March 2026

First Home Mortgage Recognized as a Top Performer by the Maryland Mortgage Program

Posted on March 26, 2026March 26, 2026 by Emily Gregory

First Home Mortgage Corporation continues to earn statewide recognition for its impact on homeownership across Maryland, taking home multiple honors at the 2025 annual partner awards hosted by the Maryland Mortgage Program.

The Maryland Mortgage Program has spent more than four decades helping primarily first-time buyers access stable, fixed-rate financing along with down payment and closing cost assistance—and in many cases, student debt relief through its SmartBuy initiative. In a housing market where affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to entry, programs like this are not just helpful—they’re essential.

Against that backdrop, First Home Mortgage stood out in a major way.

Recognized as Top Performing Lender

First Home Mortgage was named Top Performing Lender, the program’s highest distinction for production leadership and commitment to expanding access to homeownership across Maryland.

This recognition reflects more than volume. It highlights consistent engagement with borrowers who benefit most from structured assistance programs and careful loan guidance.

First Home Mortgage’s impact was also reflected in individual recognitions:

Tammi Printz was honored as a Top Producing Loan Officer
Ryan Paquin was named a Top Producing SmartBuy Loan Officer

According to remarks shared during the awards event by Jake Day, the Maryland Mortgage Program continues to help thousands of residents achieve homeownership each year, averaging roughly $1 billion in annual mortgage reservations and supporting more than 3,000 homebuyers in Fiscal Year 2025 alone.

Recognition at this level signals something important: meaningful participation in affordable homeownership programs doesn’t happen by accident. It requires alignment between lenders, borrowers, and public-private housing partnerships.

First Home Mortgage’s continued presence at the top of the program’s performance rankings reflects exactly that kind of alignment and a sustained commitment to helping more Maryland families step confidently into homeownership.

Celebrating Our Washingtonian Best Mortgage Professionals

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Emily Gregory

Each year, Washingtonian recognizes the region’s top mortgage professionals based on feedback from industry peers who know firsthand what it takes to guide clients through one of life’s biggest financial decisions.

We’re proud to share that multiple members of the First Home Mortgage team were named to the Washingtonian Best Mortgage Professionals list, with several also recognized as Elite Producers across Platinum, Gold, and Silver tiers.

These honors reflect what we see every day across our team: deep expertise, strong relationships, and a commitment to helping buyers, homeowners, and partners navigate the market with confidence.

Best Mortgage Professionals (Survey-Based Recognition)

Matt Cox
Joe Dawson
Heather Devoto
Alex Jaffe
Rob Mercer

Elite Producers – Platinum

Heather Devoto
Ryan Paquin
Bradley Restivo
Jason Lerner
Christopher Edge
Ayaz Rahemanji

Elite Producers – Gold

Alexander Jaffe
Charlie Latimer
Jason Nader
Tammi Printz

Elite Producers – Silver

James Moran
Harry Manley
Joseph Dawson
Dolph Hegewisch
Ryan Kurrle
Erin Johnson
Courtney Ficken

Awards like these are especially meaningful because they’re peer-informed and performance-driven. They reflect the trust our loan officers have built not only with clients, but also with the agents, partners, and professionals they collaborate with every day.

Even more exciting is the breadth of representation across our team. Seeing so many First Home Mortgage professionals recognized across multiple award tiers speaks to something bigger than individual success. It highlights a culture built around consistency, responsiveness, and results.

Behind every recognition like this is a network of processors, assistants, operations teams, referral partners, and clients who make the work possible. We’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to raise the bar for service across the region.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees 🎉 Your dedication to your clients and partners continues to make a difference every day—and we’re proud to have you representing First Home Mortgage.

What the 2026 Trigger Lead Legislation Means for Homebuyers

Posted on March 4, 2026March 4, 2026 by Emily Gregory

Starting March 5, 2026, a new federal law called the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act takes effect, bringing significant changes to how consumer credit information can be used during the mortgage process.

If you’ve ever applied for a mortgage and suddenly received a flood of calls, emails, and mailers from lenders you’ve never heard of, you’ve experienced the effects of trigger leads. The new law aims to limit those practices and give homebuyers more control over their personal financial information.

Here’s what the new legislation means for you as a borrower.

What Are Trigger Leads?

Trigger leads occur when a consumer’s credit is pulled for a mortgage application. Credit reporting agencies may then sell that information to other lenders, signaling that the borrower is actively shopping for a home loan.

Because of this, borrowers often begin receiving marketing calls and offers from other lenders almost immediately after applying for a mortgage—even if they never contacted those companies.

For many homebuyers, this can be confusing and overwhelming during an already complex process.

What the New Law Changes

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act updates federal regulations around how credit information can be shared and used for mortgage marketing.

Under the new law, restrictions are placed on when and how trigger leads can be used.

Key changes include:

Stronger privacy protections
Credit reporting agencies will face tighter rules about selling trigger lead data connected to mortgage credit inquiries.

