Blog & News

If you don’t already know Jerry Baker, CEO Mentor at Building Champions, you have been missing out! ...

The mortgage industry is on the cusp of transformation, with AI at the forefront of this evolution. ...

With the recent passage of HR 7735, better known as *Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Benefit Ac...

You might remember the United Wholesale Mortgage lawsuit we talked about almost a year ago. Link her...

Hi all! I’ve been reflecting on the past couple of months and wanted to tell you a little bit of a s...

Mortgage applications follow a pretty set process. Lenders check whether income and assets meet cert...

With interest rates at all-time highs and looking to stay there for a while, lenders are having to t...

There is a lot of buzz in the industry right now about Mortgage Insurance, specifically whether or n...

Due to the positive experiences regarding the appraisal flexibilities allowed during the pandemic, i...

We all have been following the recent changes in the mortgage industry. At first, interest rates wer...

With home prices reaching astronomical levels, it can be difficult for many to qualify to purchase t...

The Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) was passed in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan. It was ...

With the increase in mortgage interest rates, some borrowers are asking about a little-known feature...

The LO Comp Rule is one of those topics that comes up a lot in the mortgage industry, and unfortunat...

We have released three of our past CE movies as YouTube playlists! American Lender, Game of Loans, a...

We have released three free ACT Courses as YouTube playlists! OFAC & Other Exclusionary Lists, W...

With the rise in mortgage interest rates, more and more consumers are looking for ways to bring affo...

Recently Freddie Mac did something kind of interesting. They released a guideline update for some sp...

Rate buydowns provide a way to “buy” a lower interest rate than what the market is currently offerin...

As the mortgage market fluctuates and interest rates continue to rise, you may be hearing more peopl...

A HELOC or Home Equity Lines of Credit is a second mortgage that allows the borrower to pull equity ...

From the outside, the fact that massive federal training requirements are placed on nonbank LOs but ...

A recent headline from the Dallas Fed seems to have caused many to worry over whether or not we are ...

"Love letters" written by potential home buyers are, once again, allowed in Oregon. While they are a...

When it comes to buying VS building, some aspiring homeowners are seeing their options become increa...

Last year, UWM issued a controversial ultimatum which pressured brokers to choose between sending lo...

Still getting used to Zoom life? You're not alone! Here are the 10 Zoom Commandments to help you per...

There is a lot of misinformation circulating around Forbearance - how it works and who it's for. Som...

Sometimes, things aren't quite what they seem. Are you ever worried about what the borrower went thr...

Preventing fraud is one way you can help your community right now. Here is the "LO Down" on Red Flag...

Sometimes your company policies make a lot of sense, and sometimes they don't. Hopefully though your...

We've all been there. You say "Pre-Qualified", and the borrower hears "Qualified". Sometimes borrowe...

A thing of value under $25 is safe, right? Nope. Common misconception that has spread around the ind...

Keep it secret, keep it safe. Or not. You're probably better off just advertising compliantly so tha...

Details are everything when you're renewing your license. Enjoy your CE this year by following this ...

Collecting HMDA data correctly is very important. There are reporting implications involved but also...

Are you up to date on what violating RESPA could mean? Let's talk about not getting hit for RESPA vi...

Let's talk about describing sex on the 1003, this is the Lo Down in 60 seconds.

The FTC is supposed to protect us for false advertising, not participate in it. This week we update ...

Equifax is writing checks and offering free credit monitoring , the GSE Patch is on its way out, and...

Amazon continues to push into the Real Estate world by offering incentives to buy their homes, and C...

We had a great interview with Jason Manning (Partner) and Mandi Blackmon of Troutman Sanders, LLP. T...

With so many households, places of business, and professional offices having voice-activated smart h...

The economy is on the mend like a teenager's broken heart. And another concerning cyber-lapse has be...

Every so often we come across a mortgage compliance topic that seems to be flying under the radar. O...

Come take a journey with us into a study that may cause you to literally arch your eyebrows and exha...

An emerging technology, DeepFakes (a port-manteau of "Deep Learning" and "Fakes") is poised to have ...

