Press

CU Members Mortgage Reveals Three Ways Credit Unions Can Connect with Millennial Homebuyers

DALLAS, TX (July 30, 2013) — With the Millennial generation approaching its prime income-generating years, credit union mortgage services provider CU Members Mortgage points out three ways credit unions can connect with this largest generation in history (90 million) for maximum business potential now and well into the future.

According to CU Members Mortgage Senior Vice President Linda Clampitt, mortgage lenders have been waiting patiently as Millennials are beginning to take advantage of the opportunities in the housing market as they approach their 30s.

“They’ve delayed their entry into the housing market due to high unemployment and student loan debt,” Clampit says. “However, for years now, they’ve lived in their parents homes or rented properties not quite fitting of their own desires and are starting to take the plunge into purchasing their first homes.”

A recent article in USA Today: GenY is finally in a mood to buy (houses) explains that Millennials are well versed in the ways of real estate. They are evaluating the rent versus buy equation and quickly seeing that buying a home is to their advantage. So, what does all this mean to credit unions?

Credit unions must position themselves to connect with Millennials to capitalize on this massive demographic’s potential – and here are three ways they can:

First, educate them in the opportunities available in home buying. Provide rent vs. buy calculators to help them see the savings in purchasing a home. First-time homebuyer seminars are a huge help in getting them motivated and setting proper expectations. Plus, guiding them to understand the availability the market currently holds by building equity will encourage them.
Product availability is a requirement. Often, most Millennials don’t have large sums of cash at their disposal and yet don’t want to delay their housing needs to save a large down payment either. FHA is still a low down payment option for them and if you aren’t offering this product you must realize the necessity it is as this generation has a growing need for lending assistance.
Technology solutions are a must for Millennials. They want their needs met on demand – even with home lending. An online home loan application provides them the opportunity to apply online when they want and need. Make it quickly accessible and easy and they’re hooked.

“Don’t get left behind with this surge of buyers,” Clampitt urges. “It’s not too late to make some of these key changes to ensure when they are ready to buy a home they know the local credit union has all they need.”

About CU Members Mortgage
Founded in 1982 as a division of Colonial Savings, Dallas-based CU Members Mortgage provides comprehensive mortgage services to more than 1,000 credit unions, CUSOs, and leagues nationwide. CU Members Mortgage originates more than $2 billion in FHA, VA, and conventional loans each year. With a portfolio of $20 billion, it is one of the largest servicers of mortgage loans in the United States. Advanced technology, including a dedicated website with an online mortgage application that delivers confirmation in minutes, makes CU Members Mortgage one of the industry’s leading resources for mortgage services. The company is privately held and has branches located nationwide. For more information, visit: www.cumembers.com.