Limits on unsolicited outreach
Lenders who do not already have a relationship with the borrower will have fewer opportunities to contact consumers based solely on a credit inquiry.

Greater borrower control
The legislation is designed to reduce unwanted solicitations and give consumers more control over how their financial information is used.

In short, borrowers should experience fewer unexpected calls and messages after applying for a mortgage.

What This Means for Homebuyers

For many buyers, the most noticeable change will simply be less noise during the mortgage process.

In the past, applying for a loan could trigger dozens of calls or emails from lenders competing for the same business. Under the new rules, that experience should become far less common.

This allows borrowers to:

Focus on working with the lender they selected
Avoid confusion from competing offers
Maintain greater privacy during the homebuying process

The Bottom Line

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act represents a major shift designed to protect consumer data and reduce unwanted marketing during the mortgage process.

Beginning in March 2026, borrowers should experience a more private and streamlined mortgage journey, with fewer unsolicited calls and offers triggered by credit checks.

While the legislation changes how lenders can reach potential borrowers, it also reinforces something that has always been important: preparing financially before beginning the homebuying process can make the experience smoother and more successful.

First Home Mortgage Named One of Mortgage Executive Magazine’s Top 50 Best Companies to Work For

Posted on March 3, 2026March 2, 2026 by Emily Gregory

We are proud to share that First Home Mortgage has been named one of Mortgage Executive Magazine’s Top 50 Best Companies to Work For in the mortgage industry. This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the feedback and experiences of the people who make our company what it is every day.

Each year, Mortgage Executive Magazine surveys loan officers and mortgage professionals across the country to evaluate companies based on culture, leadership, support, technology, and overall employee experience. The results highlight organizations that are truly investing in their people and building environments where professionals can grow and succeed.

For us, this award is about our people.

From the beginning, First Home Mortgage has focused on relationships. We believe strong companies are built on strong communities, both inside and outside the organization. Our goal has always been to support great people, give them the tools and resources they need, and trust them to take care of the clients and partners we serve.

Across every branch and market, our teams stay active in their local communities. Whether that means volunteering, supporting local organizations, sponsoring events, or building meaningful partnerships, our employees bring our mission to life every day. We are not just present in our communities. We are part of them.

We also work hard to create a culture that feels supportive and connected. First Home has always had a family feel, where people celebrate wins together, lean on each other during challenges, and stay focused on delivering a great experience. When people feel valued and supported, it leads to stronger service, better partnerships, and long term success.

As our President Matt Nader shared, “I am proud of the culture we have built and the people who make First Home what it is. This recognition belongs to our team and reflects the way they care about each other, our clients, and our communities.”

We are grateful for this honor and for the employees, clients, and partners who continue to support First Home Mortgage. As we look ahead, our focus remains the same. We will continue investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and building a culture where everyone has the opportunity to grow.

Because at First Home Mortgage, success is measured in relationships.

What’s Driving the Market Right Now

Posted on March 2, 2026March 2, 2026 by Emily Gregory

There is a lot happening in the global economy, and several key factors are influencing interest rates and the housing market. Here is a simple breakdown of what to know.

Global Conflict and Oil Prices

The conflict involving Iran is currently the biggest focus for investors. The main concern is not just oil production, but the potential disruption of trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries a large portion of the world’s oil supply.

If this conflict continues or escalates, oil prices could rise, which would increase costs across the economy and add pressure to inflation. So far, markets appear to have expected some level of tension, which is why the reaction has been more measured than many anticipated.

Inflation Remains the Biggest Focus

Despite global uncertainty, interest rates have moved higher rather than lower. In typical situations, investors move into safer assets like U.S. Treasuries, which helps bring mortgage rates down. However, inflation remains the primary concern right now.

Recent data showed inflation running slightly above expectations, and rising oil prices could make inflation more persistent. Because of this, markets are becoming less confident that the Federal Reserve will cut rates in the near term.

Tariffs and Policy Uncertainty

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the legal authority used to implement certain global tariffs was unconstitutional. While new tariffs have been introduced under a different authority, there is still uncertainty around future trade policy, existing agreements, and the fate of previously collected tariff revenue.

Markets generally do not like uncertainty, but this issue has been discussed for months, so the reaction has been relatively calm so far.

What the Federal Reserve Is Watching

The Federal Reserve is closely monitoring inflation and the labor market. Upcoming employment reports will be especially important in determining the direction of future rate policy. Most analysts do not expect a rate cut at the next Fed meeting.

Housing Policy and Supply

Several housing proposals have been discussed, including longer-term mortgages and limiting institutional investors in the single-family home market. While these ideas may help at the margins, most experts agree they will not be a major solution to the housing supply shortage. That issue is driven by long-term factors and will take time to improve.

The Bottom Line

Markets are currently balancing inflation concerns, global conflict, and policy uncertainty. While volatility may continue, the long-term outlook will depend on inflation trends, energy prices, and overall economic strength. Staying informed and focusing on long-term goals remains the best approach in today’s environment.