Bill Emerson appeared a few days back on CNBC discussing any impact an improving Jobs Report may have on mortgage rates.

Emerson also talked about Quicken Loans’ tremendous growth in the past year. Hint: we just about doubled our overall lending volume from $35 billion in mortgages in 2011 to more than $70 billion in mortgages in 2012. If you want to read a few of the reasons why we’ve had such success, check the About Quicken Loans page. It pretty much explains it. That plus interest rates that keep staying down at historic lows for a lot longer than many of us thought they would.

That’s great news for our clients. We couldn’t be happier to offer mortgage refinance and home buying rates that astonish my mother. “Clayton, do you know how high rates were when your dad and I bought the house? We thought 11% was a great rate! Holy cow.” “Yes, mom, you’ve told me many times.” And then I remind her I have a 2.75% 15-year fixed VA loan, which makes her very happy.

I digress. Here’s the video. If you can’t see it, check it out here. And, as always, give us some feedback if you’ve got it.

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Very cool article this past weekend in the NY Times that I wanted to share with our readers who share my love/concern/interest for all things Detroit.

If you’ve read the Zing blog, you probably know that one of the things we write about is Detroit and the revival currently underway downtown. We do that for a simple reason. Quicken Loans is dedicated to rebuilding Detroit. It’s that simple.

So when I see an article like this, that does such a good job of pointing out the many positives that are taking shape down here in Detroit, I share it.

A few highlights about the article:

• Gilbert discussing how, as a young man, he discovered just how much Detroit had been neglected
• How focusing on downtown Detroit will eventually pay off for outer neighborhoods
• Gilbert’s story (it all began selling candy and pizza as a kid)
• Background on how Quicken Loans became the incredible place where I now work and consider myself part of a close family
• Background on Opportunity Detroit
• Lots more good reading

And here, to wet your beak, is a little bit from the article:

THE best way to experience all that is strange and a little otherworldly about downtown Detroit is to walk the streets around 5 p.m. on a weekday. At that hour, you’ll notice not just the peculiarity of what is around you — notably, the gorgeous, Art Deco skyscrapers alongside empty, decrepit buildings — but also what is missing. There is no traffic here. As the workday ends, cars trickle out of underground parking lots and speed off to nearby highways, but in a volume that doesn’t cause delays.

It is just one small sign of how far Detroit’s fortunes have fallen: the birthplace of the mass-produced automobile, the city that gave us the infuriating, bumper-to-bumper commute, is now so sparsely populated that it doesn’t have a rush hour.

So there you have it. Please read the full article and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

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Each Monday in March, we encouraged you to watch HGTV’s Love It or List It for a chance to win $50,000 in HGTV’s Mortgage Madness Watch & Win Sweepstakes presented by Quicken Loans.

We also promised to let you know the winners of the weekly cash prize – and we don’t want to keep you waiting another minute!

These four lucky winners will be using their newfound $50,000 to pay off their mortgage, make home improvements or find a new place to call home:

• Brian M. from Arizona
• Connie D. from Maine
• Maria P. from New York
• Roberta M. from California

Congratulations to the winners and a big thanks to everyone who participated in Mortgage Madness, we hope you enjoyed playing along!

We’ll be sure to let you know about other great opportunities to win cash and prizes throughout 2013, so visit the Quicken Loans Zing! Blog daily for tips about home, money and life!

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Those familiar with the Quicken Loans Family of Companies are sure to be familiar with Fathead, creator of officially licensed sports and entertainment graphics. If you’re not familiar with the company, they create high definition wall decals that stick to your walls without scuffing or ruining them. They specialize in sports graphics, but you can get everything from your favorite football player to an anatomically-correct skeleton gracing your wall. Kids love it because it’s far cooler than your average poster, and it’s about to get much more convenient for kids across the world pining to get a Fathead.

Fathead recently announced the launch of Virtual Piggy, a payment service that allows kids to make their own online purchases without their parents having to stress about it. The Virtual Piggy site is convenient and easy to use; it’s a little puzzling how someone hasn’t executed a concept like this before because it’s so useful. If you’re a parent, just take a few minutes to sign up for an account, and then set the controls for however many kids you have on the account. You decide how much money goes into the account, and your kids can only buy things from sites you approve that Virtual Piggy is working with. The adults always have a final say on what’s purchased, and if your children blow all the money you’ve allocated for them in the first day or two, then this will be their controlled lesson in fiscal responsibility. It’s a truly safe way for your little ones to shop online, because you’re always holding the reins and no personal information is collected from them.

Both companies are pleased with this announcement, and both had great things to say about it in the press release. Michael Layne, director of internet marketing at Fathead said, “Our products are made for fans of all ages and many times it’s the younger fans who get the most excited when they see their favorite player, team or character…With Virtual Piggy, we’re empowering those under 18 to make purchases on their own in a safe, parent approved manner.” Founder and CEO of Virtual Piggy, Dr. Jo Webber, added “Virtual Piggy members have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Fathead…From Derek Jeter to Kobe Bryant, Fathead has the ‘must have’ products for teens and tweens from coast to coast.”

To celebrate and promote the Virtual Piggy/Fathead announcement, anyone who signs up for Virtual Piggy between April 2013 and November 1, 2013, will get a 30% off discount code for Fathead.com. Check out Virtual Piggy here, and get started today.

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Downtown Detroit has changed over the last couple of years to include more living space, retail, entertainment and more. Now, imagine what it will look like in just two more years…that’s what more than 400 business, community and civic leaders did when they gathered on March 28.

Rock Ventures, the Downtown Detroit Partnership and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, revealed a visionary placemaking and retail plan for Detroit’s urban core. What’s placemaking? It’s a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces to create an exciting environment.

The plan is part of the Opportunity Detroit initiative powered by Rock Ventures, which encourages people to live, work, play and invest in the city of Detroit. The plan was created based on several months of research and engagement with key Detroit public and private stakeholders as well as urban consulting firms Project for Public Spaces, Shook Kelly, Gibbs Planning Group and Terremark Partners.

“Downtown Detroit’s geographic location and particularly the half mile from the Detroit River to Grand Circus Park is the most concentrated diversity of urban assets and placemaking opportunities anywhere in the world,” said Fred Kent, Founder of Project for Public Spaces. “From the riverfront, gaming, gourmet dining, sports, culture and entertainment to new retail, Detroit has a winning combination of attractions to reclaim its rightful place as a great American city on the international stage.”

The plan is centered on creating six distinct and unique destinations that draw people to the region, give them an experience that will make them want to return frequently and where they will want to spend more time.

Much of the groundwork for this effort was laid in the past few years by the corporate, foundation, education and health care organizations that continue to reinvest in the city. It also ties together the threads created by Rock Ventures’ purchase of 22 buildings, 3 million square feet of commercial real estate, and nearly $1 billion invested in the Central Business District since 2010.

“Detroit stakeholders need to know this vision is real,” said Dan Gilbert, Chairman and Founder of Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans. “It is a wildly-exciting, incredibly well-thought out plan that will be activated immediately. Residents, office workers and visitors will experience a dramatically different Detroit in two years. We are committed to impacting the outcome and we are relentless in getting every Detroiter to join us in this campaign.”

It’s an exciting time for the city and just another reason why all of us at Quicken Loans believe opportunity is made in Detroit!

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Hudson’s…just the mere mention of it conjures up sweet memories for those who used to shop the iconic store on Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

For more than a decade, the site of the former department store has lived a simple existence, serving as home to an underground parking garage. But the time has come to give that land it’s proper purpose once again – and serve as a place to make new memories.

On March 28, Rock Ventures LLC shared details about Opportunity Detroit’s international design competition soliciting ideas for the vacant 92,421 square-foot site.

Opportunity Detroit is hosting a free, open call for architects, designers, planners, artists, and community members to present ideas for innovative, creative, and inspired designs for the future use of one of the city’s most beloved locations.

According to competition advisor Reed Kroloff, Director of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum, the competition is seeking proposals that:

• Demonstrate original architecture and design concepts
• Present an innovative vision for the site
• Incorporate space for significant retail activity at ground level
• Provide a creative response to the site’s urban context – particularly as a signature project in downtown Detroit

Registration to participate ends April 30, 2013 and can be found at http://hudsons.opportunitydetroit.com. Design submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. EDT on May 31, 2013.

The “Redesigning Detroit” competition will award $15,000 for first prize, $5,000 for second prize and $2,500 for third prize and will culminate with a ceremony in the city and a special exhibition. Winners will be announced on June 12, 2013. Winning an award does not imply that an idea will be developed or built.

For official rules and to learn more about the jurors visit http://hudsons.opportunitydetroit.com. If you have any questions about the competition, email RedesigningDetroit@opportunitydetroit.com.

So get those creative juices flowing and be a part of redesigning and redefining the future of Detroit!

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Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, not to be confused with Papa John’s the pizza place, is coming to downtown Detroit. Bedrock Real Estate Services announced it’s wrapping up plans to bring the popular grocer to the First National Building. It’ll be a welcome addition to the Meijer and Whole Food’s markets slated to open fairly soon.

The 15,000 square foot grocery store will reside next to the Roasting Plant. While meeting the growing demand for a downtown grocer, the new market is also expected to create 80 new jobs in the area.

A native Detroiter, Tony Curtis opened his first store in 1971 at 10 Mile and Schoenherr in Warren and currently has locations in Birmingham and Rochester Hills. “This is a historic opportunity to be on the ground floor of my hometown’s retail revitalization,” said Curtis. “As a grocer, it is a point of pride to bring healthy, fresh groceries and specialty foods back to downtown.”

