Meeting the Team: Lauren Maund
This week we caught up with team member Lauren Maund.
Our Home Move & Remortgage Assistant, Lauren is often one of our client's main points of contact during the mortgage process - keeping things clear and on-track for everyone!
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Lauren and I’m the Remortgage and Home Move Assistant at Sterling Southgate. My role is to assist the advice team with processing applications by liaising with lenders and clients to get documents requested and uploaded. I’m the main point of contact for clients throughout the mortgage process and am here to make everything as clear and stress-free as possible!
How did you get started in the mortgage industry?
I’ve been involved in the financial and property sectors for the whole of my working life. I started out as a cashier for Nationwide Building Society and worked my way up to a branch manager before moving across to an estate agency. I’ve also been a legal secretary for a national law firm dealing in commercial lets and have worked as an assistant within a residential conveyancers.
My current role is the first ‘mortgage specific’ job I’ve had but there’s always been a mortgage element to the things I’ve done.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
There are actually two parts to the job which I love and would struggle to choose between.
I really like being the ‘constant’ for clients throughout the process and being able to build up a relationship with them. I love the feeling of having helped them and made their experience better.
I’ve also always gained a lot of satisfaction from problem solving. I really like being able to resolve things for people and draw things to a conclusion.
Do you have a claim to fame or special skill?
I’ve always had this weird thing where I can listen to a song once or twice and know all of the words. My mum tells me I’ve been doing it since I was very small.
Don’t ask me how or why! Also not sure if that constitutes a ‘special’ skill?!
What changes do you think will happen in the mortgage industry in the next 10 years?
I have absolutely no idea.
My ‘hope’ would be that prices come right down and I can buy my first home… but I know I’m in the minority for having that view.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Probably the working from home part actually. It’s great but also isolating at the same time. I sometimes miss the face to face interactions with clients and colleagues that I always had pre-covid.
But, we’re lucky as there is the opportunity to go to networking events and we do regular team and client zoom type meetings which are great.
Me and Katherine are also both based in the South West so can get together and work collaboratively when we want to.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?
Try and get involved with as many different processes as you can.
Ask to be part of meetings with colleagues and lenders. Shadow during appointments. Get as much knowledge and experience as possible.
It will all help with your understanding of the lending and house buying process which will give you more confidence when talking to clients.
What advice would you give someone buying their first home?
No question is a silly question. If you’re not sure…ask!
We’re all here to help and guide you through the process so use and abuse that service!