property Home Owners

The King Conservation District is holding a series of free workshops for property owners along the marine shorelines and bluffs of King County.    The workshop will provide an opportunity to learn about the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning a home located on marine waterfront or a bluff.

Topics will include:

• Understanding marine near-shore and riparian ecology
• Recognizing geologic hazards
• Using native vegetation to reduce erosion and to improve fish and wildlife habitat

Who should attend:

• Beach property owners interested in a stable natural shoreline
• Bluff property owners interested in reducing the potential for erosion and landslides
• Any marine shoreline or bluff property owner interested in improving fish and wildlife habitat.

When and where:

• Saturday, May 29, 2010 at Normandy Park City Hall
• Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Vashon Maury Island Land Trust, Vashon Island
• Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Discovery Park ELC, Seattle

All workshops are from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm (indoor session) and 12:30 - 3:30 pm (optional pre-order boxed lunch $12 and field trip).

Facilitators:

• Kollin Higgins, King County DNRP WLRD
• Peter Landry, City of Normand Park
• Elliott Menashe, Greenbelt Consulting
• Brandy Reed, Conservation District

To register or for more information contact Brandy Reed at 425-282-1924 or brandy.reed@kingcd.org