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Apache is functioning normally

October 28, 2023 by Brett Tams

If you’ve getting ready to apply to college, look on the bright side: It can be a good way to apply the skills you’ve learned in school to get organized and nail this project. It’s also a time to shine and show off your achievements over the past few years.

That said, like any big project, applying to college has a lot of moving parts and can feel intimidating at times. To help you break it down, it can be wise to use a college application checklist. Doing so can help you stay on track as you move ahead with navigating the next step in your education.

What follows is just that: a college application checklist and details on how to apply to the schools you’re interested in. As you’ll see, it can all boil down to 5 key steps. You’ve got this!

Tips for Getting Organized

Before you dive into your To Do list, take some time to get organized. Applying for college can definitely be complicated and time-intensive. Creating a system, including a college application checklist, can help prevent important details and dates from slipping through the cracks.

Before you start printing out forms and stashing brochures, label a folder for each school and list important information on the front, such as:

• College name

• Application deadline

• Type of deadline (early decision, early action, regular decision, or rolling admission)

• Application fee

• Application requirements (form, essay, recommendations, etc.)

Choose a single system to monitor all submissions and deadlines, and make sure your parents can also access the information.

One method of organization could be to file the folders by deadline dates rather than school names to ensure you get all documents to each school on time.

Keep copies of important documents, such as recommendation letters and student housing information, in each folder. Most early decision or early action deadlines are in November, while regular decision applications are usually due in January.

Make a note of any schools that have extra forms or a particular department within the college that has its own set of requirements. The university likely has a list of scholarship deadlines, which may be different from its application deadline.

College application deadlines tend to be set in stone, and admission officers may even frown upon those who wait till the last minute to submit their applications. It can be helpful to set reminders on your phone, computer, or the kitchen calendar.

Schedule reminders for at least a month before the real deadline so there’s plenty of time to ask questions, make adjustments, and get your application in well before the deadline. This can help you avoid that night-before-the-deadline discovery that you are missing a form.

Consolidate tasks whenever possible. If you need a recommendation for an extracurricular activity for two different schools, don’t ask the softball coach and the band conductor. Pick one and ask for a reference letter that can be easily customized for both schools.

Even the simplest college application is typically made up of multiple forms. You can use a physical filing system or cloud-based storage to store forms, recommendation letters, and more. As you gather materials, divide everything into folders for each college and label PDFs with short, descriptive names (MusicRecommendation, not “scan008877605.pdf”).
💡 Quick Tip: Fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee SoFi private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

College Application Checklist

If you’re looking for a section to print out and check off as you go, this is it: your applying to colleges checklist. Then read on for details on how you might go about accomplishing these tasks.

• Create a filing system for schools organized by the application deadline

• Set reminders for application deadlines

• Gather test scores (SAT®, ACT®, etc.) if prospective schools require them

• Ask for 3 or more letters of recommendation

• Write personal essay (if needed)

• Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)

• Research scholarships

1. Take Standardized Tests (Or Not)

First on your college application process checklist is to consider whether you need standardized test scores. A majority of colleges and universities no longer require standardized tests like the SAT and ACT for school applications — check with the schools you plan to apply to. If you want to play it safe and you have the time, you may want to take the test just in case.

Generally, students must register for tests about a month in advance. It will take a couple of weeks for scores to be distributed, and colleges receive scores about 10 days after students. So if your college application deadline is in January, you should schedule your test by October. Perhaps you’ll want to take it earlier if you want to give yourself enough time to retake the test if you’d like to try to get a higher score.

2. Request Letters of Recommendation

Next on your college application requirement checklist: Many colleges request 2 to 3 letters of recommendation. According to the College Board, these should be “written by someone who can describe your skills, accomplishments, and personality.” It’s wise to ask people who know you well and are enthusiastic about this prospect. You may want to request an extra letter or two, to accommodate letter-writers who miss their deadline or beg off at the last minute.

When asking for a recommendation letter, keep in mind that teachers and coaches are usually very busy and likely being asked by multiple students. If possible, give them at least a month to write a reference letter. Really, the earlier the better. Some schools require recommendations from teachers in specific subjects, so be mindful of specific requirements.

3. Check for Special Deadlines

You’ll want to consider other deadlines as well, such as applications for special dorms, department-level scholarships, registering for summer activities, and more. These things can end up coloring the college experience just as much as which university you get accepted to.

In many cases, dorms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying early can help you get the specific type of dorm you want, such as co-ed, separated by gender, or substance-free.

4. Fill Out the FAFSA

While you’re gathering all the information for college, you’ll probably be thinking about how to pay for it. For this item on your college admission checklist, you’ll likely want to start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA®, the form that parents and students must complete to be eligible for federal student loans and aid. Many colleges also use the FAFSA to decide if a student qualifies for its own grants and scholarships.

A university may offer both need-based and merit-based aid. Need-based aid is determined by a family’s income and circumstances, while merit-based aid is determined by academics, athletics, and other talents. The FAFSA helps colleges determine how much need-based federal aid a student qualifies for.

The FAFSA application is generally available starting in October but the 2024-2025 form will be available in December; the due date varies by state. Try to apply as early as possible because some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

A common misconception is that the FAFSA is a one-time deal. In reality, the FAFSA must be filled out every year to account for any changes in income or other circumstances. For example, if one of your parents gets laid off from their job, you might qualify for more need-based aid.

For some students, federal aid (including federal student loans) isn’t enough to cover the full cost of attendance. If that’s the case, it may be time to look into some additional sources of funding.

Recommended: College Search Tool

5. Additional Funding Options

Some families are able to fill the gap between tuition costs and student aid with savings. Parents may take out loans in their own name to help children pay for college as well.

Other students are able to pay for a portion of their tuition with scholarships or grants. Scholarships and grants may require applicants to invest some time writing an essay or meeting other requirements. Any funds that are received can be a useful way to cover education costs since they don’t need to be repaid.

There are quite a few scholarship databases you can search to find those that fit your background and interests.
If you’ve exhausted your aid opportunities and are still looking to fill a gap, private student loans are an option to consider. While they don’t come with the same benefits as federal student loans (such as income-driven repayment plans and loan forgiveness options), they can be used to help pay for education expenses.

Unlike most federal student loans, the private student loan application process generally requires a credit check*. Some students may find they need a cosigner, which is someone who would be held responsible for the loan in the event the primary borrower fails to make payments.
💡 Quick Tip: Need a private student loan to cover your school bills? Because approval for a private student loan is based on creditworthiness, a cosigner may help a student get loan approval and a lower rate.

Stay Engaged in School

Once you’ve completed your college application checklist and your college applications are on their way, your last semester in high school can feel kind of pointless. Not true! Colleges will want to see those grades and know what you’ve been up to. If you’ve lost motivation, are cutting class, or let your grades slide, they’ll know it. And if you’re still taking AP exams, those results can determine whether you get credit for certain college courses.

So stay involved and send a follow-up letter listing any additional awards and achievements. This is your chance to show off what you’re capable of even when the pressure’s off.

