Karen Chartier has been a mortgage loan originator with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. for four years. Her company is located in Alpharetta, Ga., and her home in Ponte Vedra Beach is a satellite office. She is a licensed mortgage consultant in both Georgia and Florida and works in both areas.
Before Fairway?
Chartier said she was in the mortgage meltdown and was bouncing around trying to find a home. She has been in the mortgage industry for 22 years.
More on Fairway
The company was founded in 1996 in Madison, Wis. Fairway has more than 500 agents in 150 branches nationwide and more than 1,500 employees. They are one of the largest correspondent lenders in the nation and handle everything in house as opposed to a broker or wholesaler.
The Mortgage Lady?
Chartier markets herself as "The Mortgage Lady." "It actually came about three years ago when I was putting my website together and I was looking for something catchy for my domain. Themortgagelady.biz was available and it really stuck because people always remember 'The Mortgage Lady.' They may not remember Karen Chartier, but if you say 'The Mortgage Lady,' they remember me and know what I do."
Back to Jacksonville
She grew up in Jacksonville and moved to Atlanta 35 years ago. She moved back here two years ago.
Meeting clients?
Since her office is actually her home, Chartier usually deals with clients over the phone or via email. If they do need to meet, she meets them at coffee shops or Realtor offices.
How did you get into the lending business?
Chartier was a banker for 14 years prior to entering the lending industry. The last bank she worked for was First Union as a bank officer/ branch manager. She underwrote loans and gained sales experience, so it was a natural transition for her to become a mortgage loan originator.
How past experience helps
Chartier's experience with underwriting and sales has helped her immensely. "A lot of people are sales people, but they don't have that underwriting background. It's nice to be able to look at a loan application and know right from the start if it is a viable. I'm a creative person and it helps me to think out of the box and be more creative in helping make loans work."
How's business?
Chartier said things are cranking up and she already prequalifying buyers for summer purchases. "We are looking forward to a really good year."
How do you make yourself stand out with all the competition?
Chartier feels communication is the most important thing. "Aside from the fact that I have 22 years of experience, I'm a great communicator and listener. Communication is the most important part of the whole process. If everyone knows what is going on it alleviates a lot of stress."
Importance of Realtors
She said 65 percent of her business comes from referrals from real estate agents.
Like about lending?
She likes the initial contact with the client and hearing what their scenario is and then setting out on explaining what their options are. "It's not always about the lowest rates sometimes; it's about the lowest payment. I also like meeting so many people from so many different walks of life, from all over the world and different cultural backgrounds."
Family
She is married to Chris Chartier, a Realtor with Exit Real Estate Gallery. They have one son, Zack, 23.
Professional real estate organizations?
Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, Northeast Florida Builders Association and its Sales and Marketing Council, Jacksonville Women's Council of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association of Jacksonville.
Advice for a new loan officer?
Chartier said networking is very important. She said education is also important because things are changing daily in the mortgage industry.
Interesting tidbit about her
Chartier used to be a jazz dance instructor and was a teen model. "I was very active in the drama club in high school. I wanted to move to New York City to become an actress, but my father said 'no.'"
-by Michele Gillis