podcast, our Data Reports, the "A Tale of Two Mortgages" webcomic, and LodeStar Report Newsletter.
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Data Reports
2025 Purchase Mortgage Closing Cost Data Report
The national average total closing costs for a purchase mortgage transaction were $4,661. This amount consists of a national average of 1.06% of the home sales price.
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Full Disclosure
Alayna’s Homebuying Journey
Ever wonder what the homebuying process looks like from an insider’s perspective? We’v highlighted Jim’s homebuying process in the past. Now it’s Alayna’s turn!
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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
Wisconsin’s Biggest LE Challenges
With regard to LE challenges, the state is fairly straight-forward. In Wisconsin, recording fees are uniform statewide.
A Tale of Two Mortgages
Another Fax Machine
Horace invests in another fax machine for the office.
Loan Estimate Challenges
Indiana’s Biggest LE Challenges
Recording fees in Indiana are generally flat, with the exception of Marion County, where they are marginally higher. Although there are no traditional transfer taxes levied in Indiana, there is an “auditor’s transfer fee” and “sales disclosure tax.”
Full Disclosure
Emphasizing the Borrower Experience
Alayna chats with longtime LodeStar friend, John Hardesty, General Manager-Mortgage Division at Argyle, about the borrower experience, the importance of education, and how technology moves the industry forward.
Loan Estimate Challenges
Utah’s Biggest LE Challenges
Utah is home to a flat, statewide recording fee. The state of Utah has no transfer or mortgage taxes. In Utah, title insurance rates are uniform statewide.
Deeper Thoughts
The Story of “A Tale of Two Mortgages”
Ever wonder where we got the idea to publish a weekly comic strip for the mortgage industry? Read the story of “A Tale of Two Mortgages.”
Loan Estimate Challenges
Arkanasas’s Biggest LE Challenges
Known as “The Natural State,” Arkansas is a fairly straight-forward place when it comes to LE challenges for real estate transactions.
A Tale of Two Mortgages
Just Use RON
Horace’s refusal to embrace technology has consequences for