With high interest rates and increasing grocery and gas prices, being financially equipped is something many Miltonians are desperately seeking.
Jennessa Youm is a mortgage agent at The Mortgage Group (TMG). She advises clients on a variety of mortgage needs, including different types of mortgages, saving for a mortgage, and, yes, being financially equipped. She has lived in Milton for 10 years and has worked as a mortgage agent for five.
With previous teaching experience in mathematics, she wanted to move to a career that combined her love of math and her experience of guiding minds. She homeschools her children, and that’s part of the reason she wanted a job that would give her some flexibility.
“I came across a mortgage agent who was loving her job,” Jennessa explains. “This woman decided to follow her passion and she never turned back.” A mortgage agent works to negotiate terms and rates with lenders on your behalf.
Jennessa recommends working with a mortgage agent rather than going directly to a bank because you get more personal assistance for your mortgage.
A typical meeting with Jennessa includes an initial chat about your cash flow. To Jennessa, it’s not just about mortgage payments and what you qualify for; it’s about being okay with any bumps in the road.
“It’s been tough for a lot of people and I’m hoping I can shed some light on their finances through this journey,” she explains “I want to make myself known [to the Milton community] that I’m here to help.”
Jennessa often works with first-time home buyers and small entrepreneurs who don’t have a regular salaried income.
“Rates are high and they are looking for a home, but it’s far and in between what they can afford,” Jennessa acknowledges.
She notes that even those with great income, great credit, and a great downpayment struggle because of the current rates. Unfortunately, their budget does not align with the house they want. Those are the moments she finds most challenging.
“I know that home purchase is the biggest thing you can do in your life and it’s kind of confusing and scary out there,” Jennessa explains.
She also loves talking to people who are considering their mortgage renewal. She can help them determine whether it’s their best deal.
What makes working with Jennessa different is that she’s not just your go-to person during the mortgage negotiations but also afterward. If ever there are any issues you have, you won’t get placed with someone else, she’s always your contact person.
While Jennessa has had some amazing moments with her clients over the years, one particular memory shines a little brighter. She helped a client who was facing foreclosure secure a mortgage. A bank would have likely turned them away without her help.
Plus, as Jennessa likes to remind those who are curious about their mortgage finances, “It costs nothing to contact me. 98% of the cases [I work with] I don’t get paid by the client; I get paid by the lenders that I’m working with.”
While Jennessa prefers to have coffee dates with her clients – she finds them more personal – she also runs small events. Most recently, in July, she co-hosted a Retirement Real Estate Roadmap at RE/MAX Real Estate Centre with Michelle Hawco.
After all is said and done, despite not getting to work with math as much as Jennessa initially wanted to do, she is happy to say she is in the right place. She enjoys meeting many people and helping them escape their confused or scared state regarding their mortgage or finances.
You can find Jennessa on Instagram or her website.
Do you want to feature your Milton business or know someone who does? Fill out this form and we’ll reach out promptly with details for an interview.
