I always think it fun to play the “did you know game” every once in a while. It’s even more fun to do it with the real estate business of which I am so passionate about.

On January 17 of this year, the Consumer Protection Bureau (CPB) released the new rules that apply to mortgage servicers in an effort to protect homeowners from foreclosures.

In the second week of January, Metrolist released the year-end numbers for Denver Real Estate in 2012. It looks as though it was a fantastic year for buyers, sellers and, yes agents.

No question that there are some distinct advantages to home ownership. Some presidents like Former President Clinton made it a major initiative to make sure that all people had a chance for home ownership.

Ok, so you’ve been out looking at homes for a few months and you still can’t find anything you want to buy. It’s hard to believe that we are having this discussion today after the last four years of record high inventory.

Just last month, I was able to refinance my home to an even lower rate than what I had in 2008. I am just amazed that I have a mortgage with less of an interest rate than what my parents paid for our home in 1968.

Is mortgage rate envy a sin? I have no idea, because I am a mortgage banker and not part of the clergy. But I do know that mortgage rate envy is usually based upon misinformation, and prevents mortgage borrowers from thinking clearly.

Let’s face the fact that it’s not easy getting a home loan these days. While the real estate market has turned around here in Denver and in other parts of the country, the lending environment is still lagging behind.

Every residential property owner is familiar with the too good to be true offers that are always coming in the mail, especially when rates have fallen. Most of these solicitations are based on county records that show the owner of the property and other information that a predatory lender can utilize for the magic mortgage offer.

It has been some time since we have heard about a government agency dropping fees, but FHA is doing that for FHA mortgages that were insured prior to June 1, 2009. Remember that it may take up to 90 days after the note date for the loan to be insured.