Mortgage Research Center launches First Residential Independent Mortgage

Mortgage Research Center, LLC, the parent company of Veterans United Home Loans, today announced the launch of First Residential Independent Mortgage, a full-service mortgage lender headquartered in Springfield, Mo. The launch of First Residential Independent Mortgage marks the retirement of the Paddio lending brand, with all current Paddio employees transitioning to roles at the company. The lender also plans to expand its workforce by hiring additional loan officers to meet rising demand. “At First Residential Independent Mortgage, our focus is on enhancing as many lives as possible,” Ryan Kluttz, director of production at First Residential, said in a statement. “We’re building on a strong foundation of purchase expertise and national lending experience. We’ll be growing our team and investing in technology that allows us to deliver a seamless, personalized borrower experience that takes the guesswork out of buying or refinancing a home,” he said. Mortgage Research Center has originated more than 800,000 nationwide loans through its lending operations, which include Veterans United Home Loans, the nation’s number one VA loan provider. The company said it will focus on conventional and FHA lending and will offer down payment assistance programs through existing partnerships. Its mobile app, available on iOS and Android, will allow borrowers to track progress, upload documents and communicate with loan teams in real time. “We believe buying a home should be simple, seamless and centered around you,” Kluttz said. “That belief drives everything we do, from the way we communicate to the tech we build.”