NerdWallet has an article on considering taking out a smaller loan than you qualify for. The article lists 6 reasons to consider, but it could be distilled into one broad point—Protect Yourself. Not overextending your credit provides you with greater flexibility should anything unexpected arise. More, here.

Claes Bell, reporting for Bankrate.com, shares national survey results on long-term investments. Real estate leads the list, followed by cash, gold, then the stock market. More, here.

HousingWire has a piece today about the Community Mortgage Lender Regulatory Act of 2016, a new legislation that could bring relief to independent, community-based mortgage lenders. More, here.

Fortune shared an informative piece yesterday using a series of charts to explain the current state of the real estate market. In short, we're continuing to move in the right direction. More, here.

Mortgage refinance applications are up 11%, while total mortgage application volume is up 7.2%. Refinances are up nearly 60% from a year ago. Rates remain at a 3-year low, and there is strong buyer activity in the real estate markets for Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Denver and Austin, Texas. More, here.