Today on the show, Skip talks with Paul Sushereba (MLB Wholesale/Retail non-QM lead; mortgage since 2010, based in Dayton, OH) about what non-QM is and where it’s headed. Paul explains non-QM’s two main lanes: DSCR business-purpose investor loans and alt-doc options for self-employed/complex income (bank statements, P&L, 1099).

He stresses non-QM is not subprime and often features strong borrowers. Trends include expanding offerings, more secondary-market interest, and growing pains: geographic lending limits and fraud in markets like Philadelphia, Baltimore City, Indianapolis, and caution in Memphis (occupancy and appraisal/cash-out issues).

Advice for LOs: lean on a knowledgeable AE, use lender matrices, and default investors to DSCR; non-QM can also price well for second homes. Paul highlights MLB’s mix-and-match income and asset utilization (36-month depletion) programs. Episode ends with Paul’s triathlon background and MLB contact options, including a 7am–7pm ET non-QM hotline at mlbwholesale.com.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Welcome & Meet Paul Ariba (Ohio vs. Jersey)

00:48 Paul’s Mortgage Background & Non-QM Role at MLB

01:50 Non-QM 101: DSCR + Alt-Income (and why it’s not subprime)

03:07 What’s Changing in Non-QM: Growth, Data, and New Opportunities

03:51 DSCR Growing Pains: Geo Restrictions, Occupancy & Appraisal Fraud

06:00 How LOs Can Start Winning with Non-QM (Guidelines, Gray Areas, Matrices)

08:12 Best-Fit Scenarios: DSCR, Second Homes, and Self-Employed Borrowers

10:19 MLB Program Spotlight: Mix & Match Income + Asset Utilization

12:38 Staying Ahead: Rapid Guideline Changes, Regulation, and Reading the Matrix

14:48 Fraud Reality Check: Private Securitization, AI Risks, and Industry Pushback

17:36 Off-Topic Fun: Paul the Triathlete—Training, Racing, and Life Balance

19:01 How to Reach Paul & Wrap-Up

In this episode of Ain't My First Mortgage Podcast, Skip welcomes back former co-host Kayla Kallander. As a seasoned mortgage lender with a decade of experience, Kayla shares her rise to success, setting new personal records in 2025 with $43 million in loans.

She discusses the importance of strong systems, consistency, and leveraging social media for business growth. Kayla emphasizes the value of being authentic online and offers practical advice for loan officers looking to enhance their social media presence. The episode wraps up with some trivia about Kayla’s home state.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:13 Meet Kayla Kallander

02:36 Kayla's Record-Breaking Year

04:05 Scaling the Business

07:07 The Importance of Systems and Consistency

09:25 Leveraging Technology in Mortgage Lending

12:14 Social Media Strategies for Loan Officers

14:31 N. Dakota Trivia Fun

17:39 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

In this episode of Ain't My First Mortgage Podcast, Skip welcomes Heather Arato from the Einfach Group. Heather discusses her role in optimizing efficiencies for title companies and lenders, highlights her involvement with Women in Title, and addresses some of the challenges within the industry including scalability issues and fraud. She also shares her inspiration for Title Talk Tuesday and underscores the importance of collaboration between the mortgage and title worlds. The episode “raps” up with Heather's taking on some 90s rap trivia.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Welcome to Ain't My First Mortgage Podcast

00:24 Introducing Heather Arato

00:42 The Einfach Group and Its Services

01:19 Women in Title: Empowering Women in the Industry

02:50 Expanding into Mortgage Lending

03:06 Challenges in the Title Industry

05:26 Women in Title: Heather's Involvement

07:36 Title Talk Tuesday: Educating the Masses

09:52 Hot Topics in the Title Industry

12:22 Addressing the Aging Workforce in Title Industry

13:03 Resources for Fraud Prevention in Mortgage Business

15:09 Collaborative Efforts to Attract New Talent

17:49 Connecting with Industry Peers

18:25 90s Rap Trivia Challenge

If you don't know Ashley, you'd better get acquainted because she is working hard for the mortgage industry not only in Louisiana but across the southeast! Join us as we chat about her background, what she's doing at Eustis, and how the Louisiana MBA is making a difference. This one is a must listen for all involved in our industry and who want to learn from a master networker!

In the first of these style episodes, Skip discusses industry news and talking points that are important to know.

Welcome to the first episode of Ain't My First Mortgage Podcast, with our host Skip Willcox! Today, Skip welcomes Peter Benjamin, President of the American Credit Union Mortgage Association (ACUMA). They discuss Peter's personal and professional background, ACUMA's events and initiatives, and the organization's focus on improving access to educational resources for credit union mortgage professionals. Peter shares insights on the mortgage industry in 2026, the strategic use of secondary markets by credit unions, and the industry's outlook.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Welcome to Ain't My First Mortgage Podcast

00:26 Meet Peter Benjamin: Father, Brewer, and President of Acuma

01:06 Acuma's Mission and Events

02:04 The Importance of Networking at Acuma Events

03:05 Acuma's Focus for 2026: Access and Education

06:25 Exciting Experiences at Acuma Summits

07:33 The Mortgage Industry in 2026: Trends and Predictions

10:27 Credit Unions and Risk Management

13:39 Final Thoughts and Trivia