Evergreen home loans

BANKER EXECUTIVE - FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

MAGAZINE

Michelle

Coolidge-Tondu

TM

Michelle

Coolidge-Tondu

M

By Shannon Hartsoe - Ian Wiant Photographer

ichelle Coolidge-Tondu developed her sales skills in the most unlikely of places. While working as a telemarketer in high school, a job most people dread, Michelle thrived. The daily sales goals, the friendly competition and the satisfaction of seeing her name on the top of the leader board day after day, was enough to convince her – sales was her passion.

But not just any sales would do. It had to be someplace where she could combine her goal-oriented personality with a deep desire to help others. As a telemarketer she needed two things – persistence and optimism. “Those two things drive me to this day,” she says. “You just have to set your goals and not let negative people distract you.”

In college she took a position as a receptionist with a major mortgage company and knew instantly that she had found her calling. Her first full year as an originator, Michelle earned a spot in the top five for production for the entire company and it was clear she was going places.

Today, Michelle has nearly 25 years of experience under her belt. She has held nearly every position in lending, from transaction coordinator to underwriter and is now senior loan officer and vice president for Evergreen Home Loans in Torrance.

“When I first started working in lending, I loved that it was fast paced with lots of problem solving,” she says.

“I’m driven by goals and targets and the challenge of finding creative solutions to issues that arise.”

Executive Banker Magazine

Left to Right: Deanna Arrington-Traylor, Kathleen Benda, Michelle and Aida Reyes Her ability to work a transaction from beginning to close with as little stress as possible has been a key component to her success, but her hard work doesn’t hurt.

“People need more from a lender today than ever,” she states. “Borrowers can shop for a mortgage loan anywhere, and if they end up with the wrong loan officer, or one who isn’t knowledgeable, that can make all the difference in the world as to the outcome of the transaction.”

Michelle’s clients never have to wonder if they’ve chosen the right loan officer. Her persistence, dedication and experience keep them coming back long after the loan has closed, because they know she can be trusted. Her underwriting experience helps her turn “red flags” into non-issues, something that has saved many a transaction.

“Communication is key,” she acknowledges. “Keeping all parties appraised at all points of the transaction is like cooking a big dinner – all parts have to be ready and on time or it won’t make it to the table on time!”

The Difference is Experience Michelle believes that her success stems in part from the collaborative way she works with real estate agents, and the easy rapport she’s built with many of the top REALTORS® in the South Bay area. “Michelle has always been a great part of our real estate team! She is able to work through all the difficult maneuvers required in the mortgage industry to successfully obtain a mortgage. The best part is that our client’s love her too!

Highly recommended!” says one top producer.

Executive Banker Magazine

Reaching the Summit One Step at a Time “It’s important for me to help agents develop their business,” explains Michelle. “I understand the importance of the client to the agents. A REALTOR® works very hard to obtain their client and once they get them, it’s they’re livelihood and their reputation that’s on the line.”

Michelle lays a firm foundation for the client before they even start shopping for a home, eliminating needless heartache and frustration. By preparing a loan application that is seamless and airtight, she makes underwriting a simpler process – making an approval likelier, a benefit of having worked as an underwriter herself.

“I definitely know what underwriters are looking for and what they need from me as far as a loan application goes,”

she says. “But the work doesn’t stop there, I work with the client each step of the way, making sure that all loose ends are closed up and that documents are filed on time every time. The result is a lifetime client for the agent because when the transaction closes on time with minimal stress everybody’s happy.”

Working with Evergreen Home Loans, Michelle is also able to offer a wide variety of traditional loan products such as fixed rate and adjustable rate home loans as well as jumbo loans and reverse mortgages. Evergreen is also an approved FHA, VA and USDA lender and offers a new Ready.Set.Home™ option that includes a mobile affordability app, low down loans and a Security Plus Seller Guarantee™ for qualified buyers.

Executive Banker Magazine

As a leader of one of Evergreen’s most successful teams, Michelle is able to stay in constant contact with her clients rather than spend her time on administrative tasks. “It’s very important to me that I stay hands on with my transactions,” she says. “By working with a team that I trust, I’m able to focus on what I love and that’s helping my clients have the best experience possible with their home loan.”

One of her most recent excursions took her to the beautiful – and formidable – Mt. Rainier. “If it involves an ice axe, ropes, crampons and a helmet, I’m in. I’ve slept on glaciers and crossed crevasses too deep to see the bottom. It was dangerous at times which required laser focus and the ability to push through mentally and physically, traits I learned from my dad who was a 20 year Veteran in the U.S. Marine Corps.”

But Michelle isn’t all business. As a wife and mother, Michelle is every bit as dedicated at home as she is on the job. Married with two grown children, Michelle loves life and isn’t afraid to take chances. Her husband builds and flies experimental aircraft out of the Torrance Airport and Michelle climbs mountains – but not just any mountains.

Glaciers.

The parallels between the business world and her hobby does not escape her.

“It’s a little bit risky,” she laughs. “But what fun would it be if it wasn’t?”

“You start with a goal, and the key to reaching the summit is just staying on course,” she observes. “Take one step at a time and then the next step and face every challenge as it comes. Before you know it, you’ve reached the top!”

Executive Banker Magazine

Michelle Coolidge-Tondu

Evergreen Home Loans 3878 Carson Street, Ste. 220 Torrance, CA 90503 Ph: 310.818.1011 MCoolidge@evergreenhomeloans.com www.MichelleCoolidge.com NMLS ID 1127143 Executive Banker Magazine