July 2018
Single Family Programs Newsletter
CHANGES IN TARGETED COUNTIES
Rhonda Ronnow
Director of Loan Operations



What is a targeted area?  Targeted areas represent areas where the economic conditions and housing market is highly challenged. THDA currently lists 58 targeted counties in the state, in which the entire county is targeted. In addition, there are census tracts located within some counties that have been also identified as targeted. The significance of the targeted designation related to the Great Choice program is that the first time homebuyer requirement does not apply and the income limits are calculated utilizing a higher percentage. 

There are two types of Targeted Areas:
  • Qualified Census Tracts (designated by HUD)
  • Areas of Chronic Economic Distress (designated by THDA, and subject to federal approval) 

After a recent reconciliation of the counties, it was discovered that 15 counties did not have evidence supporting that designation. Therefore, THDA must make a change in the Targeted Areas affecting 15 counties.

Effective July 20, 2018, the following counties no longer have the designation of Targeted:

  • Bledsoe
  • Chester
  • Clay
  • Giles
  • Hardin
  • Hickman
  • Loudon
  • Madison-(county no longer targeted, but some census tracts are targeted)
  • Marion
  • Maury
  • McNairy
  • Obion
  • Sequatchie
  • Unicoi
  • Wayne

The Great Choice Mortgage Loan Program is still available in these counties, however, the first time homebuyer requirement must be met or the borrower must be an eligible veteran effective with loans submitted July 20, 2018 and moving forward.


HOMEBUYER EDUCATION NEWS
First Housing Education Symposium a Great Success

Josh McKinney
HUD Certified Housing Counseling Coordinator

Housing counselors and others from all over the state gathered at the end of June to celebrate housing education and to grow in knowledge and skill. THDA welcomed more than 120 industry professionals to the first Housing Education Symposium , an evolution of the former Peer Session held each year. There were plenty of changes but at least one thing remained the same – the HBEI Network recognized all the hard work that’s going on to help Tennesseans access safe, sound, and affordable housing opportunities.

“It was time to make a few changes and grow,” said Homebuyer Education Program Manager, Jayna Johnson . “We had an opportunity to make the event fresh while giving our network members new insights and training to help them provide the best services possible. Most importantly, we took time to reward the achievements of our Network this past year.”

Attendees heard presentations on starting conversations in their community regarding diversity and racial reconciliation, as well as on topics such as spicing up their presentations, self-care, industry news and happenings, and THDA loan programs and compliance. Counselors and educators also received continuing education hours for their attendance.

“We had a lot of positive feedback,” Johnson said. “The changes were well-received. Of course, we couldn’t have done any of it without our wonderful sponsors.”

Johnson recognized the following sponsors for their support: Wells Fargo, eHome America, Regions, F&M Mortgage, Synovus Mortgage Corporation, The Counselor’s Corner, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Human Mortgage, Nationwide Mortgage Collaborative, Zeal Financial Services, and Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation.

REALTOR® CORNER
REALTORS: Did you know THDA’s approved homebuyers received $7,144 on average in down payment assistance through the Great Choice Plus program in 2017? THDA offers free, four-hour CE classes on the Great Choice Home Loan program. THDA’s Debbie Reeves , Real Estate Industry Advisor , will teach you everything you need to know to write a THDA contract. Sign-up through your area Association. Contact Debbie Reeves at dreeves@thda.org.


UPCOMING REALTOR ® TRAININGS

 August 8, 12-4pm, Wednesday
Greater Nashville REALTORS®
4540 Trousdale Dr., Nashville, TN 
To register, please call 615-254-7516
 
August 10, 8:30am – 12:30pm, Friday
Clarksville Assn. of REALTORS®
115 Center Pointe Dr., Clarksville, TN  
To register, please call 931-552-3567
 
August 22, 9am – 1pm, Wednesday
Central West TN Assn. of REALTORS®
935-B Old Humboldt Rd., Jackson, TN  
To register, please call 731-668-4907
 
WELCOME NEW STAFF TO LOAN OPERATIONS
Single Family Loan Operations is excited to announce the newest Customer Account Manager (CAM) to the division. Residing in Jackson, Ella Harris will be working hard in West Tennessee to meet our lending industry professionals and follow up on trainings,marketing material, and more in that region. Ella really needs no introduction, as she was one of the initial members of the CAM team. She has over 30 years' experience in the mortgage industry and we are happy to see her return and for her to continue some of the great initiatives that she started with the CAM team. Welcome Ella!
Please welcome Kavin Williams as the new Homebuyer Education Coordinator. Not a stranger to THDA, Kavin most recently held a position in the Single Family Special Programs division. Kavin hit the ground running with the HBEI team, and on his first day on the job he was on site at the Homebuyer Education Symposium, meeting the HBEI network of providers. Kavin has served in the Marines during Operation Desert Shield-Operations Desert Storm, and has also served his community for 13 years in law enforcement. He brings 8 years of experience in the mortgage banking industry, including financial empowerment for our veterans. Welcome Kavin!

STATEWIDE
Monthly OA Rankings - June 30, 2018
Our total application production for June is $70,217,200 .
STATEWIDE
Year-to-Date OA Rankings through June 30, 2018
Our total application production through June is $301,997,278 .
EAST TN REGION
OA Rankings through June 30, 2018
MIDDLE TN REGION
OA Rankings through June 30, 2018
WEST TN REGION
OA Rankings through June 30, 2018
Star Rewards Update

23 Perfect Loan Submissions    

Connie Brewington, Platinum Financial Funding
  
15 Perfect Loan Submissions  

Frederica Maxwell , Peoples Home Equity

14 Perfect Loan Submissions  

Taylor Gobble , First Citizens National

12 Perfect Loan Submissions

Neva Huddleston, Everett Financial

8 Perfect Loan Submissions  

Pam German, Leaders Credit Union

7 Perfect Loan Submissions  

Shelley Allen, Bank of Cleveland

8 Perfect Loan Submissions  

Derek Ryder , Pinnacle Bank
Joan Moore , Mortgage Investors Group
Top Honors Update

THDA Top Loan Originators

44 Closed Loans: Tammy Barr, Everett Financial      

23 Closed Loans:  Marissa French, People's Home Equity
20 Closed Loans: Stacy Flynn, Mortgage Investors Group

18 Closed Loans:  Brandy Deloach, First Community Mtg
                       Michael Worley, Mortgage Investors Group

16 Closed Loans: Belinda Arinder , Iberiabank
               
THDA Top Selling Agents  
 
7 Closed Loans   Joey Conner

6 Closed Loans: Chad King, Barbara Wilson, Sarah Richards, Michael Baker,
Marcia Botts

5 Closed Loans: Ryan Whiteside, Dennis Brooks, Jorge Pereyra


THDA Top Listing Agents 

10 Closed Loans Sarah Richards

8 Closed Loans: Jodie Parrish

7 Closed Loans: Todd Haltom

6 Closed Loans: Joey Conner

5 Closed Loans: Susanne Flynn, Will Glafenhein

               
THDA Top Builders
           
17 Closed Loans:  LGI Homes

12 Closed Loans:  Ole South

9 Closed Loans: Clayton Homes
Results for Star Rewards and Top Honors are based on accuracy of data 
submitted , for loans closed 1/1/18 to 6/30/18.
For mortgage related questions, please call the Single Family help desk at 615-815-2100 or email sfASK@thda.org.