But Walsh always has a Plan B: troubleshoot and then come up with a new strategy on how she can get them to the finish line with house keys in their hands. “Sometimes that’s a couple of months or even a year until we are successful in achieving that goal,” Walsh said.
“To be a well-rounded loan officer, new to the business, I believe it’s important to work on all sides of mortgage operations, if possible,” she added. “It gives you compassion for your operations staff in what they deal with every day, so you can create a better team dynamic when you have been in their shoes. They are the backbone of your business, and we could not do loans without them.”
Walsh still struggles with setting boundaries. She admits that she’s the type of originator who will answer an email or pick up the phone even at midnight. She hates for people to wait for answers.
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“Pick up the phone, and even if you don’t have an answer for them at that moment, set expectations that you will get an answer and get back to them as soon as possible,” she said. “Be honest, transparent, set proper expectations and do exactly what you say you will do, then the success will follow. I believe a loan officer must believe in the work they are doing. If you show the public how you feel about the work you’re doing, and people can see how much you love what you do, it makes them want to work with you.”