State housing agency recognizes year’s top lenders, loan officers during Home Ownership Month

July 1, 2011

by TDHCA

Category: News || Housing & Development, Property, Rentals, Transactions | No Comments

TDHCA salutes key partners in helping Texans achieve American Dream

AUSTIN, TX – July 1 30, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) used the occasion of June’s national designation as Home Ownership Month to name its “Lenders of the Year” and “Loan Officers of the Year” in recognition of the important role lenders play in helping increase home ownership opportunities for Texans through state-sponsored homebuyer programs.

Timothy Irvine, TDHCA Acting Director, announced that Cornerstone Mortgage and Rocky Mountain Mortgage will share the title of “2010 Texas First Time Homebuyer Program Lenders of the Year,” while Premier Nationwide Lending and Bank of America will share the title of “2010 Texas Mortgage Credit Lenders of the Year.”

The Department also recognized Premier Nationwide Lending’s Kim Lewis and Robb Goedert, who serves with Cornerstone Mortgage, as “2010 Loan Officers of the Year.”

“It is my great pleasure to salute these four high-performing mortgage companies, as well as Ms. Lewis and Mr. Goedert, for their contributions in helping low to moderate income Texans reach their dream of becoming home owners,” Irvine said in announcing the awards.

“TDHCA helped more than 1,900 households last year purchase a home through these programs, an accomplishment that would simply be impossible if not for the enthusiastic commitment of our local lenders,” he continued. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the lending community to help even more households purchase a home of their own in the coming year.”

Governor Rick Perry added to the occasion by issuing a proclamation recognizing June as Home Ownership Month, noting that home ownership is a major milestone of the American Dream, symbolizing success, security and independence.

The Department’s governing board also issued a resolution touting homeownership and Home Ownership Month, and both of these documents are on TDHCA’s Web site at www.tdhca.state.tx.us/ppa/media/index.htm .

Last year, Cornerstone Mortgage originated a remarkable 349 loans totaling over $44 million in production, while Rocky Mountain Mortgage in 2010 originated 92 loans totaling over $9 million.

Premier Nationwide Lending last year was responsible for the issuance of 95 mortgage credit certificates on loans totaling $11 million. Bank of America during the same time period was responsible for the issuance of 76 mortgage credit certificates on mortgage loans totaling $9 million.

Lewis, working in Premier Nationwide Lending’s Flower Mound office, last year originated and closed 58 loans under the Texas First Time Homebuyer Program and issued 95 Mortgage Credit Certificates under TDHCA’s Texas Mortgage Credit Program. Goedert in 2010 closed 59 mortgage loans through Cornerstone Mortgage’s Houston office under the Department’s Texas First Time Homebuyer Program.

As Texas’ lead agency for promoting home ownership, TDHCA helps transform the lives of the individuals who participate in its programs. TDHCA’s homebuyer programs over have helped tens of thousands of low to moderate income Texans achieve their home ownership goals, while educating them about the risks and responsibilities that accompany those rewards.

“In each case, these programs provide safe, conventional financing to families who might otherwise resort to high-risk alternative lending products,” Irvine added. “As the state agency responsible for promoting home ownership, we do not endorse or offer any exotic or adjustable-rate mortgages, and our lenders and underwriters conservatively evaluate each application to ensure every household is truly ready for homeownership.”

For more information on TDHCA’s many homebuyer assistance programs and eligibility requirements, please visit the Department’s Web site at www.tdhca.state.tx.us or call 1-800-525-0657.

About the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs administers a number of state and federal programs through for-profit, nonprofit, and local government partnerships to strengthen communities through affordable housing development, home ownership opportunities, weatherization, and community-based services for Texans in need.

Contact:
Gordon Anderson 512-475-4743
Jill McFarren 512-475-2844