Evergreen Taps Veteran Leader for Major Arizona Mortgage Market Push

BELLEVUE, WA – February 19, 2026 – Evergreen Home Loans has announced a significant strategic move to bolster its presence in the American Southwest, appointing mortgage industry veteran Dana Klarr as its new Area Manager for Arizona. The appointment signals an aggressive expansion plan for the Bellevue-based lender, timed to capitalize on a stabilizing Arizona housing market and backed by substantial investments in technology, products, and personnel.

Klarr, who brings over three decades of experience in mortgage lending, will be based in Arizona and tasked with spearheading growth across the state and surrounding markets. Her appointment comes as Evergreen enters what it calls a “new era of growth,” aiming to capture market share in one of the nation’s most dynamic real estate landscapes.

A Strategic Push into a Stabilizing Market

Evergreen's expansion comes at a pivotal moment for the Arizona mortgage market. After years of volatility marked by high interest rates and scarce inventory, the market in 2026 is showing signs of normalization, creating a more predictable environment for lenders and homebuyers alike. While affordability remains a persistent challenge, several key trends suggest a window of opportunity for a well-capitalized lender.

Mortgage rates, which hovered in the 6-7% range for much of 2025, are projected to hold steady in the low-to-mid 6% range throughout 2026. Data from Freddie Mac in early February shows the 30-year fixed rate averaging around 6.11%, a level that, while historically elevated, provides a degree of stability for market participants. This moderation is coupled with a notable increase in housing supply. In mid-2025, the number of homes for sale in Arizona was up nearly 25% year-over-year, and inventory is forecast to rise another 5-10% in 2026. This gives buyers more options and negotiating power, evidenced by homes staying on the market longer—a median of 62 days as of last summer—and a rise in seller concessions.

While home prices have cooled from their frantic peaks, the state's robust economic drivers, including a booming semiconductor manufacturing sector and significant infrastructure investments, continue to fuel housing demand. This underlying economic strength suggests that Evergreen is not just entering a cooling market, but rather a maturing one with sustainable long-term growth potential.

The Klarr Factor: A Veteran to Lead the Charge

At the center of Evergreen’s strategy is the appointment of Dana Klarr. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Klarr brings a deep well of experience in production growth, operational leadership, and building high-performing teams. Her proven track record is seen as essential for navigating the complexities of the Arizona market and attracting top-tier talent.

In her new role, Klarr will focus on recruiting experienced Loan Officers and Branch Managers while fostering a culture of discipline and accountability. Based out of Evergreen’s Tempe office, she is licensed under NMLS ID 780833 and brings direct, on-the-ground experience from a prior role as a Mortgage Loan Originator with USA Mortgage.

Company leadership views her expertise as a critical asset. "Dana's experience and leadership will play an important role in our continued momentum in Arizona and surrounding areas," said Joe Moley, EVP – Divisional Manager at Evergreen Home Loans. "She brings the depth, structure, and forward-thinking mindset that align with our long-term growth strategy."

Klarr's leadership philosophy, which blends strategic vision with a focus on execution, is expected to position Evergreen’s new and existing teams to compete effectively against the region's established players.

Arming for Competition: Evergreen's 'New Era of Growth'

To support this regional offensive, Evergreen Home Loans is undertaking a company-wide initiative focused on significant internal investment. This “new era of growth” involves a multi-pronged approach to fortify its competitive advantages. The company is enhancing its marketing support to increase brand visibility and provide its loan officers with more powerful promotional tools.

Furthermore, Evergreen is expanding its product offerings beyond its existing robust suite of FHA, VA, Conventional, Jumbo, and construction loans. This move is designed to meet evolving borrower needs in a market where flexibility can be a key differentiator. A core component of this strategy is the modernization of its technology platform, providing loan officers and branch leaders with advanced tools to streamline operations and improve the client experience.

By strengthening its operational infrastructure at the regional level, Evergreen aims to ensure that its growth is both rapid and sustainable. This investment in back-end support and local management is crucial for maintaining the company's service promise of delivering loans “On Time and As Promised®” as it scales its operations.

Navigating a Crowded Field

Evergreen Home Loans is stepping into a highly competitive arena. The Arizona mortgage market is dominated by a mix of national giants like United Wholesale Mortgage and Rocket Mortgage, as well as strong regional and local players including Chandler-based Geneva Financial and Tucson-based NOVA Home Loans. These companies have deep roots and significant market share, creating a formidable competitive landscape.

Evergreen’s strategy appears to acknowledge this reality by combining proven leadership with the necessary tools and support to attract top talent away from competitors. The company is betting that its commitment to a stable, innovative, and performance-driven culture will appeal to mortgage professionals seeking a new platform for success. Recent policy shifts, such as Fannie Mae’s move away from a strict minimum credit score, could also expand the pool of eligible borrowers, creating new opportunities for lenders equipped to serve a broader clientele.

With an established office in Tempe as a launchpad, Evergreen’s intensified focus on Arizona represents a calculated and aggressive push to transform its existing footprint into a dominant regional presence. The success of this expansion will depend on Klarr’s ability to build a formidable team and the company's capacity to deliver on its promise of a superior lending platform.