Clint Cornett is chief executive officer and founder of Texas-based ValuTrac Software, Inc., a software solutions provider to the appraisal management and mortgage lending industries. ValuTrac allows appraisal management companies, banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders to operate more efficiently, enhance customer service, mitigate risk and ensure industry regulatory compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act, Interagency Guidelines, Fannie Mae Appraiser Independence Requirements and FHA Appraisal Requirements.Click to continue

A new year lies ahead as we close the book on 2012. We in the industry have weathered unimaginable change over the past four years. As a result, we have emerged smaller, but stronger. The year 2013 promises more change, and as before, the strong and wise shall thrive. Our firm believes that three trends will play out in the mortgage industry in 2013.

These trends are:

1. HARP 3.0 will come to fruition, allowing millions more homeowners to benefit from refinancing and allowing the refinance-domination of the industry to continue for another year.Click to continue

There are many factors that determine how risky a bond is perceived to be. Some factors are directly related to the licensee’s individual ability to meet its professional obligations, while some are related to the overall economic climate for an industry. But other factors, some of which are discussed below, can produce a very state-specific impact on the perceived risk for bonds.Click to continue

The topic regarding lender/real estate agent gridlock that I hear from mortgage colleagues across the nation has been lingering on for years and I cannot help but write about it this month. It’s not an everyday occurrence, but worth discussing. In prior years and primarily during the housing boom, I feel that the mortgage industry painted a bad picture regarding who we are and what it is we do. During that time, there were unqualified, and at times, unethical people, in the industry which most are aware of from the sub-prime meltdown, etc.Click to continue

In yesteryear, your customers had a much easier time of shopping for a mortgage because the options were fewer and there weren’t as many programs to review. Now, there are thousands of mortgage companies and hundreds of different programs to choose from. The task has become quite daunting for those who are not lucky enough to be cash buyers. So, the question becomes, how do you make sure your mortgage company stands out?Click to continue

In combination with celebrating its 20th anniversary of representing consumer reporting agencies providing data to the housing industry, the National Credit Reporting Association has changed its name to the National Consumer Reporting Association. This change was announced at its annual national education conference in Tampa, Fla. in November where the members selected the new logo.Click to continue

Question one: What's my mission and purpose? Every plan starts with a mission … a reason why. For example, if your mission in 2013 is to make $200,000 in income, you would conceivably do anything and everything to achieve that goal, regardless of whether your actions are healthy or unhealthy for you, your business or your relationships. It becomes easy for you to lose focus, and engage in daily habits that meet your immediate needs for money at the expense of your long-term needs for money and growth.Click to continue

In September 2011, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued its Company Portal Manual (Manual). The Manual gave instructions on the use of the special access portal, known as the Company Portal (Portal). The Portal allows financial institutions to view and respond to complaints in the CFPB consumer complaint database. At that time, the Portal was enabled to take consumer complaints about credit cards and provider resources for distressed homeowners.Click to continue

In our fourth annual “40 Under 40” feature, you will find a list of the top mortgage professionals under the age of 40, as voted on by their peers, who exemplify professionalism and top production in today’s housing market. Despite the rough waters of the U.S. economy and the ever-shifting landscape known as the mortgage industry, these 40 professionals have persevered in a time of great uncertainty.Click to continue

Every day, talented and accomplished leaders struggle because they’re too stressed, too stretched or too tired of sacrificing. As a result, many businesses are losing their leaders, and many leaders are losing themselves. They don’t know how to achieve success without sacrificing their quality of life. Fortunately, there is another way to be successful as a leader in today’s world that is more thoughtful, more strategic, and more reflective. In fact, you can learn to lead in a way that preserves your talent while enhancing your quality of life.Click to continue