LendingTree in the News

Hitting Up the Family Bank
CNN
Stephani Chen
Jan 03, 2011

But Nicole Hall, editor of The LendingTree Blog, cautioned parents against giving more money than they can afford because they may be putting their retirement in jeopardy.

Hall advises these family lenders to clearly lay out the terms, interest, rates and payment schedules to minimize misunderstandings and conflicts.

"Remember, this is a business transaction, even though with family involved there can be more emotion," Hall said. "At the same time, you have to protect  your own financial situation."

Mortgage Company Booming, Lookinng to Hire and Expand
Detriot Free Press
Bob Campbell
Jan 02, 2011

In 2010, the company collaborated with the Michigan Works! program, St. Clair County and St. Clair County Community College to find hires for its St. Clair County mortgage call center.

Much of the business the company gets begins with tips about people seeking mortgages that come from aggregators like Lending Tree.

From there, it's up to the company's mortgage brokers to convince mortgage seekers that the company is their best choice. A competitive rate is important, but delivering on service guarantees of timing, no surprise costs and attention to detail is crucial to winning customers, Walker said.

For Century 21, No Finer Place to be than Downtown
Chicago Tribune
Mary Ellen Podmolik
Dec 17, 2010

LendingTree is in the business of helping consumers comparison shop for financial products like mortgages, but a survey it issued this week provides interesting tidbits on consumer behavior. The gist of it: Americans are good comparison shoppers for a wide range of products, but not for the most costly item they're likely to take on, a mortgage.

A survey for the company by Harris Interactive found that 40 percent of consumers only get one quote on a home loan before locking in a loan commitment. And almost three-quarters of people don't spend more than one full working day shopping for their home loan.

Did You Shop for Your Mortgage?
San Antonio Express
J. Hiller
Dec 16, 2010

A LendingTree.com survey says that just 40 percent of homebuyers shopped their mortgage. Which helps explain why only 28 percent are confident they got the best deal.

“Choosing a mortgage is probably the most important financial decision most of us will ever make, yet many consumers simply take the first offer that comes their way,” said LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda, in a news release.

Attention Home Buyers: Comparison Shop Your Mortgages!
Forbes
Morgan Brennan
Dec 15, 2010

According to LendingTree, which conducted an online survey in September with Harris Interactive,  a hefty40% of the 1,317 homeowners polled do not comparison shop mortgage offers when purchasing a new property.  In other words, 2 out of 5  buyers take the very first home loan deal presented to them, regardless of whether a better one could be had.

The survey also found that 72% of homeowners polled spent only one full working day or less when hunting for mortgage deals.  Even worse, one in 10 spent only the measly amount of time it takes to brush your teeth…even though it’s a decision that will affect the said borrower for the next 15 to 30 years.