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CMG Financial Honored as a Tech100 Mortgage and Real Estate Winner

News posted On February 20, 2025

SAN RAMON, CA – CMG Financial, a well-established and privately held lender headquartered in San Ramon, CA, is proud to announce that it has been selected by HousingWire as a 2025 Tech100 winner for both the mortgage and real estate categories. This makes CMG the sole lender to receive recognition for both categories in 2025. This distinction underscores CMG Financial's unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence across the housing industry.

Love and Loans: How HomeFundIt™ Supports Your Homeownership Dreams

Blog posted On February 13, 2025

Love is in the air this week! To celebrate couples, we wanted to highlight HomeFundIt™, our down payment gifting platform. Often, prospective home buyers have used this program as a wedding registry, raising funds from their friends and family on their big day. Moving into a new home is one of the biggest steps for a couple, so we’re here to provide a program that can both boost your love story as well as your homeownership dreams.

January 2025 Month In Review

Blog posted On February 12, 2025

This Month’s Key Takeaways

• Buyers are payment-focused, not price-focused. According to a recent report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), mortgage affordability remains the top concern for buyers, with 78% citing monthly payments as their primary hesitation.
• Financing incentives must align with buyer needs. A National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey found that 62% of first-time buyers used some form of financial assistance to make homeownership viable in Q4 2024.
• Sales teams need better conversations about affordability. Data from Fannie Mae’s latest housing sentiment survey indicates that 81% of buyers believe it's a bad time to buy due to high costs, meaning the ability to communicate affordability solutions effectively is more critical than ever.

Market Update: Mortgage Rates and Labor Market Hold Steady

Blog posted On February 10, 2025

Mortgage rates have been relatively unchanged over the past couple of weeks. This may come as a surprise with all of the executive orders and talk about tariffs, but we’ll get to that later. For now, rates are holding steady and trending at lower level than the same time last month.

From Tenant to Owner: How to Buy the Home You Rent

Blog posted On February 07, 2025

Love the home you’re renting? Well, you might want to consider broaching this topic with your landlord: are they willing to sell? With a little time and research, you could potentially convince them to let you buy the rental unit you’re currently living in. It’s worth a shot if you’re already living in an ideal home, despite it being someone else’s property.

CMG Home Loans Welcomes Shawn Williams, Area Sales Manager

News posted On February 04, 2025

Annapolis, MD – CMG Home Loans, the retail division of well-capitalized privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, announced today the hire of Area Sales Manager, Shawn Williams (NMLS# 216745). A skilled mortgage professional with 20 years of experience, Williams will be bringing his commitment to excellence and personalized client solutions to the Maryland area.

Buyer’s Market vs. Seller’s Market: What You Need to Know

Blog posted On January 31, 2025

There are two real estate terms that get thrown around in this industry: a buyer’s market and a seller’s market. What differentiates these two markets? And how can you, either as a potential homeowner or seller, use this real estate knowledge to your advantage? Supply and demand is the bread and butter of this industry, the keys to understanding the nuances of the mortgage world, and the secrets to becoming a savvy borrower in the future.

CMG Home Loans Announces New Hire of Brady Thomas, Area Sales Manager

News posted On January 30, 2025

Oakland, CA – CMG Home Loans, the retail division of well-capitalized privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, announced today the hire of Area Sales Manager, Brady Thomas (NMLS# 396946). With nearly two decades of experience leading high-performing teams, Thomas has earned a reputation for significantly growing purchase market share in the Oakland, California region.

Market Update: Rates Remain Quiet Amid Administration Changes; Existing Sales Rise to 10-Month High

Blog posted On January 24, 2025

It was a big week for more than just mortgage rates. Monday marked the beginning of a new four-year presidential term, and with it, a new administration. Immediately following the president’s inauguration, he began pushing out an onslaught of executive orders. One in particular caught the attention of the housing industry: “Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis.”

Use Your Tax Refund Toward Home Buying Costs

Blog posted On January 23, 2025

Tax season is right around the corner! If you’re expecting a sizeable tax refund on the horizon and want to invest in your homeownership future, here’s something you might not have considered: using your tax refund to buy your home. You’d be surprised at the ways you can utilize your tax refund for home buying success, so let’s tackle a few of those options right now.

The Perks of Home Buying in the Winter Season

Blog posted On January 16, 2025

When most people think of the best season to buy a home, summer comes to mind. Likely, there’s an understandable reluctance to moving when there’s snow on the ground. However, is it not worse to move in 80-90 degree heat, with the sun beating down relentlessly while moving heavy boxes and furniture? In the colder season, moving will keep you warm, and you likely won’t be affected by the cold as much as you’d think. There’s also less competition to contend with and more time to work with your agent. And best of all, your negotiation power has much more weight in the winter. Still not convinced? Let’s walk through some of the perks of home buying this winter.

Market Update: Rates Trending Higher but There Are Small Glimmers of Hope

Blog posted On January 14, 2025

There have been a lot of changes in the market since our last update, so here’s the lowdown…

Exploring Space Efficiency in New Construction Homes

Blog posted On January 10, 2025

According to a new report from Realtor.com, the number of bedrooms in homes has reached a new high. This is a notable statistic since the number of people in any given household has declined over the past 40 years, meaning that American homeowners are dealing with an excess of space. The boom in housing space (bedrooms specifically) began decades ago, when “McMansions” started cropping up everywhere. CNBC reported that the Census data quoted just 7 million extra bedrooms in 1980; today, it’s reached 31.9 million! How should this impact the future of new construction homes going forward? Let’s explore space efficiency in new homes, specifically examining sensible designs over the excessive, wasteful constructions from the last few decades.

Why Some Home Financing Incentives Fail to Deliver Results

Blog posted On January 09, 2025

By Contributing Author Anthony Grasst, VP National Builder Division

Affordability is the number one challenge in today’s housing market, and builders everywhere are searching for solutions to engage hesitant buyers. Mortgage rates and financing incentives are widely recognized as the answer, but why aren’t they driving sales as they should?

As someone who works closely with builders and sales teams across the country, I often hear this frustration: “I’ve tried financing incentives, but they didn’t work.” These challenges aren’t insurmountable, but they often come down to four critical issues:

Real Estate Lessons From It’s a Wonderful Life

Blog posted On January 02, 2025

Considered one of the greatest films of all time and certainly amongst the best holiday movies, It’s a Wonderful Life released in 1946 and despite nearing its 80^th anniversary, its themes of family and friendship have resounded powerfully throughout each ensuing decade. The film is especially relevant to today’s housing market; much of the movie’s plot revolves around affordable homes, ditching landlords like Mr. Potter, and in George and Mary Bailey’s case, taking on a fixer-upper home. The real estate market has fluctuated plenty since Frank Capra’s beloved picture dropped in theaters, but the dream of homeownership is ever-present in the film, one that George Bailey believes everyone deserves, regardless of their situation.

2025 Housing Trends: How to Financially Prepare for the Market Shifts Ahead

Blog posted On December 20, 2024

Now that 2025 is nearly upon us, it’s time to take a look at predictions for the next year, especially concerning the housing market and how it affects buyers. We’d also like to share some financial tips on how best to prepare for potential market shifts on the horizon. We want to help set you up for home buying success in the new year!

Mortgage Rate Projections: Two Paths Forward or Uncharted Territory?

Blog posted On December 20, 2024

By Contributing Author Anthony Grasst, VP National Builder Division

Mortgage rates have been a big topic lately, and it’s no wonder why. One of the most common questions I hear is, “When will mortgage rates come down?” Rates are important, but they’re just one piece of the affordability puzzle. Buyers are also struggling with high home prices and tighter cash flow caused by inflation. These factors together are squeezing affordability, and buyers are eager for solutions. It’s the kind of question that directly impacts how you approach buyers in today’s market.

