Judy Shuster has been a mortgage banker with Ameris Bank since June 2007. She originates residential loans and networks with Realtors to establish working relationships.
HER HISTORY?
Shuster’s history in the real estate industry has run the gamut. She started in real estate as a Realtor in 1975. In 1982, she went into the title insurance business and in 1991 she switched gears and went into the mortgage business. In 1995, she moved to Ft. Lauderdale where she did both mortgages and title insurance. She started out doing mortgages and then managed the Metropolitan Title branch office there for three years. In 1999, she moved to Orange Park and joined Mortgage Source as a loan officer. She stayed there until 2004 and then she joined Professional Mortgage USA as loan officer until 2007 when she joined Ameris Bank as a mortgage banker.
HOW DID SHE GET HER START?
“I was approached when I was in the title insurance business by a manager of a mortgage company and he suggested that I try loan originating, so I became a loan officer.”
FAVORITE THING ABOUT LENDING
“Meeting with the people and trying to help them accomplish what they are wanting to as far as whether they have an adjustable rate they are trying to change to a fixed rate or whatever else they may need.”
HOW DOES PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP?
“It all comes together to complete the process and help you understand what you are doing as a mortgage banker. It just rounds out the whole situation because you have previous experience in all the other sections of the industry.”
BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE?
“As far as professional advise from a co-worker, that would be to just work hard, but what I have discovered through the many years that I have been in the industry is really what I have practiced and found to be true. If you treat everyone you work with, be it a customer, co-worker or whomever it may be, the way you would like to be treated, or better yet, how you would like your children to be treated, things will always work out fine in the end.”
WHAT IS SHE DOING TO DRUM UP BUSINESS?
Shuster is doing seminars, attending more Realtor meetings and getting more involved in the professional organizations.
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICERS?
“They need to be personal and listen to what the customer wants. They need to listen to their likes and dislikes and get to know the customer on a personal basis because it is so very important to know what they want in order to help them.”
ADVICE FOR REALTORS WHEN DEALING WITH LOAN OFFICERS?
“To definitely get the customer pre-qualified before they ever take them out to show them property. It’s very important that they know they can get a mortgage to buy the houses they are looking at.”
AREA SHE FOCUSES ON?
Clay County.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Northeast Florida Builders Association and its Clay County Builders Council, NEFBA and Jacksonville Women’s Council of Realtors. Shuster is also vice chair of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors Southwest Council.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis