Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulina Burgueno.
Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My father was a lender and I started working for him when I was 16. That was 32 years ago! My dad was hard on me but I am grateful because that work ethic and attention to detail have allowed me to thrive and succeed. I have done every job having to do with mortgages – from answering phones to managing an entire loan operations and loan administration team.
I decided to open my own mortgage broker business to share everything I have learned directly with consumers and colleagues as well as learn from them because we never stop learning in this industry! I have the knowledge, experience, wisdom, and maturity to deliver a phenomenal customer experience because an experience is much more memorable than a transaction!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was smooth sailing for the first 13 years of my career as I continually thrived and reached different milestones. Then in 2003, I decided to venture over to sales. I am so glad I took this step because it was the first time I had to step out of my comfort zone. This was a difficult transition but I learned a lot about sales, how to relate to people, learning from mistakes, and providing consistent and clear communication to clients!
Then in 2008, we were all laid off due to the recession which left the majority of the mortgage professionals unemployed. It took a few years to get back on my feet but I rose above it and learned some lessons about my money management, speculation, and standing my ground when things don’t make sense. This experience helped shape the discipline I have today and despite the adversity, I don’t regret a minute of it!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Qual-Lending?
Qual-Lending is a mortgage broker business serving South and Central Florida. I am a Miami girl so even though I am currently residing in Central FL, all my contacts are still in Miami and I travel there weekly. I will attend open houses with my realtor partners and visit clients in person when needed.
I help customers find the mortgage that best suits their situation and goals. It’s not just about having an application filled out – it’s about the lost art of interviewing a client and truly understanding their needs, situation, and goals.
I love that I am a small company working from home because this gives me great freedom for pricing and decisions that brokers working in bigger firms don’t have.
I can help all individuals obtain financing including self-employed without having to provide tax returns, people with credit issues, investors with short-term rentals, HELOCS, foreign nationals looking to invest in the US, and businesses with commercial real estate – diversity is the beauty of working with a broker instead of a bank!
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Communication! I have learned to give bad news just as quickly as you want to give good news – Being transparent, consistent, and available has been the key to my successes for far.
Contact Info:
- Website: Qual-Lending.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoquallending/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QualLending
