How long have you been in the mortgage business and what inspired you to get into it?
Since 2002
Who is your typical customer and what questions do they typically have?
There is no typical anymore. My typical client is any referral from a past customer.
What specific steps do you use to help your customers find the best home loan for them?
First and foremost, it's about identifying a borrowers comfort level with monthly payment and then building a box that the property fits into from a financial standpoint. If a strong foundation is laid from the get go from an education standpoint, the mortgage process itself should be fairly simple.
How long have you been in the mortgage business? What awards have you won?
I have been awarded the Top 1% Award for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. I have also been in Guaranteed Rates President's Club for those same years.
What are the pros and cons of a fixed rate mortgage versus an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM)?
It really depends on the client and what their goals are for the property. There is no one way to finance a mortgage and you should always go through the options that best meet the needs of the individual borrower.
What advice would you give new or first time home buyers?
Do your homework, team up with great partners and be prepared. The preparation and the people you work with from Realtor, to Mortgage to Attorney, can be the difference between getting your dream home or losing it to someone else.
Tell us about a mortgage product that consumers may not be aware of?
ARM's. There is still a lot of stigma about Adjustable Rate products, but the reality is that most of the borrowers that have had Adjustable Rates over the past ten years have made out much better than their counterparts in fixed rate mortgages.
How has the mortgage industry changed since you started, and what would you expect in the future?
We are so much more efficient and transparent than we were when I first started. The ability to apply online, upload documentation to a secure system, and then to finally docusign the majority of paperwork leading up to closing has been a game changer. Just think, it was only a few years ago that we were still faxing all of our documentation, or sending in overnight packages.
What part of the home loan process do customers find most difficult and how do you help them through it?
I admit, we ask for a lot of documentation. I do see that changing over the next couple of years, but for now it does seem overwhelming to people at times. I would say documenting a paper trail of assets once under contract can be the most cumbersome part of the process. With a little coaching up front though, this can be made a lot easier.
What are the top 3 misconceptions people have about the home loan process?
1. That the pre-approval process takes weeks or months when it should only take a few minutes or a few hours.
2. That you need 20% down to obtain a home loan.
3. That we need original documentation when in fact everything can be done electronically.
What resources could you recommend that borrowers use to learn more about the mortgage process and how to ensure a successful home closing?
My website at Guaranteed Rate is the best resource I could recommend.
What can borrowers do to ensure a smooth mortgage underwriting process?
Spend the necessary amount of time up front to get pre-approved with someone you trust.
Are you active in any local associations or community groups, and at what level? What goals and/or success have you helped these groups achieve?
I'm a member of the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce and a past board member. I also sit on the Board of the Guaranteed Rate Foundation.
Summary of where you grew up: family, affiliations, college, high school, etc.
I grew up in Buffalo Grove and Arlington Hts, IL. I attended St Mary School in Buffalo Grove, Buffalo Grove High School. I graduated from Winona State University with a degree in History and Political Science.
What provides you with the most satisfaction in your job as a Loan Officer?
Helping borrowers close on their home. Whether is a first time purchase, that second home with their growing families, or that lake property in Wisconsin or Michigan, it's the satisfaction that we got them into their home.
What do you enjoy doing most in your spare time when you are not helping people with their home loans?
I like to vacation with my Family. I'm an awful guitar player, but a pretty good cook.
