She has been a licensed mortgage broker with First Capstone Mortgage, Inc. for three years.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I basically bring the money to the table. I help people get financing for homes. I also help individuals refinance and we do commercial loans as well. So, we basically do it all. In addition to regular financing for any type of real estate that is available, we have bi-weekly mortgages and credit repair. So, every client comes in the door, we can help them with something. If they can’t qualify at that time, we can work on their credit so that in six to eight months we will have them in a house.”
UNIQUE BUSINESS CARD?
Brown’s business card looks like a folded $20 bill. “When you are in the finance industry, you want something that shows people that you are making money. It’s very effective. It does the job and makes sure your business card is not getting thrown away. No one throws that card away just because it is so unique.”
FIRST CAPSTONE MORTGAGE?
The company has been open for five years and is located at 816 Broad St. in downtown Jacksonville.
BEFORE BECOMING A MORTGAGE BROKER?
She was a schoolteacher for elementary and middle school children in Duval County for seven years.
HOW DID SHE GET INTO LENDING?
“I was looking for searching for something new and different. I went to a meeting at the Chamber and met the owner of this company. When we met we started talking about real estate investments because I had always wondered about investment properties. He worked with me and we did an investment deal. It was very lucrative. For that reason, I said this is what I’ve been looking for, so I came to work here.”
WHERE DOES YOUR BUSINESS COME FROM?
“Most of our business comes from referrals from past clients.”
DO YOU SEE NORTH FLORIDA’S GROWTH CONTINUING AT THIS LEVEL?
“It’s definitely going to continue. We have the pro football team here and everything is coming to the area. In any publication you look in shows roads being resurfaced, new apartments coming in and people moving back into the downtown to the historic areas. Southside, Arlington and the Beaches are constantly growing. It’s amazing.”
AREA SHE WORKS?
Everywhere. “Since we are in the financing game, it doesn’t matter where the property is.”
HOW ARE REALTORS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“Realtors are so important. They have the people who want the houses and I have the money for them to get the house. So, the two of us come together and it is a beautiful relationship.”
BEST THING THAT YOU COULD TELL A REALTOR?
“For that Realtor to be open to build relationships with other people. Because some Realtors have been shy about working with mortgage brokers because they are not familiar with financing and what happens in the financing game. They think there is only one way to get financing, but I know of several different ways to get financing. We have other options for those individuals who may run into challenges going the regular way.”
WHAT PART OF THE LENDING PROCESS THAT IS MOST DIFFICULT FOR THE CLIENT?
“The most difficult part is for them to have funds for closing. There is some money that needs to exchange hands. A lot of people are not aware of simple things that they can do to make their interest rate even better. For example, having money that has been in the bank for a period of time will lower their interest rate.”
WHAT CAN REALTORS DO TO HELP?
“Realtors can let their clients know that it is very important that they have a rental history of where they are presently staying. Or if they live in a house, they need to make payments with a check because lenders can’t trace money orders or cash. It’s important for them to establish a rental history. Also, they need to tell their clients to put money aside for a significant period of time.”
WHAT HAS HELPED YOU MOST TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
“Being very honest with people. I let them know what is going on. I don’t tell them there will be no problem. I let them know some of the challenges that they may run across. Just letting them know that I will be honest with them throughout the entire process, but at the same time I won’t be calling them about every single problem, because I am going to handle it. They have to be able to trust me. I gain their trust by being honest with them.”
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN FROM AN ASSOCIATE?
“Be flexible and not to take ‘No’ for an answer.”
- by Michele Newbern Gillis