An S.E.C. Investigation, UDAAP Symposium, and Millennials Might Like us, After All.

We had a great interview with Bob Niemi of Bradley, LLP. He presented a lot of solid information abo...

This week, the LO Down comes to you from the same desk it usually does, and we cover the situation w...

This week, the LO Down comes to you from the same desk it usually does, and we cover the situation w...

Hackers and iBuyers this week on the LO Down.

We made sure not to tell you what happened at MBA Secondary! But we do cover a new vulnerability you...

This week, we tackle the new direction of the CFPB and an update to the Zillow RESPA Case.

This week, we tackle the New Worksheet regarding TRID, and an update to the Zillow RESPA Case.

This week, we tackle the CFPB's situation, and where things are going from here.

This week, we break down what is happening with Fannie and Freddie.

This week, we bring you the LO down on the sudden return of the NINA loan.

This week, we bring you the LO down on the sudden return of the NINA loan.

This week, we bring you the LO down on Zillow, their launch of ZHL, and how it affects you.

This week, we bring you the LO Down on robocalling, the financial exploitation of elders, and the NA...

Sawyer and Nate dive into CFPB activity, Gig workers, and more! What do you think of the new set up?

Recalculating FICO scores could include savings/checking accounts, and Fannie Mae and Equifax are on...

This week the DoD fires back agains the CFPB, FHFA plans on launching a language resource, and the C...

Apparently strict overwatch doesn't affect actual production, just product mix.

Ken and Sawyer cover what the industry is trying to do with the LO Comp rule, and some other stuff t...

Falsified Records, Reverse Mortgages, and new Home Sales in this week's roundup!

More CFPB unrest from Capitol Hill, be wary in the wake of disaster, and could Fannie Mae and Freddi...

Destroyed Dreams, CFPB Reports, and Leadership Changes: Tune in for This Week's Roundup!

Appraising Appraisers, Staying Strong and Criterion Clarification This Week in the Roundup!

Borrower preferences, GSE roles, and CFPB vacancies -- All in this week's Roundup!

Sawyer breaks down the IRS's changes to tax transcripts, home-purchasing sentiment plateauing, and t...

A one-dollar civil penalty, love affairs at Fannie Mae, and a heads-up to service members || All in ...

The CFPB's advisor, wildfire response, and a new Encompass release are all tackled this week by Sawy...

Fannie & Freddy "crossing the line", TRID 2.0, and the CFPB's enforcement actions are covered th...

Kathleen Kraninger’s stance on Equifax, changes to the leadership of Fannie Mae, and the amount of n...

This week, Sawyer covers the FHFA's unconstitutionality, the CFPB's new task force on Market Integri...

This time around, Sawyer covers the Leandra English debacle, US job growth, and the green expectatio...

This week, Sawyer discusses the why Millennials slowed down buying houses, what's the big deal about...

This week, Sawyer discusses the update to Zillow’s CFPB enforcement, Trump’s detail-sparse plan, and...

In this week's Round Up, Sawyer talks HMDA reporting and Mulvaney's rendition of "Should I Stay Or S...

In this week's Round Up: The CFPB’s new target, the impact of the Fed’s hiked rates, and your right ...

In this week's update: Nathan discusses how not strengthening your strengths can be a weakness and h...

Sawyer Talks about changes to the CFPB (BCFP) Advisory Council, Fannie and Freddie conservatorship, ...

Sawyer Talks About a Potential HMDA Rollback, CFPB studies, and Workers in the Gig-Economy. Watch Be...

Ken talks about his experience with two different hotels and what it means for technology and busine...

What happened to Dodd-Frank? Sawyer takes a look at the changes made by the Trump Administration, "B...

Ken weighs in on the Laurel vs. Yanny debate, and how video can be a powerful tool for your business...

Is it true? Does Ken's hair really draw a crowd? Find out the answer to that burning question and a ...

Ken was on Facebook Live today, contemplating a recent trend and its effect on the industry and your...

Sawyer delivers his final industry update as a single man!

