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UMortgage Earns Second Consecutive Inc. 5000 Ranking for America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies

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Josh Clayson

Loan Originator |NMLS 1040051

Meet Josh!

As a dedicated mortgage loan officer, I provide expert guidance on one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make—purchasing a home. Whether assisting a new client, collaborating with a referral partner, or helping a family member, I ensure everyone receives the same level of care and support. I am committed to answering all your questions, helping you fully understand the process, and giving you peace of mind knowing you've made a sound decision to protect your financial future and your most valuable asset, your home.

Serving Homebuyers In:

  • Arizona
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah

Mortgage Calculators

Monthly Payment

Affordability

Refinance

VA Entitlement & Payments

Your Mortgage Questions, Answered!

Housing Market Update | Week of October 6th

Mortgage rates remained largely unchanged last week, as the government shutdown prevented the release of several jobs reports, including Friday’s BLS report, that could’ve confirmed a rate cut during the October Fed Meeting. The one report we did get was Wednesday’s ADP employment report, which highlights private payroll job creation. This report showed 32,000 jobs eliminated, making it the second consecutive ADP report with negative figures. Although we’re lacking some crucial economic data, we could see mortgage rates move this week as several members of the Federal Reserve are scheduled to speak during the Community Bank Conference in D.C. We’ll also want to keep an eye on any developments related to the government shutdown. If a resolution is found, we’ll receive our labor reports shortly thereafter, which will likely impact the housing market. Last Week's Mortgage Rate Recap Rates Were Steady Last week was supposed to be jobs week, but the government shutdown prevented the release of our pivotal labor figures. Wednesday’s ADP employment report reported 32,000 jobs lost in September. This is the second consecutive month that ADP has reported job losses, which is especially shocking given that economists had predicted 45,000 jobs would be created in the report. This temporarily brought the 10-year lower, but a lack of more comprehensive data beyond private payrolls prevented a longer-term impact on mortgage rates. This Week's Mortgage Rate Forecast Rates Could Be Stagnant With the shutdown still ongoing, this week is currently looking to be a relatively quiet one in terms of rate movements. We’re continuing to await the end of the government shutdown to receive the jobs data that’s so crucial to the likelihood of another rate cut by the end of the year. While we await that resolution, we’ll also want to keep an eye on the quotes that surface from the Fed members speaking at this week’s Community Bank Conference on Thursday and Friday. If you have any questions or would like updates as we receive new developments on the government shutdown, follow this link to connect with a mortgage expert near you!

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UMortgage Q3 Snapshot: Families Served, Industry Awards, & New Tech

The third quarter of 2025 was a big one for UMortgage as it continued to create life-changing opportunities through homeownership. Between new industry accolades, first-of-its-kind technology, and thousands of families served, Q3 gave UMortgage plenty of momentum to close out the year strong as mortgage rates continue to drop. UMortgage started the quarter with a reminder of the company’s continued growth when it was named to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for the second year in a row. This prestigious award was earned after UMortgage grew its revenue by 716% from 2021 to 2024, helping 21,639 families build generational wealth through homeownership along the way. When mortgage rates dropped in Q3, UMortgage Loan Originators were quick to help homebuyers and homeowners take advantage of newfound affordability and savings. They originated a combined 1,729 mortgages, including 508 VA loans and 410 refinances, in 41 different states across the country. Each of these families received industry-best service throughout their mortgage process as well. UMortgage’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) was 98 out of 100 in Q3. A company’s NPS is earned through single-question surveys sent to clients immediately after closing to gauge their experience when it’s freshest. Positive relationships with borrowers and real estate agents are at the center of UMortgage’s ethos. To help UMortgage Loan Originators track and improve their relationships, UMortgage launched the Referral Partner Relationship Tracker in Q3 on Tempo, its proprietary sales performance tracking app. The Relationship Tracker, launched on August 15, 2025, provides every LO with a simple way to log touchpoints (calls, meetings, texts, and emails), view relationship health at a glance, and receive alerts when they need to reach out, all within Tempo. It’s integrated with ARIVE and Salesforce, so activity is captured automatically, and follow-up never falls through the cracks. The Tempo team is actively working on the Lead Tracker, which provides similar resources to deliver a consistent and excellent experience for individuals seeking a mortgage. The results of these tools within Tempo are more proactive communication with borrowers and agents, stronger referral pipelines, and a better post-closing experience. UMortgage and its Loan Originators are committed to providing prospective homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate with a best-in-class mortgage experience. Ready to learn more? Click here to see the products and services UMortgage offers. If you’re a Loan Originator interested in unlocking the tools available on the UMortgage platform, like Tempo, watch our Loan Originators Powered by UMortgage presentation, and a member of my team will be in touch.

