Category: The Benchmark Way

At Benchmark, we are driven by a set of core values that guide our everyday actions. The daily fulfillment of these Core Values drive what we call The Benchmark Way. Welcome to Benchmark. Welcome Home.

Benchmark Partners with Team Never Quit for the 2018 Patriot Tour!

by I Am Benchmark

Benchmark Mortgage is proud to announce our partnership with Team Never Quit.

This year, we will be hitting the road with the 2018 Patriot Tour! Our Team is proud to have changed the way VA lending is done, and we take a “never quit” attitude with our veterans and their dreams.

NO MORE will the veteran be taken advantage of. We have a heart and passion for our veteran community, and we pride ourselves in making the home financing experience amazing. Setting the industry standard for 20 years, we are proud to have helped make the American Dream of home ownership become a reality for more than 100,000 Americans. Home ownership has always been the American dream and we believe that no one is more deserving than those who have served our country.

The Patriot Tour features retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, author of the New York Times bestseller “Lone Survivor” ,a riveting tale of the heroic sacrifices made by Marcus and fellow SEAL Team members assigned to Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan; Taya Kyle, author of ‘American Wife’, Executive Director of the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, and wife of the late U.S. Navy SEAL Sniper Chris Kyle; retired U.S. Army Capt. Chad Fleming; and retired Navy SEAL and ultra-marathon runner David Goggins.

The Patriot Tour brings together things worth protecting, and things worth celebrating: Family, Service, Sacrifice, and Community. We are excited to be joining the Patriot Tour with these amazing heroes. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we tour the country, coming to a city near you!

Boot’n & Shoot’n 2018 Raises $1Million for Veterans

by I Am Benchmark

DALLAS, TX—The month of April means the first full month of Spring, wildflowers, and the arrival of what former Governor Rick Perry described as “the most patriotic day in Texas:” Boot’n & Shoot’n.

Boot’n & Shoot’n is an annual event to raise money for US military veterans who risked it all. For the second year in a row, Boot’n & Shoot’n has reached 1 million dollars in funds raised to help deserving veterans and their families.

Hosted at the Dallas Gun Club, 90 teams of clay shooters each teamed up with a veteran for a day of sporting clays, a live concert, country style food sponsored by Babe’s Chicken, and a live auction. 100% of all proceeds is given to organizations which exist solely to aid veterans and their families, including The Brain Treatment Foundation, 22Kill, and Third Option Foundation. Founded in 2012 as the vision of Benchmark Founding Partner Stewart Hunter and his wife Janet Hunter, this year marks the 7th annual event. To learn more, visit BootShoot.com.

Announcing “The Veterans Homefront by Benchmark”

by I Am Benchmark

NO MORE

These are the words that Benchmark has adopted when it comes to Veteran lending. Benchmark is proud to kick off The Veterans Home Front initiative which aims to do right by our Military men and women. The veteran lending space has long been a marketplace in which Veterans have been taken advantage of, have not been given proper service, or have been subject to predatory lending. Benchmark believes that our heroes who choose to serve this nation deserve the outstanding service that Benchmark has been providing since 1991. We are dedicated to doing right by the veteran, and have created an educational course that will certify our Loan Officers to be VA Certified. This certification will ensure that we not only get the veteran in the best loan product for them, but also are able to assist our veterans with maximizing their VA benefits.

Visit The Veterans Homefront
https://theveteranshomefront.com

Benchmark is the proud founder and title sponsor of Boot’n & Shoot’n (bootshoot.com), a veteran giveback event that has been called “The most patriotic day in Texas” by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. To date, Boot’n & Shoot’n has raised over $4 Million and has been able to provide over 30 scholarships to veterans so they can receive state of the art treatment for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress from The Brain Treatment Foundation. We are excited to kick off this initiative that will allow Benchmark to welcome our veteran heroes home.

Learn more about Boot’n & Shoot’n at bootshoot.com.

Benchmark Named Top 100 Places To Work

by I Am Benchmark

We are proud to announce that Benchmark Mortgage was named in the Top 100 Places To Work For 2017 by The Dallas Morning News!

We are honored by this award, especially when considering what it takes to be among the rare air of the other 34 winning Mid Size Businesses who were also named to this list. To quote Doug Claffey, CEO of WorkplaceDynamics*,

“This is far more than a popularity contest. What distinguishes a Top 100 workplace is a fundamental difference in philosophy about what drives success. Winners put employees at the center of things. They create an environment that unleashes potential, inspires performance and, in the process, boosts the bottom line.”

Cheryll Hall of The Dallas Morning News writes*,

“No company has ever made our Top 100 list based solely on pay, perks and benefits. Not one.”

We have always operated according to our Core Values of Positive Attitude, Relationships, Dynamic, Excellence, and Success. We have always provided unparalleled support for our branch partners (80+ branches nationwide). Over the years, we have cultivated these values with our approach to the mortgage business as The Benchmark Way.

We never needed an award for giving back to those who have vowed to give it all (http://bootshoot.com), to support our team members in time of need, or to simply do the right thing as members of our community. Even so, the Top 100 is a good reminder to take a look in the mirror, and evaluate whether our priorities are as aligned as they once were. This year, we were given confirmation that we are still on target.

Thank you, Dallas Morning News!

For more information about Benchmark, please visit https://whois.benchmark.us

* https://www.dallasnews.com/business/top-100-workplaces/2017/03/05/company-winner-enter-top-100-places-work-competition

United Lending becomes Benchmark Mortgage

by I Am Benchmark

PLANO, TX—United Lending of Austin, TX, a mortgage lender founded in 2008 by David McMillan and Tommy Nelms, is set to become Benchmark Mortgage, effective December 1, 2017. Offering a wide range of mortgage products, United Lending has been recognized by the Austin American Statesman and the Austin Business Journal multiple times for their excellence in mortgage lending. “We offer a vast array of mortgage products, and we work with all types of clients, from first-time home buyers to multi-million dollar homeowners and everything in between,” says McMillan. “We are consistently one of the top five lenders in Austin on the Austin Business Journal’s Book of Lists. Recently, we even hit the No. 2 spot! By focusing on top talent, we’re able to let the growth take care of itself.”

With a wide range of available products, and high standards to match, United Lending sought a similarly minded partner to support their growth. “Our individual team has been United Lending for more than 10 years. We value a strong partnership with corporate, back office and the warehouse-side of the business. So as we grew, it became obvious that we needed to find a partner that supported this growth,” Nelms says.

United Lending has achieved success by focusing on their most valuable assets: their people, and their clients. “Our main priority is to create the best office environment with the best people in the industry. We have multiple people on our staff, both in production and operations, who have been with us for 20 years or more,” Nelms explains. “Ultimately, it boils down to communication. We strive to provide a hassle-free experience with over-the-top communication. We over-communicate to all parties involved, so not only are there no surprises, but everyone knows what is going on before they have to pick up the phone and call,” adds McMillan.

It was the shared focus on relationships and excellence which eventually resulted in a partnership with Benchmark Mortgage. “We decided to join them for many reasons. But once again, the main reason was the people. Jim McMahan, one of the owners, and an industry icon, and I have had a relationship from a previous company. It has been a great decision for us,” explains McMillan.

Although this relationship is not recent, rebranding was a slight challenge. “We didn’t want to do it right away because we have done a very good job branding United Lending in Austin over the years. It made sense to adopt their name as we grew into Houston and San Antonio, but now we will bring the three cities under the same name.” Nelms explains.

Beginning December 1st, United Lending will adopt the Benchmark Mortgage name, representing the company’s core values and founding principles. Tommy Nelms describes the practical result of these ideas, commonly referred to as “The Benchmark Way”: “When you work with Benchmark Mortgage, you can always expect to work with experienced, knowledgeable people who want to make the lending process as easy and seamless as possible. One of the biggest changes we’ve made in recent years is how we support originators teams with operational teams. We are getting great files to the processing department, and then, in turn, to the underwriters. Quick closings, minimal conditions, approvals in less than two weeks, supporting the originators in such a way that they are not bogged down in paperwork, but are able to work on the referral relationships and create new ones.”