The downtown Papa Joe’s location will have a wide variety of groceries and include delivery and table service for gourmet pizza, pasta, Thai food, sushi, as well as a full liquor license. They’ll also have an outdoor café so you can soak in the events nearby at Campus Martius and Cadillac Square.

“Papa Joe’s expansion to Detroit will be welcome news to downtown foodies, residents and workers alike who have long lamented the lack of a downtown grocery store,” said Dan Mullen, Bedrock’s Vice President of Real Estate Development at Rock Ventures.

Both groups hope to open the new market by the end of 2013 or early 2014 once the final details are ironed out. Papa Joe’s would be both a destination and an important connecter to other revitalization and placemaking efforts in Campus Martius, Cadillac Square and Lower Woodward.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to be the first truly downtown grocer in years. My head is full of ideas of how to serve people with great products and services in an inviting space with great indoor and outdoor flow,” added Curtis.

We’re excited to have you join us. Welcome to downtown Detroit!

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Hopefully you’ve heard of the contributions that Quicken Loans and many other local businesses have offered to Detroit over the past few weeks. Prior to their generosity, Detroit was struggling to rapidly respond to police and EMS calls. With so many opportunities for growth, Detroit is now in a position to be revitalized which helps further develop a positive image for the city and its citizens.

Current Problems

On any given day, the fire department receives more than 350 calls for service, with the majority of calls for EMS. Many of these ambulances have over 250,000 miles on them, resulting in units rotating in and out of service.

On January 6^th, a 6-year-old died after a fire when an ambulance failed to arrive at his home on Detroit’s west side. Due to the amount of house fires in Detroit and the lack of proper equipment, the city only sends ambulances if they know there are occupants inside the house. Initially, the call came in as a house fire and the fire department was not notified there were occupants until later. The two closest ambulances were either disabled or out on a minor run. Firefighters eventually drove the boy and his brother, also badly burned, to the hospital. Unfortunately, they were only able to save the brother. This is just one of many reasons why Detroit is fortunate that different businesses are helping to bring in updated equipment.

The Future

Quicken Loans, and other local businesses, have joined together to contribute $8 million to provide the city with 23 new ambulances and 100 new police cruisers, also adding 60 new officers in June.

A separate $6 million has been committed for recreation programming in the city. Mayor Bing has made it very clear that these upgrades are for the neighborhoods, so the people of Detroit know they are supported and have not been forgotten.

What to Expect

The new police vehicles will be Dodge Chargers, Ford Tauruses and Chevrolet Caprices and will arrive within 60-90 days. The EMS units will be Horton Terraster ambulances and are expected to arrive in approximately 120 days.

The increase in visibility of police and fire efforts will improve safety and security, and will have a lasting impact on the people who live, work, and play in Detroit. While Detroit has always been an awesome city to visit, it’s comforting to know it’s safer than ever before.

Let us know how you feel about the new, safer Detroit below!

The post Quicken Loans Helping to Make Detroit a Safer Place appeared first on .

The spring season is finally upon us. What does that mean? New expenses are on the horizon. Baseball tickets, rounds of golf and maybe even a vacation are some things I’ll need money for this spring.

If you find yourself in need of a little extra cash, enter the Quicken Loans Bring It Home Sweepstakes. Not familiar with the sweepstakes? Don’t worry. Here’s how it works. When Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet, finishes in the top 5 of any race during the 2013 Sprint Cup season, Quicken Loans will pay one mortgage payment for five lucky winners.

It’s that simple. To date, Ryan has already earned a top-5 finish at the Daytona 500 and has racked up consecutive top-10 finishes the last two weekends. It’s only a matter of time before he earns another top-5 finish and Quicken Loans gives out another five mortgage payments.

YOU could be one of the lucky winners! All you have to do is head over to QLRacing.com and enter to win. You can enter once per week through the end of the season (Nov. 16, 2013). To increase your chances to win, share your unique link with friends to earn up to 10 additional entries.

Why are you still reading this? You’ve got baseball tickets to buy and rounds of golf to play! Enter now!

Good luck!

Quicken Loans Racing Team

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Quicken Loans CEO Bill Emerson recently appeared on Bloomberg TV’s “Market Makers,” with Scarlet Fu and Stephanie Ruhle, to discuss the recent deal with Ally to purchase $34 billion in servicing rights.

This is a huge move and makes us one of the larger mortgage servicers in the nation. Plus, these are great loans to add to the Quicken Loans servicing portfolio. They are performing well and many have interest rates above today’s record-low mortgage rates. Hint: these folks are perfect candidates to save some money with a mortgage refinance and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to do so.

Emerson also talks about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, interest rates remaining low, risk and change in the mortgage industry (and how Quicken Loans has always been able to adapt quickly – you can take my word on that one), the economy and the housing market.

Check out the video below and let us know if you have any comments or questions on the stuff Bill talks about. If you can’t see the video, watch it here.

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