I have been receiving many inquiries about what it takes to start a mortgage broker business and how to get started. I recently spoke to a gentleman who thought he wanted to start his own business, but after our lengthy conversation, he came to the conclusion “I just want to originate.” How much time and money did a conversation possibly save him? In 1994, I became an originator. I was being recruited by a local …
The definition of insanity: doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. Welcome to the mortgage business! Mortgage company owners and recruiters often entice new Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) into the industry with the allure of minimal entry requirements. However, this approach frequently leads to a puzzling outcome: these new entrants struggle to succeed. The critical question arises: where is the emphasis on truly understanding the mortgage business? Beyond the basics of …
Ready to embark on a rewarding career as a mortgage loan originator? Look no further! We’re thrilled to announce our latest offering: the comprehensive 20-Hour Safe Pre-Licensing Education Program Our newest course was written by and taught by veteran mortgage loan originator Debra Killian. It’s packed with valuable insights, industry knowledge, and expert guidance and is designed to equip you with the essential skills needed to thrive in the mortgage industry. We believe that high-quality …
On October 13, 2022 the Federal Department of Labor published findings in Vol. 87, No. 197 of the Federal Register. The W-2/1099 controversary hits many businesses. As stated in previous posts, there is no special 1099 consideration for mortgage loan originators. Regardless of which state you work in or which type of employer your work for, Mortgage Loan Originators are required to have their income reported on IRS Form W-2. There are many companies that …
The overlap between federal and state laws and regulations becomes very apparent once there is an examination and/or an enforcement action. With COVID dominating our work environment over the past two years, not many audits or exams were scheduled by state regulators. That is all about to change. They are way behind and will begin the process of catching up sooner than you may be ready for. In many cases where mortgage companies get caught …
With rates going up, refinance volume quickly heading south and originators looking for the next shiny thing, we are bound to see movement in the industry. That means mergers, buyouts and some companies closing. Migrating originators can be a tricky challenge for the next employer. There are two issues that may surface; who owns the customer and how were the originators compensated? I’ll save the former for another time. Last week I received a call …
You wouldn’t know we were in the middle of a pandemic based on the housing market. That conforming limit keeps creeping up. It all seems crazy from when I started in the mortgage business in 1994, the conforming loan limit was $225,000. Fast forward 26 years…the 2020 limit was just increased another 9.0% to $548,250 for 2021. Checkout the Loan Limit Geocoder. Now, all we need to know is…what will Fannie and Freddie be doing come …
Why the two tier system anyway? Do consumers realize the difference? For the sake of full disclosure, my business is education. I am a mortgage educator. I write, record and instruct courses for depository and non-depository originators alike. Their job is the same! One could reasonably argue that I have an agenda; I earn my living on education. Does that make the argument for all originators to be educated any less valid? In 2007, I …
26,000,000 people filed for unemployment in the past several weeks; and it’s not over! The Coronavirus is causing serious financial issues for states. For the first time ever, independent contractors are eligible under the CARES Act , even though unemployment taxes may not have been paid in. When the states start looking at all the workers who were 1099, what action will they take? The IRS is just as interested in independent contractors, even more …
Learn how to get YOUR Tripod. Free LIVE Webinar on May 5th 12:00 Noon ET! In this COVID-19 world, companies need all possible resources at their fingertips to keep businesses going and growing to recruit and provide quality professional development in a safe environment. Is consumer direct the future of mortgage origination with all the hidden pitfalls? While it may be a smart strategy for banks and credit unions to grow market share, retain servicing …
Is there any good news today? I guess at least people who have filed will begin collecting some income. The mortgage world is in flux and the challenges are coming faster than we can deal with. We play a very important role as mortgage professionals by helping people make the right decisions; what’s in their best interests. This week I told three customers NOT to refinance. If you are submitting 100% of approvable files you …
In December, 2019 McKinsey & Company’s article “Competing on Customer Experiences in US Mortgage,” they sited reassurance, transparency, simplicity, and speed as the four dimensions of a mortgage experience. The #1 priority; GETTING THINGS RIGHT, THE FIRST TIME! Speed and simple processes are up there, but what do you have to know to get it right the first time? Consumers still like advisors; someone to run things by, ask questions, review the numbers with and rely on …
A picture is worth a thousand words! Take a good look at that image; then ask yourself, how long will you wait before you really learn the business? Why do top producers have time to bring in more business? Minimum knowledge to fill out a 1003 doesn’t cut it! To assume it’s enough, indicates the lack of knowledge about the real business of residential lending. Analysis, critical thinking, mathematics, problem solving, communications and the ability …
With so much focus on AB5, California and the IRS reporting of originator income, is it possible we are missing the 10,000 lb gorilla? California is leading the country into a necessary review of worker misclassification. Recently New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington joined California with their version of how to address this issue of “worker misclassification.” The SAFE Act passed in Congress on July 30, 2008 mandated that all states adopt …
It’s a new year with all the hopes that January brings…it’s also Monday. New week, same old issues. You are in charge of “training.” You yawn, sip your coffee and try to remember where you left off on Friday afternoon. In-house training departments face many challenges. They are expensive and labor intensive. The cost to acquire, develop, maintain, update and deliver content and systems is an ongoing battle. Compliance takes over when new mortgage laws …
Connecticut Independent Mortgage Brokers Association offers live webinar. While a renewed interest in employee classifications started in Califorinia, it is spreading across the country. The recent California Dynamex Case codified the terms under which a “worker” can be classified as an independent contractor under the “ABC” Test (Assembly Bill 5). The California law takes effect January 1, 2020 and many states are following suit. In March 2020, the CA Supreme Court will rule on whether …
If you followed our mini series on California’s latest law AB5, you know that independent contractor “1099” status just got tougher in CA. AB5 seriously increased the ability for state and federal governments to reclassify workers from independent contractors to “employee”(W-2) status. If this is not a topic you are familiar with, you may want to watch this 5 part mini-series. Episode 1The Dynamex Case Episode 2Dynamex Exemptions Episode 3Dynamex Penalties Episode 4Dynamex What You …
Mortgage professionals…you may think this doesn’t apply to you…and maybe it doesn’t. This purported gray area has caused many employees and companies to grapple with the rules with many debates on this topic. Until now! On October 8, 2019, the CA Supreme Court ruled that if companies have misclassified employees, the state can go back FOUR YEARS; to calculate back state and withholding taxes, state unemployment taxes, penalties and interest. Were they eligible for retirement …
In the final episode of our 4-part series (Dynamex vs. Superior Court CA), we discuss how employers are reported and steps to consider if the potential for misclassification is present. Routine state or IRS company audits may also trigger an investigation. 4 Part Mini- Series Dynamex Operations West Inc, v CA Superior Court decision Exempt workers from W-2 status Penalties for misclassified workers Proactive steps businesses should consider These educational videos are intended to provide …
In episode 3 of our 4-part series (Dynamex vs. Superior Court CA), we discuss how employers can be penalized for misclassified workers, how back taxes and payroll tax penalties are calculated and what you can do to correct your classification of employees. 4 Part Mini- Series Dynamex Operations West Inc, v CA Superior Court decision Exempt workers from W-2 status Penalties for misclassified workers Proactive steps businesses should consider These educational videos are intended to …