Benchmark Mortgage’s strong emphasis on building trust through relationships makes this partnership mutually beneficial. With United Lending changing to the Benchmark Mortgage name, they proudly share in the same heritage of excellence which began in 1999.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

by I Am Benchmark

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and this has special meaning to us here at Benchmark.

Facts About Childhood Cancer

Every day 46 kids are diagnosed with cancer
Every day 7 children will die from cancer
Pediatric cancer kills more kids than cystic fibrosis, pediatric aids, and asthma combined
1 in 330 children will develop cancer by the age of 20
Those that do make it will have side effects from treatment that will last a lifetime.
You are aware, now spread the knowledge

Our own Misty Rangel witnessed this first hand when she lost her daughter.

I am not really sure where to begin with this but Sammy was a normal child that developed childhood cancer (wilms tumor) at the age of 4. She fought hard and won the battle twice in her 8 year struggle. The third time it came back with a vengeance and she fought as hard as she could but the human body can only take so much and we lost sweet Sammy Oct 2^nd 2016 at the age of 13. God had a beautiful purpose for her life. Her journey, strong faith and beautiful smile touched and inspired so many lives. To this day I am amazed at the number of people that were led to Christ through her journey.

She made it thru sept last year and past on Oct 2. She refused to die in Sept and I know this with all my heart.

Our Benchmark family loved and supported us so much during her last fight. We were so blessed through it all and I am forever grateful.

Misty Rangel — Benchmark Corporate Office

Daughter of Benchmark Originator Angela Rose, Tegan Rose was diagnosed with leukemia on March 17, 2017, two days before her 11th birthday. Tegan is a fighter and we know she will WIN the battle she has in front of her.

UPDATE — Tegan Rose is now in remission but still has one more chemotherapy treatment in October to make sure it never comes back.

Here Is How You Can Help Victims Of Hurricane Harvey

by I Am Benchmark

The following is where you can divert your attention, donations, and time (if permissible). We know that people are generous and want to know how to help those in need. This list was first published by Texas Monthly (http://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/ways-can-help-people-hurricane-harvey) It has been adapted to be a quick glance sheet.

Help Children

The Texas Diaper Bank — assembling relief kits for families with small children.

The Driscoll Children’s Hospital — is located in Corpus Christi, open, and has power. They are accepting financial and blood donations.

Help Pets

The SPCA of Texas — is taking in hundreds of animals. Donate to help cover costs, or open your home to animals who need somewhere to go before they can be reunited with their families.

Austin Pets Alive! — is accepting cash, to keep operating, volunteers to foster animals, and pet supplies: large plastic or metal bins with lids to store food, leashes and collars, cat litter, large brooms, cat-specific beds, and liquid laundry soap. (no crates or pet food at this time)

Help With Medical Needs

Portlight — is working to ensure that people who require medical equipment and assistive technology have what they need after they evacuate, and to make sure that they are able to get to safety. They accept donations via PayPal.

Direct Relief USA — offers prescription drugs and other medical supplies. They’re accepting financial contributions.

Provide Food

(via the Houston Press):

Houston Food Bank
832-369-9390
houstonfoodbank.org

Galveston Food Bank
409-945-4232
galvestoncountyfoodbank.org

Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)
361-578-0591
victoriafoodbank.org
Closed Friday

Corpus Christi Food Bank
361-887-6291
foodbankcc.com

Southeast Texas Food Bank (Beaumont)
409-839-8777
setxfoodbank.org

Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (Pharr)
956-682-8101
foodbankrgv.com

Brazos Valley Food Bank (Bryan)
979-779-3663
bvfb.org

Central Texas Food Bank (Austin)
512-282-2111
centraltexasfoodbank.org

San Antonio Food Bank
210-337-3663
safoodbank.org

To Help The Homeless

The Houston Coalition for the Homeless — shelter for the homeless in Houston, up-to-date information about shelter space availability, the best fit for each one, and how to get there safely. Accepting financial donations.

