Allison Barlow has been with the company for 10 years, since it was First Union. She started out as a financial sales representative doing investments, equity lines and home equity loans. After four years, she went through the training to be a loan officer and realized she enjoyed the lending side more than investments. “With investments, I had no control over the people losing their money and the comfort zone wasn’t there. With the loans, I was helping people. I was getting them into homes and making customers happy all the time.”
BEFORE MORTGAGES?
She was a licensed assistant to the stockbroker at Paine Webber in Vero Beach.
COLLEGE
She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and multi-national business from Florida State University.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CO-WORKER?
Barlow said she was told to make sure to follow-up with everyone involved in the loan process.
LIKE ABOUT LENDING?
“I like working with customers and getting to know them. I like getting them into a home or if we are refinancing, saving them money.”
WHO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS?
Wachovia clients, Realtors and builders.
ADVICE FOR REALTORS WHEN DEALING WITH LOAN OFFICERS?
Barlow said to keep open communication with the loan officer. “Stay in contact with them and let them know if there are any changes as far as closing dates or anything of that nature so the loan officer can make sure we hit the same goal of closing on time.”
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET CLOSER TO REALTORS AND BUILDERS?
“Being involved in Realtor and community activities. It helps to get to know them on a personal level and let them know you are a good person and that you would treat their customers the same as any individual.”
HOW ARE REALTORS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“They are our bread and butter. They essentially assist us to do well in our business so they need to be treated like gold.”
PET PEEVES?
Barlow said she has a problem with people disclosing inaccurately to customers. “It makes our job a lot harder. You need to be up front and honest with customers.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Junior Service League, St. Augustine Women’s Council of Realtors, St. Augustine/St. Johns County Board of Realtors.
WHY ATTEND THESE ORGANIZATIONS?
“To get to know people and find out what is going on in the community. I think it is important to give back to the community. It makes you feel good just being involved and helping.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“To be as upfront as possible and let the customer know everything that will happen through the entire process until closing so there are no surprises.”
HOMETOWN?
St. Augustine.
RESIDES
St. Augustine Beach.
PERSONAL SIDE?
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and going to the beach or pool. She has been married to Lee, an aircraft lead worker with Northrop Grumman, for nine years. They have two children, Nicholas, 4 and Brooke, 1. When she needs a break, she enjoys going on cruise ships or for a change of weather, visiting mountains. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Alias.” A movie she would recommend was “Meet the Parents.” When dining out, she enjoys Creekside in St. Augustine
-by Michele Newbern Gillis