Pending home sales tick up — but will March’s economic and global volatility kill the momentum?
In today’s episode of Today in Mortgages, Michael and Rich break down February’s surprisingly positive pending home sales numbers, why March could reverse the trend, and what loan officers should be paying close attention to as buying season kicks off.

We cover:

February’s 1.8% national increase in pending home sales and where the bright spots are

How global conflict and hot inflation data (PPI) are driving rates back up

Why refinance applications surged — and then dropped off a cliff

What’s happening with purchase demand heading into spring

How rate volatility is shaping the “new normal”

Why pent‑up buyer demand still gives long‑term hope

Legal Disclosure:
Today in Mortgages is produced by Network Funding, LP, an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS# 2297. The content of this program is commentary on mortgage and real estate news. Any discussion of rates or products is not individual mortgage advice or a loan offer. All applicants must qualify. Consult a professional for personalized guidance.
State licensing: https://nflp.com/licenses

#MortgageNews #RealEstateMarket #HomeBuyingSeason #InterestRates #LoanOfficers

See more at TodayInMortgages.com

Want to get expert coaching everyday and have the power of the best Network in Mortgages behind your production business? Learn more here.

Learn more about Network Funding on our parent site.

Today in mortgages is produced by Network Funding, LP, which is an equal housing lender, NMLS# 2297. Corporate office located at 10370 Richmond Ave. Suite 900, Houston, TX 77042.

The content of this program is meant to be a commentary on mortgage and real estate news and any discussion of rates and or products should not be taken as individual mortgage or home buying advice or pricing estimates, and any commentary on this show is should not be considered a promise to make a loan. All applicants for a loan must qualify and you should consult a professional regarding your individual loan scenarios for your financial situation. Visit our website at nflp.com/licenses for all state licensing and other legal information.

Today on Today in Mortgages, we break down the White House’s newly announced executive orders aimed at boosting homebuilding and reducing construction costs. Rich Jefferson joins Michael to unpack what’s real, what’s political, and what could actually move the needle for affordability in 2026 and beyond.

In this episode:

• What the new executive orders really direct agencies to do
• Impact on builders: permits, inspections, soft costs & environmental reviews
• Why timelines (60‑day clocks) could matter more than policies
• Whether affordability issues—insurance, taxes, rates—get any relief
• The lending-focused order: speeding up TRID, disclosures, and loan processing
• How faster closings help everybody
• Why Network Funding’s 10‑Day Close gives LOs a competitive edge
• Election‑year pressures & the likelihood of real policy action

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LEGAL
Today in Mortgages is produced by Network Funding, LP, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #2297. This show is commentary on mortgage and real estate news. Nothing here is mortgage advice or a loan offer. All applicants must qualify; consult a professional for your personal situation. Visit Licenses - Network Funding for full licensing info.

#MortgageNews #RealEstate #Homebuilding #LoanOfficers #TodayInMortgages

See more at TodayInMortgages.com

Want to get expert coaching everyday and have the power of the best Network in Mortgages behind your production business? Learn more here.

Learn more about Network Funding on our parent site.

Today in mortgages is produced by Network Funding, LP, which is an equal housing lender, NMLS# 2297. Corporate office located at 10370 Richmond Ave. Suite 900, Houston, TX 77042.

The content of this program is meant to be a commentary on mortgage and real estate news and any discussion of rates and or products should not be taken as individual mortgage or home buying advice or pricing estimates, and any commentary on this show is should not be considered a promise to make a loan. All applicants for a loan must qualify and you should consult a professional regarding your individual loan scenarios for your financial situation. Visit our website at nflp.com/licenses for all state licensing and other legal information.

Buyers are outpacing listings — again. In this episode, we break down why demand is suddenly surging, how lower interest rates are pushing more buyers back into the market, and why inventory continues to be the biggest hurdle in 2026. Rich digs into new HousingWire data, the impact of global conflict on rates, and what loan officers should be telling buyers right now.

In this episode:

Why buyers are absorbing inventory faster than new listings hit the market

How interest rate dips (even brief ones!) bring demand flooding back

Why lower rates don’t fix affordability — and can make prices rise

What’s happening with new‑build inventory

How global conflict and oil inflation are affecting mortgage rates

What loan officers MUST do right now to guide clients through uncertainty

Legal Disclosure:
Today in Mortgages is produced by Network Funding, LP, an equal housing lender, NMLS# 2297. This program is commentary on mortgage and real estate news; any rates and/or products discussed are not individual mortgage advice or pricing estimates. Nothing here is a promise to make a loan. All applicants must qualify. Consult a professional for your financial situation.
More info: Licenses - Network Funding

#MortgageNews #RealEstateMarket #LoanOfficers #HousingMarket2026 #TodayInMortgages

See more at TodayInMortgages.com

Want to get expert coaching everyday and have the power of the best Network in Mortgages behind your production business? Learn more here.

Learn more about Network Funding on our parent site.

Today in mortgages is produced by Network Funding, LP, which is an equal housing lender, NMLS# 2297. Corporate office located at 10370 Richmond Ave. Suite 900, Houston, TX 77042.

The content of this program is meant to be a commentary on mortgage and real estate news and any discussion of rates and or products should not be taken as individual mortgage or home buying advice or pricing estimates, and any commentary on this show is should not be considered a promise to make a loan. All applicants for a loan must qualify and you should consult a professional regarding your individual loan scenarios for your financial situation. Visit our website at nflp.com/licenses for all state licensing and other legal information.