The housing market is still tight, which means potential home buyers and current homeowners can’t afford to lose time with any missteps. What’s one part of the process that can make or break a deal, especially in a seller’s market, but that’s entirely within a borrower’s control? Choosing the right lender for their mortgage.
Here’s a look at how one local firm, which happens to be the nation’s fastest-growing mortgage broker, is setting itself apart from other lenders.
According to Eric Hines, co-founder of West Capital Lending, in today’s market, lenders need to offer a few non-negotiables.
“Fast closing times, stellar communication, multiple lenders and programs available and great pricing,” he said. Without those, a buyer will likely not get that dream home they’re eyeing.
For Hines and his co-founder, Daniel Iskander, the clients always come first – and that philosophy is what allowed them to grow from a combined team of about 60 loan officers to over 180 in a little over six months. In less than a year, while dealing with all the curveballs of the market and the pandemic, they firmly established West Capital Lending as the number one broker partner of Rocket Pro, the country’s largest residential mortgage lender. What does that mean for their clients?
“A dedicated team of underwriters and support staff, along with the best pricing and service equals an exceptional client experience,” said Hines.
By partnering with Rocket Pro, West Capital can both “communicate to the client in their preferred channel and do so while completing the transaction faster than normal,” added Iskander. Their average closing time is under 25 days.
That speed and agility happens despite the industry’s countless challenges: working through forbearance guidelines, unforeseen FHFA fees for refinancing borrowers, appraisals that take up to eight weeks for delivery or cost as much as $2,700. While West Capital can’t make the market loosen up, they can offer clients both direct lending and access to over 40 lenders where necessary, said Iskander. That means they’re well-equipped for any curveball.
Hines said they can also go far beyond conventional mortgages, with products as diverse as low down payment options with little or no private mortgage insurance, jumbo loans, no-cost programs and even programs for people with no income or who are self-employed. They offer FHA and VA loans, hard-money loans, reverse mortgages, down payment assistance programs, rental income loans for investors – and the list goes on.
Couple those options with a team of experienced loan officers, and West Capital can help clients navigate the constant changes in the industry due to the pandemic. They don’t just say “no.”
“If you don’t have somebody who knows that these changes are coming, you might have somebody that just tells you ‘no,’ when you could be very well-qualified or when you’re looking to go through the process without the risk of the virus,” said Iskander.
That flexibility and support extends to their team as well.
“I was looking for a platform that would support my growing mortgage origination business,” said Shawn Wyns, Vice President at West Capital. “I was looking for a company that was flexible with my needs and those of my division, who constantly supports high performing teams. West Capital Lending is providing all those things.”
And, Wyns added, “I feel appreciated and supported here. I know my business will continue to thrive for years to come – all while having a healthy work-life balance.”
That matters to Hines and Iskander. They founded West Capital because they take the American Dream of homeownership seriously – and want clients and the team to enjoy that dream.
When it comes time to choose a mortgage lender, don’t settle. Learn what West Capital Lending can do for you.