Danny Stella has been a loan officer with Prodigy Mortgage Corporation in San Marco since September 2004.
WHAT DOES HE DO?
Originate residential and commercial mortgage loans.
AREA HE COVERS?
He can sell anywhere in the state of Florida, but Stella concentrates on Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Clay and Putnam counties.
BEFORE MORTGAGES?
Stella was in the home security business for 10 years, most recently with ADT Securities. Before that he was in the fundraising industry for 15 years, most recently with his own company, Stella Enterprises, and before that he sold Bibles door-to-door during college.
HOW DID YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THESE THREE VERY DIVERSE CAREERS HELP YOU NOW?
His connections with builders and Realtors from his past jobs have helped him a great deal with leads in his new career. All the careers involved sales, so that has helped him now. “It was all sales; it’s just a different product.”
HOW DID HE GET THE JOB WITH PRODIGY?
“I did all the security and access control for the owner of Prodigy Mortgage Corporation five years ago and he asked me to come work for him, but I was happy doing what I was doing. I was promised a lot of things in the security business from two different companies that were never delivered. So, I get fed up with that industry.” He interviewed at several mortgage companies and felt Prodigy best fit his needs. Prodigy has been open for five years and currently has six loan officers.
WHY THE MORTGAGE BUSINESS?
“I heard about the mortgage business from many people. I had a friend that went into the mortgage business who was in the security business and he did well. I figured if he could do it then I can. I have someone to fall back on. The owner of this company was my wife’s boss for 10 years at BellSouth, so I have a lot of confidence and trust in him.”
HOW ARE REALTORS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“They are 95 percent of our business, other than our referral business.”
HOW DO YOU GET BUSINESS?
Stella has been having a lot of success by networking with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Southside Businessman’s Club. “I also have a lot of commercial and residential contacts from the security business that I keep in touch with.”
ADVICE FOR REALTORS TO MAKE LOAN EXPERIENCE BETTER FOR THE BUYER?
“Make sure they are pre-qualified and pick a mortgage person who doesn’t and will not mislead that customer to believe that they are pre-approved without poking and prodding like they should.”
HOW CAN REALTORS HELP YOU?
Stella said he would think it would help Realtors to learn more about the mortgage business, so they can answer some of their customer’s questions. “Realtors can learn a lot going to mortgage seminars. The more they know the more they are going to save their customer time once they come to us. It’s helpful to be educated about mortgages, but not to say too much to the customer.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT LENDING?
Stella enjoys the thrill of seeing people walk out of a closing happy. He attends every closing and loves dealing with new home buyers. “It’s exciting, it really is.”
ADVICE TO A NEW LOAN OFFICER?
“Never give up. Keep on knocking and it will come.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“It’s all about prospecting and writing your goals down every day of the week.”
PET PEEVES?
“I didn’t know how cutthroat this business was. Realtors who I have given business to that said they would give me business and didn’t, that was a letdown for me. I’m a trustworthy person and when someone tells me something I believe it. That hurt me more than anything, but I’ve learned to accept it and move on.”
COLLEGE
He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Arkansas.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and Southside Businessman’s Club.
BIRTHPLACE
Arkansas.
MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE?
In 1979 after college.
RESIDES
Mandarin.
FAMILY
He has been married to Deborah for 24 years. They have one daughter, Brittany, 19.
PERSONAL SIDE
When he’s not working, he enjoys working outside in his yard. “I have a big yard and I like to plant things that attract butterflies, birds and other wildlife.” He also enjoys reading and attending St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. His favorite movie of all time is “The Count of Monte Cristo.” A book he recommends is “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David Schwartz.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis