A Conversation with Alisa Sonnik

October 2, 2024 – St. Louis, MO – We had the chance to sit down with Alisa Sonnik (NMLS# 2589734) recently to chat about her experiences as a loan officer getting started in the mortgage industry, and the road she’s taken to get here!

Question: Can you give us a brief introduction to yourself? Did you go to college? If so, where, what was your major, and what are your interests?

Answer: I am currently completing my bachelor’s degree in finance at the University of Central Missouri. I plan to begin pursuing my MBA in Finance right afterward. I love finance and my degree. I’ve always enjoyed math and problem-solving, so this career path really clicks for me.

Q: You’ve been with Gershman Mortgage for over two years, starting as a loan processor. You’re now also originating your own loans. What are the significant differences between the role of a processor and a loan originator?

A: I started at Gershman as a loan processor. In that role, my primary responsibility is preparing loan files for our underwriters to review and meet all underwriting and investor requirements. This process starts shortly after a complete application is received and continues through closing (and sometimes post-closing). As a loan processor, I work closely with underwriters, loan officers, title companies, appraisers, and customers to obtain required documentation and ensure that a loan receives approval on time for closing.

As I start my career as a loan officer, I am still engaged throughout the loan process and work closely with all parties involved. The biggest difference between the role of a loan officer and that of a processor is that the loan officer plays a more significant role at the beginning of the loan process or during the initial “qualification” phase, whereas the processor’s role begins more after an application is submitted. As a loan officer, I work with customers right from the start – before they have found a home. My role is to understand my customers’ financial needs and goals, determine the best loan products and structures for them, and help them take the steps necessary to qualify. I issue pre-approvals, answer questions, and walk customers through the entire process from start to finish. I also remain a contact point post-closing to answer their questions and help in any way I can.

Q: What made you decide to get into the mortgage business in the first place?

A: My mom is a real estate agent, and I grew up watching her interact with customers and build her business. She encouraged me to try out the mortgage industry. I love finance and find helping others extremely rewarding. I think she saw that in me, and it’s a perfect fit!

Q: What has been your biggest hurdle starting your career as a loan officer?

A: I would say that the biggest hurdle was the initial learning curve, which can be rather daunting if you are starting from scratch. Getting hands-on experience with a large volume of files as a processor is what really helped me overcome the learning curve and equipped me with the knowledge I needed to step into the role of loan officer. Also, thankfully, I’ve had several great mentors here at Gershman who are there to answer my many questions. I think every loan officer would agree that each loan file is unique, and we learn more every day.

Q: How have you expanded your network of real estate agents to refer business to and, in turn, to have business referred from?

A: The biggest tool I have when it comes to building relationships with referral partners is the customer service experience I can give them. I strive to provide the highest quality service and always be available and responsive. Agents I may have worked with by coincidence take notice and appreciate my effort to go above and beyond—it builds trust. It is much easier to create referral partnerships with agents when they have experienced your quality of work and see that you are knowledgeable and reliable.  Keeping agents updated on each step of the loan process and providing them with tools they can use to help their clients and better their business is a great place to start.

Q: Do you have a favorite part of the job so far?

A: The best part of the job is the positive impact I have on my customers’ lives. Every customer I have encountered has a unique story, and most are experiencing major life changes or challenges, such as a growing family or overwhelming debt. With my job, I help them improve their financial situation and quality of life, build wealth, and achieve their dreams. I enjoy walking customers through the loan process and making it as stress-free and straightforward as possible. My favorite part is seeing the excitement of first-time homebuyers at closing, when homeownership seemed impossible at first, or the massive relief that a refinance can bring to a customer struggling with consumer debt. I enjoy numbers and working with people, but what is most important to me is seeing that I can make an impact and help others with my work.

Q: What advice would you give to those wanting to start a career in the mortgage lending industry as either a processor or a loan officer?

A: Find a good company that will mentor you and help you grow in your career, ask a lot of questions, and learn as much as you possibly can! There can be a big learning curve for someone just starting in this industry and without prior experience. I am incredibly grateful to Gershman and the individuals who have provided me with the resources I needed to grow and helped me so much along the way. Working for a company that is supportive and dedicated to your success truly makes a major difference.

Q: What does the opportunity to start as a loan processor with Gershman and then advance to a loan officer mean to you?

A: Gershman allowed me to be flexible in my roles, and that has had a great positive impact on my life, both personally and professionally. As a loan processor, I do much of the back-end work and partner closely with our underwriters to secure loan approvals. Through that experience, I have gained a deeper understanding of investor guidelines, the loan process, and underwriting requirements. This made transitioning into the role of loan officer much smoother and lessened the learning curve significantly. The knowledge I’ve gained as a processor allows me to better serve my customers and referral partners and helps me stand out as a loan officer. I would highly recommend this path to anyone who wants to become a loan officer. I greatly appreciate Gershman’s continued support as I grow my career.

Alisa is located in our Sedalia, MO branch and is licensed in Missouri and Kansas.

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About Gershman: Communities, families, and homes are at the heart of what we do at Gershman Mortgage. Our founding principles are based on the core values of honesty, integrity, the entrepreneurial spirit, and putting our customers first. We are passionate and committed to customer service and strive to ensure that we exceed the expectations of our customers. We are a customer-centric company devoted to creating and maintaining long-lasting relationships.

NMLS #138063 16253 Swingley Ridge Road Suite 200 Chesterfield, MO 63017 (800) 457-2357 Equal Housing Lender.

Written by Alli Wideman 10/02/2024 for Gershman Mortgage