When Melanie Walburg joined the broker channel all she wanted to do was make a decent living for her family and to support her community. Fifteen years later, Walburg has accomplished that goal in spades and has proven herself as one of the most proficient broker owners in the nation. Her desire to prioritize client interactions in order to build a positive brand image has proven to be a standard that many other brokers in the industry aspire to reach.
What interested you in starting a career in the mortgage industry?
Initially, I joined the mortgage industry because I wanted an occupation that had a decent income in order to help me provide for my family.
What’s a career highlight you’re most proud of?
I’m proud of being able to expand my mortgage business and provide a solid income for my employees.
What’s unique about your business?
My business is unique because I have a nearly immediate response time to client emails and calls, ensuring that I always keep them in the loop with a personal touch.
What has been the most impactful change you’ve made over the course of your career?
Organizing, at every level, to be more proficient and able to handle greater loan volume.
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned during your time in the mortgage industry?
That bad things happen to good people, and time and focus can fix it.
How do you approach mentorship with members of your team?
When it comes to mentoring my team, I’ll answer any question they have once but I encourage them to be diligent about researching the answers themselves before they ask the same question a second time.
What is your business goal for the future?
My future goal is to make sure that my business has a greater impact on my local community by profit sharing more to the employees that are on my team and to community organizations.
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve faced in your career?
The biggest obstacle I’ve ever faced is fear – and learning how to overcome it.
What is your business philosophy?
I truly believe that If you focus on helping people and you are doing right by others, then the income just works itself out.
What are the biggest challenges facing mortgage brokers and what’s your advice for overcoming them?
Brokers are greatly challenged by big-box lenders who have lots of advertising dollars and are planning to take over the world. Mortgage brokers need to constantly remind consumers that advertising costs millions of dollars and that those ads are funded by fees that are then passed on to their clients.
Why have you stayed in the mortgage industry as long as you have?
Because I love helping people and providing for my family (my husband is disabled).
Why do you believe that brokers are better for consumers?
I believe that brokers are better because we are able to offer more loan options, we have lower costs, access to lower rates, better (and more personalized) communication and faster closings.
If you could go back to your first day in the industry, what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself to save more money and to spend less. And to focus on learning more and talking less.
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