Academia may sound like a world away from mortgage lending, but Garett Seney attributes his success as a mortgage advisor to his experience in academia. Seney’s previous career taught him how to deal with people and explain complicated processes. Management and coaching experience were valuable, as well, and today he is in his ninth year in lending, serving as branch manager of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.

Seney manages a team of four producing loan officers and a production and processing team. He feels his greatest professional accomplishment in 2024 was seeing his team grow and flourish. “We tackle each loan with diligence, care and communicate the process effectively where borrowers are never caught off guard,” Seney says. “We are available 24/7, and we have the speed to close loans in 10 days, which is super important in our market.”

When Seney switched to the mortgage business, he learned what other loan officers did or did not do well. His observations helped him succeed. The majority of his referrals come from Realtors and past clients, what he calls “the best compliment.” People appreciate transparency, he explains.

Being able to explain the lending process from all sides, Seney contends, helps put clients at ease and eliminates confusion. He believes lenders must understand that in most mortgage transactions, it is the most money people have spent in their lives “People are stressed; my style is to ease all of that as much as I can,” he says. “I do my best to connect with each borrower, and also educate them along the way.”

Seney is a member of BNI Broadway in South Boston. Mortgage Executive Magazine has named him a Top 1% originator multiple times, and the Scotsman Guide has named him a Top Originator numerous times.