Ben Strube
A Texas native, I graduated from UT Tyler with a degree in Economics and Political Science after a Bill Archer Fellowship at the US Senate. After working briefly at one of the Big Banks, I left banking and started work for other mortgage brokers in the DFW area. In 2020, I started my own company, Mortgage On A Mission.
We are a Texas Real Estate Commission approved school for Continuing Education for real estate agents. My class, “Writing a Stronger Offer (for Buyers with Financing)” helps Texas real estate agents better represent their buyers when a mortgage is involved.
I am a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, a Texas Master Naturalist, and a past supporter of the Texas Homeless Network and International Rescue Committee. I enjoy cooking, gardening, and reading good books, and taking time to go on nature walks and traveling. Two favorite trips have been: Vancouver, Canada and Mexico City (amazing art and history, highly recommended, ask me for an itinerary or ideas if you plan to go!). I believe that success is shared, and that doing the most good means sharing success with others, and that government regulation of my industry is an absolute necessity.
Success is Shared
When I was a banker, a customer asked me, “Should I take out this loan?” I had to decide in that moment whether I would give good advice, and help her decide what was right for her situation, even if it wasn’t best for me or the bank.
I went on to open my business, Mortgage On A Mission, to help other Texas families needing the best advice for their home loan. I believe that success is shared, and it’s built by a community that helps each other. These are three of my favorite books that have helped me over the years. If you haven’t read these, let me know. I’ll send you a copy.
Favorite Books for 2023
Financing the American Dream
Countrywide lent $1.5 Trillion for home loans, between 2002 and 2005, and created extraordinary profitability for their owners. But the profit was created from loans they knew to be fraudulent.
Illegal Profits
Countrywide loan officers made higher commission when they charged higher rates and fees than home buyers qualified for. Between 2004 and 2008, the company earned profits and paid their employees for conduct that was unlawful under the Fair Housing Act.
Eyes Wide Open
Countrywide was aware that its loans were low-quality, even as they promised otherwise. Their awareness of their fraud resulted in financial losses of almost $1 billion to the US housing market.
Consumer Protection Needed
Problems of ethics and integrity continue to persist in the mortgage industry. In December 2020, a mortgage lender agreed to pay nearly $90 million to assist 115,000 home owners it was accused of harming, some of whom lost their home to foreclosure.