Janna Thomas has been a loan officer with DHI Mortgage, a subsidiary of D.R. Horton, for 10 months.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
She originates residential mortgages and helps educate customers on financing options.
WHERE DOES SHE GET HER CUSTOMERS?
Her primary source of customers is from D.R. Horton, but she also networks to find business from customers outside of D.R. Horton.
HOW DID SHE GET HER START IN BANKING?
She has been buying and selling real estate since she was 25 years old. She sold real estate for Watson Realty in 1996 and then moved over to Watson Mortgage where she did loans for eight years.
BEFORE THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY?
She managed an Arthur Murray Dance Studio.
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU NOW?
“The dance studio taught me how to work well with people of all ages, nationalities and demographics. When I was teaching dance it taught me how to educate people and I did the financing for them so they could pay for their lessons. That helped me with the financing side. Selling real estate helped me because I learned that side of the transaction, where sometimes you will have loan officers who come into the mortgage business and have never been on that side of the fence. They really don’t see what the Realtors go through or what their responsibilities are as a loan officer. It was very beneficial for me to have that experience. When I was a real estate agent, I hung on the coat tails of my loan officer. She is actually the one who got me interested in doing the mortgage side.”
ADVICE FOR REALTORS WHEN DEALING WITH LOAN OFFICERS?
Thomas said it is very important to stay in touch. “Remember to follow up with your loan officer because it keeps the customer in the forefront when you are talking about them. If you are constantly in touch with them, it creates a bond and a good working relationship. It forms more of a team and makes the transaction work more smoothly.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“That I get to meet new people all of the time and I get to help the customer financially.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW LOAN OFFICER?
“Learn your programs, return your phone calls quickly and always disclose.”
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
“I guess the old saying ‘This too shall pass.’”
Thomas said when she gets caught up in a harried situation, she can stop herself from getting too caught up in it by remembering that saying. “You are not going to remember this a week from now, a month from now or a year from now. Take it one step at a time, do what you need to do and not let yourself get overblown about a situation you can’t control.”
FUTURE GOALS?
“I’m looking at a three-year goal. At that time I will decide if I will stay in this field or go into business for myself.”
PET PEEVES?
“People that are late.”
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT?
The Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing Council, Jacksonville Women’s Council of Realtors and Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.
HOMETOWN?
Jacksonville.
PERSONAL SIDE?
Thomas has been married to Steve Waligroski for six years. They live in east Arlington. When she is not working she enjoys cooking, dancing, and spending time with her husband. Her favorite movies of all time are “Roxanne” and “The Thirteenth Warrior.” A book she has read and would recommend is “Psycho Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into the Food Network. When traveling she likes visiting St. Augustine. When dining out, she likes the Tree Steakhouse.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis