Leaders at Rocket Mortgage announced a conventional loan option this month for people who are interested in purchasing or refinancing a manufactured home. Manufactured homes are built at indoor homebuilding facilities in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Manufactured Home Standards. They are then delivered to the land where the owner will live. A recent report from the Manufactured Housing Institute shows manufactured homes are about a third of the cost, on average, of site-built homes. The Institute also stated that 22 million Americans currently live in manufactured homes and this building type accounts for 9 percent of new home construction. Bill Banfield, EVP of Capital Markets at Rocket Mortgage, sat down for an interview with The Mortgage Note…
As the market corrects and mortgage demand sinks, lenders are struggling to market themselves to a shrinking pool of rate-focused borrowers, according to J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study. The study found that as demand hits a 22-year low, mortgage brokers are finding it difficult to stand out from the crowd. Borrowers are choosing lenders based solely on who is offering the lowest rate that day. “The average mortgage customer experience has become increasingly commoditized, with few lenders finding the right formula to build long-term trust and loyalty that truly stands out from the competition,” the report reads. Rocket Mortgage ranked highest for origination satisfaction, followed by Chase, Citi, and Fairway Independent. Overall, lenders were on equal footing…
Rocket Companies has rolled out a rewards program that allows consumers to get points towards various transactions across Rocket’s platforms, the company announced. In its first phase, consumers will be able to use Rocket Rewards on closing costs when financing a home through Rocket Mortgage. “Rocket Companies is known for delivering exceptional client service and the introduction of Rocket Rewards continues that trend – showing our appreciation for clients by offering incentives at various points throughout their financial journey,” said Jay Farner, Vice Chairman and CEO of Rocket Companies. Home shoppers need to create an account and visit the rewards page. New clients will get a 7,500-point welcome bonus, or $75, which can be used on closing costs. More points…
Habitat for Humanity Affiliates in Florida and South Carolina will be able to build more affordable homes after the recent sale of mortgage notes on their behalf. Leaders at CBC Mortgage Agency, a nationally chartered housing finance agency and a source of down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, announced its CRA Note Exchange platform had completed the sale on Sept. 12. CRA Note Exchange enables the sale of Community Reinvestment Act-eligible loans through an online portal to free up capital for additional affordable home construction. Banks and other financial institutions can review, select and purchase loans in specific areas that support their CRA or other lending objectives. The exchange was launched in 2018. Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS As interest rates climb towards seven percent and loan applications fall to their slowest pace since 1997, leaders at Rocket Mortgage say they have a solution and it has a name: Inflation Buster. Rocket’s new Inflation Buster program was announced on Sept. 16. It gives homebuyers a reprieve by reducing their monthly mortgage payment by one percentage point for the first year of their loan, according to a press release. Bill Banfield, EVP of Capital Markets at Rocket Mortgage, sat down for an interview with The Mortgage Note to explain how the program is the result of leaders at the company listening to the needs of their clients. “You, me, everybody is talking about inflation. You can’t…
Rocket’s CFO and General Counsel are both retiring, resulting in changes to its executive leadership, the company announced in a press release. Julie Booth, CFO and Treasurer, will be retiring effective November 15. She has been with Rocket Mortgage for nearly 20 years and has served as CFO since 2005. She will be replaced by Brian Brown, currently Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to Rocket, he consulted with financial services companies at EY. “During her time as CFO, Julie has been a tremendous leader in our organization, helping guide our company through significant growth and expansion, culminating with our IPO in 2020,” said Jay Farner, Rocket Companies Vice Chairman and CEO. “Even more impressive is the tremendous team Julie has built…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS The senior vice president of business development at Rocket Mortgage says their partnership with Boston-based Santander Bank is an example of the kind of relationship they hope to cultivate. Tom Dempsey recently sat down for an interview with The Mortgage Note. He said partnering with Rocket Mortgage gives companies access to their technology. “We’re offering partnership models that externalize our models and systems,” Dempsey said. “The key thing is that at Rocket we’ve created a number of partnership models for banks and credit unions.” Dempsey called this a holistic approach to offering customers what they are looking for as lenders pull into and out of markets. On Aug. 5, leaders at Santander Bank and Rocket Mortgage announced…
By TYRONE TOWNSEND Leaders at Rocket Mortgage have launched a new program that will cover a sizable portion of closing costs for a refinance transaction if interest rates drop and their customer refinances within three years of purchasing a home. Applicants with credit scores as low as 580 will be considered, in contrast to other mortgage lenders who need a minimum of 620. Leaders at the company say this offers a choice for potential homebuyers with bad credit. John Perich, Director of Public Relations of Rocket Central, spoke with the Mortgage Note about the Rate Drop Advantage. “People might want to buy a house, and if you want to buy a house now, go ahead and get it,” Perich said.…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS The CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage has come under fire after posting online that he is “disappointed” with Rocket Mortgage’s decision to offer buyouts to members of its workforce. Mat Ishbia posted on LinkedIn last week that this should not be necessary for a company that made over $5 billion in profits last year. “These 2,000+ people will struggle to find new jobs, and I think it’s disgusting that they’re thinking short term and are solely focused on cutting a few million per month in costs… this is the wrong thing to do to people,” Ishbia said. Ishbia went on to write that they have not had a single layoff in 35 years at UWM. The post…
Good Morning! Today is Monday, April 25. Emmanuel Macron, the incumbent president of France, won re-election over Marine Le Pen. A man died after setting himself on fire in front of the Supreme Court to protest climate change. Wildfires in Arizona, Nebraska, and New Mexico have killed at least one person and destroyed hundreds of structures. The Mortgage Note Reports Rocket Mortgage Works to End Digital Divide In Detroit: Editor Kimberley Haas reports that leaders at the company have been working with local officials who say there is still much work to be done. Real House Prices: FirstAm’s Real House Price Index jumped up by nearly 31% in February, the fastest growth in the more than 30-year history of the series. Rate Hike Impact: Nathaniel Drake of Fannie’s…
