Looking back, Gabbert admits she didn’t understand how purchasing a home can be a complicated and emotional transaction for an individual. Being supportive and calming are just some of the qualities she had to master as an originator. Time and experience also taught her to give her profession the respect it deserves.
“Mortgage is a complicated product, and it takes years to be a knowledgeable professional,” she said. “This is a profession to be proud of you. Treat it with respect and become an expert in your field. Today I concentrate on conventional financing. I am no longer an expert in FHA and VA, therefore, I will refer it to a co-worker that is better suited. In the end, the most important role is to provide the best service to the client.”
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Another lesson Gabbert learned in her career was to not rely solely on referrals from real estate agents. Today, her business mainly comes from her centers of influence: co-workers, financial advisors, past clients, and family friends.
“I enjoy interacting with my clients and learning about their life and business. I am thrilled when a client comes back to us for a new mortgage,” Gabbert said. “As a bank loan originator, we can offer mortgages in most states. I enjoy learning about the difference in real estate markets. I am a real estate junkie. As I speak with a client, I am looking up the property address. Living vicariously through other clients’ purchases is a lot of fun.”