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Testimonials

“I have a team who are all women and diverse and very supportive of one another…” – Victoria, Director of Operations and Client Relations

 


I work in the mortgage finance department, where we have closings daily. We also act as transfer agents for certain co-ops and condominiums. I heard about Adam Leitman Bailey PC through my own research, being in real estate for almost 10 years. I wanted to be a part of a larger organization.

When I come to work, I look forward to being able to help people and make them happy. My department primarily represents lenders, so we deal with a lot of loan officers, but the mutual customer in that scenario is the purchaser or someone trying to obtain refinancing. The application process with the bank can take several months, and then we come in at the closing stage, which is the last phase of the transaction but also the happiest. We try to make the experience quick, easy, and pleasant.

My daily responsibilities include attending closings and making sure that borrowers are well aware of everything they’re signing and that they understand what is represented on the papers. Outside of that, we also do all the legwork before closings, like reviewing title reports. It’s crucial to ensure that when someone is purchasing a property, especially for the first time, the experience is as smooth as possible. You don’t want to find out at closing that there’s a significant lien against the property or other issues. We do a lot of due diligence to make sure all parties and properties are clear, and there’s a lot of communication with the bank and the borrowers. Above all, we always strive to put others first, keeping in mind that even if we’re having a tough day, it’s about delivering good news to our clients.

The culture here, especially regarding teamwork, really allows for it. There’s a lot of independent work, which I love, but we also work together well. It’s a peaceful environment here despite the busy nature of the firm. We have a very supportive team, and everyone is always willing to help. I’ve worked for other organizations where you’re on your own from start to finish, but here, even my bosses, including a partner, are always available to take my calls or lend a hand. Everyone takes accountability, and we’re all on the same page when it comes to getting things done.

I currently work in a department made up entirely of women, and I really appreciate being part of this team. You get to see strong women in professional roles who are also managing their personal lives, like being wives and mothers. With the flexibility of working from home, we balance our personal obligations while still getting things done professionally. It’s a relatable environment, and it’s easier to communicate about things that may uniquely affect us as women. It’s great to be part of such a supportive and understanding team.

My main duty is to attend and facilitate closings. That’s the sweetest part of the job, making sure the clients are happy and everything goes smoothly. But there’s a lot of work that goes into that. We strive to be as transparent as possible and keep the lender updated while also communicating with the customer (the borrower) every step of the way. We often deal with refinances, and in New York, you don’t need an attorney to close on a refinance. So, we often play both roles, communicating with the customer and ensuring they’re clear on the documents they need to bring to closing, while also ensuring the lender is happy because we’ve closed their customer’s loan.

I started in real estate when I was 19, working as a landlord-tenant paralegal and property manager. I later transitioned from residential to commercial and then back to residential. The experience I gained in commercial real estate, where people are buying buildings instead of houses, helped me handle the pressure and demands of this job better. In residential real estate, the volume is much higher, with individual files coming my way, but the skills I developed in commercial real estate prepared me to manage that stress. Over the years, I’ve also done lending, underwriting, and attended networking events with various real estate professionals, including attorneys, title analysts, brokers, and agents. What I’ve learned is that we have the most important role in the entire process. While brokers find properties, and title closers research the property, we’re the gatekeepers, providing comfort and clarity to both the lender and the customer. For refinances, where no attorney is involved, we often step into that role informally to ensure everything runs smoothly.

My advice to anyone starting out in real estate is to just go for it. Don’t wait. Even if real estate doesn’t initially seem interesting, you’ll eventually be involved in it in some way—whether renting or buying a property, or helping a relative do the same. It’s valuable knowledge, and understanding real estate is an essential life skill, especially in a place like New York City. The market here is demanding and can be intimidating and expensive, so it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting into. I never envisioned myself in real estate, but now I can’t see myself leaving, and I’m here by choice. Learning the ins and outs of real estate is crucial not only if you plan to work in the field but to navigate New York City and make informed decisions.


 

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