Welcome to another installment of Inside the Lenders’ Studio, where we get to know top-producing lenders from their start in the industry through their rise to the top.
Our latest guest is Clint Carver, a Utah-based loan officer at retail mortgage company, Beam Lending.
Top of Mind Networks:
How did you get started in mortgage banking?
I actually had big dreams of being an architect. I was working at a local firm in Salt Lake, and when the market crashed in ‘08 they closed up shop. My friend introduced me to mortgage and here I am.
Top of Mind Networks:
I love helping people. Buying a home is a big monumental life thing. People spend so much time working toward the ability to buy a house, looking at homes, watching other people buy a home — it’s something everyone hears about and wants. To be able to help someone achieve buying a home is awesome. I love being able to help homeowners with refinances too. Whether their goals have changed or they need to save money, it’s awesome to be able to help.
Top of Mind Networks:
Who is your digital mentor?
My digital mentor is also my mentor, Brody Calder, my boss. He is constantly coming up with out-of-the-box ideas. He is always thinking a totally different picture than what you would normally think of as far as doing things digitally marketing-wise or just in general. He constantly checks in and shares things I wouldn’t even think of.
Top of Mind Networks:
What is your top marketing trick?
Definitely video, video is huge. I don’t do it enough, but when I have — whether it’s sending a quote to a client who’s looking at refinancing or a video on social media — it generates by far the most business. Video allows you to connect with people more strongly than a piece of paper because it reveals your personality and makes you more relatable. It makes a huge difference.
Top of Mind Networks:
What is an on-the-job experience that made you especially proud?
I remember being a young loan officer and seeing senior loan officers with all of these plaques for being top producers. Seeing the success of senior loan officers drove me to earn a plaque. I wanted one more than anything. The money didn’t matter much, I just wanted a little plaque. When I got my first plaque it gave me this feeling of I did it, I made it!
Top of Mind Networks:
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
I’ve never been to Europe. So anywhere across the pond – Italy, England, I love to golf and Ireland is the home of golf so that’s on my bucket list. Europe for sure would be where I’d want to go.
Top of Mind Networks:
Show us your most treasured possession.
I could show you a signed basketball Jersey or my favorite golf club but to be honest, my most prized possession has to be my kids.
Top of Mind Networks:
Who’s the most famous or interesting person you’ve ever met?
About 10 years ago I got to meet my childhood hero, John Stockton from the Utah Jazz Basketball team. Growing up I really idolized him. Getting to meet him as an adult took me right back to being a 10-year-old again. It was really cool, I got an autograph.
Top of Mind Networks:
If you weren’t a mortgage banker, what other profession would you like to attempt?
Before I met my wife, I had applied to multiple animation schools. I love art and doodling. My sister lived in Arizona at the time and I was going to go live with her because there’s an animation school nearby. I wanted to work for Pixar. That’s where I was going in my head. My wife and I actually had this conversation the other day. If I could do anything over again, that’s what I would do. I would pursue that dream for sure.
Top of Mind Networks:
Rapidfire: You’ve just won an Oscar. Give us your top-3 acceptance speech shout-outs.
My mentor, boss and buddy Brody would be in there. My wife would be in there for putting up with the late nights, the mortgage world can be a little crazy. And then probably my coworkers, they kind of get you through some of the hard stuff for sure, they’re your family away from home. So that’s who I’d shout out to.