Speaking of pressure, take time to relax — before, during, and after the application process. Plan some fun activities that don’t involve watching your inbox for acceptance letters. And congratulate yourself on making it this far.

The Takeaway

The college application process can be demanding. After all, the application itself is usually just one of many concerns. There may also be standardized tests to take, letters of recommendation to collect, personal essays to write, housing to consider, and financial aid applications to complete. It can be wise to use an applying to colleges checklist. The earlier you complete the tasks on it, the less stressed you’ll be — and that can be reflected in the quality of your application. Stay on top of all deadlines, and set reminders well in advance so you never have to pull an all-nighter. Save those for college.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
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Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

October 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

Our experts answer readers’ home-buying questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess mortgages). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

Buying a home is an exciting time that can fill you with a sense of accomplishment.
But you don’t want to get swept up in the excitement and jeopardize everything you worked for.
Take practical steps that can save you time, money, and effort down the road.

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mortgage down payment, closing costs, and moving expenses. Money will definitely be tight — and might be that way for a while — because your savings are depleted, and monthly expenses may also be higher, thanks to the new costs that come with homeownership, such as water, higher electric bills, and extra homeowner’s insurance.

Of course, I was ready to personalize my new home and upgrade temporary apartment furniture to something nicer, but my dad advised that I shouldn’t go on a massive spending spree to improve everything all at once. Just as important as getting my first home was staying in it, and as much as I wanted to immediately renovate the kitchen — I had already reached out to a contractor — it wasn’t worth jeopardizing my financial stability.

Give yourself time to adjust to homeownership’s expenses and rebuild your savings account — the kitchen will still be waiting for you when you can do more.

2. Don’t put off necessary maintenance

One of the new expenses that accompany homeownership is making repairs — there’s no landlord to call if your roof is leaking or your toilet is clogged. When I moved into my home, the windows needed replacing to the point that downstairs was ice-cold during the winter and the electric bill was over $500 a month. But since that wouldn’t be as aesthetically pleasing as renovating the kitchen or getting a glossy new bathroom, I wasn’t in a rush to do it. My dad let me know that I was costing myself money.

By not taking care of a necessary window replacement, I was paying a higher electric bill and inconveniencing myself every time I went downstairs wrapped in a blanket.

While you should exercise restraint in purchasing the nonessentials, you shouldn’t neglect any problem that could worsen over time. Delays can turn relatively small problems into much larger and costlier ones, and in a home, everything works together for better or for worse. Have a water leak? Now you have a higher water bill — and maybe water damage. Need new energy-efficient windows? You will pay a higher electric bill until you get them replaced.

3. Invest now so you only pay once

I will admit that I was in love with the bones of my home: the high ceilings, the staircase, the fireplace, the yard, and the location. But there were several serious elements of the house that needed replacing, and that was going to be expensive. The water heater, the furnace, the washer, and the dryer all needed replacing, not to mention smaller items such as ceiling fans and window treatments.

So of course, when getting estimates, in the beginning, I would gravitate toward the cheapest option. My dad said, “There is no reason to buy the cheapest version and be right back here in two years. Invest now so you only have to pay once.” After that I always asked for three options and landed on the middle number.

You may not need the most expensive option with the name brand and all the extra bells and whistles, but the cheapest option is typically cheap for a reason and could cost you more money down the road.

Jennifer Streaks

Senior Personal Finance Reporter and Spokesperson

Jennifer is a Senior Personal Finance Reporter and Spokesperson for the Personal Finance vertical at Business Insider.
She started her career covering personal finance at Black Enterprise Magazine, went on to CNBC where she covered personal finance, women and money and tech and then Forbes, where she reported on personal finance, business, tech and money matters related to the economy, investing, credit and entrepreneurship.
Jennifer is also the author of Thrive!…Affordably: Your Month to Month Guide to living your Best Life without breaking the bank. The book offers advice, tips and financial management lessons geared towards helping the reader highlight strengths, identify missteps and take control of their finances.
In addition, she has extensive experience as an on-air financial commentator and has been a featured expert discussing credit and savings, investing and retirement, mortgages and all things money and personal finance. She has an ability to discuss and simplify complex financial issues and make them easier to understand.

Follow her on Twitter @jstreaks.

Apache is functioning normally

October 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

FHFA revises current single-family mortgages backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (iStock)

Apache is functioning normally

October 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

Home equity lending in the United States is on the rise. While reverse mortgage volume has yet to benefit from that spiked interest, consumer curiosity about Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) appears to be translating into significant volume gains for that product, according to Bankrate.

“Online searches for ‘HELOC’ rose 305 percent this year, reaching an all-time high in July 2023, according to a Google traffic analysis by real estate platform RubyHome,” the Bankrate article said.

But that curiosity is also translating into volume. Based on data released by both ATTOM Data Solutions and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) this past summer, “lenders originated more than 284,000 HELOCs in the second quarter of the year,” up from just under 252,000 in the first three months of 2023, while debt from home equity loans is projected to increase by more than 11% by the end of this year.

Part of this is likely due to a spike in home prices, which has been observed in the market since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The median home sales price stood at $394,300 in September 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors,” the article said. “While down from the record high of $413,800 in June 2022, it still represents a 2.8% increase year-over-year.”

Home equity-related debt also appears to be a growing segment of personal debt carried by homeowners. A survey for Creditcards.com showed that 7% of Americans hold debt in the form of home equity loans and/or lines of credit, but homeowners are also using equity as a source of extra cash to be able to further invest in their homes.

“Many people are tapping into their home equity to spruce up their homes, and better equip them to meet their family’s needs,” the article explained. “Borrowing money to upgrade their current home makes a lot more sense than trying to buy into a new one nowadays.”

That rise in home price appreciation, in addition to increasing levels of tappable equity for homeowners, also translates into a challenging housing market for prospective buyers, which may give some insight into the motives related to additional equity-based debt.

Source: reversemortgagedaily.com

Apache is functioning normally

October 23, 2023 by Brett Tams

High-frequency trading (HFT) firms use ultrafast computer algorithms to conduct big trades of stocks, options, and futures in fractions of a second. HFT firms also rely on sophisticated data networks to get price information and detect trends in markets.

A key characteristic of HFT trading — in addition to high speed, high-volume transactions — is the ultra-short time time horizon.

How high-frequency trading impacts markets is a controversial topic. Proponents of HFT say that these firms add liquidity to markets, helping bring down trading costs for everyone. HFT critics argue such firms are an example of how bigger, better-funded players have an advantage over smaller retail investors, and that HFT technology can be used for illegal purposes like front-running and spoofing.

What is High Frequency Trading?

Ultrafast speeds are paramount for high-frequency trading firms. Executing these automated trades at nanoseconds faster can mean the difference between profits and losses for HFT firms.

There are broadly two types of HFT strategies. The first is looking for trading opportunities that depend on market conditions. For instance, HFT firms may try to arbitrage price differences between exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and futures that track the same underlying index.

Futures contracts based on the S&P 500 Index may experience a price change nanoseconds faster than an ETF that tracks the same index. An HFT firm may capitalize on this price difference by using the futures price data to anticipate a price move in the ETF.

