When it comes to buying a home, some people are ready, some people are willing, but are they actually able to buy? In this episode of World Series of Real Estate, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lisa Somerville, our incredibly talented Director of Operations at THA Mortgage. Lisa’s journey from wealth management in Chicago to leading our mortgage division is nothing short of inspiring. We dove into her background, discussed the challenges buyers face in today’s high-interest-rate environment, and explored solutions like down payment assistance and fast-track closings. Lisa also shared her thoughts on the future of the mortgage industry, including how rate changes might unlock opportunities for both buyers and sellers. It’s always a privilege to work with someone as knowledgeable and passionate as Lisa, and I’m thrilled to have her on our executive leadership team. If you’re curious about the mortgage world or looking for expert insights, this episode is a must-listen!

Topics:

Lisa’s background in wealth management and how it led her to working with THA Mortgage and being on the leadership team for THA brands
What has surprised Lisa most about the mortgage industry recently and the biggest challenges that are presently facing buyers
The rate that Lisa believes will be the magic number that brings sellers off the sidelines and into the marketplace to drive up inventory
Trends that Lisa has seen with financing between existing homes and new construction homes
How Lisa and her team drives clear to closes that are much faster than the market average and different incentives THA currently offers
Different ways Lisa and THA Mortgage win business with consumers, even after they’ve been pre-approved through other companies (plus different fees you should watch out for)
An outlook of the mortgage industry, especially in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania in 2025

Episode Resources:

HousingWire: Elon Musk calls for the CFPB to be ‘deleted’

About Lisa:

Lisa Somerville-Schaffner holds a degree in Environmental Health and began her career in banking during her freshman year at Bowling Green State University, quickly discovering a passion for the financial industry. Starting as a teller, she advanced through various roles, including branch management and business banking, ultimately becoming National Director of Wealth Strategy and Sales in wealth management. After stepping away to focus on family, Lisa returned to the financial world with THA Mortgage, where she now serves as a Mortgage Loan Originator and Director of Sales. In this role, she works closely with clients and agents while leading the mortgage division, bringing expertise, leadership, and a commitment to excellence to The Holden Agency, THA Mortgage, and THA Title.

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn here.

Connect with Jerry here: