Tailoring the Home Buying Experience

Jessie Carson, a mortgage lender with Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc., has deep roots in the community, Jessie’s journey from teacher to mortgage lender is both exciting and relatable for many families in the region.

 

Born and raised in Pella, Jessie Carson’s journey into the mortgage world was anything but conventional. After attending Central College, she met her husband, Grady, who works at LDJ, and together they built a life in Pella. Jessie earned her degree in Education and worked as a teacher in Oskaloosa for four years. However, the birth of her two young boys—one almost five years old and the other 2.5 years old—was the catalyst for a career change.

 

“During COVID, I decided that I needed to do something different that also worked well with having a family,” Jessie shared. That was when she made the bold decision to enter the mortgage world, and it was a move she never regretted. With nearly five years of experience, Jessie is passionate about helping people navigate the sometimes complex process of buying a home.

 

After working with several mortgage companies, Jessie found her true home at Sierra Pacific Mortgage. “I’m so grateful to have landed with Sierra Pacific about a year and a half ago. Being a loan officer here is the best career decision I’ve ever made,” she shared.

 

Sierra Pacific Mortgage, with locations across the United States, has proven to be the perfect fit for Jessie, showing that it’s not just about the business, it’s about the people. “Sierra Pacific really embodies everything I was looking for in a mortgage company. They are great people, and the people we are surrounded with determine who we are and how we do our job,” Jessie said. She went on to explain that having a supportive team behind her was something she had missed in her previous positions. “It makes a huge difference when you’re working with upstanding people and a business who gets the job done,” she added.

 

So what sets Jessie apart in a sea of mortgage lenders? She says it’s her ability to simplify the mortgage process in a way that clients can easily understand. “My background in teaching is really helpful in breaking things down from start to finish. How to get someone preapproved to the finish line to buy a home. I think it’s super important to walk clients through the process in a way they understand,” Jessie said.

 

With her teaching experience, Jessie has a knack for explaining things in a way that clicks for everyone and helping clients feel comfortable every step of the way. “A lot of people don’t know the terminology or how to actually buy a home. I’m there to hold their hands and walk them through the process,” she explained.

 

One of the things Jessie loves about working with Sierra Pacific Mortgage is the flexibility they offer clients. “We’re essentially a one-stop shop,” Jessie explained. Sierra Pacific offers everything from down payment assistance through the Iowa Finance Authority to VA, FHA, USDA, and conventional loans. They also have the ability to broker loans to other trusted lender partners, giving them more options to serve their clients’ unique needs.

 

This flexibility allows Jessie to provide tailored solutions for her clients, even if their initial application doesn’t fit within typical loan guidelines. “If I can’t get a client pre-approved through Sierra Pacific, I have an avenue to broker the loan out and try to get them approved. It’s all about creative solutions to homeownership,” Jessie explained.

 

In fact, Sierra Pacific even offers a program that helps people with a credit score as low as 580 secure a 25- or 30-year conventional loan. This makes homeownership more accessible to a broader range of potential buyers.

 

Sierra Pacific also offers a "One Dream One Percent" program that provides a unique financial opportunity for first-time homebuyers. With just 3% down, and the potential for a 2% lender credit, this program helps reduce the burden of down payments and makes the dream of homeownership more attainable.

 

In the last year, Jessie has worked hard to build strong relationships with local real estate agents in Pella, Oskaloosa, Knoxville, and even Ankeny. Her goal is to showcase what Sierra Pacific can offer and demonstrate how the company’s services can benefit both real estate agents and their clients.

 

As her business grows, Jessie’s client base continues to expand through word of mouth, with satisfied customers referring to their friends and family. Her dedication to providing exceptional service, coupled with her emphasis on clear and consistent communication, has earned her a reputation as a lender who genuinely cares as she becomes a go to resource for those looking to navigate the homebuying process.

 

"I pride myself on the communication I bring to the table. I am always accessible and stay in touch through every step," Jessie says.

 

In today’s digital world, much of Jessie’s work is done online or over the phone. However, she makes it a point to meet clients in person whenever possible. Whether it's in a coffee shop or a real estate office, Jessie values face-to-face interactions that help her build trust and rapport with her clients.

 

Although Jessie primarily works from home, she has plans for the future. “Sometime in the future, I’d like to have an office in town, I’m just not ready for that yet,” she said. In addition to being licensed in Iowa, Jessie recently became licensed in Pennsylvania to better serve her clients. “My manager is based out of the Pennsylvania office, so this allows me to legally assist with loans and clients in Pennsylvania,” Jessie explained.

 

Looking ahead, Jessie is excited for the future of Sierra Pacific Mortgage. "Sierra Pacific is all about partnerships and creating more options for our clients. We really focus on getting as many people into homes as possible. We go to the end of the line before we say no," Jessie says.

 

As Sierra Pacific Mortgage continues to expand its offerings, Jessie is excited about the future. “We’re rolling out an internal down payment assistance program in the next few months, and we’re always looking for creative solutions to help as many clients as we can,” she said.

 

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking for creative financing options, Jessie is here to help guide you through every step of the process. Be sure to connect with her at Sierra Pacific Mortgage for a personalized and supportive homebuying experience.