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ServiceLink

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Scaling Your Residential Real Estate Portfolio Through SFR Properties 2021 could be the ideal year for investing in SFR properties. Here’s where to find the support you need to grow your residential property portfolio. “More U.S. households are renting than in any point in 50 years.” When Pew Research Center made headlines with its analysis of Census Bureau Housing Data on renting versus homeownership in 2017, the broader public was clued in to the trend SFR investors had been leveraging for some time. The growth comparison was stark: While the number of renters increased by 23 million from 2006 to 2016, the number of homeowners increased by fewer than 700,000. Market momentum continues to support a single-family rental investment strategy, as families increasingly seek more space without the long-term commitment of homeownership. In fact, the Urban Land Institute (ULI)/PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report, Emerging Trends in Real Estate® 2021, suggests that single-family homes marketed to moderate-income renters may hold the strongest investment and development potential among residential property types in 2021. Many SFR investors agree that 2021 may be an opportune moment to grow residential real estate portfolios. “It is a great time to scale,” says Stacy Marshall, Assistant Vice President, Business Development & Strategy at ServiceLink. “Although inventory has recently been low due to increased demand during the pandemic, SFR properties have become more profitable than they were a couple of years ago.” Inventories are also expected to grow as the foreclosure moratorium is lifted. “We are beginning to see an increase in distressed housing, which opens up new opportunities for investors,” Marshall says. “Where in the past these investors might have purchased, fixed and flipped these properties, now they’re doing the fix but then renting instead of flipping to take advantage of the growing demand.” How to Scale Your Residential Property Portfolio Scaling an SFR portfolio requires a variety of capabilities. “It’s important for investors to perform market analytics to gain an understanding of which MSAs they want to expand into,” says Terri Hunter, Vice President, National Sales Executive at ServiceLink. “Then they need to act quickly to get those areas up and running. Having a partnership with a national organization with capabilities in valuation, title, property preservation and auction services can help them accelerate the process of scaling their residential property portfolio.” Hunter identifies several actions investors can take to position themselves to successfully scale their residential real estate portfolios: Seek specialized valuation expertise. SFR appraisals are not typical appraisals; they require seasoned appraisers with experience in this type of transaction’s special requirements. “SFR appraisers need to provide both as-is and as-repaired values, which means taking into account budgets, surveys and other factors related to repairing or upgrading properties; they also need to understand the urgency of each transaction,” Marshall says. “At ServiceLink, we handpick appraisers with SFR experience in markets across the country to be part of our dedicated panel. The investors we work with benefit from this experience when they request either a Desktop Appraisal with Inspection (DVI) or traditional appraisal product.” Quality control is, of course, vital to the valuation process. An ideal valuation partner will not only comply with GSE, and USPAP requirements, but also be able to incorporate custom lender requirements into their quality control checklist and processes. Be prepared to close quickly. A partner with centralized title and close capabilities can speed your decisioning, title clearance and closing. Since many SFR properties come onto the market as a result of foreclosure, you need to be able to trust your partner to make business-based title underwriting decisions and identify and clear any title issues as quickly as possible, and then close the transaction smoothly. ServiceLink has in-house access to underwriters for accelerated decisions and a centralized team with no down-lining that doesn’t have to hand off to another title office. This greatly expedites closing, along with the cutting-edge technology used in the process. This technology is supported by teams of title curative specialists and other experts experienced in the nuances of SFR properties. Investors who leverage ServiceLink Title and Close, backed by this team, often find they can close about 10 days sooner than they would have going the more traditional route. Consider outsourcing inspections and day-to-day maintenance. As you grow your SFR holdings in various geographic markets, having a reliable resource to conduct condition, move-out, work-in-progress and disaster inspections, as well as to provide day-to-day property maintenance, is important. A reliable, responsive property preservation partner offers you the assurance that your properties are protected and kept up to municipal, county and state code. “Outsourcing inspections and day-to-day maintenance lifts a heavy burden from investors,” says Hunter. “For those who don’t have full staff coverage, ServiceLink provides a national solution. We cover thousands of investors nationwide, so if we get a request for an inspection, or repair or maintenance services on a particular property, we can respond right away. We have the capability to customize inspection reports, too, so that they include all of the information and photos the client requests.” Have a source for properties. Zeroing in on the right properties can be a challenge when you’re approaching a new market. You need an insider—someone who knows neighborhoods, market values, median incomes and more. The auction arm of ServiceLink provides all of this to its investor partners through ServiceLink Auction, an easy-to-use digital platform that enables investors to find a property, make an offer and close the deal. Choose a partner with national scope. Working with a national partner offers important advantages: accelerating your entry into new markets by leveraging that national presence and eliminating the need for you to contact providers in each state, for starters. If you choose your partner carefully, you will also have access to specialized expertise and services to take you all the way from sourcing properties to closing transactions and maintaining your properties. As for scalability, because national companies process thousands of transactions each month, they are prepared to take on additional volume at a moment’s

Cinch

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A Home Warranty Solution For Build To Rent Communities Home Warranties are a Great Investment for Community Developers Renters in many markets are taking advantage of the rising number of Build to Rent (BTR) Communities. BTR appeals to a broad range of renter demographics that are looking for an improved living experience. Many new investors are understanding the appeal as well. Research shows that more millennials are choosing to rent homes because it allows them greater flexibility and more opportunity to enjoy their lives without many of the typical burdens of home ownership. The millennial household is less interested in taking care of a home than previous generations, and more interested in having the time to pursue other interests. Similarly, BTR appeals to seniors because it allows for their equity to be cashed out while simultaneously upgrading their home’s features and surroundings. Seniors are typically downsizing in favor of single-story homes, community amenities and easy maintenance. Universally, one of the biggest challenges for investors in rental properties is typical repairs and maintenance items, estimated to be up to 15% of the rental value of the unit. As a safety net, BTR community developers should consider investing in a home warranty product to effectively manage these costs. “Home warranties for BTR units are a great investment for community developers,” said Adam Brown, Vice President at Cinch Home Services. “A Cinch new home construction warranty is purchased at closing and covers the property for mechanical breakdowns for major systems and appliances for years two through four of home ownership.” Typically, developer agreements require manufacturers to be responsible for any breakdowns or malfunctions during the first year, with the home warranty company then assuming responsibility after year one. After the fourth year, the warranty may be renewed on an annual basis. Developers can cover years two through four for a cost commonly less than the fifth-year renewal, making the new construction warranty a viable consideration for both the developer and occupant. Cinch home warranties are available in the continental U.S. and provide developers a cost-effective solution for managing potential system and mechanical breakdowns in their portfolio. Coverage includes central air conditioning and heating systems, central vacuum systems, electrical systems, garage door openers, jetted bathtubs, kitchen and laundry appliances, plumbing systems (including clearing plumbing stoppages) and sump pumps and water heaters. Optional coverage can be purchased for outside water, sewer and gas lines, pools and spas, water softeners, and well pumps. Deductibles are available in the amounts of $100 or $200 per service job. Specific features in the new home warranty that BTR community developers will appreciate include Cinch’s lodging reimbursement. Renters are reimbursed up to $1,200 for a hotel/motel stay if their central cooling or heating system is non-operational for 24 hours or more from the time of the first contractor visit. Another benefit BTR developers can utilize is Cinch’s emergency locksmith/lockout service reimbursement. “Home warranty claims can be made by the landlord or tenant and make repair and replacement a much easier process to manage,” said Brown. “Cinch provides BTR developers convenience as well as cost certainty for the first four years. When things break down, contact Cinch 24/7 and we will match you with a prescreened licensed professional to get the job done.” The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has kept more Americans at home, with many planning to continue working from home even after the pandemic ends. Furthermore, as more seniors retire from the workplace, they will be replaced with a younger workforce less interested in being geographically tied to their employers. It is intuitive to believe that the rental market will respond with exponential growth, placing an even greater demand for BTR community development. More people working from home translates to more home maintenance needs. “At Cinch, we have seen a marked increase in appliance claims in the last year and attribute it to more people at home simply using their appliances with greater frequency,” said Brown. “We believe this trend will continue well into the future.” Renting makes trendier, more desirable areas more accessible to all. Yardwork, maintenance, repairs, upkeep…all contribute to significant cost and time associated with owning a home. For many individuals, passing these responsibilities to a landlord can be a huge upside decision. Similarly, a landlord can utilize a home warranty for 24/7 emergency calls to buffer the challenges of managing an entire BTR community. As a member of the National Home Service Contract Association, Cinch has been serving the real estate community for over 40 years, manages the nation’s largest network of service professionals, and proudly offers the industry’s only 180-day service guarantee. Cinch serves nearly one million homeowners across the contiguous 48 states and can handle your homes as well. If you have any questions regarding home warranties for any type of dwelling, contact Adam Brown, Vice President at Cinch Home Services, at adbrown@cinchhs.com. Adam Brown is the VP of Cinch Real Estate. Adam leads Cinch’s field sales efforts throughout the nation. He and his team are engaged in a variety of partnerships and support residential real estate transactions.   Before Cinch, Adam was senior manager at Direct Energy, where he led the strategic sales team with energy revenue of $250 million per year by engaging partners such as Amazon, Google, Yelp and IAC. In 2017, Adam served as head of strategic sales for Direct Energy’s Home Warranty of America, and prior to that, he served as head of strategic sales for Direct Energy’s three home-service brands: One Hour Heating and Air, Mr. Sparky and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Adam also served as the head of sales and marketing for Newpoint Media Group.

Investor Profile

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Vince and Noelle Mora ACHIEVING WORK-LIFE BALANCE Achieving a “work-life” balance is a basic human need and desire that everybody strives for, but few ever achieve. For Vince and Noelle Mora, that is the very reason they started VinLex Ventures LLC, an independently owned and operated HomeVestors® franchise, in 2014. “I needed to be my own boss and get some balance in my life,” said Vince. “I needed to avoid that awful commute from New Jersey to New York City every day and start spending some quality time with my wife and children.” Vince graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Economics in 1988 and within three weeks he was working at Merrill Lynch trading mortgages. He worked for Merrill Lynch for twenty years culminating his career as the Managing Director of whole loan trading. “In a nutshell, I would buy loans, bundle them in a securities package, and then sell that package to investors,” Vince recalled. That experience in “securitization” and financing, coupled with his degree in Economics, laid the foundation for Vince to become a real estate entrepreneur. A NEW BEGINNING VinLex Ventures LLC is part of the HomeVestors Central New Jersey Advertising Council, of which Vince is the President. While Vince is the buyer, risk assessor, and “field manager” for VinLex Ventures, Noelle is the coordinator and administrator. “Noelle is very analytical. If I have a problem, I turn it over to Noelle and let her analyze the situation and solve it,” said Vince. Starting their franchise business in 2014, Vince and Noelle recently hit the important 5-yr milestone with HomeVestors and renewed their franchise agreement for a second term. Being a HomeVestors business owner in New Jersey is different than other markets. The MLS systems in New Jersey are not beneficial to the iBuyer group of investors. As one example, MLS home data in New Jersey does not provide consistent information such as square footage, only the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. HomeVestors, on the other hand, offers a virtual or in-person visit to the home so the prospective buyer can determine the square footage and make a firm cash offer. Since becoming an independently owned and operated HomeVestors® business owner in 2014, the Mora’s lifestyle has changed, just as they desired. For both Vince and Noelle, who have been married for twenty-two years, the work-life balance has substantially improved. Vince became the coach of his daughter Alexa’s softball team. “I love teaching young people skills and then teaching them how to apply those skills and execute,” he reminisced. And he finally was able to spend some quality time with his son. “My son Vincent is a piano player and a singer. I missed so many of his performances while working at my other career,” Vince said. Vincent still plays piano and sings at local venues while a freshman at the University of Tampa. He is also the only freshman to be accepted as a member of the University’s real estate club. A Big Heart HomeVestors provides its franchisees many opportunities to help people because real estate is a people business. And as is often the case with “self-made” people, Vince and Noelle have big hearts. They recently received a call from a gentleman (a stranger) who had inherited a mortgage-free home from his mother. This gentleman was 62 years old and unable to work, which meant he had zero income. He could no longer afford to keep the home because of the outrageous New Jersey property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. As time went by, the tax bills kept mounting. And he could not move; with no income, every time he filled out a rental application he got rejected. Vince and Noelle came up with a “big heart” solution! “We are exploring the idea of buying a condo for him, letting him live there, and he can start paying rent when he begins collecting social security,” Vince said. “Once he has a place to live, then we can help him with the house he inherited.” Best Advice and Rules Vince does offer advice for people looking to become real estate investors. Rule #1 – Be prepared to work extremely hard! Rule #2 – You only get out what you put in! Rule #3 – Manage your risk. Make sure you are well capitalized and do not over leverage yourself! Rule #4 – Be patient. Do not chase a bad deal for the sake of a deal! Rule #5 – There are no quick riches in real estate! HomeVestors does not offer, or promote, a “get-rich-quick” scheme! Your house-buying business is yours and you run it as your own independent venture. HomeVestors does provide the tools necessary to help ensure success and provide the opportunity to build a business and not just create a job. Contact Vince, Noelle, and their two children (Vincent, 18; Alexa, 15) currently reside in New Jersey. If you wish to contact Vince, he can be reached at Vince.Mora@homevestors.com.

