At the beginning of this article, let me emphatically make this assertion … “As goes the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, so goes the future of the independent mortgage banker” and “As goes the future of the independent mortgage banker, so goes the future of wholesale and correspondent lending.” The answer to the question posed in the title of this article is, in my opinion, almost wholly reliant and depended upon the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.Read more

Okay, let’s face it, more and more of us have become addicted to one or more social media Web sites than we care to admit. Social media sites have gone way beyond something of a fad or a passing fancy. I believe it represents the biggest shift since the industrial revolution … seriously! There’s real tangible value to social media Web sites and it is time that you get on board with this train before it leaves the station. Our industry hasn’t been known as the “early adopters” of technology … far from it.Read more

Production is down and regulation is up. In response, companies hope to increase production via branch development and brokers are looking for a safe harbor from all of the new regulations. But how do you find the right fit? Read on and I will share four tips that will help your chances of getting it right the first time.Read more

There’s more than one way for a company to “go green.” In this month’s article, I would like to redefine what “going green” should mean to every C-Level executive. To set the stage for what I am talking about, ask yourself the following questions: Beyond having a profitable business, what else is important to you? How would you define the ideal environment for your business (and I am speaking of an internal business environment)? Do you enjoy what you are doing and the way you’re doing it?Read more

The American Dream of owning a home is never more alive and exciting than for the first-time homebuyer. And, like any “first” in our lives, that first home is often the most memorable home we’ll ever own. It brings back memories of when we were first starting out … back at a time when life seemed simpler, exciting and filled with optimism.Read more

Given the unprecedented changes in mortgage lending, it's reasonable, prudent and essential for all mortgage lenders to examine their business plans; joining a branching mortgage bank warrants consideration. For some brokers, the goal could be to just focus on sales and hope that the world we’ve all known will continue. This would be to not worry about the changes in U.S.Read more

Successful senior executives occupying the C-Suite are those who recognize trends and don’t ignore the inevitable. Less successful executives have a tendency to be like the ostrich sticking their heads in the sand or some other dark orifice. Not everything that is “inevitable” has to be construed as negative. The inevitable can bring about unprecedented opportunities for growth in every sense of the word.Read more

In a world where it seems like everything is changing, isn’t it comforting to know that some things just never change? Basic human nature is one of them. While we credit Abraham Maslow for documenting the five basic human needs, they have been around since the beginning of time. They are:Read more

Many today are asking themselves: “What is the future of mortgage lending?” Given the onslaught of new rules and regulations, and a seemingly endless number of stories chronicling the closures and/or failures of banks, warehouse lenders and mortgage companies, it is easy to understand why almost every C-level executive is wondering what the future holds for the industry. In a time when the obstacles seem to be multiplying and opportunities fading, it is important that the C-level maintains an intense focus on the course they chart for their company.Read more

Quality control: Often overlooked and undervalued, but an essential navigational tool for the “C” Suite executive desiring to be compliant and manage his or her company responsibly and effectively.Read more