News you should know in the mortgage industry, brought to you by Sawyer!

Since 2015 the release of the TILA-RESPA rule answered a lot of questions, but also created more, an...

News in mortgage: CFPB Complaints Are Going To A Farm Upstate!

News in mortgage:

Could it really happen? Is the CFPB dropping their complaint roster? Well, maybe. According to an ar...

News in mortgage:

Ken has some thoughts on the news about KW Mortgage. If you've missed the news, Brian from National ...

News in mortgage:

This week the FTC released some big news on their blog. Now you can report identit y theft on identi...

News in mortgage:

News in mortgage: On the regulatory relief bill, on non-banks in the media, on a new proposed name &...

As Ken tours Oregon with his 8-hour CE seminar, he takes a moment to share his thoughts on the CFPB,...

Don't loose track of the latest in the mortgage industry - Watch our video on last week's hottest ne...

In this Weekly Update, Nathan brings in Lord of the Rings and Greg McKeown's book, Essentialism, to ...

Here's to Mortgage Action Alliance for being extremely proactive, to the FHA for extending disaster ...

Let's get real. No one really knows how the recent tax reform will play out, at least not until it t...

Learn how the nation is standardizing online notarization, how NAMB wants to outlaw trigger leads, a...

Trump's 2019 HUD budget includes extended Fannie & Freddie guaranty fees, a fee to lenders for F...

Everyone wants to fit in, but isn't that just the bare minimum?

Ken's at the NMLS conference in New Orleans and something strikes him while he peers out over the ci...

Last year Zillow announced that the CFPB was onto them for their co-marketing agreements. What's up ...

What's the worst case scenario you can think of… be you a loan officer, a mother of three, a borrowe...

CFPB interim director, Mick Mulvaney, takes a symbolic yet concrete approach to his efforts in chang...

In 2018, you could use the Knowledge Coop's CE as a reason to travel to Hawaii or even Alaska! But, ...

Ken's advice from friend Dave Savage of Mortgage Coach suggests we make 3 words our words for 2018.

We can do anything when we're motivated and have a plan.

Every time Ken’s off to travel, he has several customer service exchanges that offer mini-case studi...

The Knowledge Coop wanted to beat the rest of the advice that'll soon be doled out for the new year ...

HEADLINE NATION is a concept Ken thought of years ago. And it seems so relevant right now when a hea...

Compliance Matters for Mortgage Loan Originators Here's a question for you MLOs: Why is it important...

Helping Vets Get - And Keep - A Home Veterans Day is this weekend, and it is a good time to take a m...

If we use a little imagination and the technology at our hands, we can turn our current group of con...

It's time for us to consider how we will deal with the FHFA Language Disclosure that is coming. Here...

Jumbo loans are the big home loans, the ones that are larger than the conforming loan limits that ar...

Sometimes a loan just doesn't fit conventional lending standards. Those are called Jumbo loans. Let'...

The Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARMs) are not a bad product. But they are not the RIGHT product for ma...

When it comes to Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) vs Fixed Rate Mortgages, the main difference is wh...

Some interesting thoughts hit Ken this last week surrounding RESPA, realtor and loan officers, ethic...

The United State’s Department of Agriculture (USDA) does more than just certify beef, and they could...

The USDA Loan is amazing for the right borrower in the right areas. There are restrictions and quali...

Getting Mortgages into Veteran’s Hands Here’s your quick-start primer on VA loans- what they are, wh...

The VA loan is a powerful and amazing product for veterans of the United States Military. There is a...

FHA Offers Loans for Borrowers Who May Not Qualify for Conventional Loans

There is no shortage of news coming out daily about the Equifax's Equipocalypse and the impact it is...

Richard Cordray spoke on NPR All Things Considered last week. We didn't get excited until the end of...

The Origins of TILA The Federal Reserve Board originally had had the authority to implement the Trut...

How it was With the introduction of the HVCC (Home Valuation Code of Conduct) in 2009 which was draf...

IL Group is head-quarter on the almost always beautiful Gulf Coast of Alabama, but with the looming ...

