Ask the Mortgage Professionals

September is Mortgage Professionals Month, and we’re celebrating by hearing from our Mortgage Professionals! Check out this Q&A with Diana Kinyon, our Mortgage Loan Manager, and Fernando Mendez, one of our Mortgage Lenders.

What is your favorite part of being a mortgage lender?

DIANA: I love helping people achieve their dream of owning a home, whether it is a first-time homebuyer, a refinance, or a Rural Development loan or an FHA loan. By knowing these products, it helps us guide the buyer as to which loan is better for them.

FERNANDO: Recently, a customer in her fifties (who happened to be a first-time homebuyer) told me, “Thank you for helping me leave a legacy for my family.” This statement really stuck in my mind. I love being a mortgage lender, knowing that the work I do each day can have a generational impact for families in our communities.

If you had to give one piece of advice to someone looking for a mortgage loan, what would it be?

DIANA: Be sure you’re ready to take on the responsibility of owning a home, everyone is driven differently, as far as some are driven by the rate, some are driven by the monthly payment, and some are driven by the down payment. Know what you are willing to pay per month and look at all options as far as the type of mortgage loan you are wanting and if you don’t know, we can help you make that decision.

FERNANDO: Know your credit profile; keep your finances steady; avoid major purchases and job changes during the loan approval process; don’t just look at the interest rate; and consider fees and closing costs.

Why should someone choose to get their mortgage with GSB vs other banks?

DIANA: We work with the customer and ask questions to best know the loan that fits them, and we can shop rates with our different investors. We help guide them through the whole process. We are a small community bank and we take care of our customers with one on one contact. Remember you are married to the house, but not the rate. If the rates drop, you can refinance to lower that monthly payment.

FERNANDO: Our team knows the customer by name. We provide a personalized service and are accessible in person if that’s what the customer prefers. We have competitive interest rates and tailored loan options to help our customers reach their homeownership goals.