Broker burned by Great Recession rises from the ashes

Somehow, he envisioned a better future for the industry even while in the doldrums. What’s more, he had a better strategy in mind were he given the opportunity at a second chance: “I decided if I was going to do it, I needed to have the business relationship-based and purchase-driven.”

He saw activity occurring even during the darkest days of recession, figuring there would be better days ahead. “Even when the market collapsed last time and prices fell at the 40%, 50% mark, there were people still buying houses at the 40%, 50% mark of what they were appraised for year-after. It was the lowest point in my career, and people were still buying houses.”

It was a period for reflection: “I like being a loan officer,” he said in recalling his recession-fueled musings. “I like providing solutions for people for financing needs. At the end of the day, we’re in the business of selling money. And I wanted to make sure I was aligned with a company that was going to allow me to not only create the best customer experience, but also where I didn’t need to be a salesman but an educator.”

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Ahles now serves as vice president of Edge Home Finance Corp. Founded in 2011, the company employs 450 – 400 of whom are originators. The company posted $2.9 billion in volume last year across 816 units.

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