While spring and summer are typically the most active home-buying seasons, things tend to cool down by September, much like the weather. But that doesn’t mean you should put off your home search. In fact, the fall can be the golden time to find a home.
Let’s explore why autumn can be one of the best times of the year to buy a home.
There Are Fewer Shoppers
The spring and early summer frenzy of buyers wanting to get into a home before school starts has settled down. You’ll have less competition as homes hit the market.
Very Motivated Sellers
Sellers are often motivated due to less competition from buyers. They may also be eager to sell before the holiday season, which can translate into a good deal for you.
Starter Home Inventory Peaks
Leaf colors aren’t the only things that peak in the fall. Typically, so does starter home inventory, which can be good news for first-time homebuyers. These homes tend to be in the lower-third price range of available houses, making them a potential option for those taking their initial step into homeownership.
The Weather Can Uncover Issues in the Home
Sunny summer weather can hide water-related issues such as roof or window frame leaks. Autumn rains make it easier for your home inspector to see potential water problems firsthand. Cooler fall weather also allows you to evaluate the heating system more effectively.
Uncovering issues that need repair may help you bring down the price of a home, or you may want to consider rescinding an offer if the fixes are too extensive or expensive.
You Could Have More Negotiating Power
With fewer homebuyers in the market, you may be in a good position to negotiate a more favorable price. Plus, sellers may be tired of waiting for a sale if the home has been on the market since the summer. They may be more open to making a deal and hoping to close before the holidays and the winter.
Flexibility on Move-In Dates
Need to move in earlier or later? Motivated sellers may be more willing to accommodate your schedule.
Plus, demand for moving companies wanes in the fall. With more crews available, scheduling your move may be easier, allowing for more flexible move-in dates. Moving costs may also be lower, thanks to off-peak pricing.
Prices Are Dropping
Historically, home prices are highest in the spring and summer and drop during the fall. This is especially true for homes that have been on the market throughout the summer; sellers may lower the asking prices to encourage a sale.
Home Winterization Not an Issue Yet
Milder fall temperatures mean a home’s winterization isn’t yet an issue, but you’ll have time to address any concerns. Prepare for winter’s chill by maintaining the furnace and water heater, sealing cracks and adding insulation, all of which cut energy costs.
More Contractors Available for Renovations
Spring and summer are busy seasons for contractors, but things tend to slow down in autumn. Contractors, subcontractors and skilled laborers may be more readily available to take on your new home’s renovation or repair projects.
Tax Write-Off Before End of Year
Taking advantage of homeowner tax deductions on next year’s returns may save you money, too. Write-offs may only be a percentage of a full year’s deductions (when you’ve been residing in the home continually), but getting in before the December 31 tax deadline means you’ll be able to write off some of this year’s mortgage interest, along with deductions for points, property taxes and home offices.
Summer Listings Are Still Available
There are still homes on the market from summer that some sellers may remove during the holidays and relist next year.
Spring and summer may traditionally be the peak home-buying periods, but the autumn months present several overlooked benefits — from reduced competition to lower prices to greater starter home inventory. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, relocating, moving up or downsizing, autumn can be the perfect time to begin your search and find a home you’ll “fall” in love with. Contact a Pennymac Loan Expert to explore our wide range of financing options for your home loan needs.
For the first time since August, interest rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage have dropped below 7%, hitting 6.95% this week. This brings the monthly mortgage payment for a home priced at $400,000 to $2,118. This is down from a recent high this Autumn of 7.79% and yields monthly savings of $183 and $2,196 annually for the same $400,000 home.
The Fed indicated yesterday that they will hold the Fed Funds Rate steady for now and cut rates three times in 2024. This is all welcome news for potential home buyers and sellers, as mortgage interest rates will decrease. NAR forecasts that mortgage interest rates will average 6.3% in 2024.
While the lock-in effect of higher mortgage rates has stalled the real estate market in 2023, the momentum is moving in the right direction for stronger sales activity in 2024. Will it be a traditional Spring real estate market, or will it start to heat up in the Winter months as rates decline? Let’s also hope the lower mortgage interest rates translate into stronger homebuilder activity, as inventory will be needed as buyers move from the sidelines. For serious buyers, the time is now to get your financial house in order, find a REALTOR® and start your research. Maybe it won’t be a new home for the holidays, but Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.
Massachusetts has a rep for lighthouses, its baseball team and lobster rolls. It’s less beloved for its often exorbitant rent prices though.
Fortunately, not every city is quite as expensive as Boston.
Massachusetts state average rent prices
Let’s get this out of the way real quick — few places in Massachusetts have what you would call “cheap” rent. That’s just not the New England way, unfortunately.
In fact, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in The Bay State is $2,736, an increase of 5.5 percent from last year. As legit Bostonians would say in utter disbelief, “No suh!”
The cheapest cities in Massachusetts for renters
Sadly, that rent rate is the truth. The good news is that not all cities in Massachusetts are quite so pricey. Some are downright affordable, so it’s absolutely possible to enjoy the Massachusetts way of life without going breaking the bank. Here are the 10 cheapest places to live in Massachusetts, in order.
10. Framingham
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,996
Average rent change in the past year:5.88 percent
The suburb of Framingham has access to both Boston and Worcester, given that it’s situated directly in between the two cities. In particular, its location only 20 miles west of Boston makes it ideal for the nearly 72,000 residents of Framingham, since many commute by rail.
However, Framingham does attract many big-ticket employers, thanks to a highly educated population. In fact, Framingham’s biotech industry draws commuters in from surrounding areas. Other major area industries include manufacturing, education and healthcare.
Framingham residents earn an average annual take-home pay of $81,400. Impressive as that is, renters need it to front an average one-bedroom rent of $1,996 per month, up 5.88 percent from last year.
Framingham isn’t all commuting and bills though. The diverse community enjoys a broad range of cultural options, including more than 30 ethnic restaurants found in downtown Framingham. The city’s portion of Route 9/Worcester Road is also known throughout New England as a destination for all things retail and foodie. Yum!
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9. Walpole
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,980
Average rent change in the past year:-17.5 percent
If you ever wanted to call Walpole home, now’s the time.
The thing that likely lands it on our list of the cheapest places to live in Massachusetts is that rent is down 17.5 percent from last year, with a one-bedroom apartment going for about $1,980 per month.
At just under 6,000 residents, Walpole is one of the smaller towns on our list — it makes up for its petite size though with plenty of character. A mere 13 miles south of Boston, Walpole encompasses all of the things people love about historic New England.
The downtown itself features locally-owned and operated shops, so appropriate for a quiet community known for its tree-lined streets and historic homes. The weekly farmer’s market is a favorite for locals, as are the multiple Irish pubs.
There are three town commons, complete with green space to enjoy the occasional picnic or frisbee session. Don’t forget to hit up Turner Pond and Lodge in the winter for ice skating!
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8. Weymouth
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,980
Average rent change in the past year: 8.16 percent
Love history? Weymouth is the place for you. The second oldest township in the Commonwealth, Weymouth dates all the way back to 1622, although it was originally known as the Wessagusset colony.
Weymouth has changed quite a bit over the past 400 years, but it nonetheless retains ever so much New England charm. The only downside is that rents in Weymouth have increased 8.16 percent over the last year, to $1,980 per month for a one-bedroom unit.
Originally an agricultural and fishing community, Weymouth today is “South Shore’s medical mecca,” thanks to a heavy healthcare presence.
Weymouth is ideally located in southeastern Mass just 12 miles southeast of Boston. Although winters are brutally cold, the summers in Weymouth are delightful. The hottest month of July averages a temperature of only 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
There’s plenty to do here as one of the cheapest places to live in Massachusetts. Locals love stopping by any of the town’s four village centers for food, drink, shopping and downtime.
Outdoor fun is a must in this area, which includes George Lane Beach and Webb Memorial State Park.
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7. Andover
Average 1-BR rent price:$1,944
Average rent change in the past year:9.55 percent
Andover is yet another historic New England community, but it nonetheless exhibits a charm all its own. Named for the England city where most of its settlers hailed from, the Town of Andover incorporated way back in 1646.
Not too long after that (in 1770) Andover saw the establishment of Phillips Academy, the famed independent secondary “prep” school known around the world that has graduated impressive students like Dr. Benjamin Spock, former President George H.W. Bush and even former Supreme Court justice Oliver Wendall Holmes, Jr.
Located 26 miles north of Boston, downtown Andover is accessible by car or rail. Eclectic boutiques and eateries liberally dot the area, and downtown has many nature trails that give locals and visitors the opportunity to explore Andover’s largely unspoiled beauty. Harold Parker State Forest is another must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts.
Andover rent clocks in at $1,944 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, up 9.55 percent from this time last year. Despite this increase, it remains one of the cheapest places to live in Massachusetts.
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6. Bridgewater
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,943
Average rent change in the past year: 7.21 percent
Some 25 miles south of Boston is Bridgewater, where the average one-bedroom rental will cost you a whole dollar less, $1,943, per month than the previously mentioned Andover. This is an increase of 7.21 percent from last year.
With nearly 27,000 residents, Bridgewater’s niche is somewhere between a small town and a major New England metropolis. Known for its low crime rate and family-friendly atmosphere, Bridgewater residents tend to stick around for a while.
It’s also home to Bridgewater State University, an acclaimed institution that is the largest of nine state universities in Massachusetts.
Like much of the state, Bridgewater boasts incredible access to nature. Among them, The Wildlands Trust— Great River Preserve is more than 125 acres worth of trails, habitats, vernal pools and rare animals. Bridgewater State Park is another excellent spot for hiking, plus it features a lake for water sports.
Be sure to keep an eye on the calendar and take in an event or two at historic Sachem Rock Farm!
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5. Canton
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,910
Average rent change in the past year: -15.15 percent
Great news, wannabe Canton residents — rent is down in this Boston suburb by a whopping 15.15 percent compared with last year, helping propel it higher on our list of the cheapest places to live in Massachusetts. This brings rent for a one-bedroom apartment to a monthly average of $1,910.
Located 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston, the town of Canton is home to more than 23,000 residents. Settled in 1650 under the name Punkapoag, it was eventually renamed Canton because settlers thought that it is on the exact opposite end of the earth from Canton, China.
The area was an early industrial hub, with Paul Revere himself setting up a gunpowder factory during the American Revolution, as well as the country’s first copper rolling mill.
Things have changed a lot since the olden days, though. Today, Dunkin’ Donuts is among the businesses calling Canton home. Since everyone in New England loves Dunkin’, this is big deal!
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4. Burlington
Photo source: Burlington Recreation / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,889
Average rent change in the past year: -20.51 percent
Rent prices in Burlington have dropped more than 20 percent in the last year, so it’s a better time than ever to get into the area — one of the cheapest places to live in Massachusetts. Currently, a one-bedroom apartment in the city will set you back about $1,889 per month.
Roughly 12 miles northwest of Boston, Burlington has about 25,000 residents and counting. The suburb is gaining in popularity thanks to its enviable location and comparable affordability.
In particular, the 270-acre Landlocked Forest in Burlington is an outdoorsy paradise, with trails and boardwalks suitable for everything from hiking to cross-country skiing in the winter.
Shopping enthusiasts might prefer to skip the trails for 3rd Avenue, where all of the best stores are. Wayside Commons and Burlington Mall are other beloved retail areas.
All in all, Burlington is a delightful suburb to raise a family or live as a young professional, wherever you are in life.
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3. Shrewsbury
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,737
Average rent change in the past year: -25.12 percent
Down more than 25 percent from last year are rent prices in Shrewsbury. Slightly further inland than many of the other cities on this list, Shrewsbury is 45 minutes west of Boston and 10 minutes east of Worcester in Central Mass. This is the first city on our list to rent below $1,800 per month — a one-bedroom goes for an average of $1,737.
Shrewsbury is home to Ski Ward, a year-round recreational facility. In the winter, visitors enjoy snow skiing, snow tubing and snowboarding. In the summer, it’s the ideal place for beach volleyball, as well as summer skiing and summer tubing.
Another establishment that makes life in Shrewsbury extra sweet is Hebert’s Candy Mansion, known for its homemade candy, but also full of other goodies like ice cream sundaes and luxe coffee. People literally come from all around to take in the full Hebert experience.
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2. Sunderland
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,649
Average rent change in the past year: -4.64 percent
Moving to the other side of the state, the Town of Sunderland is in western Massachusetts. At nearly 15 square miles and around 4,000 residents, Sunderland is decidedly smaller than many other cities on this list. The rent for an average one-bedroom is down 4.64 percent to $1,649 per month here.
Originally known as Swampfield, due to swampland in the town, Sunderland incorporated in 1718. Today, it features picturesque streets lined with maple trees planted in the 1820s.
Mount Toby is a major Sunderland attraction, as the 1,269-foot fire tower at the summit offers unbelievable views of surrounding area ranges. Hikers also love to take in the waterfalls while out on a trek. In autumn, locals flock to family-friendly activities such as the eight-acre corn maze at Mike’s Maze (September through November).
Certainly not one of the most metropolitan cities on our list, Sunderland still features a sprinkling of dining, shopping and entertainment options suitable for a quaint New England Town. Plus, it’s oh-so-affordable, as the second cheapest place to live in Massachusetts.
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1. Westborough
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,445
Average rent change in the past year: -37.24 percent
Moving back east, the town of Westborough is everything a New Englander could want and more. And who can argue with the price? Rental rates are down 37.24 percent, with the average one-bedroom rental rate at $1,445 per month!
Westborough was originally established as a place for dairies and orchards. Located 29 miles west of Boston and east of Worcester, Westborough offers commuters easy access by car or rail to these big metro areas.
Today, Westborough houses an impressive slate of businesses, largely in the manufacturing and service industries. Although smaller than Boston by a long shot, Westborough’s 18,000-plus residents enjoy good schools and plenty of amenities for a significantly reduced price tag.
Chauncy Lake and George H Nichols Reservoir are popular spots for sunning, boating, fishing and all other things water-related.
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The 25 cheapest places to live in Massachusetts
Super bummed that the city you’re into didn’t show up on our list? Never fear, there are plenty of other affordable places to live in Massachusetts. Check out the full top 25 cheapest cities here.
The 10 most expensive places to live in Massachusetts
Wanna see how the other half lives? There are plenty of pricey places to live in Massachusetts, too. Take a look at this list of the 10 most expensive cities to live in. Try not to let your jaw drop at these rental rates!
Methodology
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory as of May 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
We excluded cities with insufficient inventory from this report.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
As the autumn leaves fall and the air grows chill, the timeless allure of classic Halloween movies beckons us once again to the eerie and fantastical realms they depict.
Films like Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, Sleepy Hollow, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Friday the 13th have become staples of the season, drawing us into worlds where the supernatural reigns and the eerie takes center stage.
Yet, beyond the talented actors, eerie plotlines, and haunting soundtracks, there is another essential element that breathes life into these cinematic masterpieces — the sets and interiors.
These iconic films transport us to a realm where witches, ghosts, monsters, and vampires coexist with the living, where the macabre meets the mundane. The interiors of these movies play a pivotal role in setting the stage, creating an ambiance that is both captivating and spine-tingling.
They are the canvas on which the artists behind the scenes — visionary movie directors, stellar production designers, and art directors — paint a rich tapestry of emotions, invoking a unique blend of awe and fear that leaves a lasting imprint on our psyche.
It’s no secret that the setting and backdrop for a movie are of paramount importance, but in the realm of fantasy and horror, this importance is magnified. A well-crafted set can serve as a character in its own right, immersing the audience in a carefully designed world where the surreal becomes reality.
The creaking floorboards, dimly lit corridors, and eerie artifacts scattered about these cinematic interiors hold the power to transport us to the very heart of the narrative, intensifying our connection to the story and its characters.
Reimagining the interiors of our favorite Halloween classics with the help of AI
These classic Halloween movies, some dating back decades, have become an annual tradition for many, a comforting yet spine-tingling journey back to a time when our greatest fear was the monster under our bed.
They’ve left an indelible mark on our hearts and imaginations, making us yearn for the feeling of nostalgia and suspense they offer. In a world that perpetually seeks the new and novel, there is a unique satisfaction in revisiting these timeless classics, like worn pages in a cherished book.
But, what if you could revisit these iconic movie interiors in a fresh, modern light? What if you could reimagine the Addams Family mansion in the 21st century or walk through the halls of Sleepy Hollow with a new perspective? Thanks to the wonders of artificial intelligence and computer-generated imagery, we can now explore these treasured movie settings as if they were born anew.
With a little help from the creative team over at Swift Direct Blinds, we’ll delve into the magic of AI-generated images that recreate the interiors of our favorite Halloween movies. These images provide a modern lens through which we can appreciate the artistry of the original sets while also marveling at the potential for reinterpretation.
By fusing the nostalgia of yesteryears with the technological prowess of today, we bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, offering a fresh look at the beloved and the eerie. Join us as we embark on a journey to unearth the haunted beauty of classic Halloween movie interiors, rekindling our love for the timeless and the macabre in a new, hauntingly realistic light.
#1 Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton, has solidified its place in cinematic history as a beloved cult classic. Released in 1988, the film has retained its charm, continuing to enchant audiences with its darkly whimsical and quirky narrative.
Set in the afterlife and the realm of the deceased, Beetlejuice introduces us to the Maitlands, a recently deceased couple who find themselves trapped in their own home. When the Deetz family moves in and begins to alter their beloved residence, the Maitlands seek the help of the titular character, Beetlejuice, an obnoxious and mischievous ghost.
What sets Beetlejuice apart and contributes to its enduring popularity are its aesthetics. The film’s production design and set decoration transport us to a world that is a delightful blend of the gothic and the absurd.
The Maitland’s haunted house is a marvel of grotesque beauty, filled with eccentric and grotesque details that are meticulously crafted to perfection. And AI managed to capture all of its magic in recreating an interior design inspired by the 1988 movie, as we’ve seen above.
#2 Sleepy Hollow
Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, released in 1999, is a modern classic that has left a lasting mark on the world of fantasy and horror cinema. This adaptation of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci transports us to a hauntingly atmospheric world where mystery and the supernatural reign supreme.
The story unfolds in the eerie, fog-shrouded town of Sleepy Hollow, where the legendary Headless Horseman terrorizes the inhabitants. Ichabod Crane, a skeptical constable from New York, is sent to investigate the grisly murders attributed to this decapitated specter.
As he delves deeper into the macabre secrets of the town, Ichabod discovers a web of dark conspiracies, and the line between the living and the dead becomes chillingly blurred.
Sleepy Hollow is beloved for a multitude of reasons, but its aesthetics play a crucial role in its appeal.
Tim Burton’s signature style is on full display in this film, and it’s impossible not to be entranced by the hauntingly beautiful world he creates. The movie’s visuals are a mesmerizing blend of Gothic and Victorian influences, rich in dark and brooding atmospheres.
The misty, moonlit woods and decaying manors of Sleepy Hollow are brought to life with an enchanting and eerie allure.
The film’s muted color palette, dominated by deep blacks, blood reds, and smoky grays, lends it an unmistakable sense of foreboding. The costumes, too, are meticulously designed to capture the essence of the period, making the characters feel like they’ve stepped out of a haunting painting.
And the interiors AI conjured in the image above beautifully reflect the moody aesthetics of the world Burton created.
#3 Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th (1980), is a beloved classic in the slasher genre. The film follows a group of camp counselors who, while trying to reopen a summer camp, are terrorized by an unknown assailant. As the body count rises, the identity of the killer becomes a chilling mystery.
This film is cherished for its role in popularizing the slasher subgenre and its effective use of suspense and tension. Its aesthetics, though simpler compared to other horror films, play a significant part in its appeal.
The movie’s camp setting, with its rustic cabins, dense woods, and isolated lakeside, creates a sense of vulnerability and fear.
See also: Is it Real? Michael Myers’ house in ‘Halloween’
The dark, shadowy cinematography and gruesome practical effects contribute to the film’s enduring reputation as a quintessential slasher classic. Its iconic killer, Jason Voorhees, has become a symbol of horror, and the film’s aesthetics remain an integral part of its enduring legacy.
And here’s how the movie’s aesthetics translates into interior design:
#4 The Nightmare Before Christmas
The 1993 stop-motion animated masterpiece The Nightmare Before Christmas
has carved a special place in the hearts of audiences as a holiday classic. This enchanting film, directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, takes us to the whimsical worlds of Halloween Town and Christmas Town.
The story revolves around Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who stumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes captivated by the holiday’s joy and cheer.
Determined to bring Christmas to his fellow residents, Jack embarks on a misadventure that blurs the lines between the macabre and the merry, resulting in a heartwarming and visually stunning narrative — that AI managed to transform into eccentric interiors that blend both the eerie and cheerful visual elements of the Halloween classic.
What makes “The Nightmare Before Christmas” so beloved are its unique aesthetics. The film is a visual marvel, with its meticulously crafted stop-motion animation creating a surreal and captivating world.
The character design, with its array of eccentric and endearing denizens, including Jack Skellington, Sally, and Oogie Boogie, is both spooky and lovable. The contrast between the dark, Tim Burton-inspired Halloween Town and the cheerful Christmas Town is an aesthetic triumph that underscores the film’s central theme of transformation and discovery.
#5 The Addams Family
The Addams Family, the 1991 cinematic adaptation of the classic TV series, remains a beloved classic known for its quirky characters and distinctive aesthetics.
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, the film brings the delightfully macabre Addams family to life on the big screen. The family’s eccentricities, from Gomez and Morticia’s passionate yet gothic love to Wednesday’s morbid fascination and Pugsley’s appetite for destruction, add a refreshing twist to the family comedy genre.
Aesthetically, the film is a visual feast.
The production design immerses viewers in the eerie and opulent world of the Addams mansion, which becomes a character in its own right. The mansion boasts a foreboding exterior and lavish, cobweb-covered interiors filled with bizarre artifacts and contraptions.
And while the exterior of the opulent house is by no means easy to replicate, AI quickly reimagined the interiors of the Addams family house, carefully incorporating the movie’s key themes and aesthetics.
The film’s color palette combines dark, moody tones with vibrant pops of color, capturing the whimsical and Gothic elements that set it apart from conventional family comedies.
The Addams Family embraces the macabre without losing its sense of humor, making it a unique and enduring classic that celebrates the unconventional while reminding us that there’s beauty in embracing the bizarre.
#6 Hocus Pocus
Another Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus (1993) has cast its spell on audiences for decades, becoming a cherished tradition during the spooky season.
The original movie — a much-awaited sequel was released in 2022 — weaves a captivating tale of three witch sisters resurrected on Halloween night in modern-day Salem, Massachusetts, and the trio’s quest for immortality.
Related: The wonderfully witchy Hocus Pocus Houses & filming locations for the new movie
The film’s enduring appeal lies in its enchanting blend of humor, supernatural elements, and timeless aesthetics. The Sanderson sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, infuse the story with their zany yet malevolent charm, making them iconic Halloween figures.
The film’s witty and light-hearted approach to witchcraft and the supernatural, coupled with the nostalgic ’90s setting, creates a perfect blend of family-friendly Halloween spookiness with aesthetics that continue to captivate both young and old alike.
And they translate into some equally charming interiors that perfectly capture a timeless and whimsical Halloween atmosphere.
Visually, Hocus Pocus captures the essence of Halloween with its cozy small-town setting, complete with quaint colonial houses and a centuries-old cemetery.
The film’s visuals evoke the quintessential Halloween ambiance, replete with autumnal colors, jack-o’-lanterns, and the sisters’ distinctive witchy attire. The Sanderson sisters’ spellbinding concoctions and magical mishaps, rendered through practical effects, add a touch of enchantment to the film’s aesthetics, making it a feast for the eyes.
#7 Little Shop of Horrors
The 1986 cult classic is celebrated for its unique blend of musical comedy and horror. Directed by Frank Oz, the film tells the story of Seymour, a meek floral shop worker who discovers a peculiar plant with a ravenous appetite for human flesh. As the plant, Audrey II, grows and demands increasingly gruesome sacrifices, the story takes dark and humorous twists.
The film’s beloved status can be attributed to its entertaining combination of humor and horror, with a cast that includes Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Steve Martin. Little Shop of Horrors offers a fresh take on the B-movie horror genre, using catchy musical numbers and witty dialogue to add an unexpected charm to the story.
Aesthetically, the film features a distinct 1960s urban backdrop with a color palette reminiscent of comic book aesthetics, easily replicated by AI when creating Little Shop of Horrors-inspired interiors.
The imaginative design of Audrey II, a menacing and larger-than-life carnivorous plant, is a visual highlight, blending seamlessly with the film’s darkly comedic themes.
The film’s aesthetics play a crucial role in making it memorable, creating a world where the bizarre and the hilarious intersect, ensuring Little Shop of Horrors remains a beloved classic for those who appreciate its quirky charm.
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Thanksgiving decor can look just as good outside the home as it can inside. From beautiful wreaths and garlands, to pumpkins and cozy lights, these festive decorations are all about making your home look and feel more cozy, special, and seasonal.
The beauty of outdoor Thanksgiving decor is that you can use a lot of the same items that you would use for outdoor fall decor and even outdoor Halloween decor, so many of these decoration ideas can be embraced from the beginning of fall all the way through to Thanksgiving – then it’s time to start getting creative with outdoor Christmas decor.
Spruce up your outside space with outdoor Thanksgiving decor
fall flower and foliage inspiration for your front door, or are looking to decorate with pumpkins on your front porch, our ideas can elegantly elevate your exterior so it’s beautifully in sync with the season.
1. Pumpkins
This seasonal squash is synonymous with fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving decor, and is probably the most traditional and popular seasonal decoration of them all.
Whether you style your outside space with pumpkins freshly picked from a day out at the pumpkin farm, or opt for a more contemporary look with stylish faux pumpkins that can be used year after year, it doesn’t get easier than placing a pretty pumpkin by your front door.
Here, interior designer Shea McGee from Studio McGee has created a beautiful blend of traditional Thanksgiving decorations with more modern color palettes. The scattered pumpkins in a palette of pastel shades perfectly complement the planters and their home’s white exterior. Shea says of the design, ‘our wreath (currently sold out but our Oversized Fall Leaf Wreath can create a simple effect) is from our Target for Threshold line, we tied a pretty fall-hued ribbon around the top of it to add some more interest.’
For some further inspiration, take a look at Shea’s similar Halloween porch look below.
Faux Pumpkins & Gourds
Lit Woven Pumpkin
Full Moon Pumpkins (Set of 5)
Studio McGee, with her husband Syd in 2014. They later launched their e-commerce brand, McGee & Co, and starred in their very own Netflix show, Dream Home Makeover.
2. Wreaths and garlands
A traditional festive decoration that beautifully celebrates the colors of fall and seasonal plants and flowers, a wreath or garland can add wonderful texture, color, and shape to your outside space. Wreaths are perfect for sitting pretty on a front door, and garlands can be used to decorate door frames and porch railings.
Whether you fancy embracing a Thanksgiving craft and having a go at making your own Thanksgiving wreath from flowers, branches, and foliage gathered from your yard and garden, or opt for an artificial design (we love Balsam Hill’s Autumn Abundance collection) you can never go wrong with styling your outside space with stylish natural accents.
Autumn Abundance Foliage – Wreath
Autumn Abundance Foliage – Garland
Autumn Abundance Foliage – Swag
fall planters filled with fall flowers and plants for fall color’ says designer, Chantelle Malarkey. ‘It’s great to get bunches in reds, oranges, and purples.
‘Or, for a more modern Thanksgiving decor idea, why not try styling your outside space with some pretty pampas grass? It’s one of my all-time favorites to style with, both indoors and outdoors, and can add a unique, neutral texture to your Thanksgiving decor.’ Pampas is perfect for using in a minimalist Thanksgiving scheme.
In this colorful outside space by @carlosriveracruet, the front porch area has been elegantly uplifted by pumpkins, a unique hanging foliage basket on the door (a great alternative to a wreath), and pretty pots filled with orange, yellow, and white flowers.
Chantelle Malarkey
Outdoor Fortune lanterns from Pottery Barn are great for using all year round too, creating a wonderful seasonal scene that can look just as good at night as it can during the day.
Designer and landscaping expert Ward Dilmore also suggests, ‘as the sun sets, create a cozy and warm atmosphere with string lights. Hang them across your outdoor area or wrap them around porch railings. These lights not only provide illumination, but will add a magical touch to your Thanksgiving gathering.’ These Connectable String Lights from Balsam Hill are perfect – and they can be used for your outdoor Christmas lighting ideas too.
Ward Dilmore
Liz Marie Galvan has created at her farm, featuring cushions, throws, and decorations from the Target x John Derian Thanksgiving collection.
Square Pillow Fall Pumpkin, 18″
Quilted Throw Blanket Fall Mums, 50″x70″
Assorted Fall Paper Decor Pack
fall porch ideas for some further outdoor seasonal inspiration.
Embracing festive window decor, similar to Halloween window decor ideas, can also help to elevate your outdoor Thanksgiving scheme. Hang wreaths and lights in the window or style a window ledge with a stack of pumpkins, perfect for creating a cozy seasonal display that can be appreciated both inside and outside of the home.
*Article note: When you buy through links in this article, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Fall is officially here. The days are growing shorter, the leaves are changing and, for many, snow may be right around the bend. Soon, you’ll be trading in your t-shirts for sweaters, getting out the pumpkin carving tools and enjoying a warm mulled apple cider.
It’s also the perfect time to fill your home with the best scents of this cozy season. From cinnamon to sweet orange and bergamot, combined essential oils or fragrances can bring the fall indoors. Then, prepare for the winter with cedarwood and cypress.
Let’s explore some of the top contenders for fall and winter aromas. We’ll also touch base on some scent diffusers that have transformed how you can bring these beautiful fragrances into your home.
Scent diffuser selections for the seasons
These handpicked scents bring the changing season indoors, reminding us it’s time to cozy up with some hot chocolate and bake gingerbread cookies or pumpkin pie. Before you know it, you’ll be getting out the holiday games and letting the festivities begin!
Filling your home with the scents of the changing seasons reminds you to make the most of these precious months. Additionally, you can use many of these products when making candles, soaps and lotions. Explore the top picks from Amazon that nearly everyone loves.
The essence of autumn and winter
Bring back memories of autumn days spent hiking through fallen leaves or cooking with family and friends with this set of six autumn fragrance oils. The set includes vanilla, maple syrup, apple harvest and pumpkin pie. Add some sweet cinnamon and the fragrance of a fall walk, and it’s safe to say they’ve covered the season.
If you prefer the warm and rich aroma of ginger, cinnamon and cloves or the welcoming and cleansing scent of frosted fir and winter berries, MitFlor’s winter essential oil set may be for you.
The scent of hotel-inspired luxury
Is it time for a luxurious vacation? What does luxury smell like? Maybe slightly mysterious with a hint of black fig, soft and refined with a touch of rose and enhanced energy with some citrusy lemon.
If that makes you want to cozy up in a plush robe or nestle into a luxurious spa tub, Black Velvet may offer the aroma you’re looking for. Some of the world’s luxury 5-star hotels use this aroma scent diffuser oil by Hotel Collection.
Bring a forest into your apartment
Do you remember walking down a mountain trail and catching a sudden whiff of pine or cedarwood? That refreshing scent may take you back to shared campfires or cozy gatherings by the fireplace. Woodsy Eternal Essence Oils are designed to take you to the warmth of a fire or a walk in the woods, a perfect retreat as the fall turns to winter.
The six-pack of oils also includes the comforting and sensual scent of sandalwood and the calming and earthy aroma of frankincense. Add Bamboo & Teak and Woodland Bay for a complete overhaul. You can also use these oils in massage oils and body and hair care routines.
Take a journey with essential oils
Essential oils are extracted from plants and often used in aromatherapy. You’ve probably heard of the relaxing benefits of lavender or how bergamot can reduce stress and improve moods. Aura Cacia created essential oil diffusion blends ideal for fall and winter.
This set of four includes Spice Market, a blend of cardamom and clove. From the ginger family, cardamom warms and energizes the senses while bringing a spicy, sweet scent to your home. Do you like chai tea lattes or aromatic spices in your dishes? This blend of essential oils may call to you.
Dreamy Forest combines the balsam of Peru and jasmine. Balsam of Peru offers a rich, woody aroma with underlying hints of vanilla. Jasmine is known for its aphrodisiac and anti-anxiety properties, as well as its intoxicating rich floral scent. This essential oil set also includes Quiet Orchard with wintergreen and balsam fir and Sunny Garden with chamomile and helichrysum.
The smell of freshly baked fall favorites
Do you have a favorite fall flavor and smell you look forward to every year? For some, it’s the smell of coffee cake wafting through the kitchen. Or, it could be the mingling of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and molasses, reminding you your gingerbread cookies are in the oven.
Enjoy all these fragrances and more with this spice fragrance oils set from P&J. You’ll also experience autumn faves like pumpkin pie, harvest spice, apple cider and cinnamon.
An aroma for every event
Do you get a little stressed out over the holidays? Join the human race. Sometimes, you just need to take a deep breath. This set of 14 essential oils with blends like Rest, Comfort, Restore and Breathe offers the perfect aromas for this time of year.
You also get a selection of individual essential oils, like frankincense, cedarwood, rosemary and lavender, letting you experiment with making your own blended oils. For instance, cedarwood, sweet orange and a touch of eucalyptus bring a woodsy, floral scent that aligns with the cyclical transition of autumn transforming into winter.
The smell of a November rain
If you’re wondering what a November rain, lake sunset or cozy sweater smells like, CAKKI’s unique fragrance oil set may have the answer. In addition to these unique scents, fill your home with the aroma of Macintosh apples, maple leaves and chamomile’s earthy, sweet fragrance.
The magic hour
The magic hour, or golden hour, is just before the sun rises or sets. It’s when photographers rush out to capture the magical light available only at these times. The sun’s yellow light takes on a reddish hue, casting everything in a golden, bronze glow that flatters subjects. In autumn and winter, this magic hour becomes more of a magic half-hour, moments you don’t want to miss.
Folkulture’s Magic Hour essential oil set includes white sage, a plant used for thousands of years to purify homes. Balsam, cedarwood and orange bring the season’s scents indoors. Rose plum offers a seductive floral and fruit scent that’s hard to define until experienced.
Diffusing your scents into the air
Now that you’ve chosen your fragrances and essential oils, it’s time to explore some unique scent diffusers that add warmth and intrigue to your apartment. While some are as simple as a candle under a ceramic bowl, others offer a realistic fire-like atmosphere.
Add warmth, humidity and a fire-like flame
Scent diffusers have certainly come a long way. This Flame Aromatherapy Diffuser brings orange-red or blue flame-like lights while it fills your room with a relaxing mist and incredible aroma. Who needs a spa? You can choose from continuous to intermittent misting and make sure it aligns with your decor in faux wood, white or black.
Experience the changing seasons with changing light
This metal ultrasonic cool mist scent diffuser lights up images of the season in seven LED color-changing lights. From trees to forests, owls and deers, experience your unique scents rising from a softly illuminated image. With automatic shut-off and silent operation, it’s also a perfect addition to a room needing a night light.
Quick warning about scent diffusers and pets
While they’re pleasant for humans, scent diffusers and specific essential oils can pose some danger to pets. The devices we listed above use essential oils, which, when dispersed into the air, can become concentrated and overwhelming for animals with highly sensitive noses.
Some essential oils are toxic to pets and can lead to a range of health issues. For example, tea tree oil is off limits to both dogs and cats. Peppermint oil, clove oil, wintergreen oil and cinnamon should be avoided for dog parents; while citrus oils, eucalyptus and ylang-ylang oils shouldn’t be used in cat-friendly homes.
Additionally, pets might accidentally knock over diffusers, leading to spills or direct contact with the oils, which can be harmful if ingested or absorbed through their skin. To ensure the safety of our furry friends, it’s crucial to use scent diffusers cautiously and choose pet-friendly alternatives if necessary.
Enjoy the scents of the season with a scent diffuser
Our sense of smell has a profound link to our memories. It’s why the smell of pumpkin pie takes you back to cooking with your mom, or cedar brings you back to Thanksgiving in the mountains. Perhaps it’s time to create new memories by filling your home with one or more of these enchanting aromas.
Still looking for the perfect apartment for rent to create holiday memories? We have you covered.
UK mortgage war ‘under way’ as lender offers 4.99% fixed rate
Brokers say borrower confidence likely to lift after the first below 5% deal surfaces since June with more offers likely soon
A fixed-rate mortgage priced at below 5% has gone on sale for the first time since June as leading lenders announced a fresh wave of home loan reductions.
Brokers said a mortgage rate war was “well and truly under way” and that the lower pricing should provide a boost to borrowers worried about the imminent end of their current deal, as well as would-be homebuyers who have been sitting on the sidelines.
UK lenders have been reducing their rates for several weeks, and the last few days have seen a flurry of reductions, with further cuts due to take effect on Friday courtesy of banks including the Halifax.
On Thursday, a five-year fixed-rate deal priced at 4.99% was launched by The Mortgage Works, a division of Nationwide building society, which brokers said was the first sub-5% fixed deal they had seen for several months. It is thought it is the first fixed-rate product priced at below that level since late June.
The 4.99% product is a buy-to-let deal rather than a standard residential mortgage and is available to people borrowing up to 55% of the property’s value. Ranald Mitchell, a director at the broker firm Charwin Private Clients, said: “Seeing rates starting with a 4 is a sight for sore eyes and could provide a stimulus to the market and borrower confidence.”
Moneyfacts, the financial data provider, said the average rate on a new fixed-rate deal lasting for five years was now 6.14%, though there are best-buy deals available that are considerably cheaper than that: for residential mortgages, the cheapest five-year fix on Thursday was priced at 5.12%.
Halifax has announced reductions of up to 0.5 percentage points on selected fixed deals, taking effect from Friday. It means it will have five-year fixed deals priced at 5.15%.
The Mortgage Works has also cut rates by up to 0.5 percentage points, with effect from Thursday, while brokers say Coventry building society is also reducing some rates on Friday.
These moves come hard on the heels of cuts by other high street players. On Wednesday, Nationwide reduced some of its fixed rates by up to 0.29 percentage points, while on the same day Santander trimmed selected new fixes by up to 0.14 percentage points.
Mortgage costs had been rising for months, but UK lenders have been reducing their rates since the second half of July after it emerged that UK inflation fell further than expected in June.
However, another Bank of England rate rise next week – a decision will be announced on 21 September – could put the brakes on further reductions. The Bank’s base rate is now at 5.25%, and many commentators anticipate a rise to 5.5%.
Amit Patel, an adviser at the broker Trinity Finance, said: “After a summer of doom and gloom, it feels that as we head into the autumn months, we may have turned the corner.”
Diarmuid Phoenix, an adviser at Mint Mortgages & Protection, said: “Seeing the return of rates under the 5% bracket in line with falling swap rates should hopefully give a boost of confidence to borrowers who have been living in fear of the end of their current fixed-rate deals, as well as those who have been sitting on the fence waiting for rates to come down before purchasing.”
These places are so scary, you’ll revisit them when you’re trying to sleep.
As the autumn wind heralds in the ghostly season, thrill-seekers across the country set forth on a quest for the spine-tingling embrace of whatever is lurking in the shadows of the best haunted houses. The shivers down the spine, the echoing screams in poorly lit hallways and the chilling breath of unseen specters — there’s an allure to the macabre, an ageless intrigue that summons the bravest hearts to explore the folklore of fear.
From haunted hayrides in Spring City to ghostly estates in Phoenix, America’s best haunted houses offer a gateway to explore the eerie tales etched into the nation’s bone-chilling past. As the veil between the underworld and our world thins, the sinister tales enshrined within the nation’s premier haunted attractions await to regale the fearless with grim pageantry. Venture if you dare, on this journey to find the best haunted houses in America.
The Mortuary – New Orleans, Louisiana
Situated in the heart of New Orleans, The Mortuary claims a spot on the list of must-visit haunted attractions in the U.S. This chilling venue is set within an aged Victorian mansion, whose past life as a funeral home lends an authentic eerie aura to its premises. With the advent of the Halloween season each year, the establishment sheds its quiet demeanor, morphing into a spine-chilling haunted house teeming with meticulously crafted scares awaiting the brave souls who venture within its walls.
The creators behind The Mortuary are adept at reimagining the horror narrative, introducing fresh themes and frights each season to ensure a uniquely terrifying experience awaits its patrons.
The Mortuary’s frightful allure extends beyond its seasonal spectacle. The establishment carries a lore of genuine hauntings, with numerous accounts of ghostly sightings and unexplained paranormal occurrences. This haunted haven doesn’t just play host to thrill-seekers during the Halloween season but calls the curious year-round, becoming a notable checkpoint for ghost tours meandering through the historic and haunted streets of New Orleans.
Located in central Fall River, the Factory of Terror stands as a testament to the frightful allure of the Halloween season. Renowned for its dark themes and well-crafted set designs, this haunted attraction promises a journey of terrifying discoveries to those who dare to tread its eerie halls.
The masterminds behind the Factory of Terror continuously conjure new spectacles of horror, reinvigorating the terror-filled ambiance to enthrall both newcomers and returning horror enthusiasts alike. Its reputation is further cemented by glowing reviews from fright-seekers and industry aficionados.
The Factory of Terror prides itself on a cadre of professional and well-versed actors, whose performances breathe life into the phantasmal narrative, further intensifying the chilling experience. As visitors navigate through the labyrinthine corridors, they are transported from one ghastly scenario to another, each tale of terror unraveling as they delve deeper into the eerie unknown that is the Factory of Terror.
In Spring City, the foreboding edifice of Pennhurst Asylum stands as a behemoth of terror among haunted attractions in the U.S. Perched on the somber grounds of the former Pennhurst State School and Hospital, this spot is steeped in a sinister history that dates back to the early 20th century.
Originally conceived as a haven for individuals with disabilities, the facility, over its operational span from 1908 to 1987, descended into notoriety due to allegations of mistreatment and deplorable living conditions.
Embracing its macabre backdrop, Pennhurst Asylum morphs into a realm of fright, weaving the chilling vestiges of history with the artistry of horror. The attraction is revered for its impeccable set designs, troupe of professional actors and realistic special effects, all converging to conjure a spine-chilling milieu. A journey through its dark corridors unfolds a series of thematic scares, each tale echoing the unsettling lore that shrouds the site.
Amidst the glittering allure of Las Vegas lies The Asylum and Hotel Fear, a pair of interconnected haunted house attractions that stand as harbingers of terror. These enigmatic haunts emerge from the shadows, poised to ensnare the brave with their intricately designed sets and undeniably scary themes.
Celebrated for their compelling story-driven approach, The Asylum and Hotel Fear ingeniously entwine their dark narratives to craft a seamless journey into the deepest depths of fear.
While each venue harbors its own dark theme, they are linked through a shared backstory that burgeons into a nightmarish reality as one walks from the forlorn corridors of the Asylum to the hauntingly truly terrifying rooms of Hotel Fear.
Secluded in Stone Mountain, Netherworld Haunted House is a spectacle of terror that reigns supreme in the realm of haunted attractions in the South. With accolades adorning its ghostly halls, Netherworld has etched its name on the list of must-visit haunted houses across the nation. Renowned for its labyrinth of elaborate sets, bone-chilling special effects and a legion of professional actors, the attraction deftly intertwines reality with the ethereal, offering a mosaic of fear to those who dare to step within.
With an unwavering devotion to the eerie and macabre, the people behind Netherworld Haunted House continually reimagine the domains of terror housed within, each year offering a fresh selection of nightmares that call to local thrill-seekers and the fearless from afar.
Netherworld’s legacy transcends the fleeting screams of October nights. It has blossomed into a titan within the haunted attraction industry, its tendrils of influence weaving a pattern of excellence that challenges and inspires haunts nationwide. The grandeur of its horror extends beyond the autumnal veil, with its ominous gates creaking open for escape games and other spectral soirees year-round, sealing its status as a perennial epicenter of the bizarre and fearsome.
In the middle of Phoenix, lurks a realm of horror that has etched its name among the most chilling haunts across the nation — the 13th Floor Haunted House. This formidable hellhouse in the desert draws upon the superstitions tethered to the number 13. The very name sets a foreboding ambiance, preparing visitors for the spectral journey that lies ahead.
Each year, a fresh narrative of fear unfurls through its ominous halls, promising the uninitiated and the seasoned veterans a night of true horror. The venue blossoms into a medley of gruesome scenarios, each chapter narrated by a cast of horrifying characters, realistic sets and a cacophony of screams echoing through the cold night air.
It’s easy to see that the owners exercise an uncanny attention to detail, forging an authentic atmosphere that seemingly erases the line between the realm of the living and the abyss that is the 13th Floor. The authenticity of the sets, coupled with the haunting performance of the actors, plunges visitors into a narrative so chilling that it’s bound to carve memories of fright into the brave souls who dare to venture through.
Positioned in the desert expanse of Moriarty, McCall’s Haunted Farm emerges as a pinnacle of terror amidst the tranquil Southwestern scenery. Each facet of the farm is carefully crafted to embody the grim tale of Farmer McCall, a spectral figure believed to lurk within the shadows of the property.
There’s a palpable aura of dread that intertwines with the chilling narrative, immediately engulfing visitors in an authentic spine-tingling experience. The talented ensemble of actors combined with a serious collection of quality props add a layer of frightful realism.
The variety of horrors awaiting the courageous souls is as endless as the night. A haunted cornfield stretches across the desolate plains, concealing unspeakable terrors in its rustling maze. The haunted house stands as a grim monument of terror, its every corner echoing with the chilling lore of the land. For those seeking a blend of adrenaline and terror, the zombie paintball hunt offers a chance to face the apocalypse in a horrifically fun battle of survival.
Spook Hollow – Marquette Heights, Illinois
Spook Hollow’s ominous landscape and blood-curdling frights craft a journey of terror for the dauntless souls who dare to venture out to Marquette Heights. Every nook is crammed with meticulously crafted decorations and sinister set designs. The attraction is lauded for its relentless grip on terror and suspense, rendering each step into the unknown a truly nightmarish experience.
The people behind Spook Hollow are relentless in their pursuit of the sinister, tirelessly evolving the tableau of terror with new themes and scares each year. The fruits of their labor are a dark wonder to behold.
Spook Hollow’s venerable tradition and unwavering dedication to quality scares have cemented its position as a cornerstone in the pantheon of local Halloween festivities. In a domain where the boundary between the mortal realm and the eerie unknown blurs, Spook Hollow reigns as a cherished herald of the Halloween season.
Situated in Louisville, The Devil’s Attic stands as a formidable name in the realm of haunted attractions, drawing thrill-seekers into its cold embrace with a sinister backstory. According to lore, the devil himself has gathered the vilest of souls, imprisoning them in the attic, though a nefarious few are unleashed, free to haunt the corridors and torment the souls who dare to enter.
As visitors tread cautiously through this house of horrors, they are met with a cast of scare actors whose renditions of terrifying characters defy the imagination. A squad of adept makeup artists and set designers meticulously curate each ghastly scene, striving for a level of authenticity that might just make your blood run cold. With every carefully placed prop and each stroke of the makeup brush, they conjure a nightmarish reality, ensuring an immersive and bone-chilling experience for all who enter.
Within The Devil’s Attic, each room unfurls a new chapter of horror, populated by sinister characters ripped from the pages of myths, legends, and the most haunting tales of the past. The thematic diversity and the creative prowess at play keep the fright factor escalating, ensuring that horror-hungry hearts remain pounding from start to finish.
The Frightmare Compound holds a place of eerie esteem within the haunted heart of Westminster. Recognized widely as a pulse-pounding haunted attraction, it springs to menacing life each Halloween season, enveloping the brave people who dare to enter its ghastly domain. Its longstanding legacy of chills and thrills stretches back through the decades, earning it the chilling title of one of Colorado’s oldest haunted houses.
Year after year, the haunt evolves, introducing fresh themes and newly concocted scares to ensure a uniquely horrifying experience awaits all who enter. This unyielding commitment to conjuring a high-caliber and horrific spectacle has not only carved a place of honor for the Frightmare Compound in the halls of local Halloween lore but has also amassed a legion of devoted followers, eager to face the terrors anew with each passing season.
Yet, the scares birthed by skilled actors and intricate sets are merely the visible veins of horror running through the Frightmare Compound. The Frightmare Compound isn’t merely a haunted house; it’s a terrifying trek through the twisted tales and legendary horrors that dwell in the darkest corners of Westminster’s imagination.
If you’ve got it, haunt it
As the echoes of frightful laughter fade into the chilly autumn night, the sinister allure of America’s best haunted houses lingers, ever-awaiting to recount torrid tales enshrouded in shadows. It’s not merely the goosebumps or the breathless suspense, but the stirring narrative of each spot that reflects the rich and spine-chilling history of the lands they occupy.
The best haunted houses in the U.S. extend an invitation to not just face our fears but to revel in the undeniable allure of the unknown. As the spooky season graces the horizon once more, the realm of the macabre opens its creaking gates, ever ready to haunt the daring with the ghostly legacies of yore. Are you brave enough to take on one of the top haunted houses in the country? There’s only one way to prove it.
And if you’re looking for a new “haunt” in the more peaceful sense of the word, take a look at our available apartments for rent.
Cybersecurity, CE, CRM, Warehouse Products; Disaster News and Insurance – Scaling Back in FL and CA
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Cybersecurity, CE, CRM, Warehouse Products; Disaster News and Insurance – Scaling Back in FL and CA
By: Rob Chrisman
Tue, Oct 3 2023, 11:00 AM
How will you always know that this Commentary is not produced by some AI thingy? Because of mistakes like yesterday, leaving Illinois off the list of top pumpkin growing states as several folks pointed out (thank you). Here are pumpkin stats out the proverbial wazoo. What autumn would be complete without this map of when fall foliage is peaking across the nation? While we’re on maps, the U.S. Census Bureau released an interactive map illustrating 2020 Census data about homeownership by the age, race, and ethnicity of the householder. The map provides data at the national, state and county levels and data from the 2010 Census for comparison. The Census Bureau also released the brief Housing Characteristics: 2020, which provides an overview of homeownership, renters, vacant housing and other 2020 Census housing statistics previously released through the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC). (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by TRUE. TRUE creates accurate data that powers automation and optimizes every step of the lending lifecycle, helping lending organizations rapidly process loans, dramatically cut costs and risk, and radically improve the customer experience. Interview between Robbie and Rob Chrisman on chatter from the capital markets and why people should tune in to their weekly Mortgage Matters video show each Wednesday.)
Lender and Broker Software, Programs, and Services
Not many lenders know this, but you can buy down points with down payment assistance (DPA). DPA has evolved over the years, and there are 2,373 to choose from today according to Down Payment Resource’s Q2 HPI report. What’s more, consumer interest in DPA is savage, and lenders who offer it have a competitive edge. Just ask anyone who originated one of the 2,300 CalHFA programs that disappeared in just 11 days. DPA is one of the best tools lenders have in today’s market and for the foreseeable future. Want to know how many homebuyer assistance programs are offered in your markets or to learn more about how Down Payment Resource makes it easy to support DPA? Schedule a demo with the Down Payment Resource team today.
The MBA Annual Conference & Expo is just around the corner. Be sure to book time with the key players at Flagstar Bank if you’re headed to Philly for the big event. Right now, you can secure private meetings with their top execs in Corporate Mortgage Finance, Secondary Marketing, Specialized Mortgage Banking Solutions, Treasury Management, TPO Sales, and more. Don’t miss your chance to get a scoop on what’s ahead for this $119 billion asset bank, from product enhancements to tech rollouts and warehouse lending opportunities. Connect with your RM or AE to reserve a time today. If you’re not a partner yet, sign up here.
“Why should you integrate your mortgage and consumer loan origination systems? We’re sharing five key ways MeridianLink’s end-to-end digital LOS can help you break down silos, facilitate seamless communication, boost cross-sell potential, and enhance the overall borrower journey. Learn more now.”
Making meaningful, in-person connections is critical for success and at the heart of ICE Experience. Registration opened this week for ICE Experience 2024, taking place on March 18-20 at the Wynn Las Vegas, and the agenda is packed full of even more ways for mortgage professionals to grow their skillset and professional network. Plus, registration fees for this year’s conference are at a new low price of $995 when you register by January 31, 2024. If you are an ICE customer, now is the time to secure your seat to soak up the latest information, address your most pressing challenges, see new innovative solutions up-close and strengthen the relationships that are the foundation of your business. Click here to learn more.
OptiFunder announces the release of Greyhound, a highly configurable and automated system for Warehouse Lenders. OptiFunder has changed the game for IMBs by optimizing and automating the historically manual funding process. As we continue our mission to connect the primary and capital markets, we’re expanding our software offering to include a highly configurable, automated Warehouse Lending System, called Greyhound. Greyhound connects warehouse lenders with all major LOS systems, giving lenders the ability to easily onboard new clients, receive loans, and manage their entire portfolio. Leveraging OptiFunder’s LOS integrations means warehouse lenders are directly connected to over 70 percent of total industry loan volume. Greyhound offers real-time insights into pipeline management, loan/collateral tracking, operational reporting, automated LOS data import, investor shipping requests, purchase advise matching, document imaging, and more. IMBs and Warehouse Lenders should meet with OptiFunder at MBA Annual to discuss automating funding through loan sale to the capital market.
Are you well prepared to manage your servicing portfolio heading into 2024? As inflation continues to cool and the labor market starts to weaken, economists at Fannie Mae recently stated they expect a mild recession in the first part of 2024. Your servicing portfolio is a sound investment and can generate positive returns, but what happens when your portfolio starts to show signs of trouble, such as an increase in delinquencies? How will you ensure your distressed loans are making it through the proper pipeline and loss mitigation steps? It is more important than ever to ensure your servicing portfolio is ready to handle the uncertain economic future, and the team at Velocity Servicing, a LoanCare division, is ready to help! Backed by LoanCare Analytics, a proprietary data analytics platform with real-time access to portfolio data, Velocity Servicing helps lenders manage troubled loans with speed and accuracy. If you want to learn more about how Velocity Servicing can change your servicing game, email Matt Stadler or click here to schedule a time to meet with them at the MBA Annual in Philadelphia!
