Ed Butler- NMLS 108407

10/19/2026

Sometimes the opportunity isn't missing. You're just missing the ability to pursue it.

A buyer can picture the home they want, even if they haven’t found it. A Realtor can see a possibility in a piece of land. A builder can see what a set of plans could become. A Loan Officer can help explore how the financing might fit.

That’s why Construction-to-Permanent is a conversation worth having.

Cornerstone offers one-time-close construction financing, with construction-department support and draw handling during the build. Conventional, FHA, and VA options give us different paths to explore, depending on the buyer and the project.

To me, being a growth partner means helping people see a possibility and understand what it would take to pursue it.

What opportunities could the right financing solution open?

Program availability, borrower and property eligibility, builder acceptance, and underwriting requirements apply.

👊

10/15/2026

After more than 25 years in the mortgage industry, this statistic made me stop and think.

54% of Gen Z and millennial adults surveyed worried that a mortgage professional might take advantage of them.

Think about that for a minute.

We spend an incredible amount of time talking about rates, products, technology, and ways to make the mortgage process easier.

And those things matter.

But what happens when someone doesn’t trust us enough to even start the conversation?

I’ve always believed that one of the most valuable things we bring to a relationship is our ability to listen.

To understand someone’s circumstances, answer their questions, and help them make informed decisions.

Not everyone knows what questions to ask.

And not everyone feels comfortable asking them.

That leaves me wondering.

Have we become so focused on making the mortgage process easier that we’ve overlooked what it takes to make people comfortable enough to begin?

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10/11/2026

Since we recorded this conversation, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced a temporary policy exception for lenders needing additional time to transition to UAD 3.6. The November 2, 2026 mandate remains in place, but eligible lenders may request an exception allowing additional time to transition.

watch full conversation on our youtube channnel.
https://youtu.be/7xA7sVPT3Ic

10/09/2026

Had an amazing time celebrating with some of the winners of the 2026 Charlotte Parade of Homes last week.
https://www.paradeofhomescharlotte.com/
Nights like this are a great reminder of what this industry looks like when it's at its best — builders, partners and teams coming together to celebrate the work, not just talk about it.

Great to spend the evening with Mark Devita and Lisa Cortez, and to be around so many people doing great work building homes across Charlotte.

Proud to be part of a community like this.

👊

.devita

10/05/2026

Really excited to welcome Elysia Lara to Cornerstone!

Elysia and I have worked together before, so I know firsthand the kind of person we’re getting. She cares about people, takes ownership, gets things done, and just makes the people around her better.

We’ve got some big things we’re building in Charlotte and throughout the Carolinas, and I couldn’t be happier to have Elysia back on the same team and helping us build it.

Welcome to Cornerstone, Elysia! Glad we get to do this again. 👊


home.lending

10/05/2026

Buyers, here's something important: you don't have to have it all figured out before reaching out. The first conversation isn't about pre-approval — it's about figuring out where you're at, where you're trying to go, and how we help you get there. That's where it really starts. 🤝

Watch our full conversation with .Davita on YouTube, where we break down what's driving rates right now, how buy downs work, and how buyers and agents can get creative with financing in today's market. Link in bio!
https://youtu.be/7xA7sVPT3Ic?si=crkxUE9GKgm0S_wB

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10/03/2026

Thinking about another price reduction on your listing? Consider this instead: put those funds toward a temporary rate buy down for your buyers. It can lower their monthly payment and open up real opportunities — for buyers and sellers both. Not every scenario, but always worth running the numbers. 🏡📊

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10/01/2026

Rates are up, but they don't stay up forever. The real key right now? Getting creative with financing so affordability still works for you, think permanent or temporary rate buy downs. 🏡📉
You can contact Mark Devita: [email protected]

🎥 Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel — link in bio!
https://youtu.be/7xA7sVPT3Ic?si=crkxUE9GKgm0S_wB

I sat down with Mark DeVita for a conversation about mortgage, real...

09/26/2026

Everyone wants to know: are rates coming down?

Sat down with .devita to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in our industry — what the Fed actually controls, and what it doesn't.

The Fed raises rates to slow the economy and bring inflation down. Once inflation cools, they start lowering rates. That's the part most people get right.

What most people get wrong: mortgage rates don't move in lockstep with the Fed. A lot of it is already priced in by the bond market, based on what investors expect to happen — not just what the Fed actually does.

No crystal ball here. But understanding the difference matters if you're trying to time anything in this market.

Thanks for the conversation, .devita — always good to talk with people who know this stuff.
You can contact him: [email protected]

09/25/2026

FROM THE FIELD | Boots on the Ground

This picture is from last week with our Adams Homes partners.

Lisa Cortez, Patrick Emerson and I sat down with their sales team to brainstorm Q4 strategies to move more inventory.

Honestly, this is the stuff I love. Not standing in front of a room giving a presentation — sitting around a table having a real conversation.

What's working? What's not? What are buyers struggling with? What could we do differently?

We covered everything from temporary rate buydowns to Cash Edge to buy now, sell later strategies. But it really came down to three things: People. Payment. Products.

How do we help more people? How do we make the payment work? What products or strategies could create an opportunity that wasn't there before?

That's what partnership looks like to me. Not just talking about what we could do — getting around the table and figuring out what we can actually do together.

Boots on the ground, actually doing it. 👊

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Cornerstone Home Lending