Homeownership & Lifestyle

Homeownership is more than a mortgage — it’s about community, lifestyle, and long-term planning.

This section includes personal insights, community involvement, and home-related topics that reflect the broader experience of owning and living in the great Pacific Northwest.

Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals honors the “Best of the Best” Tonight

Marilyn Porter and Rhonda Porter with Mortgage MasterTonight the Washington Association of Mortgage Professional is celebrating their 25th anniversary with a formal awards gala recognizing individuals and companies who have been nominated by their peers as being the best in Washington.

I am honored to be one of four finalist for Outstanding Mortgage Originator and that my employer, Mortgage Master Service Company is one of three mortgage companies in the state being recognized as an Outstanding Retail Lender. Mortgage Master Service Corporation is owned and managed by my in-laws, so I’ll be attending tonight’s event with my sister-in-law and President of Mortgage Master Service Corporation, Marilyn Porter. The family affair continues as we’ll be sitting at my sister’s table, Nicole Christy, who’s an Account Executive for Kinecta Credit Union.

It’s going to be a special evening regardless of who leaves the event with an award.

WAMP’s Leadership Awards Gala begins tonight at 6:00 pm at the Renaissance Hotel in Seattle.  More info here.

UPDATE: Mortgage Master Service Corporation WON! 

Am I the Worst “Sales Person” in the World?

I’m not a sales person. I never really have been. I will not cold call or push my business cards onto strangers, friends or family. I will not manipulate numbers or show fancy charts to pressure someone into a mortgage “right now”. Hearing the word “leads” makes me cringe. [Read more…]

Check out MY new favorite app: The Mortgage Porter

Rhonda Porter Mobile Phone Ap I’m pleased to announce the release of my first ap for smart phones, specifically Androids (I’m hoping to follow up with one for iPhone soon).

Currently* from this app, you can contact me or connect via Facebook. There’s also a mortgage calculator, convenient links to my blog and favorite posts AND a button to start the preapproval process.

Just another way for us to keep in touch and for you to refer friends, family members or co-workers who are considering obtaining a mortgage for their home located in Washington.

*This is brand, spanking new and I’m sure we’ll be tweaking it as time goes on.

What features would you like to see?

UPDATE: This ap is no longer available. However you can click here for my new mortgage app which works for all phone types. 

 

 

Survey Says: How Consumers Select their Mortgage Originator

A few weeks ago, I posted a survey with three questions to learn consumers opinion about the Fed’s rule on loan originator compensation and how they select their loan originator.  Here are the results.

Please rate the following based on how you will select your next mortgage professional:

  • Years of experience as a mortgage originator (72.7%)
  • Referral from someone you trust (63.6%)
  • I will return to the LO who helped me with my last mortgage (62.8%)
  • Whoever quotes the lowest rate (45.5%)
  • Type of institution (bank, correspondent lender, broker or credit union). (38.6%)

When I’m helping someone with a mortgage for a home located in Washington state, I find that a majority of my new clients are readers of my blog.  I’m also fortunate that many of my clients are referred to me from real estate agents and financial planners.  Home owners I have helped in the past also tend to refer their friends and family and return to me for their next.  I do not advertise (with the exception of my tiny ad on West Seattle Blog), I do not take “up calls” and I do not buy leads…never will.

Thank you for reading my blog and for remembering me when you or someone you know needs a mortgage for a home in Washington.  I feel so fortunate to have my business model where consumers seek my professional advice and assistance with their home loans.

I’m at Angelina’s Restaurant in West Seattle this afternoon for Jerry’s Kids

Around 11:00 today I will be at Angelina’s Restaurant in West Seattle to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association aka Jerry’s Kids.   All donations are tax deductible and this is a very worthy cause.  If you can spare $10 or $20, please consider “bailing me out”.

You can give me a call or email... I don’t think the folks at MDA are planning on confiscating my cell phone!

Thank you!

UPDATE:  Here’s my MUG SHOT!

Dajail

Please bail me out with your donation and help King County kids who are dealing with MDA.