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Red Flags in Lending: Mortgage Points

Imagine this: you’re shopping for a mortgage and see one lender advertising a rate that looks way better than the others. You’re excited, until you find out the fine print. That “too good to be true” rate often comes with thousands of dollars in extra fees to secure that rate, known as mortgage points, added to your closing costs. Unless you know how to spot them, you might be walking into a loan that costs you far more than you planned. The truth is that mortgage points aren’t always a bad thing; they can be a smart financial tool in the right situation. But when lenders advertise them without explaining the cost, it’s a red flag that can leave buyers with sticker shock at the closing table. So, in this blog, we’ll explain what it means to buy down your rate, how to spot whether you’re being charged points before you commit to your mortgage, and some situations where you might want to buy down your rate. What Does It Mean to Buy Down Your Mortgage Rate? Buy down points, also known as mortgage points or discount points, are prepaid interest fees that allow you to lower your interest rate. Typically: 1 point = 1% of the loan amount Each point lowers your rate by about 0.25% For example, on a $400,000 loan, one point would cost you $4,000 and reduce your rate by about 0.25%. To lower your rate by a full percentage point, you may be looking at an upfront cost of $16,000. This is precisely why it can be dangerous to take the flashy interest rate you were offered without reading the fine print. Check out our guide covering the Basics of Rate Buydowns for a deeper dive. How to Spot Buy Down Points on Your Mortgage’s Loan Estimate If you want to know whether the “advertised rate” includes points, look closely at Page 2 of your Loan Estimate. Under Section A: Origination Charges, look for a line that says “___% of Loan Amount (Points).” The dollar amount listed there tells you exactly how much you’re paying for points. This quick check helps you see through the marketing and compare offers on an apples-to-apples basis. Read this blog for more tips to understand the fine print of your loan estimate. When You Might Want to Buy Down Your Mortgage Rate While mortgage points might seem deceiving at times, they aren’t always a trap. In the right situations, they can actually help you save money over time. Here are a few cases where it might make sense: Permanent buydown (long-term homeowners): If you plan to stay in your home for many years, paying up front to reduce your rate could save you more in the long run. Temporary buydown (short-term relief): A 2-1 or 3-2-1 buydown lowers your payments for the first couple of years. This is helpful if you expect your income to grow or plan to refinance soon. When someone else is paying: If a seller, builder, or even your lender offers concessions or credits, using them for a rate buydown can be a great deal. “Buydowns are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but they can be a great option for several reasons,” says Matt Gouge, a UMortgage Loan Originator. “Especially now, a high-interest-rate environment favors a buy-down. Affordability is an issue in a lot of markets, so buy-downs are a great transition from somebody who’s renting for $2,500 to swallowing the pill of a $3,800 mortgage.” Why You Might Not Want to Buy Down Your Mortgage Rate On the other hand, points aren’t always worth it. Here’s why: High upfront costs: Especially on larger loans, points can add tens of thousands to your closing costs. Short-term homeowners: If you plan to move in a few years, you may not save enough each month to recoup the upfront costs. False advertising: Some lenders use low advertised rates that only exist because of costly points. When you finally see your Loan Estimate, you realize your cash due at closing is way higher than expected. That’s why it’s so important to review your Loan Estimate carefully and work with a lender who explains the whole picture. Advice for Homebuyers: Focus on the Numbers That Matter Mortgage points aren’t inherently good or bad. It’s about whether they make sense for your situation. The key is transparency. A trustworthy Loan Originator will show you not just the rate, but also the cash due at closing and your monthly payment. Those are the two numbers that matter most when deciding on a mortgage. “Not everyone who buys a home is a financial expert,” continued Gougé. “When you look through your loan estimate, I always show my buyers the numbers that affect them the most: the purchase price, the monthly payment, and the cash to close. That’s what matters.” At UMortgage, our Loan Originators guide you through every option so you can decide whether points are worth it, without surprises. Fill out this form to get connected with a Loan Originator near you who will help you achieve your homeownership dreams without burning a hole in your pocket.

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