Another type of HFT is market making. Not all market makers are HFT firms, but market making is one of the businesses some HFT firms engage in.

A big market-making business for HFT firms is payment for order flow (PFOF). This is when retail brokerage firms send their client orders to HFT firms to execute. The HFT firms then make a payment to the retail brokerage firm.
💡 Quick Tip: Are self-directed brokerage accounts cost efficient? They can be, because they offer the convenience of being able to buy stocks online without using a traditional full-service broker (and the typical broker fees).

How HFT Works and Makes Money

High-frequency trading enables traders to profit from miniscule price fluctuations, and permits institutions to gain significant returns on bid-ask spreads. HFT algorithms can scan exchanges and multiple markets simultaneously, allowing traders to arbitrage slight price differences for the same asset.

Bid-Ask Spreads 101

High-frequency trading firms often profit from bid-ask spreads — the difference between the price at which a security is bought and the price at which it’s sold.

For instance, an HFT may provide a price quote for a stock that looks like this: $5-$5.01, 500×600. That means the HFT firm is willing to buy 500 shares at $5 each — the bid — while offering to sell 600 shares at $5.01 — the ask. The 1 cent difference is how the market maker makes a profit. While this seems small, with millions of trades, the profits can be sizable.

How wide bid-ask spreads are is also a marker of market liquidity. Bigger chunkier spreads are a sign of less liquid assets, while smaller, tighter spreads can indicate higher liquidity.

Recommended: What Is Quantitative Trading?

Payment For Order Flow 101

When it comes to payment for order flow, high-frequency traders can make money by seeing millions of retail trades that are bundled together.

This can be valuable data that gives HFT firms a sense of which way the market is headed in the short-term. HFT firms can trade on that information, taking the other side of the order and make money.

Background on High-Frequency Trading

High-frequency trading became popular when different stock exchanges started offering incentives to firms to add liquidity to the market. Liquidity is the ease with which trades can be done without affecting market prices.

Like momentum trading, the HFT industry grew rapidly as technology in the financial space began to take off in the mid-2000s.

Adding liquidity means being willing to take the other sides of trades and not needing to get trades filled immediately. In other words, you’re willing to sit and wait. Meanwhile, taking liquidity is when you’re seeking to get trades done as soon as possible.

During 2009, about 60% of the market was said to be HFT. Since then, that percentage has declined to about 50% as some HFT firms have struggled to make money due to ever-increasing technology costs and a lack of volatility in some markets. These days the HFT industry is dominated by a handful of trading firms.

Pros and Cons of High-Frequency Trading

HFT comes with certain pros and cons.

Pros of HFT

High-frequency trading is automated and efficient, thanks to its use of complex algorithms to identify and leverage opportunities.

HFT may create some liquidity in the markets.

Cons of HFT

Because high-frequency trades are conducted by institutional investors, like investment banks and hedge funds, these firms and their clientele tend to benefit more than retail investors.

Because high-frequency trades are made in seconds, HFT may only add a kind of “ghost liquidity” to the market.

Some HFT firms may also engage in illegal practices such as front-running or spoofing trades. Spoofing is where traders place market orders and then cancel them before the order is ever fulfilled, simply to create price movements.

The Debate Over High Frequency Trading

High-frequency trading is a controversial topic, and HFT firms have been involved in lawsuits alleging that they create an unfair advantage and potentially create volatility.

Criticism of HFT

One complaint about HFT is that it’s giving institutional investors an advantage because they can afford to develop rapid-speed computer algorithms and purchase extensive data networks.

Critics argue that HFT can add volatility to the market, since algorithms can make quick decisions without the judgment of humans to weigh on different situations that come up in markets.

For instance, after the so-called “Flash Crash” on May 6, 2010, when the S&P 500 dropped dramatically in a matter of minutes, critics argued that HFT firms exacerbated the selloff.

HFT critics also argue that such traders only provide a very temporary kind of liquidity that benefits their own trades, but not retail investors. A December 2020 paper published by the European Central Bank also argued that too much competition in the HFT industry can cause firms to engage in more speculative trading, which can harm market liquidity.
💡 Quick Tip: Before opening any investment account, consider what level of risk you are comfortable with. If you’re not sure, start with more conservative investments, and then adjust your portfolio as you learn more.

Defense of HFT

Defenders of high-frequency trading argue that it has improved liquidity and decreased the cost of trading for small, retail investors. In other words, it made markets more efficient.

This can be particularly important in markets like options trading, where there are thousands of different types of contracts that brokerages may have trouble finding buyers and sellers for. HFT can be helpful liquidity providers in such markets.

When it comes to payment for order flow, defenders of HFT also argue that retail investors have enjoyed price improvement, when they get better prices than they would on a public stock exchange.

The Takeaway

It’s tough to be an investor in many markets today without being affected by high-frequency trading. HFT firms are proprietary trading firms that rely on ultrafast computers and data networks to execute large orders, primarily in the stocks, options, and futures markets.

HFT proponents argue that their participation helps markets be more efficient. Critics argue that they have a big advantage over smaller investors, given how much they pay for information and data networks.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

FAQ

Is high-frequency trading profitable?

High-frequency trading aims to profit from micro changes in price movements through the use of highly sophisticated, ultrafast technology. That said, HFT investors are subject to losses as well as gains.

Is high-frequency trading illegal?

High-frequency trading has been the subject of lawsuits alleging that HFT firms have an unfair advantage over retail investors, but HFT is still allowed. That said, HFT firms have been linked to illegal practices such as front-running.

What is an example of high-frequency trading?

High-frequency trading can be used with a variety of strategies. One of the most common is arbitrage, which is a way of buying and selling securities to take advantage of (often) miniscule price differences between exchanges. A very simple example could be buying 100 shares of a stock at $75 per share on the Nasdaq stock exchange, and selling those shares on the NYSE for $75.20.

Photo credit: iStock/wacomka

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Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

October 23, 2023 by Brett Tams

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, took to the Senate floor ahead of a Congressional Review Act (CRA) vote to overturn the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule on small business lending pursuant to Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The rule is designed to promote access to credit and combat discrimination in small business lending by making small business lending data more transparent.

Sen. Brown’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow:

Our middle class relies on strong small businesses.

Small business ownership is the second-largest source of personal wealth in this country – only behind owning a home. Small businesses make up more than 40 percent of our economy.

To build strong small businesses, entrepreneurs need credit. A loan lets you turn an idea into a business, or invest in your company to hire more workers.

That’s why small business credit is so essential to our economy and to our middle class.

But today, small business lending takes place in the dark. We don’t have good data about how lenders are serving the small businesses in their communities.

And we don’t have good data about who lenders might be leaving behind.

Without transparency, it’s all too easy for entrepreneurs in Ohio to lose out.

The data we do have suggest too many small business owners aren’t getting a fair shot at a loan for their business.

Take rural small businesses. We know that rural communities have seen bank branch closures for years, drying up access to credit for small businesses. We need the data to understand how to reach these business owners, and grow small town economies.

