podcast, our Data Reports, the "A Tale of Two Mortgages" webcomic, and LodeStar Report Newsletter.
FEATURED
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.
VIEW POST
FEATURED
Full Disclosure
The Future of MISMO
For this special episode of the Full Disclosure podcast, Jim and Alayna are returning to their Lending Leaders roots and welcoming an exciting guest, Brian Vieaux, CMB, the new president of MISMO. Together they discuss the future of mortgage industry standards and how rapidly AI is changing the game.
LISTEN NOW
Full Disclosure
Regulation Rundown
Continuing with our Summer Session, Jim and Alayna sit down to give you the rundown on regulation.
Full Disclosure
Mortgage Industry Vibe Check
Welcome back to the Lending Leaders Podcast! For this year’s Summer Session, we’re trying something a little different. Tune in to find out what Jim and Alayna have in store!
Full Disclosure
Growth in a Stagnant Market
Per Lending Leaders tradition, Jim Paolino and Alayna Gardner sit down with LodeStar CTO David Spektor to take stock of growth and look ahead at the future.
A Tale of Two Mortgages
Underwriters
We’ve all wondered if this is what happens when the underwriters get a hold of your loans…
Data Reports
2025 Refinance Mortgage Closing Cost Data Report
The national average total closing costs for a refinance mortgage transaction were $2,403. This amount consists of a national average of 0.72% of the home loan amount.
Full Disclosure
How to Invest in Creativity
This one’s all about keeping creativity alive, even and especially when the market is uncertain. LodeStar’s Director of Revenue, Alayna Gardner, chats with Marketing Content Manager Tim Austen to discuss creativity, and how to invest in it—no matter what’s happening in the industry.
A Tale of Two Mortgages
Did Ya Lock Yet?
Horace confronts the uncertainty of the present market…
Full Disclosure
Practicing Gratitude
Jim Paolino sits down for a hard-hitting and heartfelt conversation with Coby Hakalir, VP of Mortgage and Ancillary Services at T3 Sixty, to discuss the difference practicing gratitude can make.