In this episode, MGIC's Alexis Panaro and Liz Keuler share a sneak peek at the 2025 Loan Originators Survey. Hear insights on:

• Successful marketing tactics
• Referral partner trends
• How loan officers help borrowers navigate affordability challenges
• Originators' goals and their roadblocks to meeting those goals

For a recap of this episode and quick access to related content, including the full Loan Originators Survey report, visit mortgageconnects.com. There you can subscribe for email alerts so you'll be among the first to know about new episodes or other resources, including the full loan originator survey report.

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

MGIC’s Alexis Panaro brings you the highlights of a credit conversation with Mike Olden, American Reporting Company's (ARC) vice president of sales & education. Mike shares insights on:

• Trigger lead basics
• Why and how to encourage borrowers to opt out from solicitations 
• What drives credit report costs and strategies to mitigate those costs 
• Current medical debt reporting thresholds and delays
• Student loan delinquency rates and servicer options

For a recap of this episode and quick access to related content, including the full webinar recording, visit mortgagesconnect.com. There, you can subscribe for email alerts so you'll be among the first to know about new episodes or other resources.

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

Often the conversation around early financial and homebuying education focuses on teens or college students. To help educate even younger audiences, veteran real estate broker Twala Lockett-Jones published "Princess Mackie Buys a House" in 2022, sponsored by the Mortgage Bankers Association. In this episode of Mortgage Connects, Lockett-Jones shares how:

• Simple explanations of real estate terminology can help make the homebuying process more approachable to children and adults alike
• Transparent communication is key to reaching and helping more borrowers
• Lenders can build strong partnerships with real estate agents
• Her nonprofit Girls Build Kalamazoo helps empower middle and high school girls to explore careers in construction, real estate, skilled trades and entrepreneurship

About Twala Lockett-Jones

Twala Lockett-Jones is a real estate broker, community advocate, and author of "Princess Mackie Buys a House", a children’s book that introduces young readers to the concept of homeownership and generational wealth. 

With over 30 years of experience in real estate, Twala is passionate about financial literacy, equity, and representation. She is the founder of Girls Build Kalamazoo, a nonprofit organization that empowers middle and high school girls to explore careers in construction, real estate, skilled trades, and entrepreneurship. 

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

MGIC’s Concepcion Guerrero sits down with Angel Romero, Housing Finance Agency Relationship Manager at Down Payment Resource (DPR), to discuss the role down payment assistance programs (DPA) play in helping more families become homeowners. 

With over two decades of mortgage industry experience and a personal journey from foster care to homeownership, Romero brings unique insights to the conversation about housing affordability. In this episode, we discuss: 

• Trends from DPR’s recent Homeownership Program Index, including the growing number of DPA programs nationwide 
• How to layer down payment assistance for maximum affordability 
• The importance of early financial education 
• How to harness DPA programs as a loan officer 

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

For mortgage professionals, staying informed about current developments in credit reporting is crucial for providing excellent service. In this episode of Mortgage Connects, Mike Olden from American Reporting Company shares expert insights on trigger leads, credit score modernization, medical debt, and student loan forgiveness - plus strategies to help borrowers optimize their credit profiles.

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

In this episode, MGIC's Stephanie Budnik and Liz Keuler reveal key highlights from the fourth annual Loan Originators Survey by MGIC and Loan Officer Hub, including:

• How recent trends affect LOs' business activities
• How originators are tackling affordability challenges and helping borrowers who don't yet qualify for a mortgage
• Marketing and social media trends in the mortgage industry
• The most valuable referral sources for loan officers, including a popular referral source for top LOs
• Originators' goals for the future

Download your copy of the 2024 Loan Originators Survey report at loanofficerhub.com.

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

Unlock the secrets to expanding your referral network by harnessing an often-overlooked partnership! Stephanie Budnik interviews Gibran Nicholas, founder of Momentifi and creator of the CMPS designation, on the untapped potential of financial advisors as high-quality referral sources for loan officers. Gibran discusses:

• Why financial advisors are an opportunity for high-quality referrals
• How to approach financial advisors about partnerships
• How to prove your value to financial advisors
• How to earn financial advisor referrals by offering CE credit classes as a CMPS-certified instructor

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

We sit down with Heather Bowman, the manager of Education and Housing Counseling for Finally Home!, to discuss the power of education for homebuyers and homeowners throughout the purchase process and beyond. Heather unpacks the advantages of traditional homebuyer education, post-purchase education and life-of-loan counseling, emphasizing how these resources equip families with the tools needed to navigate the complex homeownership journey.

In this episode, we discuss the: 

• Best time for borrowers to take an education course
• Critical differences between homebuyer education and housing counseling
• Trend toward accessible online education and counseling
• Importance of post-purchase education for sustainable homeownership 

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

How can you ensure your mortgage pipeline remains full in today's unpredictable market? Join us for an insightful discussion with mortgage experts Heather Bauman, Tay Oliver, and Dustin Owens as they share their innovative strategies for educating potential borrowers. From first-time homebuyer programs to leveraging community events, our panelists offer a wealth of knowledge on reaching and informing a broader audience, ensuring that both lenders and consumers are well-prepared for the home buying journey.

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe

MGIC Connects Podcast interviews Marc Williams, Senior Loan Officer at Paramount Residential Mortgage Group. Marc is responsible for developing and providing mortgage loans, training and business consultations to consumers and industry partners throughout the state of Florida. Through his educational seminars on homeownership and foreclosures, Marc offers individuals help with developing self-reliance and control over their own economic destiny. In this episode, we discuss:

• The challenges of homeownership, from low inventory to affordability
• How to lay the foundation for generational wealth through smart real estate investment
• The advantages of down payment assistance programs and how they're reshaping the landscape for new investors
• Strategic benefits of multi-unit property ownership

Marc shares the wisdom he has gained from his years in the housing industry. You'll learn how financial literacy and a shrewd grasp of loan products can be game-changers for prospective homeowners, especially those venturing into the market for the first time. 

Thanks for listening to Mortgage Connects, an MGIC podcast. If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to [email protected].

Looking for even more expert insights? Check out our mortgage industry content portal, Mortgage Connects knowledge hub. Subscribe today so you don't miss out on the latest! Subscribe