UMortgage exec urges mortgage pros to mind their wellbeing in a volatile economy
The current mortgage market is incredibly challenging, as mortgage rates remain high and affordability remains a limiting factor for home sales. One mortgage executive is unsure what will happen with rates the rest of the year, but he encourages brokers to be ready for when the market loosens up.
Tyler Hodgson (pictured top), executive vice president of growth at UMortgage, also stresses to mortgage brokers the importance of taking care of their mental health as they navigate the volatile market.
Regarding the market conditions that are causing industry-wide stress, Hodgson sees considerable uncertainty in the second half of 2025.
“There's a lot of just uncertainty with the market,” Hodgson told Mortgage Professional America. “I think we still really don't know what tariffs are going to do. Is that hurting the economy, helping the economy, inflationary or not? What's going to happen with the employment numbers in the next three, six, 12 months?
“And the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' [President Trump's new sweeping tax-and-spend legislation], what change is that going to cause now?”
What can be controlled
Not only is there uncertainty in the market, but turmoil is also ongoing between the Federal Reserve and the Trump administration about potential rate cuts.
“The current administration and Powell have their tiffs, and everyone's yelling at Powell to cut rates,” Hodgson said. “Overall, the Fed is just holding steady and just watching. I'm optimistic, but I feel like I've been this way every time anyone would ask me in the last three years. I feel that just a couple of pieces of good data, and the Fed is going to change its tune. But it does seem to be dragging out longer and longer.”
Hodgson’s message to mortgage brokers, and himself, is to just worry about the things that are within arm’s reach.
“As mortgage companies and as originators, we've got to focus on what (we) can control,” he said. “I can't control if the Fed is going to do two more rate cuts this year or change their mind and do three or four, or change their mind and do zero. I can focus on my daily activities, my processes, my systems, and be ready when that time comes. So, when the market does turn a little more favorably, we'll be ready for it.”
Mental health is critical
While the challenging market continues to be a headwind for mortgage brokers, Hodgson said that brokers must be able to step back and maintain their mental health to avoid burnout. He said focusing on mental and physical health is something they stress at UMortgage.
“It's something we've talked about a lot,” Hodgson said. “I mentioned we're big on coaching and development, that includes personal development as well. We’re hoping that people can realize your mental health and your physical health are just as important to your success in business and your longevity in business.”
The cyclical nature of the mortgage business is what he sees as a challenge. Devastating lows can follow incredible highs, and it’s hard for mortgage professionals to be able to balance it all out.
“Having high energy and being able to deal with the ups and downs of the market,” he said. “I think people don't understand. We do, because we're in it every day. If you really step back, our industry is so cyclical, up and down. You deal with these highs and lows on a daily and weekly basis, too.
“A loan officer says, ‘I got two deals under contract,’ and then a week later says, ‘Well, this person rate-shopped me, and this contract fell through. And now I don't have a paycheck this month.’”
In Maine's tight housing market, mortgage broker Skylar Welch (Maine Pointe Lending) is expressing significant frustration over "bot" lenders stealing deals. https://t.co/i1fYiI6BOa
— Mortgage Professional America Magazine (@MPAMagazineUS) July 15, 2025
For brokers who are going to make it through the latest challenging era of lending and emerge on the other side, it’s about finding the balance in life that allows you to keep your mental health in check.
“It's a tough market to be in,” Hodgson said. “So you really have to look holistically at longevity. How can I do this for a long time and stay healthy? And, mentally, family, relationships, business, all of that, all encompassing, because that's what it's going to take to win long term.”
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