– by Doreen Marion Gee –
This is part of a rotating series of articles on members of Sidney Meet Up Women’s Networking Group, featuring women in business on the Saanich Peninsula.
Purchasing a home starts with a dream. With smart decisions and careful planning, that dream can become a reality. Nicole Wilford helps her clients to achieve success in the real estate market by protecting their interests and guarding them against pitfalls. She makes their dream possible.
Securing a mortgage in 2015 can be a complex Everest-like challenge with many hazardous crevices lurking under a sparkly surface. Even smart consumers can make bad choices that will impact their lives forever. A mortgage advisor is an essential ally in today’s landscape. Enter Nicole Wilford, an experienced professional mortgage advisor with Dominion Lending Centres – Slegg Mortgage: “I advise people on the best lender for their situation.”
In her role as a mortgage advisor, Nicole helps clients with their mortgage on a house or property. Her primary goal is to help her clients make sound financial decisions that will secure long-term success in mortgaging or refinancing a home. With tighter rules in recent years, it is harder to qualify for a mortgage. Nicole primes her clients for success by going over the mortgage application with clients, making sure that all aspects of the person’s financial situation are considered with all required documentation. You are obviously protecting people’s interests, I interject. Nicole: For sure! With a massive variety of mortgages and lenders, she finds the right package that will maximize success for her clients. Sometimes they need to build a stronger financial foundation. “With young people especially, I can tell them how to increase their credit score, which helps them get a mortgage with the best interest rates.” The overall strength of the client’s position is critical: What is their ability to make mortgage payments?
The mortgage advisor knows that honesty is fundamental to success: “I ask questions and make sure that clients understand what they are getting into with a mortgage.” The ‘right’ mortgage product is key. She may suggest a shorter-term mortgage if a client needs to build up their credit, so that they can get a better lower-interest product down the road. A sense of ethics guides Nicole; her client’s wellbeing always takes priority. She goes to bat for people: “I represent my client and negotiate with many different lenders on their behalf.”
A mortgage advisor can hugely benefit anyone, stellar credit rating or not. Nicole assists self-employed people to get into the market. And dealing with one person makes the process easier and more effective. Nicole’s clients also get a ‘preferred discount card’ at Slegg Lumber, saving them money on any renovations.
It all starts with a dream. With Nicole Wilford, it could end with a home, stars and a blue sky.
Contact: www.nicolewilford.ca
