Zillow has teamed up with the Top Rated Lenders on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace to present the “Pay My Mortgage Sweepstakes.” For the next three weeks, Zillow users are invited to enter for a chance to win $25,000 cash to pay their mortgage!
This week, we’re talking to one of Zillow’s Top Rated Lenders, First Financial Services. With more than 780 customer reviews and an outstanding rating of 4.4 stars, First Financial Services has demonstrated its dedication to the Zillow Mortgage Marketplace community for over 2 years. We spoke with Executive Vice President Kyle Kilpatrick about small company dynamics, earning clients’ trust and the power of online reviews.
Zillow: You’ve been a Top Rated Lender on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for over 2 years. What is it about your company’s approach to mortgage lending that makes clients want to partner with you?
Kilpatrick: As a team, we commit each day to three specific goals: advising, delivering and competing. When we speak with a new client, we are able to use our years of experience in the mortgage and lending process to walk each homeowner through exactly what to expect. Our goal with each and every call, email or meeting we make is to provide as much help as we can in whatever context possible. We know mortgage shopping is not something people do all the time, and thankfully they no longer have to do it alone.
Zillow: Shopping for a mortgage can be an intimidating process. Have any of your clients ever been hesitant to go online and make such a big life decision?
Kilpatrick: Absolutely. One of our most recent customers came to us after trying the traditional big bank loan method and getting lost in the shuffle of bureaucratic red tape. It was their first home, and they had a young family and panicked — closing your home is a huge process! Thankfully they decided to take a chance with online lending and contacted us through Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. One of the perks of being a fairly small company is each of our clients get hands-on treatment. We were able to work with their tight timeline and successfully close their home in a matter of weeks.
Zillow: Looking through your customer reviews on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, there is a reoccurring theme of trust between yourselves and each client you partner with. How does your team continue to maintain this value of honesty with over 5,000+ Zillow customers and growing?
Kilpatrick: Many lenders in the marketplace share their customers’ information with third-party companies outsourced in other countries. We operate 100 percent in the U.S., and all of our employees are here as well. We’ve made a companywide commitment to protecting our clients’ privacy and expect to be held to that standard.
Read First Financial Services reviews and learn more here.