Q&A With Kendra Rommel of CIVIC Financial Services

by Kendra Rommel
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How would you describe current economic and real estate market conditions? Everyone is comparing the current financial and real estate situation to the mortgage meltdown of 2008. But today’s conditions are completely different. Yes, we may be facing an economic downturn, but previous downturns stemmed from a loss or depreciation of assets, while this market shift was sparked by a nationwide health crisis and resulting job losses. This market uncertainty caused Wall Street to pull back or cease purchasing loans they previously were acquiring at a premium from lenders like CIVIC. As a leading private money lender, however, CIVIC was well-positioned to weather this storm of uncertainty. We are well-capitalized and have very strong relationships with Wall Street. We remained aligned with our capital partners to ensure we could continue offering financing solutions needed in the marketplace. Our capacity to fund both bridge and rental loans is as strong as ever. Why does this affect the real estate investor market? Overnight, many lenders that built their business selling to institutional capital sources, REITs or hedge funds were forced to hold on to recent originations either on their balance sheet or on expensive warehouse lines. While this is fine in theory, many lenders didn’t have the liquidity available to do this, much less the liquidity needed to fund new originations. In addition, warehouse lenders also paused, reassessed their positions, and many in our industry faced margin calls that needed to be met in an extremely short period of time. Since many lenders didn’t have liquidity to meet the large margin calls, especially without the ability to turn their capital, what was initially just a health crisis became a liquidity issue. What does all this mean to real estate investors, lenders and loan originators? Lenders had to quickly decide whether they had to pause or pivot to remain in the game. Companies like CIVIC had to make adjustments such as lowering leverages, raising interest rates and placing some bumpers on our loan guidelines. CIVIC remains a very well capitalized company. Our loans are still performing today just like they did in January and February. How did your customers react to the pivot? The initial reaction was difficult, but we’ve adjusted a bit as Wall Street’s concerns and fears have abated. We have been 100% committed to our customers throughout the pandemic and have been focused on being consistent, trusted financial partners. In fact, we recently received the highest monthly Net Promoter Score in our company’s history, and today our pipeline is as strong as it has ever been. What is the biggest challenge CIVIC is experiencing today? I think the biggest challenge is the fact that, until we have a vaccine in place, there is no known end in sight. So we need to remain diligent and adaptable to be able to shift as needed. CIVIC is very well-positioned to do that. Have there recently been any positive developments? Yes. First and foremost, the real estate market continues to be robust. As a result, Wall Street has resumed interest in acquiring these products. Even more exciting is that the industry has adapted to the “new norm” of constant change and is thriving—whether it be working remotely and moving services to a virtual delivery model, or capitalizing quickly on new opportunities. What advice do you have to offer from this experience? As an Originator one of the most notable opportunities for our team has been the ability to create strategic partnerships that bring value to each other. None of us are exempt from the current or future economic setbacks. So it is imperative we link arms with great partners and recognize the opportunities we can still capture, as we are stronger together. I would also say that during tough times, the values you commit to as an organization become critical. I believe that CIVIC’s core values of being a great partner and acting with honor have given us a lift and will keep us strong as we navigate through unchartered waters in the coming months.

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The real estate investment world has come to a screeching halt since COVID-19 hit the U.S. Although many people are refinancing their homes, most banks have slowed or halted their new home purchase originations all together. Suzanne Andresen, the chief revenue officer at REI INK Magazine and one of the founders of the new REI Referral Network, says that this current crisis will create more opportunities for investors once we get back to business—and investors need to be ready. She advises both investors and realtors to build their networks and relationships during this down time. By doing so, realtors will already be familiar with what their investor clients are looking for and can make sure they get first glance at assets that could be an acquisition for their portfolios. The Referral Network Solution Networking can be a challenge with stay-at-home orders in effect around the country, but Andresen has a solution. Last year, REI INK developed a new online network to connect real estate agents and brokers to partner with investors and service providers. Although the company didn’t foresee the current pandemic, they did see a hole in the market they wanted to fill. As a realtor herself, who started selling real estate out of her dorm room in college, Andresen saw the value in an affordable online platform that could connect real estate practitioners and investors. The modest fee, with no contract, is more than paid for in just one deal. Even better, the REI Referral Network is waiving its fee until September so real estate professionals can give it a test run. Not only does the REI Referral Network help you build your relationships, but it also gives you a first look at investment opportunities, many of which are not yet listed publicly. Each week, the network sends out a newsletter to more than 30,000 people featuring one of their member’s listings. Not only do members see the listing, but they also have access to a real-time comparative market analysis for the property, along with information on the market it is located in. Members can access market metrics directly from the newsletters and can see how the asset compares to other listed and sold properties nearby. Because the newsletter is sent nationwide, members can explore markets around the country and then connect with realtors who have expertise in that specific area. The featured asset has a direct link to the listing agent. The network does not take a referral fee because that’s not its mission. The REI Referral Network’s mission is to connect realtors with investors. “You may not realize you have a California investor who wants to buy in Albany, New York, and we take that asset and share market metrics. Now your listing is marketed to more than 30,000 people with no marketing fee,” said Andresen. “Real estate is a relationship business, and this is an opportunity to expand your relationships well beyond where you currently market to. Many realtors only focus on investors in their backyard. This is an opportunity to connect nationally with a partner for a local business, which is traditionally not how real estate is done. So, you’re now creating a strategy as a real estate professional for national engagement.” Agents and brokers can list up to three states and up to 20 counties as areas of expertise on their REI Referral Network profile. This allows agents working in tri-state areas, such as New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to attract clients interested in their entire market. If they develop a strong relationship with an investor and do right by them, they can potentially list the fix-and-flip acquisition again after it has been rehabbed. By developing their relationships with agents, investors put themselves in a position to get a first look at opportunities that hit the market, often before they are made public to other real estate professionals. Post-COVID Trends Andresen stresses that the time to build these relationships is now. Before COVID-19, inventory was low. Many investors were using the build-to-rent model to build their portfolio. However, she believes this trend will change dramatically in the next 60-90 days. “The availability of assets to the investor, post-COVID, is going to significantly increase,” Andresen said. “It was at an all-time low for them, so it will literally go from zero to 60 in a short time. They were competing, and now it’s going to be a feeding frenzy.” The economic burden this crisis has created will result in more REO and foreclosure assets coming to the marketplace, and homeowners’ financial distress will contribute to a buyer’s market. As a result, the rental market will improve as people move from home ownership to renting. Another trend she foresees will be more people working from home now that they have proven their ability to get tasks done away from the office. Although working at the kitchen table may be feasible temporarily, she predicts some families will start upsizing their homes to accommodate one or two home offices. “I project that commercial office space is not going to be as in demand as it was,” she said. Perhaps offices are going to reduce their brick-and-mortar footprint and provide three or four transient offices for those that come in once a month—where it’s not your office, it’s just an office that you use for the week that you’re in it and on-site. Therefore, people are going to need that additional bedroom they may or may not have in their current housing arrangement to accommodate one office, and perhaps two, if a husband and wife have been sequestered to be home.” REI INK launched the REI Referral Network last year without any idea of what was on the horizon. Now that COVID-19 has created new opportunities for both agents and investors, the timing could not be better for real estate professionals to engage in this network, especially since the fees are waived until September. After September, the network will charge agents a nominal fee of $11

by Kelly Scanlon
