How long have you been with your company?
Six years.
How long have you been in the industry?
14 years.
How long has your company been in the area?
In Jacksonville, since 1994.
How long has your company been in the business?
AmSouth’s predecessor, The First National Bank of Birmingham, opened its doors in 1880. The bank became a regional bank holding company, AmSouth, in 1970.
How many lending agents do you have?
The Bank has approximately 450 mortgage lenders in the seven state footprint.
How many lenders/agents does your company have in Jacksonville?
Nine
Are there enough qualified lending agents to go around?
I think there are enough at this time and actually maybe too many.
What qualifies an agent?
Experience, education, knowledge of the real estate market in which they work and having been through up-and-down real estate cycles.
What is the best way for a Realtor to get to you?
By telephone. My office number is (904) 998-4983 and my cell phone is (904) 545-3017.
What is your best place for networking with Realtors?
The best events for networking with Realtors have been historically for me the Realtor/Builder breakfasts and luncheons.
What can a Realtor do for the lender, other than prequalify?
Realtors help a great deal in the lending process. Encouraging buyers to provide timely documentation is huge. Accurate information on settlement agent and timing of closing are key also.
What can lenders do for Realtors?
Lenders can make a realtor look like a star. If we make the process seamless and easy, the referring agent is viewed as a competent and professional. A great lender can ease the borrowers and realtors minds so they can move on to more important things such as closing.
What makes your company outstanding?
We have some great people and a full array of products.
What is the biggest challenge that comes with being a lender?
Juggling the time constraints that come with each loan and quick response on each loan inquiry.
What challenges do apartment conversions bring?
Having sufficient comps and obtaining satisfactory condominium approvals.
What is the trend: bigger or smaller mortgages?
Bigger. People seem to stretch their resources as far as they can and prefer to put as little down as possible.
Has Internet lending had much affect on the industry?
Yes. The customer is more educated and aware of the industry.
What should lenders do to assure buyers of the dangers of doing business via the Internet?
I do not know there are really dangers of doing business as much as it is being careful and asking a lot of questions. The Internet can provide helpful information that the customer can use when discussing options and programs with lenders. I have found that most customers still like to work with a real live person on their most expensive and critical purchase.