To Help Those Displaced

List your home on Airbnb for free — (with no service fees to anyone) Most listings are in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. Consider listing your space.

Trusted World — operating three shelters in Dallas which need donations, supplies (clean clothing, non-perishable food, toiletries, diapers, and baby formula), and volunteers.

Global Giving — trying to raise $2 million to help those affected by the storm. Provides food, gas, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter in the short-term, and then funnels the remaining resources to local organizations to facilitate long-term recovery.

H.E.B. — doesn’t accept donations, but the supermarket chain provides emergency response services, mobile kitchens, and disaster-response units to affected areas. (Now collecting donations at the register for the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and Feeding Texas.) Many stores in affected areas (including the entire Houston area) are closed.

Setting the Benchmark

by I Am Benchmark

We set the Benchmark by our dedication to our five core values. These values extend beyond mere talking points; they are our way of life.

Relationships

In the mortgage business, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of each individual loan. With Benchmark, it is never only about the transaction. We keep the focus on our local community and the relationship with our client. Building and maintaining relationships always comes first. All other things are secondary. The individuals that make up the Benchmark family were thoughtfully and strategically selected to make a difference in their communities.

Positive Attitude

Attitudes are contagious. We want ours to be the difference between a good experience and an excellent experience for our clients.
The Benchmark culture thrives because of the great attitude each team member holds. In a world with so many unknowns, we have each made the conscious decision to conduct ourselves with a positive attitude at all times, in all areas of our lives.

Dynamic

In an industry that is so rapidly changing, Benchmark thrives because of our adaptability, creativity, innovation, marketability, and courage. It’s not enough to keep up. Instead, our strategy is to always stay ahead by constantly asking ourselves ‘how can we take this a step further’? Our dynamic approach has driven our success from the beginning.

Excellence

Benchmark has a record of standing out since 1999, because of our dedication to going the extra mile. It has never been enough to simply ‘do things well.’ We strive to do all things exceptionally well. When there’s a need, Benchmark seeks the best way to fill it.

In 2012, Chief Visionary Officer and Cofounder of Benchmark Mortgage, Stewart Hunter saw a pressing need to care for our veterans. For 6 years, as of writing, Benchmark has sponsored Boot’n & Shoot’n, a fundraiser that benefits veterans and their families by providing scholarships to the Brain Treatment Foundation and Third Option. All Benchmark branches come together annually to raise money for the men and women who have served our country. Boot’n & Shoot’n is our way of giving back and making sure that we stay focused on what really matters: people taking care of people.

Success

Success is how we ensure that we are headed in the right direction. It is achieved when the Benchmark passion aligns with each of our core values. Thinking past the ‘now’ is our strength. We are constantly evaluating our success based on current performance and how we can excel in the future.

We Have Your Back – The Benchmark Way

by I Am Benchmark

With Benchmark, you’re never alone. We know that getting a mortgage can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our family is here to walk you through the process of getting you home. In the last part of this series, we gave you an overview of what it takes to buy a home. In today’s post, we give a deeper view into the heart of our approach to long term advocacy for our clients.

From applying for a mortgage through closing on your new home, Benchmark has your back. Welcome to,

The Benchmark Way.

Loan Creation

Getting a mortgage shouldn’t cause you to worry or make you stress. We want you to be confident and at ease.

After first talking with your loan officer, your loan is created to match you with the perfect loan for your goals. Are you afraid of being left alone with the burden of managing your loan? No need to worry; our work isn’t over at closing.

Market Watch

We understand the importance of a low rate. Wouldn’t you like to be notified at the first sign of any potential benefit? With minute-by-minute access to market rates, we accurately monitor the market in relation to your specific loan.

This includes staying ahead of rate changes by tracking hourly and daily mortgage-backed securities(MBS) movement, with the ability to chart progress in 5-minute intervals. Significant movement triggers custom alerts on a each affected loan for potential benefits. There is no time like the present.

