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12.16.24

Written by Chase Majerus

Housing Market Predictions

Welcome to This Week Today! Your smarter, faster, funnier guide to all things mortgage, real estate, and financial health. Each week, we cut through the noise to bring you the most important (and sometimes weirdest) stories from the housing market, along with tips to help you navigate the world of homeownership and money management. So, grab a coffee, maybe a snack, and let’s get into it, because being informed doesn’t have to be boring.

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Use Your Home For The Best Future Gains

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, lets you borrow against your home’s available equity. Applying for a HELOC with Synergy One Lending is fast and easy. Our application is fast, easy, and all online. If pre-approved, you’ll be instantly presented with your offer options.

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2025 Housing Market Predictions from CNBC

Housing is still pricey… buying a home will set you back $437,300 on average, while renting hovers around $1,619 a month.

In 2025, home prices are expected to grow slower, but with the unpredictability of the economy (and politics), it’s anyone’s guess. Mortgage rates might settle around 6.8%, but don’t get too comfy, they’ll probably bounce around like a drunk guy on a pogo stick.

Renters might catch a break with stable or lower rents in areas where apartments are popping up like Starbucks, but competition could heat up if buyers stay priced out.

And heads up: climate risks like hurricanes and wildfires could make homeownership more expensive, especially with rising insurance costs in high-risk areas.

Read more here

Social Space

Our Top Social Links of the week

Read:
Brooklyn getting its first luxury building for couples w/no kids LOL – Read here!

Read:
How to track housing data to know what’s coming next – Read here!

Read:
Taylor Swift’s “Folklore Cabin” is already on Zillow – Read here!

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Republicans and Democrats switch economic views – Read here!

Financial Fitness

How "Unverifiable Income" Doesn't Have to Limit Your Options

How “Unverifiable Income” Doesn’t Have to Limit Your Options Lenders require documents like W-2s, pay stubs, or tax returns to verify income, and unverifiable income from sources like side hustles or rental properties can lead to mortgage denials.

Which is partly how Non-QM loans came to be. These loans offer flexibility by verifying income through methods like bank statements or assets, but they often come with higher interest rates and stricter requirements.

The catch? Non-QM loans typically demand higher credit scores, larger down payments, and have higher interest rates than conventional loans. Who uses these loans? Real estate investors, self-employed individuals, or wealthy borrowers with significant assets. That’s not everyone but it covers a lot of the consumers that do.

And look, it takes a lot to get your financing in order before your apply for a mortgage, let alone a Non-QM loan.

So before diving into the mortgage process, check out S1 FinFit.

With free credit monitoring and alerts, financial goal-setting tools, and comprehensive account tracking, you can assess your readiness for a mortgage without any stress.

The app lets you track spending, monitor your home’s value and equity, and even set budgets to reach your financial milestones. By determining your mortgage readiness in advance, you’ll have the confidence and clarity to approach the homebuying journey on your terms—whether it’s through a traditional mortgage or exploring alternatives like… Non-QM loans!

Dowload S1 FinFIt today

S1 FinFit App

Digital financial assistant at your fingertips

S1 FinFit is a FREE app that provides a roadmap to help you reach your financial and lifestyle goals, no matter how big or small! Free credit monitoring with alerts, set financial goals, create budgets, and keep track of your spending to see where your money is going.

Download the app on the appropriate app store with the links below!

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2025 Rate Predictions from Realtor group from Yahoo Finance

The Department of Justice isn’t letting NAR off the hook, arguing it never promised not to reopen its investigation into the trade group’s policies, despite a 2020 settlement.

NAR, clearly not thrilled, asked the Supreme Court to step in after an appeals court gave the DOJ the green light to dive back into the case. The DOJ’s stance? “We said we’d close the investigation, not that we’d throw away the keys.”

The whole mess started with a 2018 complaint about NAR’s rules, leading to a back-and-forth legal saga that’s now in its Supreme Court stage. NAR claims the appeals court decision gives the DOJ unfair privileges no one else would get, while the DOJ insists it’s just holding onto its sovereign rights.

The DOJ also points out that NAR already enjoyed the benefits of the original deal, like avoiding investigative demands. Bottom line: NAR wants the door slammed shut for good, but the DOJ’s keeping it slightly ajar—and now the Supreme Court might have to referee.

Read more here

The NAR x DOJ “Collab”

The Department of Justice isn’t letting NAR off the hook, arguing it never promised not to reopen its investigation into the trade group’s policies, despite a 2020 settlement.

NAR, clearly not thrilled, asked the Supreme Court to step in after an appeals court gave the DOJ the green light to dive back into the case. The DOJ’s stance? “We said we’d close the investigation, not that we’d throw away the keys.”

The whole mess started with a 2018 complaint about NAR’s rules, leading to a back-and-forth legal saga that’s now in its Supreme Court stage. NAR claims the appeals court decision gives the DOJ unfair privileges no one else would get, while the DOJ insists it’s just holding onto its sovereign rights.

The DOJ also points out that NAR already enjoyed the benefits of the original deal, like avoiding investigative demands. Bottom line: NAR wants the door slammed shut for good, but the DOJ’s keeping it slightly ajar—and now the Supreme Court might have to referee.

Read more here

Vlog

Ai In the Mortgage Industry

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Get ready, because this affects EVERYONE (in a good way!). The future of the mortgage industry is here, and it’s smarter, faster, and more innovative than ever before. Introducing SynerGPT, our enterprise AI platform that’s redefining how Synergy One Lending does business.

The mortgage industry has been overdue for a revolution, and SynerGPT delivers. By automating repetitive tasks, optimizing workflows, and making smarter decisions in real-time, we’re not just keeping up, we’re setting the pace.

For our loan officers, this platform provides an unparalleled edge. It allows them to focus on building relationships and providing strategic advice while the AI takes care of the heavy lifting. This means faster closings, serving more clients, and achieving greater success across the board. Homebuyers benefit too, with a mortgage process that’s smoother and less complicated. From fast approvals to a streamlined digital experience, families can move into their new homes faster than ever.

In a competitive market, SynerGPT gives us a winning edge by optimizing every step of the mortgage journey, from lead generation to closing. It enables us to deliver exceptional service at scale while staying one step ahead in exceeding client expectations.

Our AI-powered marketing assistant drives efficiency and innovation, empowering our team to write emails, create advertisements, and develop campaigns on demand. This means more time for loan officers to focus on relationships, while homebuyers enjoy faster communication, personalized service, and a seamless experience.

This is more than just a tool,it’s a transformation. From underwriting to marketing to operations, SynerGPT enhances productivity and frees up time for creative thinking.

But ultimately, this isn’t just about us; it’s about our customers and partners. We’re making the mortgage experience faster, easier, and more transparent. SynerGPT is driving mortgage innovation and delivering better outcomes for everyone. ModernUp!

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