Todd Zukowski is a Branch Manager with Prospect Mortgage working in the MetroWest area, including Ashland, Foxboro and Holliston – NMLS#: 20384
Every week, we ask an Boston real estate professional for their thoughts on the top trends in Boston real estate.
This week, we talked with Todd Zukowski, a branch manager with Prospect Mortgage.
Boston Agent (BA): Foreclosures in the state have been inching their way up in recent months. Even though the state’s foreclosure levels are well below the national average, are you at all worried this trend will grow and become a problem? Why or why not?
Todd Zukowski (TZ): While foreclosure starts have been increasing, I read in the Boston Globe that the completions have actually been decreasing year-over-year. I think that small fluctuations like this are natural in the marketplace and don’t foresee it becoming a bigger problem. As you already pointed out, Massachusetts foreclosures are below national levels, and the national completed foreclosure rate has also decreased since last year.
BA: Recent surveys from both Zillow and Gallop found that nearly 40 percent adults have no plans to purchase a home in the foreseeable future – up 10 points from last year, despite more relaxed lending standards. Have you noticed this trend, and what do you think is keeping people away from home buying?
TZ: I can’t say that I’ve noticed an obvious trend. Although, I think that people in the traditional “first-time home buyer” age group are putting off home buying until they’re financially and mentally prepared. These people saw the great recession first-hand and might have lingering fears from that. They also have different priorities than previous generations. Home buying is obviously a huge decision and I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with waiting for financial comfort and stability.
BA: How important is it for lenders to build long-term relationships with clients, and how do you keep in touch with past clients?
TZ: I think it’s incredibly important. As a lender, I am an instrumental part of the biggest transaction of my client’s lifetime. Because of that, past clients that are happy with the service provided can really advocate for the quality of my business. I keep in touch with my past clients through social media and monthly newsletters. I will always reach out with new financing opportunities if something can benefit them. For example, when rates dropped at the beginning of the year I followed up with many of my clients that could seriously benefit from a refinance.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and to provide a general understanding of residential mortgage loans and is not provided as professional advice for your specific situation. You should speak with a loan officer regarding your specific residential mortgage loan requirements.
Loan inquiries and applications in states where I am not licensed will be referred to a Loan Officer who is licensed in the property state. Equal Housing Lender. Prospect Mortgage is located at 15301 Ventura Blvd., Suite D300, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Prospect Mortgage, LLC (NMLS Identifier #3296, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) is a Delaware limited liability company licensed by MA Mortgage Lender/Broker License #MC3296. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend.