Category Archives: News & Events

Home Prices Jump

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Home Prices Rise

Home Prices Rise at Fastest Rate in 7 Years

Home prices rose at the fastest rate in almost seven years signaling ongoing housing market recovery. The S&P/Case Shiller index of 20 metropolitan areas released on Tuesday showed single-family home prices rose 9.3 percent in February from a year earlier.

The S&P/Case Shiller index showed prices gained 1.2 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis from January, topping forecasts for a 0.9 percent gain.

Attributed to David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices:

“Home prices continue to show solid increases across all 20 cities. The 10- and 20-City Composites recorded their highest annual growth rates since May 2006; seasonally adjusted monthly data show all 20 cities saw higher prices for two months in a row – the last time that happened was in early 2005.”

Home Price Increases Boost Economy

Home price increases boost the overall economy. Besides the jobs created by a pick-up in construction and home sales, rising prices mean fewer homeowners are underwater on their mortgages, owing more than the home is worth. That allows more homeowners to refinance, saving money they can spend on other things.

“Despite some recent mixed economic reports for March, housing continues to be one of the brighter spots in the economy. The 2013 first quarter GDP report shows that residential investment accelerated from the 2012 fourth quarter and made a positive contribution to growth. One open question is the mix of single family and apartments; housing starts data show a larger than usual share is apartments,” said Blitzer.

Buying a Home in this Environment

The price of a home is a major consideration for those considering a home purchase. Home buyers want to know they are making wise financial decisions.

A nationwide panel of more than 100 professional forecasters expects home values to end 2013 up an average of 4.6 percent and rise cumulatively by 22 percent, on average, over the next five years, according to the first quarter Zillow® Home Price Expectations Survey.

If you are considering a home purchase, contact a licensed Inlanta Mortgage loan officer to discuss available loan programs and receive a pre-approval letter to aid in your house hunting. Use our branch locator to find a loan officer near you.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Use our branch locator to find a loan officer near you.

 

 

 

Inlanta is Growing

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Inlanta is GrowingInlanta is growing! We are pleased to announce 11 new employees have joined since February, including four new loan originators and seven support staff.

New Mortgage Loan Officers

On the sales side, Loan Officer David Brussat joined the Janesville, Wis. branch. Loan Officers Cindy Breternitz and Stephanie Gador joined the Overland Park team, while Loan Officer Laura Schamberger was welcomed to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa office.

New  Support Team Members

The Ocala, Fla. branch added Processor Lori Meaney and the Indianapolis South branch hired Amy Walters as an administrative loan officer assistant. In Marshfield, Wis., Rachelle Bottlemy joined as a junior processor and Joel Viterna was added in Overland Park, Kan. as a mortgage planner.

The corporate office in Brookfield also added three new employees to its team. Junior Processor Linda Sarandos joined the central processing department and Loan Coordinator Alysia Berg joined the administrative department. Underwriting also welcomed a new Underwriter, Roxanne Paulin, to their team.

Inlanta Mortgage Job Opportunities

“After a brief slowdown in hiring at the beginning of the year, it’s been an amazing start to the year from a hiring standpoint,” HR Director Jan Priem said. “This April alone we have added a number of talented new staff members to the Inlanta team predominately through referrals, past associations and visitors to our website.”

Inlanta is still looking to fill many new positions at both the corporate and branch level. Open positions at the corporate office include experienced processors and underwriters. The Brookfield North branch is currently looking for a new loan officer and loan officer assistant. A complete list of open positions and their descriptions can be found online at inlanta.com/job-openings.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Homes For Heroes – The Shanley Team

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Homes-for-Heroes

The Shanley Team at Inlanta Mortgage is pleased to announce their partnership with Homes for Heroes.

What is Homes for Heroes?

Homes for Heroes is a national network of the top mortgage lenders and real estate professionals who are prepared to give real savings to their community’s heroes when they buy or sell a home. Homes for Heroes’ mission is to provide extraordinary savings to heroes who provide extraordinary services to our nation and communities every day. As an approved lending affiliate with Homes for Heroes, the Shanley Team will be providing discounted lending services to heroes in the Central Indiana area.

Homes for Heroes Realtor Partners

The Shanley Team is also pleased to announce their partnership with more than 20 Central Indiana Homes for Heroes Realtors. Homes for Heroes Realtor partners will credit back 25 percent of their commissions to the Heroes whether they are buying or selling a home.

The program is close to Branch Manager Don Shanley’s heart, as his father served in the sheriff department and one of his father’s close friends, Master Trooper Michael Greene of the Indiana State Police, was killed in the line of duty. It’s important to Shanley and his team to offer this great program to local heroes. “When I was trying to create a program to give back I was approached with the National Homes for Heroes Program. After checking into the HFH Program I personally was in awe,” Shanley said. “It covered the hero categories of military, law enforcement, and fire that were on my list, but it added well deserving categories such as education, first responders, and medical personnel. Most of these are categories that are as well the true heroes of our communities and deserve these benefits!”

Derek & Stephanie Evelo of The Evelo Team at Keller Williams said, “I just want to be the first to express how excited the Evelo Team is to be partnered with Homes for Heroes! As soon as we heard about how the program will benefit our current/retired vets and local heroes like firefighters, police and medical professionals, we couldn’t wait to get on board! It’s our team’s way of ‘giving back’ to those who have so generously given of themselves, their lives and to their communities to help make the world a better place. And because our team’s core values are: making a difference & giving back to our community, we feel honored to be a part of this invaluable, special program to help those who have given tirelessly to our community.”

Warren Griffin of Re/Max Ability Plus said, “My dad was a World War II Veteran. I also have a daughter, two granddaughters and a son-in-law living at Pearl Harbor while serving with the Air Force at Hickam Air Force Base. I want to give back to all the people that help us every day of our life. It is the least I can do!”

Homes for Heroes Savings

Homes for Heroes seeks only the top Realtors® and Lenders who have proven track records and who want to give back to their communities by giving rebates and discounts to Heroes like you throughout the entire real estate transaction.

Homes for Heroes savings will vary per hero. The total amount Heroes save will depend on the final selling or buying price of their home.  Homes for Heroes Affiliates have agreed to the following rebates and discounts: discounted lender fees and a 25% credit on the gross brokerage commission.

For more information visit www.homesforheroes.com or www.shanleyteam.com.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Happy Earth Day!

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Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

Every year we celebrate Earth Day on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. There are many things you do to celebrate the day and help the earth. You can even do some of these activities every day to contribute to a safer and healthier planet!

Things You Can Do on Earth Day:

• Donate directly to Earth Day Network – through this network, activists connect, interact with and impact their communities, creating positive change in local, national, and global policies.

• E-Waste – You can safely get rid of any electronics collecting dust in your home. These items include: cell phones, computers, laptops, televisions and printers.  If not properly recycled, these items end up in landfills or are incinerated and can cause major environmental problems. Visit E-Stewards to find the closest e-waste recycling center closest to you.

• Clean Up – Planning on taking a nice spring walk today? Help the environment while you enjoy the fresh air. Take a garbage bag and some gloves with you and pick up any trash you see along your walk. Any little bit will help!

• Switch to online bill pay – Save some paper and get your bills delivered to your email and pay them online. It also saves you a stamp and an email is harder to lose than a piece of paper buried in the rest of your documents. And you can set up a payment schedule so you don’t miss any payments!

• Plant a tree – Not only does it increase the value of your yard (and your home along with that), but over a 50-year lifetime a tree generates $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water and controls $31,2500 worth of soil erosion! Plant one you’ll enjoy and can sit under the shade on a hot day.

Today should be a reminder of the things you can do every day to help the Earth. The Earth Day Network is a great place to go to on a regular basis to see what you can do in your everyday life. By doing things like turning off the water while you brush your teeth, filling up your bin every week with recyclables, taking the bus or a bike when you can and switching all the lights in your house to energy friendly bulbs will have a great impact.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Home Prices Jump 10.2%

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Home Prices Jump

Home Prices Jump

Home prices experienced their biggest year-over-year increase in February in nearly seven years. According to the CoreLogic February Home Price Index report, home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased by 10.2 percent on a year-over-year basis from a year ago. This jump in home prices is the biggest year-over-year increase since March 2006. This is the 12th consecutive monthly increase in home prices nationally. On a month-over-month basis, including distressed sales, home prices increased by 0.5 percent from January.

Time To Buy

With home prices on the rise, buyers on the fence regarding homeownership may want to consider jumping in the ring. Home affordability continues to be high with average 30-fixed mortgage rates hovering around 4%.

In the news, we hear about the difficulties first time home buyers experience when trying to obtain credit – but many buyers really don’t know if they can qualify for a mortgage. There are loan programs available that allow for no down payments and others that require as little as 3% down. If a down payment is your hurdle to homeownership, consult a licensed originator to discuss your options. Loan officers can counsel home buyers on the steps they would need to take to qualify for a mortgage. Pre-approvals for mortgage loans are a free service loan officers provide and buyers are under no obligation.

First Time Home Buyer Resources

Here are a few of our most popular blog posts for first time home buyers:

Contact a licensed Inlanta Mortgage loan originator to discuss your home financing needs. Use our branch locator to find an office near you.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Danger – April Fool’s Day

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April Fool's Day

Best April Fools Pranks

April Fool’s Day brings out the best in us! Office pranks, practical jokes, hoaxes and more! What’s the best April Fools prank of all time? Do you remember these popular practical jokes?

