Mitsu O’Riley has been a mortgage broker with First Coast Mortgage in St. Augustine for about a year and a half.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I originate loans, take the information from the customer, figure out the best type of loan program that suits them, research the rates and put together the file as far as collecting the documents, going through the documents and trying to make sure that they are going to fit into the guidelines of the loan that we are looking at getting for them.”
WHERE DOES SHE GET HER CUSTOMERS?
Almost all from referrals from previous customers and Realtors.
HOW DID SHE GET HER START IN MORTGAGES?
O’Riley started with North American Mortgage Corporation as a loan input specialist in Massachusetts. She moved to South Florida for a little while, but decided she didn’t like the area, and decided to move further north. When she moved to St. Augustine, she worked for Bank of St. Augustine for a year and a half as a loan officer. She then got her mortgage broker’s license and went to work for First Coast Mortgage.
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU NOW?
“I learned a lot in a short period of time while at North American Mortgage Corporation. I learned by listening and watching the top people.”
ADVICE FOR REALTORS?
“Find out what experience your mortgage broker has. It is easy to become a mortgage broker in this state and they need to have loan experience to be able to do a good solid job. If a problem comes up they have to have the knowledge to be able to handle it and take care of it. When you are new you don’t have the knowledge to maybe even be able to find the right loan for your customers.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“I really like helping people and the satisfaction that I helped them get into their dream home, investment home, first home or the lot that they bought for their future. It challenges me. Every loan is different, everyone’s financial situation is different and what they want is different. It’s what drives me in my job.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW MORTGAGE BROKER?
“Learn as much as you can about the lending business including underwriting and loan programs.”
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED SINCE YOU’VE BECOME A MORTGAGE BROKER?
“Persistence really works.”
FUTURE GOALS?
“We just bought our dream home so I just want to work hard to pay my mortgage down and enjoy my family life. I want to continue or increase my business.”
PET PEEVES?
“People who keep calling but don’t leave a message.”
PERSONAL
She’s a native of Sharon, Mass. and moved to St. Augustine in 200 when her husband got a job as the executive chef at Sam Snead’s Tavern when it opened the second time.
She is chairperson for the Ways and Means committee of the St. Augustine Women’s Council of Realtors. She is also involved in the Young Professionals Organization and the St. Augustine Chamber of Commerce. She has been married to Jason, who is now a sales representative with a food service, for five years and they have one son.
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. “Lately, my son and I have been going on dates about once a week. That is my favorite time of the week.” The last movie she saw was “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.” Books that she has read with her son and would recommend are “Narnia” by C.S. Lewis and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. “I don’t get to do a lot of adult stuff.” When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Desperate Housewives.” “That is one that I just cannot bear to miss.” Her dream vacation is to take really nice long cruise in visit Mediterranean. Her favorite restaurant is Fuji in St. Augustine.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis