Most loan officers rely on their assistants, processors and/or underwriters to help them craft the proper scenario to meet their applicants' needs. Amanda Sessa, a senior home loan consultant in the Boulder, Colo., office of SWBC Mortgage, relies on a person much closer: her husband John.
Last year, Sessa originated 230 mortgages for a combined dollar volume of $78 million — putting her at No. 36 on the 2015 Top Producers rankings list.
She has appeared regularly in the Top Producer Survey. During 2011, Sessa was the 43rd most prolific producer with $76 million in volume from 261 loans. The following year she was No. 48 with $117 million from 411 loans and in 2013 Sessa ranked 59th overall with volume of $84 million from 283 loans.
Sessa started in the mortgage business 1993 with CTX Mortgage Co. In 2008, she became a branch manager for WR Starkey Mortgage in its Boulder office, and in Oct. 2010, Sessa went to work for SWBC Mortgage.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Tell us about your most creative or successful marketing strategy. How did you come up with the idea? What were the results?
I did a bus tour around town with real estate agents visiting new condo construction complexes around town. We had jungle juice (a mix of liquor that is ususally served for group consumption) and drove around town, visiting the properties. We had multiple tours with many real estate salespeople and got great feedback. We did that for about three years in a row.
What's unique about the local market you serve and what do you do to address those needs?
Our market encompasses everything. We have a university, so we have students and kiddie condos and young professionals. We have a wide range of property values and down payments, so we need to have loan programs to meet all needs including jumbo, Federal Housing Administration, Veterans' Affairs, conforming and more. We have unique condo situations where we need to make sure the scenario works. We have a huge second home market in the mountains and many investors who want investment properties. We certainly need to be on our game.
Tell us about an unusual or difficult loan scenario and what you did to ensure a successful closing.
I had a client who lost their job right before closing. We were able to rework the income same day by re-analyzing their rental income and qualifying them just on the co-borrower income. We were able to close on time and keep everyone happy.
What do you know about the mortgage business now that you wished you knew when you started out?
I love the path I have taken. I started as a receptionist and went into processing and operations and into originating and branch management. I learn new things each day. I am fortunate and grateful to have the 22 years of knowledge and loan experience in my brain.
Who is someone in your life, personally or professionally, who helps contribute to your success?
My husband and business partner, John. He is awesome, and so incredibly wise. He can figure out any loan scenario.
