nmp newsflash
CFPB wants to ensure that housing counselors understand the new federal protections so that borrowers can pursue all possible options before beginning the foreclosure process. The CFPB will also be offering training on the rules for housing counselors. l Mortgage Tips: The CFPB is providing a number of different tips on new rights under the new rules for homebuyers and homeowners at every stage of the mortgage process— from taking out a loan to paying it back. The tips also include recommendations for troubled borrowers facing foreclosure. l Answers to Consumer Questions: The Bureau has published mortgage-related questions to AskCFPB, an interactive online tool designed to answer consumers’ most frequently asked questions in plain language. l Consumer Tools: The Bureau’s Website offers a tool to help consumers find local housing counseling agencies to answer their questions or address their concerns. Consumers that have an issue with
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heard on the street
consumer financial products or services, such as a mortgage, can also submit a complaint. l Factsheets on the Rules: The CFPB has published factsheet with an overview of all of the new consumer protections in the bureau’s mortgage rules. The CFPB has also published a summary of the new procedures to facilitate borrowers’ access to foreclosure avoidance options.
NMP News Flash column Phone #: (516) 409-5555 E-mail: newsroom@nmpmediacorp.com Note: Submissions sent via e-mail are preferred. The deadline for submissions is the 1st of the month prior to the target issue.
REMN Continues to Build Upon Its West Coast Presence Real Estate Mortgage Network Inc. (REMN) continues to strengthen its West Coast presence by expanding its team of associates across Southern California. The company recently opened a new Orange County retail location in Irvine, Calif., in addition to growing its San Diego footprint by expanding its Carlsbad branch. With an eye on additional growth across Southern California, REMN expects to further increase its presence in the area with plans for new branches in Orange County, Los Angeles and other key West Coast markets in 2014. To accommodate their recent growth, REMN’s Carlsbad location will be shifting office space within their existing building to another suite. Led by Laurie Peterson, the office’s branch manager, REMN’s Carlsbad location has long been the home of some of the company’s top-producing mortgage loan originators. REMN’s new Orange County branch is located in Irvine, Calif. Under the direction of Sales Managers Robert McCormick and John Soricelli Jr., both of whom are also experienced mortgage loan originators, this office is staffed by continued on page 38
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Which Are You? By Mary Ellen Heathcote, MML, CMI, CME With 2014 a reality and 2013 in the background, it seems natural to look back and analyze what level of performer we were this past year and see if we are content with the results. There are six readily recognized levels of performance:
Your turn National Mortgage Professional Magazine invites you to submit any information on regulatory changes, legislative updates, human interest stories or any other newsworthy items pertaining to the mortgage industry to the attention of:
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state-of-the-art workout fitness center, dry cleaning pick-up/drop-off services, Starbucks, valet parking, 24-hour selfserve convenience store, and modern designs normally associated with a high-tech Silicon Valley company. For more than 40 years, the Troy Chamber of Commerce has recognized the outstanding physical investments made by businesses in the city. “The Best of Troy awards recognize completed projects that best exemplify financial investment and aesthetic enhancement within the city of Troy,” explained 2013 Best of Troy Chair Tom Krent, Aflac Agent. “We all know how vital these investments are to the continuing prosperity of our city.” According Krent, the judging committee reviewed 46 properties to come up with eight honorees for 2013. Criteria included function, use of space, uniqueness, aesthetics and an overall “wow” factor. The “Best of Troy” award adds to a recent string of awards recognizing USFS as a “Best” place to work. In addition to being named a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press and one of Metro Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for the second consecutive year including an Elite Award for Employee Achievement and Recognition, USFS has been recognized as one of the National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For and is ranked first for Elite Award Winners in the Large Business category.
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Peak Capacity Average/Adequate Coping Just Getting Through Early Stage Burn-Out Crashed and Burned
So where do you fit? “Peak Performer” or “Just Getting Through? or something else? Exactly who are the “Peak Performers?” They are those individuals who generally are self-motivating and have an ever-expanding self-identity. They like themselves and feel as though they are in control of their destiny. They are flexible, open to constructive criticism, willing to make adjustments and are tolerant of others’ opinions. They are energetic, enthusiastic, playful and creative. They have clarity of objective, dream “The Big Picture” and can communicate the same to others. With a profile such as the aforementioned, is it any wonder that very few people “live” in the “Peak Performer” category all the time and some never feel that they make it? But it can be a goal. Describing the “Average/Adequate” performer does not take too much of an explanation. This is where the majority of individuals spend the majority of their time. They know what is expected of them and they work hard to make it happen. But when a task is completed, they choose to stop. Seldom do such individuals take the initiative to do more than what is required. Then there is the “Coping” level performer. This is when their tasks do get completed, but extra time has to be put in to do so. Such individuals tend to just be managing rather than actually performing. The results can be unreliable. “Just Getting Through” describes many individuals at various times. They have more duties than time or energy is available to complete them. They end the day exhausted and declaring never again to be put in such a position. Quality really suffers. Moving on to “Early Burn-Out” is where one is approaching the danger zone. Their tasks are eventually completed, but there is no personal satisfaction, just a sort of numbness. There is nothing these individuals can point to with pride. They are just thankful to be finished. They have reached the point of no longer caring. “Crashed and Burned” is when individuals know that their world is coming apart at the seams and no one is around with the glue to hold them together. They cannot function adequately, hate themselves for reaching this point, and feel totally helpless to do anything about their dilemma. As you can see, these stages run the gamut. Regardless of where you see yourself now, don’t despair, as there are always times when we find ourselves at a less than desirable level. The focus is to attempt to spend the majority of time in the “Peak” area. This is the level that will help us gain the greatest amount of success and satisfaction with ourselves. And how do we achieve that? First of all, it cannot be done overnight. One of the early steps goes back to seeing “The Big Picture” of what you want to accomplish and having realistic expectations. Having the mental and emotional energy necessary to meet these expectations is a crucial part of the answer. How do we find this energy to keep motivated and optimistic? A good source is communicating with others, sharing ideas and listening for feedback—both critical and complimentary. Staying focused is another valuable source. Keep true to the objectives, not allowing energy to be diluted. Know the limits as to what can be accomplished. Having our physical well-being in sync with the task at hand is another key ingredient in performing at peak level. It is a known fact that we cannot do our best if we are not healthy. Many companies have reccontinued on page 52