podcast, our Data Reports, the "A Tale of Two Mortgages" webcomic, and LodeStar Report Newsletter.
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Data Reports
2025 Purchase Mortgage Closing Cost Data Report
The national average total closing costs for a purchase mortgage transaction were $4,661. This amount consists of a national average of 1.06% of the home sales price.
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Lending Leaders
How to Level Up
This week it’s about growth. Alayna Gardner chats with the indefatigable Lindsey Meyer about how to invest in your own development and level up.
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A Tale of Two Mortgages
All Shook Up
Horace and Octavia struggle to cope with stock market ups and downs.
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Lending Leaders
The Power of Listening
For this week’s episode of the Lending Leaders Podcast, Alayna interviews Chris Mace, CEO & Founder at Mace Innovations. Together they discuss the unbeatable power of listening—in sales and life in general.
Lending Leaders
A Homebuyer’s (Second) Journey
Jim and Alayna discuss Jim’s recent home purchase, his thoughts on the homebuyer experience, and what it means to be a mortgage professional and a homebuyer.
Lending Leaders
The Empathy Factor
For this week’s Lending Leaders episode, Jim talks with Mike Hajjar of American Financial Network, an experienced mortgage advisor and planning specialist. Mike shares his passion for integrity and empathy, and why they need to be baked in to any business model.
Lending Leaders
The Right Data at the Right Time
For this week’s Lending Leaders, Jim Paolino discusses the power of actionable data with Ardley’s Head of Product, Haley Rader.
A Tale of Two Mortgages
Conscience
Horace’s conscience offers counsel amid a moral conundrum.
Lending Leaders
The Conversations That Matter
Just before the LodeStar team hits the road and heads out to MBA Annual in Denver, CO, Alayna sits down with LodeStar’s National Sales Representative, Michael Hughes, a Denver local, to talk about the conversations that matter most.