Taco Bell Buys the Liberty Bell - In 1996, Taco Bell ran an ad saying they were purchasing the Liberty Bell in Philadephia. They announced the new name would be “Taco Liberty Bell”. White House spokeperson was asked about this – and keeping with the spirit of April Fools- said Ford Motor Company had bought the Lincoln Memorial.

Bumper Spaghetti Crop – In 1957, Panorama announced that because of an unusually mild winter and the “virtual disappearance of the spaghetti weevil,” with video footage of a Swiss family pulling pasta off spaghetti trees and placing it into baskets. The show said: “For those who love this dish, there’s nothing like real, home-grown spaghetti.” Hundreds of people were duped into believing that spaghetti grew on trees.

From B & W to Color – Just Add Stockings! – In 1962, a television channel in Sweden tricked viewers into thinking their black and white televisions would become color if they cut up a pair of stockings and taped them over the screen. This hoax had thousands of viewers scrambling to tape stockings to their tv sets.

Today’s Best Pranks (Spoiler Alert!)

The following pranks and practical jokes have been all over the news today.

Google Shuts Down YouTube
White House – Kid President
Twitter Charging for Vowels
Scope Mouthwash – Bacon Flavored
Netflix Adds Zany Categories
U.S Army Training Cats
Virgin Announces Glass Bottomed Plane
Google Nose

Inlanta Celebrates April Fool’s Day

Last year we announced that we were fully delegated to originate mortgages for moon property. Today we announced a dress code policy for our corporate staff in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The ridiculous policy tricked a few people – but for the most part – had everyone chuckling. The policy included the following unbelievable requirements:

  • Suits required..with silk or linen pocket squares.
  • High heeled shoes may not be more than 3.125 inches in height and open toe shoes are expressly forbidden without pedicures. Nail colors must coordinate.
  • Colors that are not allowed by either men or women include: any neon color, chartreuse, magenta, canary yellow, fuchsia, or lime green, as they are seen as offensive.
  • On the fourth Friday of every month, it will be casual business dress day. No skinny jeans, boots, tee shirts, sleeveless blouses, tank tops, leggings, Hawaiian print, or denim of any kind is allowed.

Happy April Fool’s Day!

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

 

Top 100 Mortgage Company

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Top 100 Mortgage Company 2012

We are pleased to announce that Inlanta Mortgage was named to Mortgage Executive Magazine’s “Top 100 Mortgage Companies in America in 2012.”

Top 100 Mortgage Company Criteria

This comprehensive list is composed of the nation’s top 100 closely held mortgage companies and banks as ranked by their total yearly mortgage volume. In putting together the list, the magazine seeks to recognize and celebrate the service, dedication, and hard work that mortgage originators, managers and executives put into building their companies and serving their clients. This year Inlanta ranked at number 85, moving up 14 spots from the previous year.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Mortgage Executive as a top mortgage company,” President Nicholas DelTorto said. “During this period of uncertainty in the industry, Inlanta has thrived and experienced its best year ever in 2012. We’ve got great people on our team and this ranking wouldn’t be possible without them. Our platform of high quality support services help our producers be the exceptional performers they are.”

Individual Loan Officers Recognized

In addition to being on the top mortgage company list, five Inlanta loan officers made the magazine’s top 1% of mortgage originators in America in 2012. Branch Manager Dennis DeGrave, Branch Manager Jim Snyder and Loan Officer Steve Kern, from the Pewaukee, Wis. branch made the list. Also listed were two loan officers from the Overland Park branch, Loan Officer Cindy Laffey and Loan Officer Tom Rosberg.

In order to be eligible for this list, originators had to have a total personal production of at least $30 million in 2012. The magazine compiled the list to recognize and celebrate the service, dedication and hard work that leading mortgage professionals put into serving their clients during the home loan process.

“2012 was another great year; I couldn’t have done it without a great processor, company and my peers to keep me motivated,” Branch Manager Dennis DeGrave said. “I expect to continue my personal growth in the coming years with the support of Inlanta Mortgage Inc.’s training opportunities such as the Mastermind 2013 conference.”

Inlanta Mortgage branch managers and recognized loan officers will celebrate their rankings at the Mastermind 2013 event in Las Vegas on June 5 and 6.

Partnership Opportunities

If you are interested in joining Inlanta Mortgage or interested in opening a partner branch, please view our partner’s website here.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

The Return of the Super Intern

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Mortgage Industry Internship


The opportunity continues for Jared, our Super Intern.

