Colette Horne is the branch manager of the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Fernandina Beach.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
She originates loans, support the staff in their efforts to originate and build a partner relationship with the builders and Realtors.
HOW IS WORKING ON AMELIA ISLAND DIFFERENT?
“The market and the type of buyers are a little different than you would see in Jacksonville. We have a lot of second homebuyers and it’s not all just primary residence. We have from the first-time homebuyers all the way up to the multi million-dollar buyers. There is a real broad range of buyers.”
WHERE WAS SHE BEFORE WELLS FARGO?
Countrywide Home Loans for two years and Bank of America for seven years before that. “I was a loan officer with Countrywide Home Loans and with Bank of America I underwrote and processed.”
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU NOW?
“It’s incredible. With the underwriting and processing, underwriters have to make sure they know all the guidelines for varied loans. That helped me a lot on this end because I can put the loan together knowing that when it goes to underwriting it will be approved because I’ve underwritten. The difference you see with a loan officer who doesn’t have that background is that they have to learn the guidelines and know how to structure the deal to get it approved.”
HOW LONG AS A BRANCH MANAGER?
Since December, 2002. They moved to their new location off of Sadler Road in June 2003 and expanded. “We are really growing.”
BEFORE LENDING?
She taught preschool for a year and was a stay-at-home mom prior to that.
WHAT MADE HER DECIDE TO GO INTO LENDING?
“I started with Bank of America in the branch office and then went into the sales department. I loved sales. I loved helping people meet their needs, finding out what they needed and being able to help them. I’m really good at numbers so I am really good at financing side. That is my strong point and when I really got into it, I loved it.”
SPECIALTY
“My specialty is the builders. I work with Realtors, but I am a new construction specialist. Let’s say I have someone coming in who wants to build a home. Well, they usually have a home to sell, so that’s when I refer them to a Realtor. I have a lot of accounts with builders who send us their business. It helps because we can hook up the Realtors with those buyers who are moving. They usually come in and get pre-approved to build a home and then they look at selling their old home. So, we are able to turn a lot of business back over to the Realtors.”
HOW ARE REALTORS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“They are very important. We need them to function. I mean they are our partners. They refer us business and the source of where our business comes from. Then we refer business back to them and work like a team.”
ONE BEST THING YOU COULD TELL A REALTOR?
“To really find the right lender partner who works with you and for you to help you succeed.”
HOW CAN REALTORS HELP YOU?
“I think you really need to know the customer and what their need is. If they knew it was a first-time buyer, then I know right up front, I need to counsel them.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT LENDING?
“The relationships with our partners and the customers. I like helping provide something that they are in need of and feeling like you’ve given the something of value.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICER?
“Make sure this is what you want to do and this is the avenue you want to take. It requires real strong people skills and make sure you are going to enjoy it.”
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT HELPED YOU GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
“The main thing would be God. He is the primary reason why I’ve made most of my choices and decisions. Also, I’ve had really strong mentors.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
Horne said she has learned to really listen and realize that you can’t assume. “You have to listen and repeat back to a customer what they said so you understand what it is they are trying to tell you.”
PET PEEVES
“Most loan officer’s pet peeves is when someone makes a decision with you and then changes their mind. If you make a commitment, honor that commitment. Some people are just not loyal.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Amelia Island/Nassau County Board of Realtors, Amelia Island - Fernandina Beach - Yulee Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Florida Builders Association and its Sales and Marketing Council.
BIRTHPLACE
Oregon.
RESIDES
Amelia View.
FAMILY
She has been married to Roy for nine years. Between the two of them, they have five children and two grandchildren.
WHAT DOES SHE LIKE TO DO WHEN NOT WORKING?
Spend time with family and grandchildren.
FAVORITES
A movie she saw recently was “The Passion.” When traveling, she enjoys the mountains in Oregon. “I miss Oregon.” When dining out, she enjoys Brett’s Waterway Café, Baxter’s and the Ritz Carlton. Her favorite book is the Bible.
—by Michele Newbern Gillis