Mortgage lending is never an “easy” business, but it’s easy to forget amid today’s historically low rates and electronically streamlined process that many industry veterans remember a far more challenging time. Such was the case when Boston’s Mary L. Harper, senior loan officer at Guaranteed Rate Affinity, began her career 37 years ago.
“I started in the business as we were coming down from rates of 15% or higher,” Harper says of the challenging conditions in which she began her career right after college. But the challenge of where she began actually left her in love with the industry, driven by the rewarding feeling of helping clients get into their first home or their dream home. “I am very much a team player, and that is how I approach every loan,” she declares. “Communication is key!”
Specializing in conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA and other loan types, Harper finds clients praise her patient, kind and professional style, as well as her attention to detailed guidelines. With an operations and underwriting management background that shifted toward sales later in her career, she has been able to strike a balance between knowing the mortgage process inside and out and developing strong real estate relationships. In 2020, she checked off a major goal, reaching President’s Club status with Guaranteed Rate Affinity.
“The greatest compliment is that my purchase clients come back to refinance, or refer their family and friends,” she says. With her extensive knowledge of the mortgage process, this mother of two, rescue dog parent and lending expert is a valuable resource for buyers. “I love sharing my knowledge with clients, real estate agents and fellow loan officers,” she proclaims.
With a grateful heart and a wealth of mortgage tools and solutions available, Harper says she plans to double her volume in 2021.
Guaranteed Rate, Inc. is a private corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware. It has no affiliation with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture or any other government agency.
