Looking Ahead: The Power Of Bank Branches With Loan Officers

By KIMBERLEY HAAS As consumers turn to mortgage professionals they can trust in their communities, it is predicted that more industry leaders will depend on a retail model to make the most out of the market. Joe Ludlow, vice president of sales at Advantage Systems, Accounting for Mortgage Bankers, and ApprovalSoft in California, made note of the potential trend during a recent interview with The Mortgage Note. Ludlow said since it is getting harder for potential homebuyers to get approved for a loan, they are seeking out a local professional to help with the process. As a result, bank branches and loan officers with a desk there are popular again. “Branches now are becoming more important. Loan officers are becoming…

With The Holidays Here, Industry Leaders Share What They Are Grateful For

By KIMBERLEY HAAS Industry leaders are sharing their thoughts as 2022 winds down and they are expressing gratitude despite challenges in the current market. Bill Banfield, EVP of Capital Markets at Rocket Mortgage in Detroit, Michigan, said he appreciates the mental stimulation of navigating a tough market because people are forced to get creative in finding solutions for customers. “Your company, your teams, you get to try to figure out how you can help people or how you can improve your company. It’s actually a much more fascinating time than when you’re in a super boom and all you can do is talk about rates and payments,” Banfield said. Banfield had just sat down with The Mortgage Note to talk…

CoreLogic: Double-Digit Rent Growth In September

Strong demand and the labor market are fueling single-family rent price increases which remain at record highs. September data from CoreLogic’s Single-Family Rent Index shows rents increased 10.2% year-over-year (YOY), compared to a 2.6% YOY increase in September 2020. Rents increased across all four tiers of rental prices used by CoreLogic. Lower-priced rentals (less than 75% of the regional median) saw an increase of 8.3% YOY, while rents in the lower-middle price range (75%-100% of the regional median) rose 9.3% YOY, both more than doubling their growth from the same time in 2020. Rents for higher-priced properties broke 10%, with higher-middle priced (100%-125%) rents climbing 10.5%, compared to 2.4% in September 2020. Higher-priced rentals (125% or more of the regional…