Top Originator Spotlight: Jenny Barton of Taylor Morrison Home Funding

In this exclusive Q&A, Barton opened up about her mortgage career and how she weathered the “perfect storm” that is 2022. What follows is an edited version of our interview.

Mortgage Professional America: Can you tell us about your mortgage journey? How did you come into the industry?

Jenny Barton: I got straight into the industry the Fall after graduating college. I made a connection with an owner of a small mortgage company sitting at a beer tent at a trap shooting event. He hired me as an entry-level closer and worked my way to a branch processing manager. Once you’re in the industry, you never get out.  I have worked in so many facets of the industry, from origination, to processing, to closing and management. This is an industry that allows you the flexibility to use your skill sets and knowledge in so many ways. I have been fortunate to be able to work in different aspects based on what works for my personal needs during different stages of my life. 

MPA: What are the threats to your business and your success, and how are you handling them? Have you ever been so discouraged you wanted to quit?

JB: In our current environment, threats come from different angles. Rising interest rates driving new home buyers out of the market – both for affordability and qualifying – threatens the number of new people we will have available to help. This could also result in a significant exiting of many lenders. I expect to see some of the same exoduses we did in 2008-2010. Only the strong and reputable will survive. Those that will succeed will be customer focused and offer a fair and competitive product with the service to back it up.