Here is the second full-month cut of the Full Disclosure podcast. For October, it’s all about pumpkin (of course), fall conference season, end-of-year rate cuts, and how to stay steady despite market shakeups.

What Grinds My Gears

Pumpkin is everywhere. This is an established fact. But where, exactly, should it be? Jim has a quiz for Alayna: “Should it Pumpkin?” where he lists ten items that, for good or for ill, actually exist in the real world. From muffins to dish soap, he asks the important question: should these common items become intermittent hosts for America’s seasonal obsession with pumpkin, or should we collectively reject their pumpkinification?

Also, clarifier: this show is *usually* about the mortgage industry. Not always. Sorry and you’re welcome.

LodeStar Company Update

LodeStar is chugging along, weird market shakeups and shutdowns notwithstanding. We’re growing in fact, signing new clients, keeping our new clients happy. We won Inc. 5000 for the third time just a month ago, and we’re looking forward to fall conference season.

When asked how she’s feeling about MBA Annual, which is just weeks away at the time of this post, Alayna answered, “Prepared.” It’s a good way to feel, especially with such a large event in Vegas.

Mortgage Industry Vibe Check

For a long time, the buzzword was “Survive Till ’25.” But that was then, this is now. Not only did the buzzword (surprise, surprise) overshoot how much rates would drop and inventory would improve by now, but also lenders have learned the hard way that they stand or fall on their strategy. Those who are still here, learned how to survive, regardless of how good or bad the market is.

Interest rates are still above 6%, and mortgage lenders have long ago stopped pining for those pandemic-era rates. It’s time, instead, to improve your business, tune profitability, and strategize for the next shakeup.