Building bridges to ownership
Name: Megan Carey Age: 29 Position: Mortgage broker Job description: I meet with clients to discuss what type of financing they’re looking for based on their situation.
How did you come to be in this job? I’ve always wanted to be in the mortgage business. My mother, Mary Carey, is the broker/ owner of Personal Choice Mortgage Services. While studying business at Mohawk College, I was offered an administrative job at Personal Choice. This allowed me to learn every aspect of the company. After graduating, I got my mortgage agent licence and then my mortgage broker licence.
What gets you up in the morning? Each day in the mortgage business is different from the last, and no two clients are the same. I love being able to work with people on a one-on-one basis to help them get the best deal possible.
Being able to help others who are financially struggling or unable to get approved from their bank is a very rewarding feeling. To think that someone has put complete trust in me for the most important purchase of his or her life is very satisfying.
Lessons learned? When I first started in this business, one of the challenges I had to overcome was my age. Clients would often ask me how old I was and seemed reluctant to work with me at first. After all, buying a home is the biggest purchase you’ll make in your life, and you want to make sure that you’re in the best hands possible.
I quickly learned that I had to be confident in my abilities, and as long as I proved that I was knowledgeable in my field, no one seemed to care about my age.
Roots: I was born and raised in Hamilton. I recently moved to Dundas, which was a big change for me, even though it’s technically still Hamilton, because I’ve always been minutes away from my office and the place I grew up.
Contacts: megan@pcmortgages.com; www.pcmortgages.com; fb.me/personalchoicemortgages
Groups and associations: Mortgage Professionals Canada, Verico Financial, Crossfit Odeon
Favourite place in the downtown:
Definitely Capri Ristorante Italiano! I love that Hamilton (especially downtown) has experienced a revitalization of late, but it’s also great to still see older establishments with lots of history. Part of what makes this city so great is the combination of old and new.
What would make Hamilton a better city? I think Hamilton is great as it is, and I want to make sure that people can continue to enjoy everything it has to offer. One way we can encourage this is by revisiting programs like Homeownership Down Payment Assistance, which was great for people who want to live in the Hamilton area but are in need of financial assistance in order to do so, in particular during this period of increased property values and strict government regulations.
What’s next for you? To continue to have more involvement with the company, and one day become its principal broker.
If you know a Hamilton Professional who would make a good candidate for this profile series, send an email to shenderson@thespec.com