 

From Jared – Inlanta Mortgage Super Intern

After finishing up two months in Underwriting, I am already finishing my second week in the Closing department. I would like to show appreciation to the Underwriting department for answering my questions and letting me shadow them for a few months. I had a lot of fun working in Underwriting and learned a lot more about the application process and the importance of reviewing information.

During my time in Underwriting, and a small portion of my time in Closing, I assisted on a loan file. I was able to see the loan come into processing, go through underwriting, continue on to closing, as well as witness the documents being autographed and feel the exciting fulfillment of a job done well.

What He’s Learned

I can see why certain information is needed and recognize the significance of it. I also have witnessed firsthand what can impede the process or bog it down.

When I first started at Inlanta Mortgage as an intern, I knew nothing of the mortgage industry except for the 5 pages of notes I took before my first interview. Now, after only a couple of months, I have been able to see how a loan travels through the process. I have gathered much more knowledge than what I had when I first started.

I’m looking forward to the new challenge of working with the Closing Department and continuing to sharpen new skills.

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue my internship and try to decide how I can best apply this information in a permanent position.

Inlanta Job Opportunities

Inlanta Mortgage is currently looking to fill several positions. Click here to view all open positions with Inlanta Mortgage.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Homeownership Rates – Now & Then

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Home Ownership Rates

For most Americans, home is more than a shelter. It is also their most valuable asset and an important savings vehicle. So how many Americans actually own the homes they live in? Have homeownership rates changed over the past 20 years?

Homeownership Rates Now

The homeownership rate, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, is the percentage of homes that are occupied by the owner. It is not the percentage of adults that own their home. In January, the U.S. Census Bureau released a report on residential vacancies and homeownership for the fourth quarter of 2012. The homeownership rate was 65.4 percent. If you break this down geographically, home ownership rates were highest in the Midwest (69.7 percent) and lowest in the West (59.5 percent.)

Homeownership Rates 20 Years Ago

How does that compare to 20 year ago when Inlanta Mortgage was founded?  The homeownership rate for 1993 (revised based the U.S. Census 1990) was 64.0 percent. Homeownership rates vary by geographic area – see how homeownership rates differ by state here. For example, in 1993 homeownership rates were highest in Delaware (74.4 percent) and West Virginia (73.6 percent) and some of the lowest rates were in California (56.8 percent) and New York (53.5 percent).

Homeownership Rates & The Young

While overall homeownership rates have remained relatively stable since the 1960s, rates vary depending on characteristics of households. Recent research has examined the decline in homeownership rates with “heads” aged 25-44 years since 1980. This research indicates that a trend toward marrying later and the increase in household earnings risk that occurred after 1980 account for a large share of the decline in young homeownership. Read Why Has Homeownership Fallen among the Young for more information. To review homeownership rates by year and age click here.

Benefits of Homeownership

There are a number of benefits to homeownership. Here are a few reasons to consider purchasing a home while rates are low and home affordability is high:

  • Mortgage interest tax decution
  • More cohesive communities
  • Better connected families
  • Long term wealth accumulation

Get pre-approved today! Contact a licensed Inlanta Mortgage loan officer for a free consultation.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Financial Fitness – Begins with Our Youth

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Financial Fitness 101

Inlanta Mortgage is delighted to announce it is partnering with Make a Difference – Wisconsin and other local organizations to provide personal finance training to Waukesha area high school students at the Seventh Annual Financial Fitness 101 Event.

Financial Fitness 101 Event organizers are expecting 350 students to participate in this one-day event on March 15 at Waukesha County Technical College. The event is an exciting way for students to learn about personal accounting, financial responsibility, and life choices while interacting with volunteer business professionals in the Waukesha area. Inlanta Mortgage loan officers will help students understand the mortgage process and responsibilities. Other stations students will rotate through include car dealers, credit card services, and day care providers.

“The ability to make critical financial decisions, manage money, and use credit effectively are lessons we owe to our youth,” said Inlanta Mortgage CFO, John L. Watry. “We are proud to be a part Financial Fitness 101. It is all of our responsibility as parents, educators, and a community to make sure our young people begin their adult lives with the financial literacy necessary for them to succeed.”

At this year’s Financial Fitness 101 Event, Inlanta Mortgage President Nicholas DelTorto and Loan Officers Tia MacNerland, Michele Fritz, Patricia Napgezek and Harold Bloch will be helping the students understand their home financing options.

Inlanta Mortgage loan officers Kris Steinbach and Patricia Napgezek recently participated in the Reality Store Program at Oconomowoc High School. The Reality Store Program is similar to Financial Fitness 101 in that it also walks students through decisions that will affect their personal finances. At the Reality Store, Steinbach and Napgezek calculated each student’s debt-to-income ratios and helped them determine if they had enough money left after college loans and auto payments to purchase a home. The overall simulation was very realistic.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.