She has been a loan consultant with First Bank Mortgage on Baymeadows Road for a month.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
She originates residential mortgages for the St. Augustine area.
WHERE WAS
SHE BEFORE?
She was the sales representative for mortgage credit at North Florida Credit Bureau for over 10 years.
SPECIALIZE IN?
Residential loans, but First Bank Mortgage also handles commercial loans and after she has some time under her belt, so will she.
WHY DID SHE GO INTO MORTGAGES LENDING?
“I was really ready for something new and I didn’t want to go too far away from something I already knew. I’ve known these guys for a long time. I was their sales representative when they were with Fairfield Mortgage and they have a great reputation.”
WHAT TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP WOULD SHE LIKE TO HAVE WITH BUILDERS AND REALTORS?
“I have had a lot of Realtor and builder exposure on the credit end in St. Augustine. For the Realtors and builders that I do know, I want them to know that they can trust me and that all of the decisions are made right here is this office, not in a remote location.”
WHY DID SHE WANT TO WORK FOR FIRST BANK MORTGAGE?
“Because there is already somebody else representing the mortgage companies in St. Augustine. There wasn’t anyone representing First Bank Mortgage in St. Augustine. Since the company is owned by a bank, I thought it was a better opportunity so I could be more competitive than working with a broker.”
BEFORE THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY?
Her husband works for Wal-Mart, so they spent four years traveling around Florida opening new stores.
HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?
“I love it. I’ve been training with them. I try to keep up with them and ask a lot of questions. They are so patient with me and available anytime. They will stop what they are doing in their high volume day just to answer a question.”
WHAT IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Learning how to get my time scheduled. I was in such a comfortable position before because I knew how to do my job very well because I had been doing it for so long. There are so many different facets of this job. I’ve learned to put off paper work until the end of the day. You have to remember to check the rates everyday and adjust the sales information that you will be dropping of to Realtors. It is a lot to remember.”
ADVICE TO
NEW LENDERS?
“To read up on the loan programs that your company offers and pay attention to what your customer is saying to you so that you can fit them into something that they will be comfortable with. Also, always be available on your phone. If you have to send callers to voice mail, get back to either the buyer or the Realtor as soon as possible.”
BIRTHPLACE
Eustis, Fla.
RESIDES
St. Augustine.
CHURCH
St. Anastasia Catholic.
FAMILY
She has been married to Michael for 25 years. They have two daughters, Amanda, 23 and Sarah, 19 and one grandchild, Madison, who is seven months old.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING?
Walking on the beach, watching the television show “Trading Spaces” and riding horses.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
St. Augustine Board of Realtors and she does credit counseling for HabiSaint.
FAVORITES
Her favorite place to visit is St. Maarten in the Caribbean and her favorite restaurant is The Conch House in St. Augustine. She cites “The Big Chill” as her favorite move and Faye Kellerman as her favorite mystery writer.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis