Central Coast Mortgage Consultants was founded in an interesting time of mortgage lending history—right after mortgage lenders started bailing out of the housing industry.
But that’s what sets the company apart from those other lenders.
“I think the strong will survive,” said Donna Lewis, who is the branch manager at the company.
“We have a loyal following. I would be crazy to leave [the mortgage industry],” she said in regards to whether the past mortgage crisis worried her at all.
Lewis founded Central Coast Mortgage Consultants, an affiliate with Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, in 2008. She has been active in real estate financing since the 1990s.
The branch’s recent founding shouldn’t raise concerns of experience, though. In December 2013, CCMC merged with Smith Lending Group, which makes it one of Central Coast’s most active residential mortgage firms. Additionally, this merger added knowledge to the office, which has more than 100 years of combined experience in real estate finances.
In a press release announcing the merger, Lewis was optimistic about the firm’s added ability to serve their clients.
“We look forward to combining the energy and experience of both groups, which we feel will enhance our ability to offer our clients the highest level of service possible,” she said. “Jim and his group at Smith Lending have an excellent reputation and are well respected in our community, making them a great fit for us.”
But the merger offers more than just a boost that will better serve its clients. Lewis said there will be more resources available for their clients, which can help in finding additional diverse financing methods.
She said what makes the company so unique is not just the size of its office—which totals around 10 members—but the staff’s dedication in finding the right mortgage loan at the right rate.
“We can offer a really great mortgage that fits different time frames,” Lewis said. “Some individuals have different needs and fit different mortgages.”
It’s this dedication that must have caught the attention of Sierra Pacific: The Central Coast branch was ranked fifth out of 150 other branches in volume in 2013. And Lewis was the second ranked originator in the nation.
But Lewis said the real reward comes in the office. Every day, she and her fellow office mates are taking phone calls from CPAs, attorneys, and real estate agents and recommend what type of mortgage would be best.
In the end, Lewis’ favorite thing about her experiences in real estate financing is getting that right mortgage for a family’s first home.
“They’re always so excited to own their first home,” she said.
And that excitement is not impeded upon at Central Coast Mortgage Consultants, where they are offered a more intimate financing process.
“Rather than going to a really big bank, you’re coming to a smaller group with years of experience,” Lewis said.
The firm has offices in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, and is active in dealing with Santa Barbara County clients.
For more information on the company, financial instruments to buy a home, visit ccmcslo.com.
Contributor Henry Houston wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun.
This article appears in Feb 6-13, 2014.