The new TRID rules were released last week. It's easy (and many times correct) to be frustrated with...

1. Continue your marketing It is important to note that you are allowed to give or receive things of...

Teaching HMDA facts and regulation is one thing, but watching HMDA violations happen to your friend?...

TILA TILA is the Truth In Lending Act which was passed in 1968. The act was designed to increase the...

Surprise! We absolutely care about how you experience your continuing education. We care because it ...

We are so committed to charging our devices, one might mistake it as food for the soul. Sure, the ch...

We have just finished moving our company from Vancouver, WA to Camas, WA. While not a long distance ...

Strategies to streamline and digitize your mortgage process and maximize your efficiency in a few ea...

Video connects you to people in tangeable and qualitative ways. Don't be afraid to start using it! S...

Well the first step is NOT asking for clarification on how to close it in the new TRID updates! Stil...

We want to disrupt the CE and training world. What do you want to disrupt and why?

Why exactly is the CFPB making a $2 million dollar statement about credit? The answer may surprise y...

We all make a choice every day that deals with Trade-Offs or Opportunity Costs. No matter what you c...

You never want to lose a loan to someone who out-read and out-researched you. So why not approach it...

Look, we said it. Most Compliance training really is painful. We get it, we hear about it, but we be...

Okay, maybe you did know these things about RESPA, but apparently Zillow didn't. We've created this ...

BREAKING NEWS: The CFPB is investigating Zillow over alleged RESPA violations!!!! For more backgroun...

We are hearing a lot of rumbling about refinances being gone and the only new loans being done will ...

Ken has the uncanny ability to make friends with just about anyone, doesn't matter who they are or w...

HUD is removing some programs that we think are REALLY good! In fact we teach about them in the 8 Ho...

Let's just dive into this...

Ken is on the road teaching the 8 Hour SAFE Comprehensive Live Continuing Education. Only a few clas...

14 years today! That's how long Ken has been training professionals in the mortgage industry. And th...

How do you prepare to hire people for your team? How does your team handle ideas and dreams? Do you ...

The recent CFPB enforcement action has a lot of professionals in Lending and Real Estate asking a lo...

Our fearless CEO, Anthony Miller, whom you saw driving last week, is attending the Independent Mortg...

Ken and Anthony are returning from 2 days away where they took time to do the Annual Plan. Ken has s...

We've all been bothered by it for a long time. And then sites like Free Credit Report.com are hammer...

Ken was listed as one of the top 50 Most Connected Mortgage Professionals. Rick Grant interviewed hi...

In his best selling breakout Good to Great, Jim Collins wrote about busses, seats, and people in tho...

We are a training and compliance company at heart. Everything we do is focused at making sure our cl...

As we watch closely, there are decisions being made today that may affect our industry tomorrow. How...

We've all had the customer service that was just AMAZING. We've all had the other customer service. ...

In the Northwest, we are reminded yearly about how to NOT deal with whales on beaches. November 12 m...

Our friends at the REsource.tv posted a very thought provoking video today. We've received many emai...

At the MBA Conference there are a few things we always listen for. One of them is any hint at a chan...

Ken and Anthony are returning from the 2016 MBA conference. There are three things they are taking a...

The truth about Appraisals is that they are arduous, long, and frustrating. Lots of fingers point bl...

Hello out there! First, let me introduce myself, I'm Nathan Knottingham the Director of Content Deve...

So the CFPB lost the decision in the Court of Appeals PHH vs. CFPB... What does that mean to you, me...

On Tuesday September 20th the biggest thing in Ken's life wasn't the Mac Sierra OS update. Actually ...

Ken was live on Facebook Wednesday morning with Dave Savage from

At the Knowledge Coop we are very sensitive to technology Market Disrupters. Not because we fear the...

Take a trip with me back in time. A time where appraisers were able to just slowly cruise by a house...

Ken was in Vail, CO for the CMLA last week: One of the great parts about the job when not reading re...

I’m going to take you back a few years in my life when there were four words that when combined coul...