The Producer Profile series highlights career anecdotes and insights into the success of the loan officers who appeared in National Mortgage News' 2016 Top Producer rankings.
This week's edition features Joseph Chacko, a branch manager and senior loan consultant at C2 Financial Corp. in San Diego.
This is Chacko's second appearance on the Top Producers list. Last year, Chacko originated 125 loans for a combined dollar volume of approximately $43 million, ranking him
Tell us about your most creative or successful marketing strategy. How did you come up with the idea? What were the results?
I take great pride in the Realtor relationships I have built over the years. I provide my Realtor partners excellent lending support to close their purchase transactions on time, and take excellent care of their referred clients from start to finish. In addition, frequent follow-up with past clients contributes a regular stream of business.
What's unique about the local market you serve and what do you do to address those needs?
My primary focus is first-time homebuyers. We conduct frequent first-time homebuyer seminars and home buying workshops.
Tell us about an unusual or difficult loan scenario and what you did to ensure a successful closing.
I have the opportunity to help many ethnic-community borrowers who migrated on job visas from other countries, many of whom who were turned down by other loan originators due to the lack of proper understanding of the agency guidelines. I recall helping an H1B [temporary worker] visa holder whose visa was expiring four months from the time of purchasing the house. A couple of loan originators turned down the borrower, requesting at least a year's validity on the visa. However, if the borrower can provide proof of previous visa renewals this file is perfectly fine. We were able to close the loan.
What do you know about the mortgage business now that you wished you knew when you started out?
A successful loan originator evolves over the years. I wish I would have been better at following up with past clients, since they tend to be a good source of referral business.
Who is someone in your life, personally or professionally, who helps contribute to your success?
My first district manager at GMAC Mortgage, Jerry Clark, has been a great source of inspiration and a great teacher.