Beyond the Technical

Reaching out to our clients when there is an opportunity to save money is just one part of what we call our “Lifetime Loan” experience. While wee take pride in having the right tools to monitor the market as it relates to your loan, our main focus is not the transaction. We are dedicated to building real, lasting relationships. To us, business is not just business; business is personal.

Yearly Reviews

In addition to our real time market analysis, we also perform an in-depth yearly review of your mortgage. Our clients get a forecast of what we foresee the future markets and rates to look like, and provide a unique personal action plan for you.

You are kept in-the-know and up-to-date on any potential changes that may be beneficial for your loan. By keeping your options our priority, we strive to make sure you get the most out of your mortgage.

Benchmark Does It Better

If you only remember one thing, let it be this: Benchmark has your back.

If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding your loan, no matter if it’s been a few days, or several years since closing, please feel free to reach out to us for help. After all, our company is built on relationships.

When you choose Benchmark, you have an advocate for life.

Are You Ready?

If you are ready to begin the process, find your loan officergive me a call or contact mechoose your loan officer or contact us today.

The Benchmark Way – Buying A Home

by I Am Benchmark

With Benchmark, you’re never alone. We know that getting a mortgage can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our family is here to walk you through the process of getting you home. In next part, we will give a deeper view into the heart of our approach to long term care of our clients.

From applying for a mortgage through closing on your new home, Benchmark has your back. Welcome to,

The Benchmark Way.

The Process

Contact Your Lender

Before you get started with a mortgage, you’ll want to find your loan officergive me a call or contact mechoose your loan officer or contact us today. Your Benchmark lender is a licensed mortgage professional who understands exactly what it takes to match you with the best possible loan to match your goals. It’s important to note, no loan will ever be the same.

Get Pre-Approved

Getting pre-approved is the first major step towards purchasing your new home. To get pre-approved, we verify your information and documents to determine how much you are able to borrow towards your new home. This will strengthen any offer you decide to make on a home.

Get a Real Estate Agent

Having a good real estate agent can greatly enhance your home-buying experience. They can help match you to the home you may not have even known you wanted, and are your best advocate in negotiating your offer. Through our relationships, your Benchmark lender may be able to make a great referral for you.

For some tips on choosing one one your own, we have a great article for you: Find A Great Real Estate Agent The Easy Way.

Find Your New Home

Knowing your price range and desired location(s) will help your real estate agent with your search. Once you have your home in sight, move FAST. Contact your agent, and let your Benchmark lender know about your find!

Sign The Contract

Whether the Contract is completed by your realtor or by yourself, its completion will get you one step closer to your new home. As soon as the offer is accepted and the contract is signed by all parties, please communicate your new home’s address to your lender. Then we will be able to start assembling your Loan Estimate.

Your Loan Estimate

Your Benchmark lender will send you a loan estimate. The loan estimate will give you a general overview of your loan and estimated costs.

The Benchmark Magic

This is where The Benchmark Way of lending wins the race. Our team of underwriters and processors will be working hard to make sure we have what we need from you to close your loan on time. So, sit back and relax… We are ordering your appraisal, getting documents from Title, and everything in between to complete your loan.

Final Approval

This is our favorite part of theprocess! Our underwriters have looked over all of the documents and have given their seal of approval. At this point, you’re almost home!

Closing Time!

The closing date will be set^*, and the documents^** will be ready to be signed. Get your pen ready, because we will need for you to sign on lots of lines! After everything is signed, the keys are yours. Welcome Home!

*Clear to Close: This simply means that all conditions of your loan have been met, and the loan underwriter has given the blessing to release instructions to your title company for the closing. If you are buying a home this is your goal.
**Closing Disclosure: All lenders are required to provide your Closing Disclosure three business days before your scheduled closing. Use these days wisely! Double-check that all of the details are correct. If something looks different from what you expected, ask me why, and let’s get it sorted ASAP. NOW is the time to resolve problems. If the explanation you get isn’t enough, just keep asking questions.