Karen Bohaning has been the branch manager of Countrywide Home Loans San Jose office for 10 and a half years.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I am a producing manager. I manage our sales force as well as oversee the operations of the branch.” She oversees 15 people at her office, including five loan officers and 10 internal operations staff.
HER HISTORY
Bohaning was with Barnett Bank for 21 years. Her last position was as operations manager over the residential real estate department. Before Barnett, she was with First Federal Savings and Loan for two years.
HOW HAS YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELPED YOU?
“I was on the servicing side at First Federal and when I first started with Barnett, so coming on the opposite side helped me to understand what is involved with loans once a customer closes. That was really my stepping stone into origination of residential mortgages.”
WHY GO INTO BANKING?
“It was a good opportunity to work at First Federal. It was good experience to get involved from that side of it. Then Barnett came along and was opening a mortgage department through Barnett Mortgage Company and I was offered a position with them. I was still in servicing, just with a different company. I then went from an administrative assistant at Barnett Bank to the senior vice president over the production department. That’s how I got into the production piece of residential real estate.”
HOW ARE REALTORS AND BUILDERS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“They are our lifeblood to our customers. The consumers have gotten more educated over the years, but I still feel the Realtors somewhat direct their clients to mortgage companies. We have preferred relationships with builders and they are very critical because they really do direct where their buyers are going for financing.”
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Bohaning said it was working with people.
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICER?
“Communication and availability are most critical.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“You have to have honesty and integrity.”
PET PEEVES?
“The hardest thing is when you let someone know the documentation that is required. We provide that to them in writing. If the customer doesn’t follow through with getting us that information than that can put us in a bad situation. That is probably my biggest pet peeve.”
WHAT IS ONE BEST THING THAT YOU COULD TELL A LENDER?
“To have trust in your lender.”
AVERAGE LOAN SIZE IN MANDARIN?
Bohaning said it was approximately $170,000. Bohaning said the trends she sees in her area are re-sales and new construction. “We are seeing a lot of activity on investment properties.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, Northeast Florida Builders Association, Women’s Council of Realtors and Jacksonville Chamber of Council.
HOMETOWN?
Jacksonville.
RESIDES?
Mandarin.
CHURCH
Lakewood United Methodist.
PERSONAL SIDE?
She has been married to Mike, an interior designer, for 27 years. They have a Shih Tzu named Maggie. When she is not working she enjoys gourmet cooking and taking cooking classes. The last movie she saw and would recommend is “Love Actually.” When dining out she enjoys Matthew’s in San Marco. Her favorite getaway spot is Bermuda. A book she has read and would recommend is “Raving Fans” by Ken Blanchard.
- by Michele
Newbern Gillis