Mortgage specialist Kiley Shafer felt it was time to start her own business.
“I felt like I hit a point in my career this was the only way I could keep going up,” she said. “I thought, ‘If I’m going to do this, I need to do this on my own.’”
She recently opened her own franchise office of Southwest Funding, located at 300 E. Broadway, Ste. 100.
“I help people purchase or refinance their homes at a lower rate,” she said.
Not only does she work with existing structures, she can also help residents who are seeking out new construction financing, no-money-down loans and rehabilitation loans.
While most of her business has been through referrals from Realtors, she is hoping to receive new customers as well. She is able to work with anyone, no matter their financial situation.
Shafer has worked as a loan officer since 2001. She took several classes to become certified and began her career in Monticello.
She said the biggest hurdle in the loan industry was a new law known as the SAFE act. To continue working as a mortgage specialist, Shafer was required to pass an exam.
“They are trying to tighten the security of loans,” she said. “You have to pass the exam to work in the field.”
Shafer has enjoyed the freedom and flexibility her own office has offered. It even allows her more time to spend with her two young sons and husband.
Opening her own business has been a dream for many years, she said, but she kept putting the idea off.
Making the move from her previous job was a little scary because of the economy, she admitted. She had lots of help from family and friends to make the move, as well as moral support.
“I want to say thanks to everyone for the support and the referrals from Realtors and bankers,” she said.
Shafer is already looking ahead to the growth of her business. She is also taking resumes from anyone who may be interested in working with her.
She is also looking forward to something else.
“I’m looking forward to the success,” she said. “To know I did it, and I did it on my own.”
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com
New Business
Name: Southwest Funding
Address: 300 E. Broadway Suite 100
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nights and weekends by appointment.
Phone: 574-732-0100 or 574-702-1726
Online: www.southwestfunding.com/kshafer
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