Allycyn Bennett

Allycyn Bennett believes the best way for purchase transactions to go smoothly needs to happen even before the process begins. And that’s educating real estate agents, consumers, and potential borrowers on the pertinent information related to qualifying for a loan. This way, she says, “All parties will be more satisfied with my services.”

Her teaching happens during weekly talks to small and large groups of real estate agents, on social media, and through newsletters that hit email inboxes once a week.

“By posting regularly on social media outlets, I am able to share valuable mortgage tips and economic information to help educate future buyers as to what steps they need to take to make home ownership possible,” she says.

The 59-year-old Senior Loan Advisor sees her path to becoming a legend of lending guided by a piece of valuable advice she once received: to be honest and forthright.

“(They) are two of the most important attributes that lead to being trusted and successful,” she says. “At the same time, being responsive by answering emails quickly and picking up the phone when it rings also contribute to building trust with agents and borrowers.” to private, institutional, and government underwriters.”

Kristine Smith, the CMO of Surterre Properties, touts Bennett’s record of accomplishment.

“Allycyn’s client profile ranges from firsttime home buyers to very experienced borrowers with diverse financial backgrounds and extremely complex financial portfolios,” Smith adds. “Formula packaging has no place in Allycyn’s approach to mortgage lending.”

As for the longevity of the mortgage industry, Bennett is concerned that not many young people or college graduates are electing to become originators. That, coupled with the fact that many originators will be retiring in the next five to 10 years, she says, poses a problem.

But like the legend in lending that she is, Bennett has just the niche for these future young lenders to occupy.

“Having closed over $90 million in loans in a single year, Allycyn boasts a proven track record of a 99.3% closed-to-origination ratio,” says Smith, who nominated Bennett. “Well-versed in all aspects of mortgage lending, she possesses a depth of experience in both conforming and nonconforming loans, as well as packaging

“The uncertainty of the role that AI may occupy in the mortgage industry in the future creates the need for further discussion about how to integrate AI into the mortgage process,” Bennett says.

“Young people can bring new creative methods and solutions to this industry which is essential in order for people to secure homeownership.”

Curiosity has not killed Tim Birkmeier. In fact, it’s actually made him stronger.

“One of my leading values is staying curious and wanting to know more about the people I work alongside and the clients I interact with daily,” the 52-year-old Birkmeier says. “I feel the best way to gain insight on your teammates is by asking how they would solve a problem or improve the business. Asking our clients questions beyond the surface enables me to build commonalities and mutual trust.”

A longtime mentor of Birkmeier has a saying: “You’re like a tree - you’re either growing or you’re dying.” “There is no status quo, only status grow,” he says. “It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day regimen. Real growth comes from taking a step back, identifying where you want to get better, and then actively taking steps to improve yourself, consistently.”

Birkmeier’s focus over the past five years has centered on Rocket Mortgage’s partnerships and striving