Holly Yelton has been a mortgage loan officer with Colonial Bank for five months and specializes in first-time homebuyers. She was with Bank of America for five years prior to joining Colonial Bank.
HER HISTORY?
Yelton has 25 years experience in the mortgage industry. She has been a processor, underwriter, closer, business analyst and manager.
HOW DID SHE GET HER START IN BANKING?
“It was my first job out of college. I was a mortgage loan officer and I’ve been in this industry ever since.”
COLLEGE
She has a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in computer programming from the University of Florida. “I attended one semester at Cambridge University in England.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LENDING?
“Helping others get into a home whether it is a first home or a step-up or something smaller for someone that is retiring. It’s very gratifying to be able to put those keys into the hands of the customer and to see the look on their face at closing. They get so excited.”
HOW DOES ALL OF YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP?
Yelton knows every aspect of mortgage lending that there is to know. “I’ve done every single job from originating the loan to shipping and pulling to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, so I have the complete array of experience.”
BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
“Always be honest with your customers, no exceptions. Don’t promise what you cannot deliver.”
IN THIS BUYER’S MARKET WHAT IS SHE DOING TO DRUM UP BUSINESS?
“Being local, I feel I have an advantage. I continue to market to past customers and advertise in publications. I also specialize in first-time homebuyers who are always in the market regardless of what the economy is doing. People are always going to get married, get divorced, switch jobs, pass away, have more children and grow their family. There is always a need for housing. I stay positive and have a positive outlook. This is not the first time the mortgage industry has seen this. In my opinion, this should not have been a shock to any mortgage loan officer or Realtors out there. This happened in the 1980’s and in the 1990’s.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICERS?
“Always follow-up.”
ADVICE FOR REALTORS WHEN DEALING WITH LOAN OFFICERS?
“In my experience, the sooner the Realtor engages a loan officer in the process to pre-qualify their customer the easier the process goes and it alleviates a lot of unknowns.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Yelton is the immediate past treasurer for the St. Augustine Women’s Council of Realtors, member of the St. Johns Builders Council, president-elect of the St. Augustine/St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Historic Area Council, and a member of the St. Augustine/St. Johns County Board of Realtors and its Realtor Political Action Committee.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis