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The State of the Mortgage Market
In this episode of Rick’s Room, Rick Grant sits down with longtime mortgage and servicing industry veterans Mike Harris and Barry Owens for a wide-ranging, unscripted conversation about the state of housing, mortgage servicing, and where real stress may emerge next in the U.S. market. A key theme is regional divergence. Barry notes_toggle markets like Palm Springs, California—where investor-driven price drops contrast sharply with nearby areas that remain strong. Similar patt
Michael Harris
Jan 51 min read
A New View of Leadership
A New View of Leadership In this episode of Rick’s Room, host Rick Grant welcomes returning guest Michael Harris-known both as a business leader and a longtime youth basketball coach-along with his former player and mentee, Connor Gleason. Connor recently graduated with a degree in finance and is now pursuing his MBA while exploring his passion for film production through his brand, Through It All. The conversation traces the journey from late-night gym sessions to college ba
Michael Harris
Nov 4, 20251 min read
The Key to Unlocking Massive Growth
I’m glad I completed the work to earn my Six Sigma Black Belt. I have continually used this methodology to ensure efficiency while minimizing risk. But Six Sigma gets better with Design Thinking.
Michael Harris
Sep 15, 20253 min read
Making Process Improvement Work
In this episode I wanted to go beyond the philosophical and get practical about vision-driven leadership. I share how successful leaders...
Michael Harris
Aug 28, 20251 min read
Continued buyer uncertainty and missed spring volume.
It’s been a while since we last discussed the housing market, as our recent conversations at BlackFin have focused more on process...
Michael Harris
Aug 12, 20253 min read
Simplifying Change Management
In this podcast, I dive a ltttle deeper into the tools and process of change management to make what we teach as a consultant easier to...
Michael Harris
Jul 10, 20251 min read
Making Biz Dev Work
Michael Harris again joins Rick Grant in the RGA PR thought leaders’ lounge for what would be another discussion on optimizing business...
Michael Harris
Jun 19, 20251 min read
New Uses for Six Sigma Strategies
In this podcast, I sit down with Rick Grant, CEO of RGA Public Relations Consulting to talk about how Six Sigma tools I have been using...
Michael Harris
Jun 5, 20251 min read
Understanding the Real Cost of Mortgage Servicing—and What You Can Do About It
In previous articles, we’ve emphasized the importance of understanding, maintaining, and controlling your processes and associated risks....
Michael Harris
May 1, 20252 min read
Don’t Wait for Stability: Why Now Is the Time to Strengthen Your Business Foundation
I recently had a conversation about change management, especially with all the moving parts happening in the country right now. Many...
Michael Harris
Apr 11, 20252 min read
A Deeper Dive into Change Management
Rick Grant sits down with Michael Harris of BlackFin Group to dig a bit deeper into the necessary elements of any change management process.
Michael Harris
Apr 10, 20251 min read
Talking Change Management
If there is a single constant in the business world, it’s change. So why are we all so bad at it? That’s not an answer you’ll find in...
Michael Harris
Mar 20, 20251 min read
What to Expect in 2025
As you know, I have been focusing my commentary on the four primary economic drivers in the mortgage serving industry: household...
Michael Harris
Dec 31, 20243 min read
Talking True Leadership
Six Sigma Black Belt Michael Harris sits down with Rick Grant to discuss effective leadership.
Michael Harris
Dec 18, 20241 min read
The Reduction of Interest Rates Explained
In our recent articles we have been discussing all that is the origination and real estate markets along with the current state of the...
Michael Harris
Sep 3, 20244 min read
Is It Crazy to Switch Mortgage Servicing Systems?
No one likes to talk about implementing a new technology system, especially when it is mission-critical software that will be used on...
Michael Harris
Aug 19, 20242 min read
Variables Affecting the Housing Market
We have been discussing for most of the year how the current mortgage origination market is navigating a complex landscape influenced by...
Michael Harris
Jul 21, 20243 min read
The Truth About the 2024 US Economy
So far this year our discussions have focused on interest rates, loan originations, consumer financial health and the real estate market....
Michael Harris
Jul 17, 20243 min read
How the Real Estate Market is Impacting Home Purchases & Loan Origination
In previous months we have discussed the relationships between the interest rates, the real estate market and loan originations. This...
Michael Harris
Jun 10, 20242 min read
Are Servicers Prepared to Potential Mortgage Delinquencies and Defaults?
In the first quarter of 2024, we have been discussing the concern about the pending increases in mortgage delinquencies, defaults and...
Michael Harris
May 14, 20242 min read
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