I usually answer this question by offering two potential paths. Here are two paths forward based on a recent economic forecast from FHN Financial.

CMG Financial Celebrates Two Leaders Recognized in This Year’s 40 Under 40 List

News posted On December 17, 2024

SAN RAMON, CA – CMG Financial, a well-established and privately held lender headquartered in San Ramon, CA, proudly celebrates the recognition of two of its outstanding leaders in this year’s 40 Under 40 list by National Mortgage Professional. Gianina Rosenblatt, SVP of Corporate Operations, and Kelly Deaton, VP of Marketing, were both honored for their exceptional contributions to CMG and the industry at large.

What the Rising Age of First-Time Home Buyers Means for the Real Estate Market

Blog posted On December 13, 2024

According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report, the average age of first-time home buyers has reached 38 years old, a jump from the year prior (35 last year). Let’s decode some of the reasons the median age has jumped up and how this statistic affects the current state of the real estate market.

The Importance of an Emergency Fund When Planning on Buying a Home

Blog posted On December 05, 2024

If you’re looking to buy a home, do you have an emergency fund? And if you’re like many prospective first-time home buyers, this question may have sent a chill of anxiety down your spine. You’re not alone. This is a big financial regret for Gen Zers and Millennials; according to CNBC, “not saving enough for emergencies ranks at the top of their lists.” But don’t worry! We’re here to provide you with helpful information about emergency funds and calm any homeowning anxieties you may have, ensuring that your homeownership journey is a successful one.

Cozy Up Your Home: 6 Trends for Winter 2024

Blog posted On November 21, 2024

A crackling fireplace, the whole family gathered cozily in the living room after a night of feasting, scattered wrapping paper blanketing your throw rugs and cream carpets: does this fit your vision of a perfect home for the holidays? With a few thoughtful touches, any room can be turned into a comforting space this winter. Let’s take a leisurely tour through some of the most inviting home trends this season, setting you and your family up for success when the cold sets in.

What the Election Means for the Housing Market and Mortgage Rates

Blog posted On November 14, 2024

The upcoming administration turnover is raising a lot of questions and concerns about the future of the economy, housing industry, and mortgage rates. Though nothing is set in stone, there are some predictions about what could happen in coming years. Here are some of the major concerns and potential outcomes.

Mortgage Rates Spike: Affordability Strains, But Opportunities Remain

Blog posted On November 08, 2024

Market Update: With rates now averaging 7.13%, buyers face higher costs while builders navigate an affordability crunch. Here’s how we can turn these challenges into sales opportunities.

Mortgage rates increased to 7.13% after the election, a jump that highlights the financial pressures impacting buyers and builders alike. The recent rise in rates reflects broader economic trends, including inflation concerns and Treasury yield shifts, which have kept rates elevated. This high-rate environment is dampening buyer affordability and weighing on builders, with monthly payments on a $400,000 home now up 11% since early September.

Two CMG Leaders Recognized as 2024 HousingWire Tech Trendsetters

News posted On November 01, 2024

SAN RAMON, CA – CMG Financial, a well-capitalized and privately held mortgage banking firm based in San Ramon, CA, announced today that two of its executive leaders were named 2024 HousingWire Tech Trendsetters. This is the second time that Chief Strategy Officer, Paul Akinmade, has been recognized as a Tech Trendsetter. This is the inaugural Tech Trendsetter recognition for Courtney Thompson, EVP, Head of Servicing.

Are Sellers Pulling Back? Examining Recent Inventory Challenges

Blog posted On October 31, 2024

Is it true that some sellers are throwing in the towel? Due to the rising mortgage rates of last year and this year, the percentage of price cuts for homes have risen. Along with the price-cut increase, listings are also receding, which has led to this surge of sellers calling it quits. Thankfully, there are loan programs out there that can benefit sellers and buyers alike.