Today we’d like to introduce you to Zelma Singleton.
Hi Zelma, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was introduced to the real estate arena as a child. My parents has owned rental properties and 2nd homes as far back as I can remember. It was never anything fancy, but they did not believe in renting, and my mother took a lot of pride in the condition of her home. My mother was the daughter of a sharecropper, and my father was raised by his grandmother but was probably considered privilege during his time. I begin my own personal journey in real estate around the age of 23. My mom helped me buy and restore a one-bedroom, one-bath cottage where I lived while attending college versus renting an apartment. I loved it! I was able to make the house my own, and I decked it out with hardwood flooring and granite countertops… mostly funded by my student loan refund checks. 😊
After college, I purchased another home while I worked a job in communication sales and leasing my 1-bedroom cottage. I learned early on that if I maintained the properties well like I saw my mother doing growing up, that real estate is the best path to generational wealth. Learning more about real estate with an emphasis on how to grow financially is what gave me the motivation to end my 10-year career in education and become a Mortgage Loan Officer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I love what I do, however, becoming a Mortgage Loan Officer has had its challenges. Even though I have been involved with real estate in the past, the learning curve for originating loans was huge. Mortgages involve a lot of laws, ethical guidelines, and no two loans are the same. Every person and family has a different scenario. They make their money differently, save money differently, and spend it differently. There is always several moving parts in every case, and as a mortgage loan officer, we have the task of creating a case for our clients that proves to the bank that they could repay a loan for a 15 – 30-year timeframe. Just as an attorney presents their case to the judge, a Mortgage Loan Officer presents their case to an underwriter. There are daily struggles along the way, but closing day for my new homeowner makes it worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a Mortgage Loan Originator, I get to partner with clients to obtain mortgage loans during the purchase of their home, investment property or refinancing an existing home loan. I specialize in providing the most reliable mortgage solution for my clients, being accessible during extended hours, and transparent throughout the process. I’m known for being gracious and for being your actual “friend in lending”. This is what sets me apart from other mortgage loan officers.
I offer a variety of loan programs, services to expedite the home buying experience, and the technology to streamline the loan process. I am most proud of offering clients seamless assistance through every step of their mortgage loan journey.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The advice I have for anyone interested in joining the mortgage industry is to network. People are willing to give you a chance if they can make a connection with you. Email blasting out your resume is not enough! Get in front of people and sell YOURSELF! I looked at it this way, if I can sell an iPhone or home internet when I worked at ATT, I can sell myself. I wish I had decided to face my fears sooner. Make a plan, and act on it. Take action.
Contact Info:
- Email: zelma.singleton@nrlmortgage.com
- Website: www.applywithzelmasingleton.com
- Instagram: @applywithzelma
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ZelmaSingletonNRL/reviews/?ref=page_internal
- Twitter: @applywithzelma
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/zelma-singleton-nrl-mortgage-league-city
