Young Gun: Cara Quinn

Cara Quinn
Loan Market, Nundah, Qld.






Why did you move into mortgage broking?

I had a poor experience with a broker during the purchase of my last property, and thought that I could do a better job. I’ve always been interested in property and finance so it seemed like a perfect fit.

What were you doing before moving into mortgage broking?

I was working as a legal secretary for Minter Ellison Lawyers in Brisbane.

How has the job compared to your preconceptions?

My perception of what the job entails tends to change each month! I initially thought it would be primarily administrative. However, as my business grows I spend far more time face-to-face with customers and referrers, preferring to outsource the paperwork.

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learnt on the job so far?

I’ve learnt the importance of managing customer expectations. Many customers’ last purchase experience was pre-GFC, and lending criteria have certainly changed since then.

What has been your biggest achievement?

Settling that first loan! I think I drove the lender crazy with that one! 

What are the key strengths a person needs to make a go of mortgage broking?

You need to enjoy dealing with people and have thick skin. Particularly when it comes to referral sources, you will get a lot of no’s and will often doubt yourself, so it’s important to brush it off and get on with the job.

What are your plans and ambitions for the year ahead?

Now that I have a steady pipeline of work, this coming year I will focus on strengthening my relationships with new and existing referral partners and streamlining how each file is administered to ensure my database maintains its value.

What advice would you offer to others who are considering moving into mortgage broking?

Especially at the onset, you will work long hours for little reward, so it’s important to have family and friends who will support you and provide morale, money and referrals!

What’s the best part of the job?

Calling a customer to tell them their loan is approved; especially first home buyers. It always makes my day to hear their excitement!

How do you go about generating leads and turning them into satisfied customers?

Network, network, network. You never know where your next lead will come from. I keep customers informed every step of the way, which goes a long way when it comes to repeat business and referrals. 

Where do you see the mortgage broking industry heading over the next few years?

Every month we see upgrades to aggregator and lender websites, software and mobile apps. I can see some great opportunities for brokers who embrace this technology, especially as our customers become more and more tech savvy and time poor.

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