Or take small business owned by women or people of color. The data we do have suggest they’re more likely to be denied loans and charged higher interest rates.

You don’t need reports and studies to know that most Ohioans don’t get a fair shake from big banks and the financial system. But you do need accurate information to fight back.

That’s why, in 2010, Congress required the CFPB to get that information, and this spring, the CFPB issued a rule to finally implement the law and bring transparency to the small business lending market.

We’re talking about basic data on the borrowers’ demographics, loan pricing, application approvals, and other critical information – just like we do with mortgages.

With this data, we’ll be able to see gaps in the small business lending market—allowing programs to expand access to credit for small businesses, like small businesses in rural areas.

And more data means more accountability—ensuring that lenders reach minority communities and helping to root out discrimination.

We’ve seen this model work before.

After we began publishing data about home mortgages, more Americans of all races and backgrounds were able to achieve the dream of home ownership.

This still protects people’s privacy – borrowers aren’t required to submit information if they don’t want to.

Of course, the big banks and their lobbyists are putting up a fight. They always do.

But I’m not going to help Wall Street avoid accountability.

I want to see more Ohio small businesses get loans and grow and be successful, and we are not going to let the banking lobby stand in the way.

I hope my colleagues will stand up for small businesses, stand up for entrepreneurs, and vote against this resolution.

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Source: brown.senate.gov

Apache is functioning normally

October 23, 2023 by Brett Tams

Optimal Blue — a provider of secondary market solutions and actionable data services — plans to solidify its position as an end-to-end solution from pricing a loan to hedging, trading and selling a loan, Scott Smith, interim CEO of Optimal Blue, shared in an interview following Constellation Software’s acquisition of the firm.

There will be no one-stop shop for mortgage tech, which in turn makes having an open platform of integration all the more important in a highly competitive environment, Smith added.

“Open platforms of integration are critical. Optimal Blue integrates with all the loan origination systems (LOSs). We have lots of integration points, I think we have about 70 partners that use our application programming interfaces (APIs) as well,” said Smith.

Smith, who also serves as co-president of Romulus portfolio at Perseus Group of Constellation Software, noted the importance of partnership with the largest mortgage tech player in the market — Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to win over customers.

Read on to learn more about Optimal Blue’s long-term strategies and how Constellation Software plans to get ahead of competition in the mortgage tech space.

This interview was condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Connie Kim: Optimal Blue provides data across a large spectrum – including originator data, market data and investor data. What are lenders in search of when it comes to data and how is Optimal Blue fulfilling those needs for lenders and investors?

Scott Smith, interim CEO of Optimal Blue, co-president of Romulus portfolio at Perseus Group of Constellation Software

Scott Smith: We provide a ton of data and being a new owner, I probably won’t even do it justice how much we actually provide. The monthly originations market report uses rate lock data from the Optimal Blue PPE to give the market a view into origination activity. Our Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices provides an interactive analysis of actual locked rates. Our customers have access to the product data, so they’re seeing in real time what’s going on in the market whether that’s on the PPE side or on the hedging and trading side.

Kim: Since Optimal Blue began as an information services business, it has expanded to offerings in the secondary market and a whole loan trading platform. What is the vision for the company going forward?

Smith: When you think about the product itself with the PPE product, our hedging, trading products, Compass Analytics and CompassEdge product, I think we’re the only real end-to-end solution from pricing a loan to hedging, trading and selling a loan. We’ll see more work that continues to solidify that position.

Kim: What kind of tech are lenders interested in acquiring? I often hear lenders talk about the difficulties of implementing add-on products with ICE becoming the largest tech provider in the industry.

Smith: I think integration is key. I don’t think there’s a one-stop shop for your tech. Open platforms of integration are critical. Optimal Blue integrates with all the loan origination systems (LOSs). We have lots of integration points, I think we have about 70 partners that use our application programming interfaces (APIs) as well. So I think an ongoing open platform is critical.

I genuinely don’t think there’s ever been a place where it’s just one provider supplies for everybody. If you have the LOS side of the business, you have the product and pricing engine side of the business, hedging, trading, servicing and so on. From our perspective, the integration side is pretty key. You’re going to use the tools and we’re going to make sure our platforms are open and able to integrate.

Kim: You currently serve as co-president of Romulus portfolio at Perseus Group of Constellation Software as well. Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is a major competitor in the mortgage tech space. How is Constellation preparing to get ahead?

Smith: When we get into the market we’d love to be the strongest player in the market. We’re quite happy with what we own. Right now directly in my purview, there are five businesses in the Constellation market stack. Optimal Blue, Dark Matter Technologies, Mortgage Builder, ReverseVision, which is a reverse mortgage LOS and a document storage business called Axacore. So we think we can bring a lot of those assets together.

We look at the customer base, and we say, ‘what makes sense for Constellation to invest?’ We define that based on what the customers want. So Optimal Blue and Dark Matter Technologies work together today. But Optimal Blue also works with ICE’s Encompass. So we’re partners with ICE. We can both be competitive in some spaces but also be an open platform and be cooperative.

Kim: Are more acquisitions in the cards for Constellation?

Smith: I have nothing to announce right now but at Constellation, we are serial acquirers. So we own about 1000 software companies and we’re constantly in the market to buy software. I expect more acquisitions will come as it’s sort of core to what we do as well.

Source: housingwire.com

Apache is functioning normally

October 21, 2023 by Brett Tams

Inside: Are you considering opening multiple Roth IRA accounts? You need to know if you can have multiple Roth IRAs. Here is what you need to know before making the decision.

While managing multiple Roth IRAs can create confusion, especially with tracking contributions across different custodians and potentially violating the five-year rule, I have found a method to use them to my benefit.

By having multiple Roth IRAs, I am able to diversify my investments as each Roth IRA account has a specific purpose.

However, you must know the rules about having multiple IRAs.

For the average investor, having multiple Roth IRAs may seem like a potential strategy to diversify your investments and attain financial independence, but it often leads to more confusion than benefit. Therefore, simplifying your finances by having a single Roth IRA might be a more feasible approach to reaching financial independence.

However, readers at Money Bliss know there is always a reason if I am strategic about why I do something.

So, let’s go through everything you need to know about having multiple Roth IRAs and if it is worth it for you.

What is a Roth IRA?

A Roth IRA stands as a type of retirement account with distinct tax benefits. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) manages specific rules on who can open a Roth IRA, along with the contribution limits and withdrawal policies. ¹

When your contributions in this retirement account and their interest earnings grow, they do so tax-free. ²

“Roth IRAs give you the flexibility to increase retirement savings tax-free. Thus, helping you to reach financial independence quicker.”

Kristy @ Money Bliss

Can You Have Multiple Roth IRAs?

Absolutely! You can certainly have more than one Roth IRA.

Different from some other types of retirement accounts, no restrictions apply to how many Roth IRAs you can manage.

