How long have you been with your company?
11 years
How long have you been in the industry?
23 years
How long has your company been in the area?
17 years
How long has your company been in business?
153 years
How many lending agents do you have?
43 loan officers
How many lending agents does your company have in Jacksonville?
28
Are there enough qualified lending agents to go around?
No.
What qualifies an agent?
They take loan applications and manage the process through closing of the loan.
What is the best way for a Realtor to get to you?
Via cell phone
What’s your best place for networking with Realtors?
SMC for builder site agents and NEFAR, as well as Women’s Council meetings.
What can a Realtor do for the lender, other than Prequalify?
A Realtor can be instrumental in ensuring borrower follow though on satisfaction of loan processing conditions due to the likelihood that the real estate professional has built a deeper relationship and repore with the buyer.
What can lenders do for Realtors?
Lenders can help Realtors with leads, marketing, business planning and customer service.
What makes your company outstanding?
Our capabilities are broad from prime lending to sub-prime lending to construction. We have extraordinary programs to reach first time home buyers, low to moderate income borrowers and minority borrowers. As the nation’s leading retail home mortgage lender, we take our role seriously regarding fair lending.
What’s the biggest challenge that comes with being a lender?
Capacity management to ensure consistent delivery to our referral partners and their customers.
What challenges do apartment conversions bring?
Condominium conversion are unique in that they are considered new construction but close at a velocity greater than resale homes. Often a developer will stage closing in mass where dozens of units will close in a single week. Conversions also have special insurance requirements and agency approvals that are not required on single family detached housing.
What’s the trend: bigger or smaller mortgages?
Bigger mortgages based on higher average sales prices are clearly happening. Higher loans to values and interest only loans are also trending up.
Has Internet lending had much affect on the industry?
No, but Web sites for lenders that are also locally based have enhanced information and service to borrowers through convenience.
What should lenders do to assure buyers of the dangers of doing business via the Internet?
It continues to be a challenge, but properly trained and competent loan consultants know how to counsel consumers on comparative analysis.