podcast, our Data Reports, the "A Tale of Two Mortgages" webcomic, and LodeStar Report Newsletter.
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Data Reports
2026 Purchase Mortgage Closing Cost Data Report
Closing costs as a percentage of sales price hovers around 0.5% to 3%, with an average percentage of 1.04% and a median of 0.85%. Just like in 2025, Delaware leads the pack at a whopping 3.06% of the sales price.
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Full Disclosure
What Ticks Us Off the Most
Here on the Full Disclosure podcast, we try to keep things chill. But when it’s time to grind our gears… don’t even get us started.
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A Tale of Two Mortgages
CRM Revisited
Horace and Octavia continue their protracted conflict over the use of the CRM (or lack thereof).
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Loan Estimate Challenges
Kentucky’s Biggest LE Challenges
The Commonwealth of Kentucky, also known as the Bluegrass State, provides few quirks when it comes to LE challenges.
A Tale of Two Mortgages
Fax Fear
Octavia must face her fear of using Horace’s outdated tech.
Loan Estimate Challenges
Oklahoma’s Biggest LE Challenges
Home to the nation’s first parking meter, the Sooner State is a fairly straight-forward state when it comes to LE challenges.
Full Disclosure
A Person-First Approach to Lending
Alayna Gardner sits down with Travis Dyson, VP of Sales at Flagstaff Bank, on the power of relationships in lending, the importance of planning, and the primacy of putting people first.
Loan Estimate Challenges
Kansas’s Biggest LE Challenges
Nestled among the plains states, Kansas is home to over 800 caves. None of them have applicable fees, to our knowledge.
A Tale of Two Mortgages
Lord High Rates
The Fed continues its primordial heroic struggle against its cosmic arch nemesis, Lord High Rates.
Deeper Thoughts
What Differentiates LodeStar’s Quality of Service?
The LodeStar Kelsey joined was three people, including her. Now, LodeStar, though still a small business, has nearly twenty employees spread across several departments. And with that growth in personnel has come a growth in the amount of knowledge LodeStar possesses.
Loan Estimate Challenges
South Carolina’s Biggest LE Challenges
Home to 187 miles of coastline, The Palmetto State actually outproduces Georgia with its peach crop.
Full Disclosure
Innovation in a Tough Market
LodeStar’s Jim Paolino interviews Dave Savage of Trust Engine and Mortgage Coach. Together they chat about the spirit of innovation, how to weather tough markets, and the importance of customer service.