RIHousing Recognizes Top Lender and Realtor Partners
Despite challenges of 2020, agency achieved second-highest mortgage lending volume in history
Providence, RI – RIHousing today announced its 2020 top performing lender and real estate partners after recognizing them during the agency’s annual Spring Homebuying event earlier this week. Held virtually this year, the event celebrated those partners that helped RIHousing achieve its second highest mortgage lending volume in its 48-year history. RIHousing recognized industry partners for their exemplary performance and commitment to helping first-time homebuyers, especially when faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“2020 created both challenges and opportunities for Rhode Island homebuyers,” said Carol Ventura, Executive Director of RIHousing. “While buying a home was not an option for many due to loss of income as a result of the pandemic, Rhode Islanders who remained employed were drawn into the market due to record-low interest rates and innovative mortgage products.”
Despite the challenges, RIHousing and its lender partners were able to help 1,593 families purchase their first home, with a total mortgage volume of almost $400 million. Almost 93% of the agency’s 2020 mortgage lending came via RIHousing’s Participating Lenders.
“We couldn’t do the work we do without the support, talent and reach of our partners,” said Peter Pagonis, Director of Homeownership at RIHousing. “With them, our reach goes well beyond our Loan Center in downtown Providence to communities across the state.”
Awards were presented to Main Street Home Loans as the agency’s Participating Lender of the Year. In 2020, Main Street Home Loans funded more than $48 million in mortgage loans for almost 200 homes using RIHousing’s homeownership programs.
The event also offered the opportunity for RIHousing to celebrate agency highlights from 2020, including the launch of its new virtual Homebuyer Education class. Guest speaker, Bryan Greene, Vice President, Policy Advocacy, National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), discussed what NAR is doing to promote a housing market where more options are available and affordable for first-time homebuyers and how lenders and real estate agents can contribute to today’s fair housing efforts.
In addition to celebrating its partnership with Main Street Home Loans, RIHousing also recognized the following for their contributions:
- Top Producing Loan Officers:
- Evelyn Perez, Province Mortgage Associates (Gold Partner)
- Joseph Baptista, Anchor Financial Mortgage and Mauricio Garces, Primary Residential Mortgage (Silver Partners)
- John Dolbec, Fairway Independent Mortgage (formerly of FirstHome Mortgage) (Bronze Partner)
- Sonya Lyon, First Home Mortgage (Clear-to-Close Champion)
- RIHousing Loan Center Originator of the Year: Robert Rocchio, RIHousing
- Realtor of the Year: David Viveiros, Premier Realty Group
The realtor awards recognize those who provide the highest number of first-time homebuyers with mortgages through the RIHousing Loan Center. Top lender partners are also recognized for their achievements on RIHousing’s website at: www.rihousing.com/buyers/participating-lenders.
RIHousing offers an extensive line of loan options for first-time homebuyers, current homeowners and Rhode Islanders looking to improve their homes. Since 1973, RIHousing has helped approximately 85,000 Rhode Islanders purchase a home. RIHousing loans are available through the RIHousing Loan Center and a network of Participating Lenders across the state.
About RIHousing
RIHousing works to ensure that all people who live in Rhode Island can afford a healthy home that meets their needs. RIHousing provides loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, RIHousing is a self-sustaining corporation and receives no state funding for operations. For more information regarding RIHousing, visit our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Click here to see all press releases.
