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34 MOVERS & SHAKERS KEEP UP WITH WHO'S DOING WHAT AND WHO WENT WHERE Got something to share with us? Send it to Editor@DSNews.com. Average Down Payments Shrink in Q1 2014 Average down payments for mortgages are on the decline, lending a little bit of relief for affordability-challenged homebuyers around the country. According to a report released by LendingTree, down payment percentages for 30-year fixed-rate purchase loans fell in the first quarter to an average of 15.78 percent, down from just higher than 16 percent in the last quarter of 2013. At the same time, the company found average credit scores for borrowers matched with lenders on its own network have dropped 6 percent year-over-year, opening up the credit pool a little more. "As the housing market improves and refinance activity declines, lenders are adapting their guidelines to improve credit accessibility for borrowers," said LendingTree founder and CEO Doug Lebda. "Relaxed lending guidelines translates to a larger pool of qualified homebuyers that could boost the housing recovery." Out of the top 10 states offering the lowest down payment percentages to borrowers, North Dakota reigned with an average percentage of 12.31. At the bottom of that top 10 range was Idaho with 13.81 percent; most of the list fell below the 13 percent mark. At the far end of the spectrum, New Jersey took the top spot for the highest average down payment at 19.36 percent, followed by New York, California, Connecticut, and Hawaii. Of course, some of the states with the lowest down payment percentages also happen to be the states with the lowest borrower health scores, as measured by LendingTree—while the opposite is true for those with higher percentages. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 LenderLive Welcomes New Regional Account Manager LenderLive Network Inc., an end-to-end mortgage services provider, announced that Claire Rhodes has joined the firm as regional account executive covering the Northeast region for the company's Correspondent Lending division. Rhodes will work with current and prospective clients, community banks, credit unions, and mortgage banks. Fay Servicing Welcomes New SVP Fay Servicing, announced the addition of Nancy Barthel to its executive team as SVP of operational risk. Her role will be to develop and strengthen the company's QA/QC programs, as well as manage risk across the organization. Barthel is a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. RE/MAX Associates of Dallas Welcomes New Sales Associate George Lopez has joined RE/MAX Associates of Dallas as the newest member of its sales team. "My clients are my first priority," said Lopez. "Providing Dallas and surrounding area homebuyers and sellers with the opportunities the RE/MAX brand has to offer, as well as its abundant resources, is a huge benefit for them. It's a win-win for everyone." NetDirector Welcomes New VP of Sales NetDirector announced that Anthony Box has joined the leadership team as VP of sales. Box will be responsible for leading NetDirector's sales team in executing new sales opportunities with existing clientele, as well as identifying new industry opportunities for expansion. Box brings more than 19 years of executive sales and operations experience within the mortgage banking industry. VRM Mortgage Services Announces New SVP VRM Mortgage Services announced that Brandon Kirkham has been named SVP of operations support. Kirkham will be responsible for managing resources, as well as developing strategies to support VRM's operations. Kirkham brings more than 20 years of experience in mortgage banking operations to VRM. NC State Banking Commission Appoints New Member Matt Hunoval, founder of the Charlotte-based Hunoval Law firm, has been appointed by Gov. Pat McCrory to serve as a member of North Carolina's State Banking Commission. Together with the Office of the Commissioner of Banks, the two bodies regulate North Carolina's state-chartered commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, and trust companies. Carrington Mortgage Services Hires New Sales Director Carrington Mortgage Services announced that Chad Ruggles has been hired as national sales director. Utilizing Ruggles' experience, Carrington's retail sales operation will focus on growth. Ruggles has nearly two decades of management experience in the financial services industry. He spent 14 years in senior management positions with CitiFinancial. Prein Eiermann Group Joins Long & Foster's Delaware Office Long & Foster Real Estate announced recently that Prein Eiermann Group has joined the company in its Greenville, Delaware, office. Joining Long & Foster as sales associates are team leaders West Prein and Marian Eiermann, as well as Rob Cardone. "We're thrilled to welcome West, Marian, and Rob to our team of highly trained real estate professionals," said Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. "As the No. 1 brokerage in the Mid-Atlantic region, Long & Foster operates with an agent-first mentality. We look forward to the energetic partnership that West, Marian, and Rob have created by deciding to join the industry-leading Greenville office and our company." Eiermann has been a real estate professional since 1995 and comes to Long & Foster from a competitor, where both she and Prein were top producers. Prein, a real estate professional since 2002, specializes in residential real estate and investment properties. He often assists first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, and individuals who are 55 and older. Cardone, a graduate of the University of Delaware, worked in financial services for 14 years before transitioning to a real estate career in 2006. He is licensed in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and he comes to Long & Foster from a nearby competitor.

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