There is a celebration going on in Denver. It’s the 15th anniversary of a company that has been providing great software for 28 years. How is this possible? Usherpa was founded in 1995 at the second largest retail mortgage company in the country and rebranded in 2008 and is truly a firm that was “Born in a Branch; Forged in a Meltdown.” It has since grown into the largest privately held CRM company in the real estate and mortgage industries. Usherpa’s Smart CRM is the industry’s most sophisticated, cloud-based Customer Engagement Platform with the most powerful CRM and Marketing Automation systems in existence. It’s helped thousands of Loan Officers stay connected with partners and clients, helping hundreds of thousands of borrowers fulfill their dreams of homeownership. Usherpa users convert 46 percent more prospects, close 2X more deals and increase repeat business by 57 percent. They show you the studies! Win more business even in this market. Find out how here.
Autumn is not just about the vibrant leaves and cooling weather; it’s also the crucial period for renewing your NMLS license! As the seasons transition, ensure your professional credentials don’t fall behind. Diehl offers the top-tier Continuing Education (CE) you need! Our live, interactive webinars aren’t just about compliance; they’re engaging, insightful, and designed to meet NMLS requirements for the 2023 renewal season. We make mandatory learning enjoyable! With multiple dates to choose from, we have a class that works for you. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Sign up today before spaces run out!
“With over 35 years of experience in mortgage banking, Richey May knows the industry from every angle. Many of our team members are credentialed industry experts who dedicate much time to building up other industry experts. From this expertise, Richey May has created a wealth of services and products to help lenders stay ahead: audit and tax services, cybersecurity solutions designed to protect company assets and sensitive borrower information, intelligent automation tools for streamlined operations…you name it! Whether you’re leveraging our innovative platforms or having us work as your extended team for outsourced internal audit or accounting services, get ready to tackle challenges faster with some serious firepower on your side. Everything you need: contact our experts today!”
Disasters and Insurance
Many will say that it doesn’t matter whether or not you believe in climate change, manmade or natural. What matters is that investors in mortgages, servicers, and insurance companies do, as that pricing impacts people in those areas, and therefore clients and borrowers.
Progressive insurance is rebalancing its exposure in the state of Florida, and will not renew 47,000 DP-3 policies and 53,000 high-risk homeowner’s policies in the state. DP-3 policies tend to cover vacation homes and properties that are not a primary residence. That said, Progressive plans to transfer the policies to Loggerhead Insurance in a deal that will affect 100,000 policyholders. Multiple insurers are winding down parts of their business in Florida as an insurance crisis hits the state, which has high exposure to natural disasters and a ruthless roofing scam industry that has made it difficult for insurers to operate there. This has driven many homeowners to the state-backed insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance Corp, which now has 1.3 million policies, up from 500,000 as of July 2020.
Florida isn’t alone. Several top insurance companies (like Farmers, State Farm and Allstate) have reduced their footprint in California over the last several months. State Farm and Allstate say they’re not writing any new homeowner insurance policies in California moving forward due to it being too expense. And just ask a homeowner in a low-lying area of Florida, Louisiana, or the Carolinas how it’s going.
Recall that in August the Biden administration urged a federal judge to reject a challenge by Florida and other states to an overhaul of the National Flood Insurance Program that has led to higher premiums for many property owners.
Nearly every part of the United States faces natural disasters, whether they be earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, drought, or volcanoes. A declaration by FEMA triggers lender and servicer policies and procedures.
On 9/19/2023, with Amendment No. 9 to DR-4720, FEMA updated the Incident Period End Date to 7/21/2023, for Vermont counties affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, & mudslides from 7/7/2023 to 7/21/2023. See AmeriHome Mortgage Announcement 20230909-CL for inspection requirements.
PHH Correspondent posted information regarding Illinois DR-4728: New Disaster Declared, Mississippi DR-4727, and Vermont DR-4720. Go to the PHH company library to view the announcements and for all disaster declared counties, requirements, procedure.
In addition to the previously declared counties, a disaster declaration is being issued or modified pertaining to Hurricane Idalia landing causing wide-spread damage around Florida. Until FEMA has officially announced all Declared counties, PHH needs to cover this gap for areas determined to be of considerable concern to be declared a disaster by FEMA. Areas in Florida of concern not yet declared: Flood Zones only in both Hillsborough and Wakulla Counties. Go to the PHH company library to view the announcements and for all disaster declared counties, requirements, procedure.
Capital Markets
As foreign and bank buying of fixed-income securities has declined, you’ll notice all talk of an inverted yield curve leading to a recession has vanished. (The 2-year is yielding 5.12, the 10-year is at 4.73 percent.) Remember when that was trendy? A recession will happen at some point, but probably not in the near future. As markets adjust to continuously high interest rates, it is creating a new reality for bond yields, with investors now wondering how high they can go. Over the last few months, the markets were wrong because they thought inflation would come down quickly and central banks would be very dovish. Everything will depend on how inflation lands over the medium to long run, but it’s fair to say that we have changed from the ultra-low-yield regime.
Rates continued their rise to open the quarter, which means that government shutdown fears weren’t the main driver of recent yield increases. That was also despite economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracting in September for the 11th consecutive month following a 28-month period of growth, per the latest Manufacturing ISM report. PMI did exceed both expectations and August’s reading. The report will be construed as an economy tracking more for a soft landing than a hard landing at this juncture. Total construction spending increased 0.5 percent month-over-month in August, as expected. On a year-over-year basis, total construction spending was up 7.4 percent.
There was increased talk over the last week as to whether a “soft landing” will be achieved as the elevated inflationary environment experienced over the last two years subsides. New home sales declined to a worse than expected 8.7 percent in August as the recent move in interest rates towards 8 percent moves potential buyers to the sidelines. Builders have been able to take advantage of low inventory this year, however the recent home builder survey from the NAHB reported buyer traffic at a seven-month low in September. This has increased the number of builders offering discounts to 32 percent, the highest share since December 2022.
Meanwhile consumer confidence fell for the second straight month as consumers weighed the effects of rising food and gas prices, higher interest rates, and generally persistent elevated inflation. It is possible that consumers may finally start to pull back on spending as labor market growth slows, interest rates remain higher for longer, savings dwindle, and student loan payments resume.
Today’s economic calendar gets under way with remarks from Atlanta Fed President Bostic, and will be followed by Redbook same store sales, JOLTS job openings for August, and the latest monetary policy decision from the RBA. We begin the day with Agency MBS prices worse .125-.250 and the 10-year yielding 4.73 after closing yesterday at 4.68 percent.
LO Job Openings
A team of warehouse experts seeks an operations leader, with 5 plus years of experience managing internal warehouse operating platforms. This is a ground floor opportunity to launch and build a national warehouse lending business. If interested in this COO role, please send your confidential resume to Anjelica Nixt and specify this opportunity.
In the Northwest and California, Banner Bank is searching for Mortgage Loan Officers looking to create lasting Realtor and builder relationships at a bank focused on the market today. Banner has opportunities for lenders looking for local decision making with FHA, VA, USDA, state bond and true Portfolio lending opportunities along with servicing retained Fannie and Freddie loans to assist in client retention. Additional highlighted products cover CRA lending with private label no payment down payment assistance to help assist all borrowers with the right opportunity. Banner is the right fit for an established team, or the individual looking to grow their business and take the next step in their career. Please send resumes to Aaron Miller.
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Optimization, Document Tracking, MSR Financing Products; Saving Money on Credit Reports and CE
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Optimization, Document Tracking, MSR Financing Products; Saving Money on Credit Reports and CE
By: Rob Chrisman
Mon, Oct 2 2023, 10:32 AM
As President Jimmy Carter celebrated his 99th birthday seven months into hospice, welcome to the 4th quarter! (Will lenders experience any “Q-4-ia”? Say out loud.) Let’s talk U.S. lists! California, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia are top five in pumpkin growing. The National Association of Realtors, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceuticals, American Hospital Association, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield are the leading five lobbying spenders. And you can add the Internal Revenue Service’s Income Verification Express Service (IVES) to the list of “essential” government activities that would continue to operate in the event of a government shutdown. We won’t have to worry about that until mid-November, as the government kicked the can down the road and passed a Continuing Resolution that averts a government shutdown to November 17. HUD (Ginnie Mae and FHA included), USDA, and the VA will continue to operate temporarily uninterrupted, and for a bonus the bill also includes $16 billion in disaster aid and an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by TRUE. TRUE creates accurate data that powers automation and optimizes every step of the lending lifecycle, helping lending organizations rapidly process loans, dramatically cut costs and risk, and radically improve the customer experience. Hear an interview with Keyspire’s Michael Sarracini on housing affordability problems and the best advice for young potential homeowners.)
Lender and Broker Software, Programs, and Services
“ACUMA Matata! What a wonderful phrase!” This phrase captures the essence of the ACUMA Annual Conference, where Dark Matter is currently meeting with its Credit Union clients and prospects. Credit unions gather at this event to explore new horizons in loan origination. In this dynamic financial landscape, credit unions require a powerful, adaptable LOS that caters to their unique needs. Enter Empower LOS, Dark Matter’s King of the Jungle. Empower embodies next-gen solutions, automating tasks, and ensuring precision with “lights-out processing.” It enhances loan origination, improves quality, reduces turnaround times, and supports compliance while boosting member satisfaction. Our integrated suite of tools complements Empower, elevating lending operations. From automation assistants to machine learning-powered document management, we have it all. Ready to transform your lending game? Connect with us and we’ll explore how Empower and Dark Matter Technologies can redefine credit union lending. “ACUMA Matata!” No worries: our tech-forward solutions make lending possibilities endless.
Your bank can be more than just a bank. With powerful national resources and personalized, one-on-one relationships with industry experts, you have a strategic edge. Western Alliance Bank Specialized Mortgage Services delivers stable, trusted treasury management and mortgage banking services that can keep pace with your company’s growth needs and help keep your operations running smoothly while taking advantage of competitive rates. Advanced payment technology provides streamlined online wire transfer origination with just a few clicks as well as embedded finance, API, file-based and online platform options, all customizable to meet your current and future priorities. You’ll also appreciate our options for warehouse lending, MSR financing, note financing and other mortgage finance products that offer speed to approval and certainty of execution. Contact Mark Short(469) 702-6212, Nick Richards (646) 708-1211, Nicole Avey (720) 633-4759, Elizabeth Mix (480) 329-2122, Jim Karr (626) 390-8534 and Chris Martin (480) 341-5483. Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC.
“Falcon Capital Advisors’ team of experienced advisors can take your digital mortgage goals from vision to reality. Our team of subject matter specialists has provided guidance to major lenders and investors, expertly guiding them through the various processes and potential obstacles to quickly stand up their digital mortgage programs. Our comprehensive suite of services includes eMortgage readiness assessments, strategic roadmap development, vendor selection support, program implementation, and securing investor and MERS approval. Our experts can mitigate risks and achieve faster (and less expensive) results and even revitalize stalled eMortgage efforts. Contact Jim Voth to learn more.”
To deliver the best borrower experience and remain compliant, servicers and investors must release liens in a narrow window after payoff. NTC, the leader in lien and assignment release services for 35 years, now offers lenders two options: their traditional full-service offering, and a self-serve, “share-the-work” option: PerfectDocs. The first, complete web-based lien solution, PerfectDocs enables the creation and tracking of all documents needed to complete a lien release and mortgage assignment including reviewing, executing, and notarizing documents and sending them to counties for e-recording for non-MERS and MERS loans. It also features intuitive queues for exceptions, downstream mailings to borrowers or custodians, recording confirmations and fee reconciliations. The platform allows users to share the work with NTC’s team during volume fluctuations or request assistance on complex “cures.” Interested in 100 percent client control with on-demand integration to full service to cure exceptions? Request a PerfectDocs demo to learn more and see how we can share the work!
Fall has arrived, kicking off the football and conference season! And that means plenty of opportunities to grab a pumpkin spice latte and meet up with the Computershare Loan Services (CLS) team at some of the industry’s most significant events. This year, MBA’s Annual Convention is in Philadelphia on October 15-18, and CLS wants to meet you there. Contact them at [email protected] to schedule time together in the city of brotherly love. They’ll tell you all about CLS’ subservicing solutions, origination fulfillment services, co-issue MSR acquisition program, and mortgage cooperative that can help you stay one step ahead.
Free eBook: Market-Proof: How to Build a Flexible Lending Business Resilient in Upcycles & Downturns. The exaggerated upcycles and downturns of the past few years underscore just how crucial it is for lenders to build resilience and flexibility into their businesses. To overcome today’s challenges, lenders need to hone their lending process at each step. In this new eBook, Maxwell provides 12 tips from industry veterans to help you optimize your mortgage process from loan application to the secondary market. You’ll get insight from exclusive interviews with industry veterans on how to increase efficiency, access economic scale, and become resilient to market volatility like never before. Click here to download Maxwell’s new eBook “Market-Proof: How to Build a Flexible Lending Business Resilient in Upcycles & Downturns.”
Saving Pennies Into Saving Dollars
My cat Myrtle thinks nothing of enjoying the benefits of minced, line-caught halibut from the 48-degree waters off Kodiak, Alaska. No expense spared. But for lenders and vendors, staring at an autumn and winter with relatively high rates, saving pennies is critical especially if it means saving jobs and many money-saving ideas are simple and right under your nose.
Mike Metz, with VIP Mortgage, and Faith Howard-Mooney, with The Mortgage Collaborative, recently led a discussion at TMC’s Nashville event on cost saving ideas. For example, are you bundling or cascading credit reports and verification providers? Are you looking at alternatives for courier and shipping vendors? Or, looking at alternatives for tax transcripts? You’d be surprised to hear how much these seemingly small things can add up. (If you want to get involved in conversations like these, contact Faith to learn how you can get involved, or about TMC’s next event in Louisville.)
The conversation continues. Lenders are still seeking ways to reduce costs in the current market environment. Lenders One helps its membership with various benefits, such as free NMLS CE Courses via OnCourse Learning. Consider the math. If you have 100 MLOs needing continuing education at an average $100 per course, you’d spend $10,000 just on CE courses. As a member, your MLOs would take NMLS CE Courses at no cost to your company! Also, with L1 Credit, an approved credit reporting agency with a full suite of credit, flood, fraud, and verification solutions, L1 can offer members pricing that is consistently less than other offerings while still providing industry-leading customer support. L1 Verifications includes the top VOE/I and VOA products in an available waterfall sequence for more savings opportunities. L1 Events? Don’t miss the Executive Roundtable in San Diego, 11/7-8, and registration is open for L1 Summit 2024 in LA, 3/3-6. Visit L1 or contact Tricia Migliazzo to learn more.
Capital Markets
The month and quarter ended on Friday, and it was, to put it mildly, an awful month for bonds and MBS, and therefore mortgage rates. The Fed’s restrictive monetary policy has tightened financial conditions by design, and 30-year fixed rate mortgages closed the month at nearly 7.5 percent, up roughly 30 basis points over the past 30 days. The 10-year currently sits around 4.6 percent, a far cry from the 1.5 percent yield it paid in the weeks leading up to the Fed’s initial rate hike in March 2022 (or the 51 basis points low in August 2020, or even the 3.31 percent it closed at on April 6); it closed Friday +13 basis points for the week and +48 basis points for the month. The Fed is showing no sign that it is going to pivot back to an easy money policy anytime soon. The first fed funds cut is forecasted for next summer (2024).
Is a soft landing becoming less likely? The effects of the auto workers strike, higher energy prices, and student loan payment resumption may ripple through the economy in the form of lower consumer spending and a slowdown in hiring. The potential federal government shutdown in mid-November may eventually throw a curveball at the Fed, which admittedly relies on economic data reports to enact forward looking policy.
Meanwhile the year-over-year core PCE index, which excludes food and energy, declined to 3.9 percent in August, its lowest annualized pace since early 2021. The latest update to second quarter GDP was unrevised at 2.1 percent annualized growth, however consumer spending growth was revised down from 1.7 percent to 0.8 percent. Durable goods orders in August rose 0.2 percent, exceeding market expectations for a 0.5 decline as new orders for defense aircraft and parts jumped 19.2 percent. Excluding defense, orders for capital goods increased 0.9 percent as businesses continued to invest in equipment. The resilience of the economy up to this point has increased the prospects of a “soft landing” in the eyes of some Fed officials, however recent economic headwinds have increased the level of uncertainty which could have implications for future Fed policy.
This week culminates with the September payrolls report on Friday, and expectations are for 170k in the headline figure. Several labor market indicators are also on the calendar including JOLTS job opening on Tuesday, ADP employment on Wednesday, and Challenger job cuts on Thursday. Other releases of interest include PMIs, construction spending, factory orders, trade, and consumer credit. Fedspeak is on the heavy side, including four speakers today. Regarding MBS, Agency prepayments will be released after Thursday’s close. Today’s calendar kicks off with the final September S&P Global manufacturing PMI later this morning and will be followed by ISM manufacturing PMI for September and construction spending for August. We begin the day, week, month, and quarter with Agency MBS prices worse than Friday night by .125-.250 and the 10-year yielding 4.62 after closing Friday at 4.57 percent.
Job Openings
“Pezian Search Group continues to have success in this difficult market. With thousands upon thousands of Client contacts and candidates from coast-to-coast throughout the United States, we are the go-to hiring experts in the Mortgage, Banking, Credit Union, Title & Escrow, Financial Services and Technology spaces that help companies succeed and people grow in their careers. We offer flexible search options, added benefits to long-term Clients, as well as a satisfaction guarantee on our placements that cover both skill set and culture fit. From Loan Officers to Loan Operations, Front-office to Back-office, the Call Center, the C-Suite, and everything in between, let us show you how we can make an impact for your organization. Clients and Job Seekers can connect with us and our Leadership on LinkedIn, reach our team, by completing the contact forms on our website, and reviewing our current openings.”
A large, well-known financial institution is looking to purchase a small wholesale mortgage banker who is in good standing, has its “tickets” with Fannie, Freddie, and Ginnie, and (preferred) has a national footprint with licensing. Loan production volume is not a priority. Strong chance that employees, ownership, and AEs will be retained, as will the name of the seller. Seller/servicer a plus. Interested parties should send me a confidential note for forwarding.
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