Darren Pomponio, NMLS # 297043

Darren Pomponio, NMLS # 297043 Every vet needs a guy who knows VA loans. That’s me. No BS, no runaround. Darren Pomponio / Veteran /USAF /NMLS # 297043
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08/07/2026

People believe some wild stuff about credit scores. Let’s clear a few up.
Checking your own credit does not hurt your score. Closing an old card to “clean things up” can actually hurt you, it shortens your history. And you don’t need an 800 to get a good rate, there’s a real difference between good and perfect.
What actually moves your rate the most? Usually your utilization, how much you’re using versus your limit.
Not sure where you stand? Send me your score, I’ll tell you straight.

08/06/2026

Rate lock. This one trips people up a lot.

Once you're in process, you gotta decide, lock now, or float and hope it drops. Nobody actually knows where rates go next, not me, not the news, nobody.

If the payment works for you today, lock it. Don't gamble your deal chasing a maybe.

Mid-process and not sure what to do? Ask before you guess.

08/05/2026

People ask who influenced how I run my business. Honestly, it's not one person, it's a few.

There's my dad. A commander I served under in the Air Force, who taught me what it means to follow through, not just say you will. My high school football coaches, where I first learned discipline isn't punishment, it's just what gets you ready.

And David Goggins' story hit me in the best way. Not because I've been through what he has, but that idea of doing the hard thing anyway stuck with me.

That's why I run my business the way I do. Show up, follow through, do the hard thing even when nobody's watching.

08/05/2026

Yesterday offered a great reminder that mortgage rates don't always move in lockstep with the bond market.

While bonds rallied meaning bond prices rose and yields fell many lenders were slower than usual to pass those improvements along through lower mortgage rates.

This doesn't mean the relationship between bonds and mortgage rates has changed. It simply highlights that lender pricing can lag behind market movements, especially when changes happen throughout the trading day.

If bond market strength continues, borrowers could see additional improvements in the days ahead.

HousingMarket Finance RealEstate RateWatch HomeBuying

08/04/2026

I've been in Rotary for 17 years. People sometimes ask why I still make time for it.

It's simple. Keeps me connected to my community outside of just closing loans. I'm also involved with VAREP, the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, that's where my business and my service overlap.

Giving back isn't a marketing thing for me. I was doing this long before any content stuff. It's just part of who I am.

If you're part of either organization, I'd love to connect.

08/03/2026

I heard this phrase a while back… “above average.” Kinda stuck with me.
It’s easy to get good at your job and just call that a win. But I don’t want to be great at work and just okay at home.
For me it’s about actually being there. Not just physically home while my head’s still stuck at work. I want my kids to remember a dad who showed up, not just a guy who was busy.
So when I say above average, I’m not really talking about closing more loans. I’m talking about the guy I want my family to remember.
That’s the standard now. Above average, or what’s the point.

Summer break is almost over... and the Southern Marin Buy/Sell Meeting is BACK.Monday, August 17th | 11am–1pm | Corte Ma...
08/01/2026

Summer break is almost over... and the Southern Marin Buy/Sell Meeting is BACK.

Monday, August 17th | 11am–1pm | Corte Madera Inn

Nearly 10 years strong, this is the meeting where deals actually get made. Not a networking social... the real thing.

Every month:
➤ Off-market and coming-soon listings before they hit the MLS
➤ Buyer and seller needs shared live, agent to agent
➤ A quick market and rate snapshot to keep you sharp with clients
➤ Free lunch for agents. Show up hungry.

Bring your listings, bring your buyers, bring a friend in the business. Deals get made here every month that wouldn't have happened otherwise.

RSVP https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marin-county-buysell-meeting-tickets-1989778828038?aff=oddtdtcreator

Don't miss the first one back.

07/31/2026

If you’re self-employed and write off everything you can to save on taxes, that same habit might be costing you a mortgage.

Lenders look at your net income, after write-offs, not your gross revenue. So if your CPA’s done a great job minimizing what you owe the IRS, that same return can make you look like you earn way less than you actually do.

This doesn’t mean stop taking legitimate write-offs, that’s still smart for your taxes. It means timing and strategy matter if a home purchase is on the horizon.

There are loan programs built specifically around how self-employed income actually works. Most lenders just don’t know how to use them.

Self-employed and thinking about buying in the next year or two? Let’s talk before tax season, not after.

RealEstate

07/30/2026

People ask why I've done this for almost 30 years. It goes back to before I ever wrote a loan.

I served in the U.S. Air Force. When I got out, I didn't have a roadmap, a lot of veterans know that feeling. I fell into mortgage almost by accident, but it stuck.

Buying a home is one of the most stressful things people go through, and a lot of loan officers just push paperwork. I wanted to actually explain what's happening.

That's part of why I lean so hard into helping veterans. When one gets a flat no from a lender who doesn't get it, I take that personally, I've been on the other side of that uniform.

Almost 30 years in, and getting someone into a home they didn't think was possible still never gets old.

RealEstate

07/29/2026

After reaching a low of around 6.50% in late June, mortgage rates steadily climbed throughout the month, peaking at 6.85% last Thursday the highest level in more than a year.

Friday brought a modest recovery, though lenders adjusted pricing throughout the day as market conditions shifted.

The takeaway? Mortgage rates remain highly sensitive to economic data, bond market movement, and global events. Even small changes can create meaningful opportunities or added costs for buyers and homeowners.

If you're planning to buy, refinance, or lock a rate, staying informed is more important than ever.

InterestRates MortgageNews RealEstate Finance RateWatch HomeLoans

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