Are you ready to make the life-changing switch to a career as an independent mortgage broker or loan officer? Our team at BeAMortgageBroker.com is here to help you every step of the way.

FINDING FULFILLMENT IN THE MORTGAGE BUSINESS

Sometimes, the best things happen when you least expect it. You might be in a career that seems just fine, but does it get you out of bed in the morning? This was the question Brandon asked himself when the opportunity to join the wholesale mortgage industry knocked on his door.

covid creates an opportunity

Ever since he and his wife bought their first home, Brandon was curious about mortgages. That was mostly due to the exceptional service they received from their independent mortgage broker.

“He did such a great job of working with us through the process of that first loan, I really got intrigued,” said Brandon.

At the time, Brandon was an engineer in the Air Force and wasn’t thinking about making a move to the financial industry. A few years later, the pandemic hit and Brandon was working remotely. His mortgage broker kept trying to convince Brandon to work with him as a loan officer. Eventually, he decided to give it a shot.

“It was a life-changing year for me,” he said “that allowed me to make the transition, being able to work from home as a mortgage loan officer while still working in my other job for several months.”

PROCESSING LOANS, LEARNING SALES

With an engineering background, Brandon wasn’t worried about the mathematical or analytical part of the job. However, he had no sales experience and was jumping into a brand new industry. Fortunately, Brandon got to learn on the fly thanks to his new boss who allowed him to process all of his loans.

“I’d see 10-15 loans a month. Different loans, different scenarios,” said Brandon. “I learned all those stages before I learned the business of getting loans. I think that was really fruitful, to understand the process and then talk business.” 

Brandon also learned how to get business. His mortgage broker-turned-mentor taught him about the importance of real estate agent relationships, even letting Brandon join in on calls that he had with agent partners of his own.

“That really helped me because if I just jumped into it and called somebody on Day One with a cold call, I’d have been fumbling and stumbling, not knowing what I was talking about,” he said. “I was always nervous about that, and now it just comes natural because I know how to sell mortgages.”

HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING

Brandon has taken the knowledge he accumulated and applied it with great results. He’s built a book of business that includes over 20 real estate agent partners. Nevertheless, he’ll be the first one to admit that loans don’t just fall into his lap. As a newer mortgage loan officer, Brandon knows he has to put in the work and actively show his dedication to his clients.

“You have to be 100% into this to succeed, and once you start succeeding, it’s that rolling boulder down a hill. It’s going to get bigger and bigger and go faster and faster,” he said.

Brandon also appreciates the fact that he now gets to help others the same way his mentor helped him. It’s all come full circle for Brandon with a new career that makes him excited to work every day.

“I never thought it would be so impactful getting into it,” said Brandon. “When you’re talking to them on the phone and communicating with your clients – how grateful they are to get into this home – it’s a huge achievement.”