podcast, our Data Reports, the "A Tale of Two Mortgages" webcomic, and LodeStar Report Newsletter.
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Data Reports
2025 Refinance Mortgage Closing Cost Data Report
The national average total closing costs for a purchase mortgage transaction were $2,403. This amount consists of a national average of 0.72% of the home sales price.
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Lending Leaders
How to Invest in Creativity
This one’s all about keeping creativity alive, even and especially when the market is uncertain. LodeStar’s Director of Revenue, Alayna Gardner, chats with Marketing Content Manager Tim Austen to discuss creativity, and how to invest in it—no matter what’s happening in the industry.
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A Tale of Two Mortgages
Did Ya Lock Yet?
Horace confronts the uncertainty of the present market…
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Lending Leaders
The Competitive Advantage of Translation with George Baker
We recently had a fascinating conversation with George Baker, the founder and CEO of Talkuments. Talkuments is the producer of a multi-lingual, digital home loan guide for mortgage lenders to provide to borrowers—especially multi-lingual or non-English speaking borrowers.
Deeper Thoughts
Taking a Moment for Something Really Important – October 5th, 2021
We’re going to hit “pause” on our usual content stream for a moment. So we won’t be talking much about closing cost calculators, TRID guidelines or mortgage compliance this week. This is actually much more important (not that those other things aren’t important…).
Lending Leaders
Mental Health Warning Signs at Work with Dr. Shira Kafker
As you may already know, we at LodeStar are passionate about promoting mental health awareness. September was National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, so there was no question we would be getting out, spreading the word and doing our part toward raising awareness.
Deeper Thoughts
There’s More to the True ROI of Social Media Than Sales – September 28th, 2021
It really astonishes us that more mortgage-related businesses aren’t fully taking advantage of the wonderful marketing lever that social media can be. We see some brands spending thousands upon thousands on outdated or downright bad lists.
Lending Leaders
Employee Retention and Attracting Talent with Marcia O’Connor
Marcia Zaruba-O’Connor visited with us at LLL recently. She’s a fellow Philadelphia 100 honoree and the CEO and founder of the O’Connor Group, a talent acquisition and human resources provider.
Deeper Thoughts
Easing Margin Compression Starts with Accurate Metrics – September 21st, 2021
We throw the term “mortgage lenders” around a bit casually here at Deeper Thoughts. In most cases, it suits the purpose. However, when you get down to it, all mortgage lenders are not created equally.
Lending Leaders
The Fight Against Wire Fraud with Regina Lowrie
We had the honor of visiting again with Regina Lowrie, CMB, the President and CEO of Dytrix, and one of the industry’s true thought leaders. Here’s what she discussed with our own Jim Paolino.
Everything Else
WEBINAR: What is an LOS and Why Should I Care?
Join us on Tuesday September 21st at 2pm EST to learn more about Loan Origination Systems and how providing your fees directly to the lender can provide you with a competitive edge.
Deeper Thoughts
A Little More on the Value of Clarity – September 14th, 2021
The power of clarity, one of the beats to which the LodeStar brand marches, is never more pronounced than during the closing process of a mortgage transaction. Unfortunately, it’s usually the lack of clarity that lenders and title agents hear about from borrowers and REALTORS.