MORTGAGE BLOG

Market Update: Mortgage Rates Get Spooked by Haunting Words

Blog posted On October 31, 2025

Do you feel that? The chill in the air? Just when mortgage rates were trending around their lowest levels of the year, something made them jump. Now, they’re trending higher, with a classic time warp erasing the gains they had made earlier this week. The culprit? Not a masked monster, but a familiar face…read more to see who’s the source of the spooks.

CMG Home Loans Announces New Hire of Matt Schoolfield, Divisional Sales Manager

News posted On October 30, 2025

Cornelius, NC – CMG Home Loans, the retail division of well-capitalized privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Schoolfield. With more than 25 years of mortgage industry experience, Schoolfield will lead sales growth and team development across the Southeast region.

Haunted By Repairs? How to Finance Your Fixer-Upper

Blog posted On October 30, 2025

Did you know? In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the Count decides to ditch his crumbling castle and hires a solicitor to help him buy a run-down London mansion. See, even vampires know that a good fixer-upper can hide incredible potential! And here’s the good news. With renovation loans like Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle® Renovation Loan, you can finance both the purchase and the upgrades with one convenient mortgage.

CMG Home Loans Welcomes Goran Marich, Area Sales Manager

News posted On October 28, 2025

Akron, OH – CMG Home Loans, the retail division of well-capitalized privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, is pleased to announce the appointment of Goran Marich. With nearly 30 years of mortgage industry experience, Marich will play an instrumental role in driving growth and expanding CMG’s presence across Northeast Ohio.

Fall Into Comfort: 5 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home

Blog posted On October 24, 2025

A hush in the air, a trickle of rain urging the comfort of blankets and piping hot cider, the crunching of leaves as you set up a crackling bonfire for marshmallows — all indications that fall is upon us and continuing in earnest! And with the spooky season comes creative ways you can decorate your home to further envelop yourself within the embrace of autumn, whether you want to make subtle alterations to your home with pumpkins or take advantage of larger renovations like adding a fireplace or completely redoing your backyard area. Here are five easy ways to transition your decor for the cozy months ahead:

CMG Financial Named a Top Employer for Women for the Fourth Consecutive Year by Mortgage Women Magazine

News posted On October 24, 2025

San Ramon, CA — October 24, 2025 — CMG Financial, has once again been recognized as a Top Employer for Women by Mortgage Women Magazine, marking the fourth consecutive year the company has earned this distinction. This continued recognition underscores CMG’s commitment to empowering women at every level of the organization and across the mortgage industry.

CMG Home Loans Welcomes Chris Shields, Regional Sales Manager

News posted On October 23, 2025

Staten Island, NY – CMG Home Loans, the retail division of well-capitalized privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher “Chris” Shields. With over two decades of lending expertise and proven leadership, Shields will play a key role in expanding CMG’s presence across New York State.

The Season of Opportunity: Why This Fall Could Be a Turning Point for Buyers

Blog posted On October 16, 2025

Tired of playing the waiting game? The signs of change have already begun, like a cold wind heralding the advent of autumn and shorter days. As we move into the final quarter of 2025, it may be time to evaluate the cost of waiting and ditch the idea that a perfect home with perfect market conditions exists. Buckle up with some hot spiced cider and a warm flannel. Shall we dive in?

Balancing Family Goals and Homeownership Dreams in Today’s Market

Blog posted On October 10, 2025

Housing prices are influencing how people think about family size, timing, and lifestyle choices. The American Dream of owning a home is intrinsically tied to the idea of family, and it’s affecting parents deciding between having one more child or buying a bigger home. Let’s examine the affordability factors at play with the modern family and establish how homeowners can still get ahead with smart planning and support from us, their reliable lender.

CMG Home Loans Announces the Opening of New Vancouver Central Branch

News posted On October 09, 2025

Vancouver, WA – CMG Home Loans, the retail arm of the well-capitalized and privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, announced today the opening of a new branch in Vancouver, WA. Leading the Vancouver Central location is Branch Manager, Edward “Ed” Barbier (NMLS ID# 674096), an industry veteran with nearly three decades of leadership in Washington’s mortgage market.

CMG Financial’s Melissa Harbourne Named to “Powerful Women in Mortgage Banking” List by National Mortgage Professional

News posted On October 07, 2025

San Ramon, CA — October 6, 2025 — CMG Financial proudly announces that Melissa Harbourne, Chief of Staff, has been recognized as one of National Mortgage Professional’s Powerful Women in Mortgage Banking for 2025. This honor celebrates ten women nationwide who are driving meaningful change and impact across the mortgage industry.

Flex HELOC: Harvest Your Home Equity This Fall

Blog posted On October 02, 2025

Who’s ready to tackle unexpected fall expenses? With our Flex HELOC, homeowners can turn their equity into cash in just 3 days! This autumn is a time of change in many ways: the leaves changing color, the warmer weather shifting into cooler temps, and potentially the perfect time to harvest your home equity.

CMG Home Loans Announces the Opening of New Tacoma Central Branch

News posted On September 30, 2025

Tacoma, WA - CMG Home Loans, the retail arm of the well-capitalized and privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, announced today the opening of a new branch in Tacoma, WA. Leading the Tacoma Central location is Area Sales Manager, Per Moerkeseth (NMLS ID# 518869), a veteran mortgage professional with nearly three decades of experience serving home buyers in the Puget Sound region.