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SPONSORED Wouldn’t it be great to be able to close a loan for your customer even if they are denied? Sounds too good to be true! But now you can through Trio’s OwnOption Mortgage. Three years ago, Trio launched its OwnOption Mortgage product with a select group of lenders with the sole purpose of responsibly expanding access to credit. Today, lenders across the country are lining up to take advantage of this innovative program. Through Trio, lenders now have access to a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) lease-purchase mortgage product they can originate when a customer is denied. Trio’s affiliates qualify as borrowers under a special program with FHA. Lenders originate a simplified FHA mortgage to Trio’s affiliates and distribute through its partnered FHA issuer and servicer, Land Home Financial Services. Customers then sign a lease-purchase agreement with Trio and take occupancy just like a traditional mortgage. One hundred percent financing is available down to a 580 credit score. The program has no maximum income limits. After customers take occupancy, they have up to three years to finish qualifying. Trio’s HUD-approved counseling agency (Money Management International) provides 24 months of counseling to assist. Once customers are ready, Trio provides down payment assistance covering the required down payment and closings costs. Customers can assume the original FHA OwnOption Mortgage or, if rates have gone down, use a new mortgage to purchase their home from Trio. “From late-stage denials to expanding our third-party origination channel, Land Home Financial has partnered with Trio and its OwnOption Mortgage Program,” says Mark Sheridan, senior vice president of Third-Party Origination. “Lenders, brokers, builders, agents and sellers benefit from a successful closing that would have otherwise resulted in a loss. But, to see customers that were denied for a mortgage returning to our closing offices to become homeowners is very satisfying and proof that Trio’s system works.” And now, Trio has created an online ‘Rules Engine’ that simplifies and automates the process for lenders. According to Land Home Financial Services, Trio’s Rules Engine qualified over 40% of its denied mortgages into an OwnOption Mortgage. Imagine sitting with a customer and realizing they will likely be denied and then being able to offer a ‘back up plan’ that assures them of a path to homeownership. Sheridan, says, “This is a game changer for originators when working with potential homeowners. It expands originations as well as saves deals.” Trio is a finance company based in Bellevue, Washington, that has been offering affordable lease-purchase programs for nearly 20 years. Most industry professionals shy away from lease-purchase programs because most overpromise and underdeliver. What makes Trio different is that each home comes with a single-family mortgage and a fixed purchase price, making ownership affordable. Darryl Lewis, managing director and founder of Trio, is very proud when he tells us, “Trio has over a 70% success rate of transitioning its customers into homeowners.” Needless to say, Trio’s OwnOption Mortgage is a safe alternative for customers having a difficult time getting into a traditional home loan. “Trio’s OwnOption Mortgage was created to bridge the gap between renting and owning, for those who aren’t able to initially qualify for a traditional mortgage,” says Lewis. “Our mission is to create homeowners through responsible innovation. Everything we do goes back to that idea.” Trio’s OwnOption Mortgage helps potential homeowners ranging from first-time buyers to recent college graduates to those with student loans or jobs in the gig economy. An OwnOption Mortgage is also a wonderful option for those lacking a down payment, small business owners, those recovering from a financial or medical setback as well as renters wishing to become homeowners. Lenders have used OwnOption Mortgages to save late stage denials, bridge qualification gaps due to changes in employment, relocation, down payment seasoning and have rescued new construction sales with homebuilders. Sheridan further comments, “Lenders big and small are now using this unique product to expand qualifications and cure deals helping to expand relationships with agents and builders.” Trio and its industry partners have engineered the ‘holy grail of home finance’ that unlocks a new door to homeownership, providing the industry with a new way to originate a mortgage for customers that are nearly qualified, but not yet ready for a direct mortgage. Trio truly provides a win-win-win for all parties involved. iBuyers, homebuilders and single-family rental investors are also working with Trio. Trio pays market pricing for existing rental homes with tenants that may want to convert to homeownership through its OwnOption Mortgage product. Trio purchases in bulk or singles from these investors and offers its lease-purchase program to existing tenants. “Our mission with our investor purchase program is to return affordable homes that were swept up after the housing crisis back to homeownership” says Lewis. Trio is currently offered in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Georgia. “We will be expanding very quickly in 2020 to more states” according to the business development director Aaron Tuttle. “There is a lot of demand for this program, and we are excited to partner with our government housing agencies to bring Trio to potential homeowners in those states.” The Trio Rules Engine will be broadly available at the end of the first quarter of 2020. Lenders who are interested in learning more about Trio’s OwnOption Mortgage or signing up to participate can inquire at the Trio industry website, www.trioresidential.com/lender. “With our Rules Engine launching this year,” said Lewis, “originators everywhere will have a streamlined way to save loan denials and help more people break out of rentership to become homeowners. Everybody wins.”