Mortgage Do's And Don'ts
Mortgages can be tricky, and it's easy to make mistakes that can end up costing you dearly. That's why we've put together this list of Mortgage Do's and Do not's to help you navigate the process with ease - and a little bit of humor.
DO: Shop around for the best mortgage rates
DON'T: Assume your bank will give you the best rate just because you have a checking account there. Remember, loyalty is a two-way street.
DO: Have a budget in mind
DON'T: Get in over your head. Just because you can technically afford a million-dollar mansion doesn't mean you should buy one. You don't want to be house-poor and unable to afford groceries.
DO: Get pre-approved before house-hunting
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DON'T: Assume you'll be approved for a mortgage just because you have good credit. Pre-approval is important because it gives you a better idea of how much house you can afford and shows sellers that you're serious.
.
DO: Consider your future plans
.
DON'T: Assume you'll live in your new house forever. Life happens, and you may need to sell sooner than you think. Make sure you're not getting into a mortgage that you can't realistically afford if you need to move in a few years.
DO: Get pre-approved before house-hunting
.
DON'T: Assume you'll be approved for a mortgage just because you have good credit. Pre-approval is important because it gives you a better idea of how much house you can afford and shows sellers that you're serious.
.
DO: Consider your future plans
.
DON'T: Assume you'll live in your new house forever. Life happens, and you may need to sell sooner than you think. Make sure you're not getting into a mortgage that you can't realistically afford if you need to move in a few years.
DO: Read the fine print
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DON'T: Sign on the dotted line without reading the terms and conditions. There may be hidden fees or clauses that could come back to haunt you later.
.
DO: Be prepared for unexpected expenses
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DON'T: Assume everything will go smoothly. There may be unforeseen expenses, like a leaky roof or a broken furnace, that can quickly drain your savings. Be sure to budget for these types of surprises.
DO: Read the fine print
.
DON'T: Sign on the dotted line without reading the terms and conditions. There may be hidden fees or clauses that could come back to haunt you later.
.
DO: Be prepared for unexpected expenses
.
DON'T: Assume everything will go smoothly. There may be unforeseen expenses, like a leaky roof or a broken furnace, that can quickly drain your savings. Be sure to budget for these types of surprises.
DO: Have a good sense of humor
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DON'T: Take everything too seriously. Yes, buying a house and getting a mortgage can be stressful, but try to find the humor in the situation. After all, laughter is the best medicine for a stressful day.
.
By following these Mortgage Do's and Do not's, you'll be well on your way to successfully navigating the mortgage process - with a smile on your face. Good luck, and happy house hunting!
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š¦ Banks Tiptoe Back Into CRE Lending ā But Old Loan Troubles Still Haunt the Market ā ļø
š¦ Banks Tiptoe Back Into CRE Lending ā But Old Loan Troubles Still Haunt the Market ā ļø
š CRE Lending Rebounds in 2025 ā Yet Troubled Debt and Maturity Risks Are Far From Over š„
š¦ Banks Tiptoe Back Into CRE Lending ā Even As Old Troubles Stick Around
After two years of tightening credit, frozen loan committees, and conservative underwriting, banks are finally stepping back into the commercial real estate (CRE) arena. But hereās the truth investors and borrowers need to hear:
Yesābanks are lending again.
Noāthe problems from the low-rate era arenāt gone.
And the next five years will be defined by slow-moving risk, not sudden collapse.
As a mortgage broker working directly with both investors and lenders, Iām seeing the same pattern: a lending thawā¦ but far from a clean slate.
š„ Banks Are Lending Again ā The Thaw Is Real
According to Newmark, banks originated $227 billion in CRE loans during the first nine months of 2025āan 85% year-over-year surge that finally returns origination levels to 2019 norms.
A few big shifts worth noting:
Multifamily made up 50% of Q2 originations
Office is seeing selective new financingāa sign that valuations finally hit clearing levels
Regional banks are re-opening pipelines, though with tighter DSCR and lower leverage
Bridge lenders and debt funds are being out-competed on rates again
This isnāt a boom. Itās simply a return to functioning credit marketsāsomething the sector hasnāt seen since early 2022.
ā ļø But Legacy Problems Havenāt Gone Away
Even though banks are lending, theyāre still dragging the weight of last cycleās debt.
CRE delinquencies sit at 1.56%, the highest since 2014
At the nationās largest banks, delinquencies hit 1.86%
Nonperforming loans continue to rise despite the lending rebound
Troubles are concentrated in:
office
older multifamily
hospitality in oversupplied markets
transitional assets with stalled business plans
Analysts warn that banksā stability reflects caution, not improved fundamentals.
š§± The āExtend and Pretendā Era Isnāt Over
Banks are still relying on loan modifications and short-term extensions to avoid realizing losses.
$957 billion in CRE debt matures in 2025
Nearly half is held by banks
$663 billion is coming due in 2026
Banks hold 46% of that exposure, more than any other lender class
Instead of one giant āmaturity wall,ā the market now faces a rolling debt wave extending through 2030
This rewrites the entire risk timeline.
Instead of a crash ā cleanup ā recovery cycleā¦ weāre on a slow-drip, multi-year workout cycle.
š§ļø Macro Risks Are Rising
While lenders are more active, macroeconomic clouds continue to darken:
Rising stagflation pressures
Declining consumer sentiment
Slower job growth
Rate volatility
Recession odds estimated anywhere from 35% to 93%, depending on the model
Any major shockāeconomic or geopoliticalācould trigger:
forced sales
rapid repricing
distress escalations
higher delinquencies
This is why lenders remain conservative even as pipelines reopen.
š„ The Reality: A Slow Burn, Not a Sudden Collapse
Banks are choosing controlled workouts over liquidation.
Thatās good news for borrowers.
No fire sales
No mass foreclosures
No 2008-style panic
But it also means:
distress will unwind slowly, not suddenly
pricing discovery will take longer
sponsors with weak balance sheets will struggle
borrowers with expertise (or strong brokers) can negotiate better terms
š THE TAKEAWAY
Banks are lending againābut they havenāt resolved the core issues created by low rates, rapid cap rate expansion, and unrealistic valuations from 2019ā2022.
Until something forces their hand, expect:
gradual workouts
conservative underwriting
rolling maturity stress
opportunities emerging deal-by-deal, not market-wide
Smart borrowers should act nowābefore competition heats up and while lenders are still offering attractive structures to strong sponsors.
If you need guidance on refinancing, restructuring, or sourcing new capital, the Medallion Funds team is here to help.
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Ā© 2023-2024 Bill Rapp, Medallion Funds LLC, Director of Capital Advisory
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