There and Back Again: The Charm of Hobbitcore Living

Blog posted On September 25, 2025

Are you ready to go on an adventure? In honor of National Hobbit Day on September 22^nd, we’re diving into the cozy home design styles of hobbitcore and cottagecore. We want to celebrate the themes of warmth, community, and contentment and explore the ways that you can incorporate those aesthetics into your home!

Starter Homes: The Rising Star in Today's Housing Market

Blog posted On September 19, 2025

Despite some lulls in recent years, starter homes are beginning to see an uptick with inventory lately due to builders creating more entry-level homes. The hope is that this will inject some much-needed energy into the housing market and attract first-time buyers off of the sidelines. In addition, we’ll be unpacking the conventional definition of starter homes and examining the pros of buying old versus new. Ready to learn how starter homes are about to take the spotlight this season?

CMG Home Loans Announces New Hire of Scott Cummins, Sales Manager

News posted On September 18, 2025

SAN ANTONIO, TX – CMG Home Loans, the retail division of well-capitalized privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sales Manager, Scott Cummins (NMLS# 208602). With over two decades of mortgage industry experience and a proven track record of leadership and client service, Cummins will play a key role in expanding CMG’s presence across Texas.

Market Update: Fed Cuts Interest Rates as Labor Market Weakens

Blog posted On September 17, 2025

The long-awaited September Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting took place yesterday and today. As expected, the Committee voted to cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point (0.25%), bringing the benchmark rate to a range of 4% to 4.25%. While majority of the Committee voted for this reduction, two members voted to bring the benchmark rate even lower. What does this mean for mortgage rates? Let’s explore.

Fall Starts Here: Your Essential September Home Checklist

Blog posted On September 11, 2025

Do you feel that? That crisp chill in the air is signaling the start of fall! With every season comes a change in homeownership responsibilities. However, this seasonal shift doesn’t have to entail just home maintenance. Autumn is a great time to dive into fall-themed design trends, anything to get hyped up for the coziest season of pumpkins, flannels, and colorful leaves. The fall frenzy is about to begin, and we want to make sure you’re ready to dive right into the flannel festivities!

Market Update: Job Market Weakens; Rates Plummet to Lowest Levels in 11 Months. Here’s What it Means for You

Blog posted On September 10, 2025

As Summer draws to a close, mortgage rates are beginning to feel the chill of Fall. Rates kicked off September by dropping to the lowest levels in nearly a year. The cause? Employment data is showing significant signs of a weakening job market, which typically signifies an economic slowdown. A bad economy coincides with a stronger bond market which leads to lower mortgage rates. So as the weather and the economy continue cooling down, mortgage rates offer the silver lining of hope for homeowners and home buyers alike.

National Preparedness Month: Safeguard Your Home, Build Your Fund

Blog posted On September 04, 2025

September is National Preparedness Month, which has been observed since 2004 to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. It’s an important month for homeowners specifically; we want to spread awareness about disaster preparation and on setting yourself up with a family emergency plan. Below, we’ve provided some tips to better prepare yourself should the worst happen.

CMG Financial’s Charlie Rogers Named a HousingWire Vanguard

News posted On September 02, 2025

San Ramon, CA – Charlie Rogers, EVP, Head of Production for CMG Financial, one of the nation’s top mortgage lenders, has been recognized as a 2025 HousingWire Vanguard. The HousingWire Vanguard Awards program honors business leaders who have become experts in their respective fields and whose leadership is moving markets forward, each and every day.

Buydowns vs. Price Reductions: Which Saves Buyers More?

Blog posted On August 29, 2025

In the current housing market, savvy home buyers are saving money in clever ways, such as temporary buydowns and price reductions. However, what if there was a third option that could help you save even more money down the line? Let’s examine the pros and cons of buydowns and price reductions in comparison to our innovative program, List & Lock™.

Back to Basics: Homeownership 101

Blog posted On August 21, 2025

School is back in session and so is homeownership! We have multiple home loan options and products tailored for students and recent grads. Are you a med school grad? Great! We have something for you! Worried about getting a mortgage with student loans? Don’t worry, we have something for that too! Even if you’re a parent looking for ways to help fund your college-aged kid’s education, we have options for you too. It’s time to go back to basics and step into Homeownership 101. Get ready to take notes!

Market Update: Rates Drop to Fresh 10-Month Lows; Refinance Demand Surges to 2-Year Highs

Blog posted On August 15, 2025

Your Friday Market Update is here! A lot happened this week, so we’re back at it again to catch you up and keep you in the loop about all things mortgage. Let’s dive in.

The Jumbo Loan Advantage: Think Bigger, Borrow Smarter

Blog posted On August 07, 2025

The saying is “go big or go home,” right? But wouldn’t you like to go big AND go home? With the help of a Jumbo Loan, you can do just that! If you’re a home buyer looking to either finance a more expensive property or you live in a high-cost area, we offer a suite of Jumbo Loan programs tailored to your specific needs and situation, including the brand new Elite Jumbo!