We recently got an email promoting the MBA’s yearly Technology Solutions Conference & Expo (taking place April 11 – 14 in Las Vegas). This is a great show which we at LodeStar try to attend annually. We do produce an online closing cost calculator, after all. But, in most years, we probably wouldn’t have much to say about the show until during or after.

To Chuck, the beauty of the podcast is access. The listener isn’t stuck in front of a video screen and can listen at her convenience. In terms of content, Chuck and the team at FNF do their best to keep things crisp and current. That includes bringing not just “in-house” personalities, but thought leaders from throughout the industry, including FNF agents.

We live in a society and work in an industry that celebrates hard work, self-sacrifice and dedication to one’s business, brand or craft. All noble ideals, to be sure. Yet sometimes, if we’re honest about it, it also seems like we expect life to be run like a marathon.

LLL had the pleasure of visiting with our Philadelphia neighbor, David Hale “Big Dave” Sylvester recently. Big Dave’s story started after he lost a friend in the violence of September 11, 2001. From there, he has been high fiving and hugging people all over the world in his own campaign to make the world a better place.

Well, it’s that time of year again. And while, like you, we’re all really busy—especially as 2021 draws to a close—we’re grateful that the Thanksgiving holiday forces us to slow down and reflect. As a society, we don’t do that well or really even make it easy to do. But we think it’s something we could all use a bit more of. So let’s start by being grateful that we have an opportunity to be….well, grateful!

Illinois is a state of contrasts and complexities. Home to the notorious (for settlement services purposes, that is!) Cook County, Illinois is a place that certainly keeps loan officers and title agents preparing CD’s and LE’s on their toes.

Like some of its neighbors to the south, Washington is best known—at least, when it comes to generating a Loan Estimate, for it’s varied and sundry county-specific and city-specific transfer taxes. These also can change from time to time, and never in unison.

Even though it hasn’t been 2020 in terms of seismic change, 2021 has been another roller coaster of a year (and yes, we’re going to start referring to 2021 from the rearview mirror—2022 will only be about six weeks away by the time you read this!). We’ve talked enough about all the different factors, trends and changes which have shaken the “just another day at the office” mentality.

California has built a reputation as a heavily regulated state with a  complex system of laws and rules, no matter what part of the economy or society being discussed. So it’s probably no surprise to learn that, when it comes to property fees, taxes and other influences on creating an accurate Loan Estimate and closing, California is one of the trickier places in which to do it.