LeAnne Hamrick, Real Estate Loan Officer

September is National Mortgage Professional Month 

This week we are recognizing LeAnne, one of our mortgage bankers, who has a number of years of experience helping customers feel confident about their home loan decision. She helps match them with the perfect home loan to meet their specific needs. 

We asked LeAnne, what she has learned throughout her time in the mortgage industry and what makes her different from other mortgage lenders. 

1. How did you get into real estate lending? 

• "I started at the bank in 2008 as a drive-up teller.  Within a few months I was able to move to a loan assistance position in our Commercial, Ag and Installment department.  I have always been eager to learn and gain knowledge that would help me continue to better assist our customers, and so I branched into doing consumer and home equity lending. In 2017, I was given the opportunity to move into the real estate department as a Senior Real Estate Lending Assistant.  In 2020, I moved into my current role as Real Estate Loan Officer and supervisor of the real estate department."

2. How long have you been in real estate lending?

• "I began home equity line of credit lending in 2015 prior to starting in our Real Estate Department in 2017."

3. What has been the biggest change you have seen in the industry during your time as a lender?

• "Changes in our market for home prices and interest rates.  I started my lending career right before an all-time low interest rate environment. Currently interest rates are climbing, and we face new challenges finding the best way to help our borrowers."

4. What is your favorite part about the mortgage lending world?

• "I LOVE getting to the closing table and being able to tell the buyers congratulations! Helping someone find their 1^st home, dream home, steppingstone home or forever home is a very rewarding job. During COVID I researched our customers to seek out those that could benefit from a lower interest rate.  This helped our customers not only in the short term to save during a financial strain but provided future savings of interest expense for years to come. I am not a salesy person, if it didn’t make sense to refinance, I was open and honest with the customer as I truly want to help our customers succeed."

5. What sets you apart from other lenders?

• "I am very passionate about helping people.  I enjoy the challenge of making the numbers work while making sure to protect my customers.  I offer real life scenarios and questions to consider. Purchasing a home is a big financial decision and I want the customers I help to be as prepared as they can be when making those decisions. With my knowledge of our products and programs I can better understand my customer’s needs, offer them different options, and give them the tools to make the best choice that is right for them."

6. How do you help customers - what role do you play in buying their home?

• "I not only assist homebuyers in their purchase but also offer equity loans for homeowners to make improvements to their homes, take the trip they never knew they could and offer bridge financing to get them into their next home.  I am not always able to tell customers they are approved when they apply.  So, I take it another step further and provide suggestions on how they can make changes to become eligible in the future. This way, they can be better prepared to purchase a home when the time is right for them."

Since 2011, home sales in the United States have steadily grown, meaning year after year, more and more people are needing to buy a home. Whether it's a first time home or the next, LeAnne understands how exciting and stressful the process can be. However, when you are ready, she is eager to work hard to make your home loan a reality! Contact her or apply today and see the difference!

LeAnne Hamrick
Real Estate Loan Officer
NMLS: 1437688
Phone: (712) 580-7044

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