14 Jun

Building a Playhouse and a Future

Some kids dream to have a playhouse where they are free to play and let their imaginations soar. Some kids grow up and aspire to build their own house. Catalyst Mortgage partnered with Luther Burbank High School, Building Trades Academy, to bring both ambitions together for the 2018 Catalyst Playhouse Giveaway.

Brandon Haefele, CEO/President, Catalyst Mortgage, sponsored the Building Trades Academy, led by Building Trades Instructor, Andrew Woodward, to build a 6’ x 8’ playhouse to be given away to one lucky family in December 2018. From early March to mid-June, Luther Burbank students dedicated their elective class time to the design and construction of the Catalyst playhouse. A few Senior students took lead on the design of the house. Once the design was approved by Mr. Woodrow, the students took charge of the construction of the playhouse. From the peaked roof, to the dutch front door, to the 6’ tall side “guest adult” entrance on the side, each wood beam and nail was led by the students. This education partnership with Catalyst Mortgage provided additional financial resources to the Building Trades Academy for all expenses for construction of the playhouse as well as additional provisions for projects that are created at the Academy.

Roofing and gutter installation requires specialized training and experience that are outside the curriculum offered in the class. To assist with those aspects of the project, Catalyst Mortgage invited home improvement experts, Byers LeafGuard, Roofing, and Solar, to install roofing and gutters. Jeff Fierstein, General Manager, Byers, led the instructional session on the roofing and gutters and Ray Byers, Jr., Operations Manager, Byers, answered questions from the students about the skills and experience preferred by employers in the construction industry.

Enter to win at the California State Fair at Cal Expo, Sacramento in July. Entries are also available online at catalystmortgage.com/playhouse and at Catalyst Mortgage office at 1375 Exposition Boulevard, Suite 320 Sacramento, CA 95815. The last day to enter the drawing to win the playhouse is December 7, 2018. Content rules and additional information can be found here: catalystmortgage.com/playhouse.

01 Apr

How to compete with out-of-market cash buyers

How to compete with out-of-market cash buyers

Joe Michael, NewsRadio KFBK, reports that Sacramento area home shoppers need to improve their odds of getting the house that they want by being completely pre-approved. Brandon Hafele, CEO/President, Catalyst Mortgage encourages new home shoppers to work with local realtors and mortgage lenders who want to work on your behalf to get you the best deal. Aired on date April 1, 2018.

01 Apr

Even if you’re a first time buyer, you can compete with Bay area cash home buyers

Even if you’re a first time buyer, you can compete with Bay area cash home buyers

Joe Michael, NewsRadio KFBK, reports that Sacramento area shoppers, especially first time home buyers, are having a hard time competing against Bay area buyers for homes in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties. Brandon Haefele, CEO/President, Catalyst Mortage, says that locals shouldn’t give-up hope. Some sellers are willing to pick-up finance offers to keep “local, local.” Aired on date April 1, 2018.

12 Mar

Fox 40 News – Bait and Switch

Bait and switch can in the mortgage industry isn’t a game. It can cost you thousands of dollars. Brandon Haefele, CEO/President, Catalyst Mortgage, talked with Mae Fesai, FOX40 News, about how you can protect yourself from these deceptive lending tactics this morning.

06 Feb

Climbing Interest Rates for Homebuyers

Sacramento housing market: Climbing interest rates, higher prices and fewer homes on the market. What should a home-shopper do? — The CEO/President of Catalyst Mortgage in Sacramento Brandon Haefele is in the studio with Simone with some tips for homebuyers because long-term mortgage rates increased for the fourth-consecutive week, reaching the highest level since March 2017 – causing much concern among many home-shoppers.

04 Jan

Home Lending Limit Increase


Mae Fesai with FOX40 interviews Brandon Haefele, President/CEO of Catalyst Mortgage about how the changes in Fannie Mae/FreddyMac home lending limit may allow more people to qualify for a 30-year fixed Fanny Mae loan.