From the IRS perspective, regardless of how many different IRA custodians you choose to utilize, your contributions are treated as one Roth IRA. You must still follow the guidelines on contribution amounts on your Roth IRA and traditional IRA. ³

This could potentially lead to tracking or contribution errors, or even unintentional violations of the Roth IRA’s 5-year rule, which can result in penalties. Furthermore, managing multiple accounts can also lead to an accidental overweighting of one investment strategy due to faulty fund allocation.

Why would a person want more than one Roth IRAs?

Several reasons could motivate an individual to manage multiple Roth IRAs:

Saving for various objectives. Investors might manage different IRAs for distinct purposes—one for retirement income, another as a cushion for emergencies.
Diversification of investment portfolio. Multiple Roth IRAs facilitate varied levels of risk adoption across different types of investments.
Raising insurance protection. With multiple Roth IRAs spread across separate institutions, each account can avail of $250,000 FDIC insurance protection. ⁴
Simplifying inheritance. Dealing with inheritance matters gets easier upon having distinct Roth IRAs, as assets can be split and handed down according to wishes.

Personally, I choose to have multiple Roth IRAs because I actively trade options contracts in one while the other is for long-term holdings.

Is it smart to have multiple Roth IRAs?

This is a highly personal decision as it depends on individuals and their unique circumstances.

Multiple Roth IRAs can offer remarkable benefits. However, keep in mind that more accounts may mean more fees and added complexity when managing your retirement savings.

You must consider your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon is crucial before opting for multiple IRAs.

Many people end up with multiple IRAs when they decide to rollover a 401k from a previous employer.

Benefits of Opening Multiple Roth IRAs

You will have to decide if these benefits of multiple Roth IRAs are worth it for you:

Diversified investments. By having multiple accounts, it allows you to vary your investment strategy by account.
Conversion Flexibility. Managing the tax implications of converting traditional IRAs or employer-linked retirement accounts to Roth IRAs gets easier.
Varying Savings Objectives. Different Roth IRAs can be maintained for different purposes such as retirement income, house maintenance or rainy day funds.
Elevated Insurance Protection. If one Roth IRA is reaching the FDIC insurance limit, a second account with a different institution ensures additional protection.⁴

Drawbacks of multiple Roth IRA accounts

While having multiple Roth IRAs has broader benefits, it comes with some shortcomings:

Complex Management. Managing several Roth IRAs requires frequent monitoring and coordination.
Increased fees. Many IRA accounts come with fees. Even low fees across multiple accounts can add up.
Unequal Investment Allocation. Spreading investments across multiple IRAs makes monitoring performance difficult.
More Paperwork. More accounts mean more paperwork, which could be time-consuming.

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Unfolding the Complexities of Multiple Roth IRAs

With multiple Roth IRAs, complexities unfold around the management and tracking of these accounts. The investments need to be monitored on a regular basis to maintain strategic alignment with retirement goals.

It’s necessary to regularly check for fees and investment performance.

Balancing the portfolio of multiple IRAs plays a vital role, as the percentage of each investment differs between accounts. This could make it challenging to form a streamlined portfolio until you have sufficient experience.

Nevertheless, this is an easier question to answer than is now a good time to buy stocks.

Understanding the rules with multiple Roth IRAs

Understanding the regulations with multiple Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) is essential when planning for a stable retirement.

With a comprehensive overview of the laws governing multiple Roth IRAs, one can strategically leverage these tax-advantaged accounts for optimal retirement savings.

No more confusion or lack of knowledge on how many Roth IRAs they can legally own, this section provides clarifications on these essential rules.

Does having multiple Roth IRAs mean you can contribute more total money each year?

The short answer is no.

Regardless of how many Roth IRAs you have, your total annual contributions combining all accounts can’t surpass the IRS-placed limits.

For 2023, the limit stands at $6,500 if you’re under 50 or $7,500 if you’re 50 or older. ³

In 2024, the limit stands at $7000 if you’re under 50 or $8000 if you’re 50 or older. ³

Can I contribute to a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA?

Yes, you can contribute to both a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA.

However, the total contribution to all your IRAs cannot exceed the annual limits set by the IRS. ³

For instance, in 2023, the total contribution limit is $6,500 for individuals under 50, and $7,500 for those who are 50 or older.

You don’t want to be taxed on excess IRA contributions.

Tips for managing multiple IRAs

Managing multiple IRAs comes with its own set of challenges. But, with the right approach, you can reap substantial benefits:

Organize Your Investments. Keep your IRAs clearly labeled for distinct goals—a critical step.
List Your Beneficiaries Properly: You must list your beneficiaries on each Roth IRA account.
Consolidate Accounts. If you find managing many accounts overwhelming, think about consolidating them at one institution.
Regular Review. Evaluate your portfolio time and again to see if adjustments are needed.
Monitor Fees. Fee accumulation can hollow out your retirement savings. Keep a close watch on them.
Use Software to Help You. My personal favorite is Quicken Classic

For many people, they learn how to invest 10k the first time using their Roth accounts.

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FAQs About Having Multiple Roth IRAs

For 2023, the total combined contribution limit for all of your Roth IRAs stands at $6,500, or if you are 50 or older, it is $7,500 thanks to an extra ‘catch-up’ contribution.

This limit applies to the total contribution made across all of your Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs.³

The IRS does not impose a limit on the number of IRAs an individual can own. You are free to open as many IRAs—Roth or traditional—as you want to suit your retirement savings strategy.

Remember, however, that total annual contributions across all your IRAs must stay within the defined limit. [Quote from IRS documentation stating there’s no limit on the number of IRAs]

No, unfortunately, you can’t.

The yearly limit of $7,000 (or $8,000, if you’re 50 or older) applies to the total amount you contribute across all of your Roth and traditional IRAs, not each individual account for 2024. ³

Yes, you can. The IRS doesn’t set a cap on the number of Roth IRA conversions you can execute.

So, you can certainly convert multiple traditional IRAs into just one Roth IRA.

Take note that you’re likely to owe income tax on the entire amount converted in the conversion year.

Learn more about converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA because this decision will affect your taxes.

From my experience, there are times when it is wise to convert and I did. Then, there were others that converting the account did not make financial sense. So, make sure you figure out the best-case scenario for you.

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Now, How Many Roth IRAs Can I Open?

In conclusion, it is not only possible but also potentially advantageous to hold multiple Roth IRA accounts.

By diversifying your retirement savings across various Roth IRAs, you can expose your money to different asset classes and investment opportunities not all available in one account.

Learn how to invest in stocks for beginners.

Nevertheless, the decision to open multiple Roth IRAs must be driven by your personal financial circumstances, retirement objectives, risk tolerance, and expected time horizon. If the decision aligns with your financial blueprint and retirement strategy, opening multiple Roth IRAs today could be a smart move.

Given the unique tax advantages Roth IRAs offer – tax-free withdrawals during retirement – this could ensure a financially secure and tax-efficient retirement.

Honestly, I think choosing the right brokerage is harder for most people.

As always, consider seeking guidance from a trusted financial advisor to help navigate these decisions and ensure your retirement planning is optimally structured for your financial needs and goals.

