Josie Taylor has been a home mortgage consultant with Wells Fargo in St. Augustine for eight months.
WHAT DOES SHE DO AT WELLS FARGO?
Originate residential mortgage loans.
WHERE WAS SHE BEFORE?
She worked for Washington Mutual Finance for 10 years in Nashville. “I started out as a customer service representative and worked my way up to management after one year.”
WHY GO INTO LENDING?
“You get to deal with so many different aspects of people and I’ve always loved money and credit. It was the perfect job.”
WHAT’S GOING ON IN ST. AUGUSTINE?
Taylor said the average loan in the area is about $200,000. “The biggest thing going on right now is the condominium conversions. We were the preferred lender at Florida Club and they sold out in two months. They started a fad. It’s just going crazy.”
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU IN YOUR NEW JOB?
“I had customers with ‘A’ credit all the way down to ‘F’ credit so I learned how to work with all different types of customers and their needs.”
SPECIALITY?
FHA loans and condominiums.
HOW ARE REALTORS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“They are the apples of my eye. They are my business. They are the seeds that plant my tree. They are the most important people you can know because that is where I get my business. And in lieu of that, I get my business, and I can give it back to them by referring them to clients. We have a data base set up so that every transaction that I close, I know who the buying and selling Realtor were and they will be put out to five people that I know.”
WHAT SHOULD REALTORS KNOW ABOUT YOU/?
“I go out of my way. I’ll order the survey, do the title work and do the extra steps to make it more convenient for them. I constantly e-mail them with what is going on to keep them updated.” Taylor also makes sure she is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for her customers. “It makes the customer feel comfortable when they know they can reach you at any time and at their convenience.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT LENDING?
Taylor said she enjoys helping people fulfill their dream. “Buying a home is one of the biggest steps you can do. You buy a home, get married and have children. Those are some of the biggest steps in life. It’s an amazing thrill to help someone achieve that.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICERS?
“Get out there and meet people, get on every committee you can get on and volunteer your services.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
She is very involved in the St. Augustine Women’s Council of Realtors and is the secretary for the organization next year. She is also involved in the St. Johns Beaches Council, St. Johns County Builders Council and Habitat for Humanity.
CHANGES AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE WCR?
“We are going to have some interesting speakers and a personality test next year. We are going to do a lot of new things outside the box and make them want to come to the meetings. Instead of us having to beg people to come to the luncheons, they’re going to say ‘Hey! Have you been there? You should go!’ We are going to make it more positive, more motivated and more energized.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“Always be positive, make people feel comfortable and smile. Also, get the job done in a timely manner, under promise and over deliver.”
BIRTHPLACE
Nashville.
PERSONAL SIDE?
She is single and lives with her dog in St. Augustine Beach. When she is not working, she enjoys scuba diving, shopping and cross-stitch. Taylor loves clothes and even has a hand at designing them. Her future ambition is to open a dress/suit shop for businesswomen that are affordable, but unique. Her favorite getaway spots are Jamaica for warm weather and Canada for cold weather. Her favorite movie of all time is “Pretty Woman” and the last one she saw and would recommend is “Shrek 2”. Her favorite place to dine is “Sunset Grille” in St. Augustine. A book she would recommend is “Winning Every Day” by Lou Holtz.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis