Mortgage Professional Spotlight with Dennis DeGrave

Obtaining a mortgage loan can often sound like a foreign concept to those who have not undergone the process before. The work of a mortgage professional, or a Loan Officer, can sound even more foreign to the unfamiliar. That is why we are diving in to the life of a mortgage pro with an up close and personal interview with one of our top experienced Loan Officers, Dennis DeGrave!

Check out our interview below to read what Dennis had to say about his career in the mortgage industry.

Inlanta Mortgage: Tell me about yourself… how many years have you been in the industry and what made you become an LO?

Dennis DeGrave: I have been with Inlanta for 20 years as you know, prior to this I had been doing lending for the previous 8 years with a finance company and a credit union.  One of the things I loved the best was being able to help people out financially when they needed it, so working for the finance company allowed me to help out those people with challenging credit or financial situations, however, we were typically working with pretty high-interest rates.  When the finance company was going out of business, I then was offered a job at a credit union.  The credit union gave me the opportunity to do the same thing, however now I was able to do that with great low rates to the members of the credit union.  The biggest draw for me when I then had the opportunity to work at Inlanta Mortgage, is that I now could help people of all financial statuses buy homes and experience the pride of homeownership or better their financial situations by refinancing their existing mortgages.

IM: You have been in the industry a long time – what makes you successful?

DD: Always doing what is right for my clients’ financial future.  I love to educate my clients on what options they have available and solving problems. If there is a way to help them out, I believe I can find the best solution for them to accomplish their goal.

IM: What does a typical day look like for you?

DD: A great day is when I have numerous conversations or meetings with clients and referral partners to discuss financing options.  Typical days involve reviewing applications, putting together financing options, discussing or meeting with clients to review those options, and getting loans approved and/or going to closings.

IM: What is your favorite thing about your job?

DD: Definitely attending my closings with first-time homebuyers, getting to share in their excitement of finally getting the keys to their first home and knowing that I had something to do with that historic day for them is the best.

IM: What piece of advice would you give to first-time homebuyers?

DD: Make sure they are working with a lender that explains the whole home buying process and is attentive to their questions and needs.  Buying your first home is a big deal and can be pretty stressful.  The better understanding the buyer has of how the process works and what the payments and money needed at closing are, before they start looking at homes and writing an offer, the better they will feel about the whole experience.

Special thanks to Dennis DeGrave from our Pewaukee, WI branch for giving us an inside look at the life of a mortgage industry professional!