We recently connected with Austyn Anderson and have shared our conversation below.
Austyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
My entire life before mortgages revolved around customer service and the best client experience. I was in the service industry and customer service for 14 years before getting into mortgages. One of the biggest things I learned in that journey was to take care of your guests to the best of your ability and always do the right thing – even when it’s hard. I spent years taking care of people, building their trust, and proving that I was reliable. When I got into mortgages that was my main focus. To re-establish that trust and those relationships with my new clients and become the go to lender that would be honest and help others get a game plan together for whenever the time was right for them. Thankfully for all of my customer service experience, this has come naturally for me in mortgages. I always advocate for my clients and what they want. I am always transparent even when it’s hard. Buying a house can be challenging and people NEED someone who is going to be honest with them and help them navigate through the journey making it as painless and simple as possible. Looking back, spending 14 years in the service industry and customer service is one of the best things I could have done for my career in mortgages.
Austyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For readers who don’t know me personally I am from Independence, Missouri. I graduated from Fort Osage High School in 2010. After high school I went on to receive my bachelors and masters degree in Economics from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. I started participating in fundraising in college and worked full time and part time to put myself through college, sometimes working as many as 3 jobs. I have loved helping people and all things money my entire life. I love to learn about money, how to save it, how to invest it, how to get more of it, and how to help other people with it. After college, I took a sales position and continued to bartend part time on the weekends. I loved the money and banking side of economics, but I also loved the financial possibilities in sales. During covid I decided I needed to make a transition out of the service industry and start looking for something more long term. I had a friend from high school, Kyle, who had gotten into mortgages and was looking to grow his team. He suggested I study for the NMLS exam, and if I passed it I could join his team at Summit Lending. The NMLS exam is TOUGH and you cannot be a licensed loan originator without passing it. I studied while working full time and passed my test on St. Patricks day – I knew it would be a lucky day for me! Once I passed my exam they brought me on and I have been with them at Summit Lending since!
I help individuals and families get into their forever home. I offer FHA, Conventional, VA, and USDA loan programs. One of my biggest assets to the mortgage industry is making that process easy. I am very organized and detail oriented. I make sure to get all of the necessary documentation upfront to ensure we do not run into any problems with your loan later in the process. A lot of people have heard that buying a house is ‘so hard’ or a ‘nightmare’ and I strive to make the process easy. Every loan is different because everyone’s situation is different – so I can’t say that I don’t have challenging loans because I do, but I make sure to be right there with my clients every step of the way. My clients never feel left in the dark or like they don’t know what’s going on. All of my clients get my cell phone number, where they can call/text me at any time. They also have full access to my support team and loan partners, who can assist on any questions/needs if I am in an appointment or unavailable.
There is a lot that sets me apart from others but most of all is that I genuinely care and I love helping people. My life purpose is to help others, and luckily for me mortgages is a way to make that happen. Most people are uncomfortable calling a professional and getting ‘financially naked’ as we refer to it. Not everyone is in an ideal place financially and it can be really hard to be honest with a professional about. I have worked with every type of person out there and I can relate to anyone. A lot of people are scared to reach out to a professional because they’re not ready to buy a house today, they need to get a game plan together and I PREFER that. I would rather get a game plan together to put you in the best place possible than rush you into a purchase you’re not happy with. One of the things I love the most about being a mortgage broker vs working for a bank/direct lender is the flexibility it gives me that I can pass onto my clients. When you work with a big bank you can’t text them. They aren’t responding after 5pm or on the weekends. They aren’t going to work with you for 6months – a year before you’re ready to buy to get a game plan together to be in the best shape possible. In real estate you NEED someone who can be available nights and weekends if that’s what is needed to get the house of your dreams. I love that I have the ability to shop with tons of different lenders and match my clients up with the best deal for them. I have been invited to baby showers, birthday parties, bridal showers, and even weddings from my clients. I feel so lucky because I know that not everyone is creating that special bond with their clients.
I am the most proud of the reliability and honesty I have established for myself in the mortgage industry. It can be hard in such a competitive industry because there are people out there who will pre-approve buyers for more, or not check into their financial qualifications like they should. I always tell clients that I can pre-approve you for whatever amount you want, but that doesn’t mean you will close on the loan. I pride myself on my deals getting to the closing table. I don’t lead clients on and tell them what they want to hear so they’re out of pocket money and end up homeless because I don’t want to deal with a hard conversation due to a problem. I want my clients and future clients to know that I will always do whatever it takes to make your home buying process as smooth and easy as possible. I have always been very career focused and I pour myself into my mortgage business. If you are out there, and you don’t have a go to mortgage professional – let me be that person. I am relatable, understanding, and most of all a real human who will hear you out and help you get the best game plan possible together. AND if you have a mortgage professional but you aren’t having an easy pain free experience call me! It shouldn’t be hard. You can check out my google page: Austyn Anderson – Summit Lending that has over 50 5 star reviews from previous clients to read the value that I bring to my deals!
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Self help would be my other love. I base a lot of my instagram content on @brokerbabekc around self help educational resources as well as mortgages. I aim to listen to a podcast and read daily. I think that mindset plays a huge role in everything around us, especially your career. If you are unhappy or negative it can feel impossible to run a successful business or attract the right clients. My favorite books that have impacted my mental health, management, and entrepreneurship thinking are:
Life Lessons to Master Before You Die by Dr. Kristen Casey
Flip the Gratitude Switch by Kevin Clayson
The Audacity to Be Queen by Gina DeVee
How Women Rise by Sally Heigensen and Marshall Goldsmith
Go Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
and in direct relation to mortgages Hustle Never Sleeps by Louis Schornstein
My top 3 podcasts that I listen to daily that impact my entrepreneurial thinking are:
The Mindset Mentor with Rob Dial
The Ed Mylett Show
Real AF with Andy Frisella
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients for me has been my sphere of friends, family, and past clients. I have been so blessed with the amount of love and support I have received from my friends and family since getting into mortgages. I had established myself as trustworthy and reliable in my networks. It didn’t happen over night, but when I got into mortgages I was able to prove that I was also trustworthy and reliable with helping my friends and family buy their dream home as well. I think no matter what career you’re in, or what you do, you should always strive to be the best and do the right thing. If you establish yourself as trustworthy and reliable your friends and family will support you no matter what industry you’re in. Because I provide an ‘experience’ for the home buying process, I have been so lucky that most of my clients refer me to their friends and family as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.austynanderson.com
- Instagram: @BrokerBabeKC
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066808880759
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austynanderson/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustynAnderson
Image Credits
Whitney Houseman Photography