Whether you are a Real Estate Agent or a borrower, not having the right mortgage lender could put the kibosh on your deal. If you want the right product mix, lowest
rate and quick funding, you also want a lender with a proven track record who will be responsive and proactive. A lender who will treat you with consideration and be
readily accessible to you every step of the way.
The problem with many mortgage lending models is that once your loan originator gets a name on the dotted line, they pass their client along to the processor and
they’re moved into what we fondly refer to as the “Mortgage Black Hole.” After a client meticulously gathers and submits all their financial information, they end up
waiting for what seems like an eternity to hear from anyone. And when they do, borrowers only get requests for more and more information. It could feel like
Groundhog Day.
Fortunately, there is a new, better option. Choosing a mortgage “team” of professionals who work in tandem on every loan they process puts an end to what feels like an
infinite loop of the same questions and requests. When you work with a team, you have the combined knowledge and experience of the whole, instead of just one
person. That knowledge can be called upon at any time to ensure the process flows as quickly and effortlessly as possible – making it easier on both borrowers and Real
Estate Agents.
By working with a team, you’ll get all of these under one roof, working as a unit:
Mortgage Loan Originator / Officer
A licensed representative of a mortgage broker, mortgage bank, credit union, or institutional bank who helps consumers apply for home loans and offers or negotiates
the terms of a home loan for a fee. Their primary role is to match your financial profile to a mortgage at competitive rates and costs.
Loan Processor
Responsible for assembling, administering, and processing the loan application paperwork before it gets approved by the loan underwriter. They play a crucial role in
getting a mortgage loan request to the final close.
Underwriter
Takes an in-depth look at a borrower’s credit and financial background to determine if they’re eligible for a loan.
Administrative Staff
These individuals answer calls and email as well as help to create marketing materials, coordinate events, etc. They are very much the industry’s “Jack of all trades.”
Working with a team is more than just having everyone together. It is having the right people in the right place. An important factor in a successful team dynamic is
communication, enabling everyone to interact together like a well-oiled machine where all parts move together as one, smoothly and efficiently. Here’s what to look for
in the team you work with:
- Face-to-face time: The ability and willingness of the mortgage loan officer to meet you in person to discuss your needs.
- Side-by-side support: Work with realtors and borrowers to successfully facilitate the loan process.
- Availability: Be able to meet with you at your convenience, even if that means after hours or on weekends.
- Flexibility: The ability to provide you with a seller letter to match your offer ASAP, even on the weekend.
- Personal touch: Readily available to talk with you via phone, video chat, or in-person.
- Local: Works with local appraisers, title companies, surveyors, and insurance companies to provide suburb service for every need.
Out with the old and in with the new. The team model is the smart choice when looking for a mortgage lender. Be sure to research and interview any lenders you are
considering working with to find out if they meet the criteria outlined above. Remember, having the right team can make all the difference!
The Pennington Team difference.
We are a group of qualified, dedicated mortgage professionals who are focused on providing quality service, every time. We love what we do and truly enjoy the family
atmosphere of our team. At the helm is our fearless leader, Michael Pennington. Since joining the mortgage industry in 2003, he has consistently maintained his status
as one of the industry’s elite loan officers and has built a team that is focused on client success. Prior to joining the mortgage industry, Michael served four years in the
U.S. Marines.
Homebridge
Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. is one of the largest privately held, non-bank mortgage lenders in the U.S. For more than 30 years, we have worked to make the
complicated mortgage lending experience simple, easy, and transparent for everyone involved.