In the dynamic world of mortgage lending, one name stands out as a true beacon of expertise and dedication: Beata Bukowski. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades in the industry, Beata has been a driving force in transforming the dreams of countless homeowners into reality. As a seasoned Mortgage Loan Officer at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp., her passion for empowering clients and her astute understanding of the Chicago real estate landscape have solidified her reputation as the go-to professional for all homeownership needs in the Windy City and its surrounding areas.
Below are highlights of the interview:
What motivated you to pursue a career in mortgage lending?
It was pure coincidence, my dad, who immigrated from Poland and barely read English, took me to his loan application to buy his first home to help translate. While I didn’t know how to spell mortgage, the loan officer thought it would be beneficial to have me interview with her boss, and I was hired 2 weeks later.
What are your key responsibilities as the Branch Manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage?
Make sure the branch is running smoothly, hire, recruit, and lead. I believe in leading by example, so originate and be “in the tranches” with the originators in sales. I am here to help facilitate growth and reach everyone’s full potential.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the mortgage industry?
Following the economy and economic releases, attending in-person and online events offered by industry leaders, staying in professional coaching, and reading a ton of self-growth and industry related books and publications.
What strategies do you employ to ensure effective communication and collaboration within your team?
Open door policy, transparency, and teamwork to ensure results for everyone on the team. We have weekly check-ins and monthly branch meetings to cover immediate and long-term issues and goals. We do business planning individually and as a team or branch, and we make sure to have fun together as well at quarterly team events unrelated to work.
What are the most important qualities you look for in potential mortgage lending professionals when hiring for your team?
We hire both operations staff and sales staff. The underlying qualities we look for in everyone are the right attitude and team player mentality. In sales staff, we look for drive, hunger, hard work, and an ardent desire to help and make a difference. In ops staff, we look for great communication skills, discipline, and hard work.
How do you approach risk management and compliance in the mortgage lending process?
It starts with hiring, being selective, and making sure the candidates fit the Fairway culture, we verify references (personal and business) and reviews online.
In your opinion, what are the current challenges and opportunities in the mortgage lending industry?
There are a couple of challenges currently facing our industry. One is the rapid increase in mortgage interest rates, which affects affordability, especially for low- to moderate-income earners. The other challenge is a grave lack of inventory in comparison to the present demand. The opportunities in our field are amazing right now. With licensed professionals exiting the industry, real estate and mortgage alike, this is an exciting time to earn and increase market share. The other opportunities lie with the sheer demographics: with the average first-time buyer age at 34 and the largest population since baby boomers created households, demand will persist for a while. Currently, sharpening our skills and building out processes and databases will yield tremendous results in the future.
Can you share a notable achievement or milestone you have accomplished during your career in mortgage lending?
It is not the awards that are the memorable achievements, for they are the result of hard work and true dedication to the lives we are touching. One of the notable achievements I have engrained in my memory is that of an elderly woman who was bedridden in her paid-off house but had no disposable cash and needed day-round care and help. With a wisely structured home equity conversion mortgage (HECM), we were able to get her a monthly check coming from her home equity without the need to make any mortgage payments for as long as she would be alive and be able to afford home care at her own home.
Another story involves a single mom of two girls, the younger being severely disabled. With many challenges, we were able to put the mom and her girls in a home that allowed her younger daughter to be admitted to the best school to support her needs. The mom has tried numerous times, and with our patience and help, she was finally able to call a home her own with our financing. Another accomplishment is to be able to, with the success I have achieved, help contribute to a few charities I love, including Fairway Cares, which helps families in mourning or with life situations happening to them with care packages and stipends for medical costs, burial costs, etc. Other local Chicago charities are You Can Be My Angel and Jackson’s Chance, each helping families with sick children. Success to me means nothing if I cannot share it with the ones that are in need; that is my accomplishment and motto for living.
Please Visit: https://www.fairwayindependentmc.com/lo/beata-bukowski-154661