Remember, the key to successful retirement planning lies in understanding all associated rules, benefits, and potential drawbacks.

Sources

Internal Revenue Service. “Types of Retirement Plans.” https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-sponsor/types-of-retirement-plans. Accessed October 10, 2023.
Internal Revenue Service. “Roth IRAs.” https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/roth-iras. Accessed October 10, 2023.
Internal Revenue Service. “Retirement Topics – IRA Contribution Limits.” https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits. Accessed October 10, 2023.
FDIC. “Your Insured Deposits.” https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/brochures/insured-deposits/. Accessed October 10, 2023.
Internal Revenue Service. “Retirement Topics – IRA Contribution Limits.” https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits. Accessed October 10, 2023.

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

October 21, 2023 by Brett Tams

Do you want to sell printables online and make extra money? If so, you may be interested in learning about one of the most popular printables courses out there – Gold City Ventures E-Printables course. In this Gold City Ventures Review, I will help you learn everything that you can about this course so that…

In this Gold City Ventures Review, I will help you learn everything that you can about this course so that you can decide if you should take it or not.

Gold City Ventures E-Printables course is one of the best printables courses out there, and it has a lot of positive reviews. But, is it for you? Continue reading to learn more!

Please click here if you want to sign up for the E-Printables course.

Key Takeaways

Selling printables on Etsy can be a great side hustle because you just need to create them once, and you can sell them an unlimited amount of times.
Gold City Ventures E-Printables course will teach you how to create, market, and sell digital files on Etsy for passive income.
This course is for you if you’re looking for a fun and profitable side hustle selling printables online.
You don’t need previous graphic design skills or to be tech-savvy in order to start this side hustle – this course is great for beginners.
You can sell printables on other sites too with what you learn from this course, such as at Teachers Pay Teachers.
There is a free workshop: Earn Money Selling Printables.
The Gold City Ventures course cost is $247.

Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.

Gold City Ventures E-Printables Course Review

What are e-printables?

E-printables are a type of digital product that you can create and sell online. They are design files that customers can purchase and then print at home or use digitally.

You’ve probably used a printable before and so have many others. The printable business is very popular right now, and many people use printables every single day.

You can make printables for all sorts of things, like holidays (such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas), baby showers, bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, greeting cards, a habit tracker, calendars, educational resources, grocery shopping, a meal planner, digital planners, party invitations, jar labels, gifts, and more.

Once you decide what to sell (which this course will definitely help you do), and after you’ve finished designing them (which the course will also help you do), you can sell them on platforms like Etsy or your own website. When someone makes a purchase, you earn money without having to physically make or ship anything.

If you want to learn how to make and sell e-printables, courses like the Gold City Ventures E-Printables course can teach you step-by-step. They’ll show you important skills like designing, marketing, and selling online so you can have a successful e-printables business.

Recommended reading: How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy

Why sell printables on Etsy?

Selling printables on Etsy is a popular way for people like you to earn money with minimal effort. Once you create and list your designs, you can keep earning from repeat sales without doing more work.

This means that this can be a great way to make passive income. If you make a popular printable and set up your shop to be easily found in searches, it can keep making sales over time without needing a lot of extra work.

This means that you can choose when to work and can do it from anywhere with internet access. This can be especially great for people who want a part-time job or to work from their own homes.

Plus, making and selling printables doesn’t have actual materials for you to buy or the need to spend money on shipping. This leads to earning more money compared to selling physical items as you’ll have low expenses.

Etsy also has a big audience, which makes it a great place to sell your printables.

What is Gold City Ventures?

Gold City Ventures could be exactly what you need to learn how to generate passive income. If you’ve ever thought about selling printables on Etsy, then the Gold City Ventures E-Printables course can help you turn this into a fun way to make extra money from home.

Gold City Ventures is a website that sells a full training course that teaches you how to earn money by selling printables online.

Cody Berman and Julie Berninger, the founders, created this course to help others learn from their own successful experiences in running Etsy shops and making money online.

Julie makes over $1,000 per month in her Etsy shop, The Swag Elephant, and Cody was hooked on printables since earning over $700 in passive income in one week while on a ski vacation.

Some of the success stories from people who have taken this course:

Sasha H. is an accounting professional and mother of two who sells budgeting printables to help families reach their money goals. Ever since taking the course, she has made over 10,000 sales in her printables store.
Jen G. took the course in 2019 and since then has made over 7,200 sales with her online shop.

What’s in Gold City Ventures?

Below, I will be talking about what is in the E-Printables course.

What’s included in the Gold City Ventures E-Printables course?

The E-Printables course by Gold City Ventures is designed to teach you everything you need to create and sell digital products on Etsy.

This course comes with step-by-step instructions on how to make money selling printables, from brainstorming what to sell all the way to listing your printable on Etsy. This course will teach you what to do, even if you are brand new. The course also comes with free templates which will reduce the amount of time you spend creating printables, as they give you over 30 done-for-you templates for Canva that you can just make small edits to and then list in your shop quickly.

Even if you are brand new to graphic design, this course will teach you everything that you need to know.

The modules included in the Gold City Ventures E-Printables side hustle course are:

Module 1: Getting Started – This module is an introduction to the course and gives you an overview of what you will learn.

Module 2: What Should You Sell? – These lessons will give you background information on what exactly a printable is, over 50 printable ideas, and more.

Module 3: Getting Started Making Printables – These lessons will teach you how to start making printables and includes finding fonts and pictures and a seller handbook.

Module 4: Canva Overview – This module gives you an overview of Canva, which is a graphic design tool that you will use to make printables.

Module 5: How To Make Printables With Canva – You will learn how to create a design in Canva in this module, as the module name suggests. You will learn how to use their Canva templates, how to make thank you cards, gift tags, coupons, and more.

Module 6: How To Make Canva Templates – This module will teach you how to make templates that you can sell.

Module 7: Creating Editable Printables With Corjl – These lessons will teach you how to use a different graphic design tool to create editable printables that you can sell.

Module 8: Packaging Your Printable – This module will teach you how to package your printables for sale as well as best practices.

Module 9: Making Listing Images – These lessons will show you how to make listing images, such as what a person sees when they search on Etsy for a product. This will be the image that entices them to click on your printable listing.

Module 10: Listing Your Product – These lessons teach you how to start your shop, how to list your product, how to decide what to sell a printable at, and more.

Module 11: Keyword Research Tools – This module will help you create better searchable listings for your products, such as how to do keyword research and all about Etsy SEO.

Module 12: Marketing And Advertising – These lessons go over coupons and sales, how to promote your printables on Pinterest, and more.

Module 13: Optimizing Your Shop – This module teaches you how to improve your sales, find a niche, and see success.

Module 14: Etsy Sellers App – This module goes over the Etsy Sellers App, how to monitor orders, and how to talk with customers.

As you can see, there are many helpful modules and lessons included in this course.

On top of all of that, you will also learn their seasonal product strategy. One of the reasons why students in this course make sales so quickly is because they follow their seasonal product strategy. They fully outline their seasonal trends strategy including all of the tools and resources you need. Some students have even made sales on their first day in the course with their Etsy printables business.

How much is the Gold City Ventures course?

The Gold City Ventures E-Printables course costs $247.

There are free resources that can help you get started, too, such as the free workshop: Earn Money Selling Printables. This free workshop will teach you how to get started selling printables. You will learn different ideas for printables to sell, how to get started on Etsy, and how to actually make sales.

Also, you can sign up for this free ebook that helps you figure out where to start when it comes to selling printables on Etsy. This can be a great way to get started and learn how to sell digital downloads on Etsy.

Who is the Gold City Ventures course for?

The Gold City Ventures course is for people who want to make money selling printables. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to digital design or already sell on Etsy. This course gives you helpful tips to do well in the e-printables market.

This course is for you if:

You want a fun and money-making side job by selling printable items on the internet.
You’re a creative person looking for a way to create passive income.
You want to make a few hundred (or thousand) extra dollars each month.
You want to work from home.

Pros and Cons of Gold City Ventures E-Printables Side Hustle Course:

Pros:

This course covers everything you need to know about making and selling printables.
The course was created by experienced Etsy sellers Julie Berninger (from the popular blog Millennial Boss) and Cody Berman (a well-known financial independence retire-early expert). There are also very helpful successful printables experts who are in their support group answering questions.
Helps jump-start your Etsy shop with actionable steps (there’s no fluff in this course – they teach you step-by-step).
You can possibly earn over $1,000 per month selling printables after taking a printables course.

There really weren’t any cons that I found in the course. But, some things to know include:

You must be willing to invest time and effort to learn and apply the course material as there are a lot of modules and lessons.
The course does have a cost. It is relatively low, though, at $247.

VIP Membership perks

One of the best parts about the E-Printables course is the bonus you get.

When you buy the course, you get a free trial of their VIP Membership for 30 days, and it starts right after you make the purchase.

The VIP Membership comes with two important things: 1) Their special Facebook group for VIPs, and 2) The VIP Membership Vault.

In the VIP Facebook group:

They organize live Q&A sessions, strategy talks, and virtual chats.
They hold monthly sessions where you can get help with graphic design to make your printables look even better.
You have daily access to three experienced experts in their paid group, each with a track record of thousands of printables sales on Etsy.
They will answer all your questions and respond to your requests for feedback on your shop.

And more.

The VIP Membership Vault comes with:

100+ bonus videos including guest interviews, technical training, and advanced strategies
5 brand new template packs you’ll receive every month that you can use for free in your business
Behind the scenes with 6- and 7-figure printables sellers

Even if you don’t have Facebook, you can still access this. Their live events are shared afterwards to the VIP Vault, and you can watch the video replay.

If you decide to continue with the VIP Membership after the initial 30 days, there will be a monthly charge of $29 until you reach 100 sales. They celebrate their “100 Sales Club” members at Gold City Ventures, and you’ll get a special prize sent to you by mail, along with a complimentary VIP Membership.

Note: You are not required to have the VIP Membership, and you can cancel it whenever you want. You’ll always have access to the E-Printables course itself, no matter what.

Refund policy

There is a 7-day refund policy as long as you don’t go past Module 1. If the course isn’t for you, they will give you a full refund, but you will want to make sure that you stay within this limit.

Gold City Ventures reviews and success stories

As you learn more about Gold City Ventures, you’ll see that lots of people have done well with their E-Printables course. This course shows you step-by-step how to make and start your own printable business. It can be a great way to make extra money on the side or even as a full-time job if you’re willing to work hard.

Many students have talked about how much they liked the course. They’ve gone from making their first printable on Etsy to earning a steady income from their online store. There are lots of success stories. People think the course materials are well-organized, easy to use, and packed with helpful advice and techniques.

Some of the things about the E-Printables course that students like include:

The course material covers everything, from creating printables to promoting your products.
There’s a kind and helpful community of fellow learners and teachers.
You get useful tools and resources to improve your Etsy listings and increase your sales.
You have a chance to make passive income with what they teach you.

A lot of people have discovered that investing in the Gold City Ventures E-Printables course is a great step in their printables business journey. Remember to think about your own goals and situation when looking at the success stories and reviews. This will help you decide if this course is the right choice for you.

You can read all of the success stories here to see what real people think of the course.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gold City Venture’s E-Printables Course

Below are answers to common questions about this course.

Do printables sell well on Etsy?

Yes, printables can sell well on Etsy. People search on Etsy all the time for printables, and I have done it as well. There is a lot of demand for creative and helpful printables on Etsy.

How much do people make selling printables on Etsy?

There is not an average that people make by selling printables on Etsy. This is because there are so many factors, such as what a person is selling, how many printable designs they have created, what they are doing to market their printables, and more.

Some sellers may make a few hundred dollars per month, while others could earn thousands. It’s important to remember that building a successful Etsy shop takes time and hard work.

How much does the Gold City Ventures course cost?

The E-Printables course costs $247.

How can I access the free workshop?

Free Training Workshop: Earn Money Selling Printables. This free workshop will teach you how to get started selling printables. You will learn different ideas for printables to sell, how to get started on Etsy, and how to actually make sales.

How long does it take to complete the course?

The Gold City Ventures E-Printables course is a self-paced program, so it might take a few days or weeks to complete the course, depending on your learning pace and available time. The average is around one month to complete the course.

What is the best printables course?

The best printables course depends on your individual needs and learning preferences. Gold City Ventures is one option that has received positive reviews and focuses on creating passive income through Etsy. This is the printables course that I highly recommend, as it is well-rounded and teaches you everything that you need to know right from the very beginning!

Is Gold City Ventures worth it?

The worth of Gold City Ventures relies on what you want to achieve. If you’re interested in learning how to make money passively on Etsy with printables, this program could be a good investment. It teaches both design and marketing strategies that have helped many people succeed.

Gold City Ventures Review: E-Printables Course Review

I hope you enjoyed this Gold City Ventures Review.

The Gold City Ventures E-Printables course will teach you how to make printables, even if you have no experience. This can help you to make extra money, even over $1,000 per month, as well as passive income.

E-printables are digital files that customers can buy, download, and print themselves, either at home or at a print shop. This market has seen a big increase in popularity in recent years as more people look for affordable and customizable options for things like home decorations, planners, and party supplies.

Gold City Ventures shows you how to make, promote, and sell your own printables on Etsy, taking advantage of this growing market and potentially earning you passive income.

Gold City Ventures might not be a perfect fit for everyone, but if you’re motivated, creative, and willing to put in effort, it could help you to make money from home. The course has detailed video tutorials and useful lessons designed to help you get into e-printables and selling on Etsy, even if you’re just beginning. Plus, hearing success stories and feedback from those who have completed the course can give you a lot of inspiration and ideas for your own entrepreneurial journey.

Please click here to learn more about the E-Printables course.

Are you interested in selling printables online?

Apache is functioning normally

October 20, 2023 by Brett Tams

HousingWire Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler sat down with Matt Lehnen, chief technology officer at Deephaven Mortgage, to talk about building a tech stack for non-QM loans. Lehnen has been at Deephaven for the past five years leading the technology team.

Sarah Wheeler: What is DeepHaven’s philosophy on build versus buy?

Matt Lehnen: It’s situational. There are a lot of things out in the marketplace that are great solutions, that are mature products and there’s no reason that we wouldn’t explore them. And then there are some areas that are specific to our products in the non-QM lending space where there may not be anything in the market that is pre-built or off the shelf and the only opportunity to actually bring some of our lending products to market or execute on our on our strategies is to build something custom.

SW: What’s been a recent example of that?

ML: Our bank statement scenario tool, because a high number of our loans are bank statement income-based. And when we brought the product to market, there was no standard product that would do an income analysis. There are products that will pull data, but there’s nothing that will actually assemble that, do an analysis, make sense of the information, and calculate based on our guidelines.

SW: Because you do a lot of non-QM loans, where you might have to do more manual underwriting, how does technology fit into your overall process?

ML: It’s an integral part of the process. With non-QM, there are a lot of manual or semi-manual pieces, but there is still a lot of opportunity for technology to augment that. And anywhere that we can find time savings, reduce error, streamline a process for the users — that’s our main focus.

SW: Is there a part of your tech stack that you are very happy to have right now? Is there anything outperforming or outshining in this market?

ML: Our commitment to a unified tech stack has paid a lot of dividends. We’re in a virtualized environment so we’re very nimble, we’re very quick to deploy, we’re very scalable. When the market moves in a certain direction, we can deploy very quickly. With our bank statement analysis, income analysis, we have a very good set of partners working in the background that we’ve assembled our product on top of. We’re utilizing various Lego bricks of technology that are in the marketplace to assemble a very, very usable product.

SW: What are the particular advantages you offer brokers with your technology?

ML: There are different size broker shops, so for the smaller brokers, they don’t necessarily need to invest in their own technology to originate a loan. We provide the majority of the tools that they would need to prospect, whether that’s pricing engines, to be able to qualify and run eligibility on products, originating the file through our TPO portal and shuttling that loan to us. Deephaven’s operational staff is built specifically to be the one-stop shop for brokers. If the broker brings us a client, Deephaven gets the loan across the finish line in partnership with that broker.

SW: What kind of difference is AI making right now?

ML: AI is everywhere and everybody’s interacting with some component of AI every day, whether they know it or not. For example, all of our cybersecurity stack incorporates AI and machine models. All day, 24/7, across the board, in every facet of the network, there’s a portion of AI looking at something to find behaviors. So that’s an example of AI that’s completely behind the scenes.

On the front end, AI is deploying tools for our users. For example, if you have a year of bank statements to review — if you actually have PDF documents, or if you were to print it, they average hundreds of pages for a 12-month set of bank statements for a business. A human can review them, but it’s not time efficient. Our underwriters are best used for their expertise. They’re good at finding nuances, finding exceptions, making judgment calls. But behind the scenes, we let them train an AI model and machine learning model that says, okay, based on the inputs you give me, now we’ll let the system learn. And it becomes a training feedback loop.

If the human partner gives the AI good information, and teaches it, the AI, in turn, is going to make that human partner’s job easier. I think AI and machine learning and everything in that realm has tremendous potential, as long as it’s used ethically. It needs to benefit the employees, it needs to make people’s jobs easier, more repeatable, so we can use people for their expertise. We don’t need people doing manual menial tasks, we need people making judgment calls and making decisions.

And then for our clients and our customers: AI also has to be used fairly. You don’t want to just feed a bunch of data into a model, get the result and take it at face value. You want to interpret it and make sense of it. AI should be a tool to help get you somewhere faster, or double check your work or improve things. But you never want to rely solely on that for decisions, because you still have to be fair, equitable and do things in an in a transparent way.

SW: So your goal would not be to replace all of your humans with AI?

ML: No, it would be to use AI to do the tasks and activities that make our employees’ and partners’ lives and jobs more fulfilling.

SW: Where is technology helping you on cybersecurity?

ML: The technology helps us in every facet of it. There are so many endpoints — every single server, virtual machine, laptop, desktop, smartphone, every device that has the ability to connect or communicate with the internet is vulnerable. So we have to deploy tools on every endpoint, we have to collect telemetry from every endpoint, we have to aggregate all that telemetry and all that activity, and we have to make smart decisions as to what’s a true positive, what’s a false positive and what is just noise. And that’s probably the biggest area where the automation, the AI or machine learning, really helps. You have so much signal noise that you have to distill out the very specific signals that actually matter.

SW: Are you investing in technology in the midst of this slower market?

ML: The mortgage market has cooled with rates up, but for Deephaven and our non-QM products, and especially our DSCR product, there’s been an enormous uptick in volume. That’s a product tailored towards investors and there’s still a lot of investment activity in the market so that product has really taken off. So, volume has not necessarily ticked down for us, it’s just moved from one set of buckets into a different set of buckets.

To your question about technology, yes, we’ve been making enormous investments all year. And we’ll continue to do so. It’s streamlining. For the DSCR product, for example, we had to do a major revision of our workflows and processes to accommodate those products, make those products more efficient, because we know more of that volume would be coming through.

SW: Are there things that still defy automation or where tech doesn’t help as much as you might have thought when you got into the industry in 2007?

ML: In the broad sense of mortgage, tech has made enormous gains, especially in the agency and conventional space. The area where I thought we’d be further along is the consumer space, specifically, the back-end processes. Consumers will take an app online, a lot of them will e-sign documents, disclosures, they’ll upload documents electronically — they’ll even link their bank account. But we’re still not seeing as much adoption from the industry when it comes to closings. There’s still the traditional sit down at the table, and sign documents, which is due to a patchwork of different state laws and regulations. As a result, the post-closing processes are sometimes hindered, because those are still paper heavy processes on the back end.

If you knew at the inception of a loan process — from the very first interaction with a client or customer — that this could be a fully digital experience, that experience could be tailored one way. But if you don’t know if it can be fully digital or it might go down the conveyor belt only so far before it’s converted to non-digital — that’s where the some of the challenges lie.

SW: What keeps you up at night?

ML: The ever-changing landscape and how fast things accelerate. Anything that is true today is very likely to not be true tomorrow, and especially in the world of cybersecurity. It’s a complete arms race every day. For every advance in defensive techniques, defensive tooling, defensive products, there is probably three times as much investment in defeating those defenses.

And then on the mortgage technology side, it’s keeping up with products. What’s the next product? Did we make the right decision on where we put our resources, where we innovate? It’s a gamble. You don’t know, so we rely on capital markets and market research to advise us where things are going. The most important thing is anticipating the future and trying to make the right decisions now that are scalable for those future unknowns.

SW: Looking at the tech landscape, what makes you optimistic about the future?

ML: I think there’s still enormous demand for housing. There are also a lot of good things happening within the regulatory and lending environment on product mix and the way the agencies are adjusting to the new normal: the new makeup of families and what households are forming. I’m generally optimistic t

Source: housingwire.com

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