Meet our North Conway crew, a gaggle of native specialists devoted to understanding the banking wants of the Larger Mount Washington Valley area.
– Susan Perry, Senior Vice President, Business Mortgage Officer
– Will Perez-Moya, Department Supervisor
– Kathy Sanderson, Sr. Residential Mortgage Mortgage Originator (NMLS 409084)
– Thomas Rubino, Common Banker 1
We requested our crew questions on their lives right here in MWV, their place on the financial institution, how they’re concerned in the neighborhood and their ideas on the housing state of affairs within the space. We hope you take pleasure in attending to know them and studying extra about their ideas about dwelling right here in Conway!
How lengthy have you ever lived within the MWV, and what introduced you to this space?
Susan:
I’ve lived in Chatham, New Hampshire (1 mile from Conway) for 34 years. I moved to the realm after getting married, as my husband grew up on this space and lived right here his complete life.
Will:
I’ve lived in Conway for 2 years. The job alternatives and the realm’s stunning pure environment are what initially attracted me to this group.
Kathy:
Moved from Central Florida 20 years in the past to North Conway. We wished to have our daughter expertise 4 seasons in a slower paced rural atmosphere.
Are you able to share your skilled journey in banking and the way you got here to work at Union Financial institution?
Susan:
I’ve been working in banking since 1989, beginning first as a teller at a financial institution on Congress Avenue in Portland, Maine, and them relocating to the previous White Mountain Nationwide Financial institution once I moved to the realm. I began with WMNB as a Buyer Service Consultant and moved round for a number of years, lastly ending up as a Credit score Analyst.
When WMNB was acquired by First NH, my job was eradicated so I moved to the previous Berlin Metropolis Financial institution as their first Credit score Analyst. I used to be with Berlin Metropolis (aka Northway Financial institution) for greater than 17 years, rising the credit score division from simply me to a big crew. As well as, I established a small enterprise program referred to as the Northway Enterprise Specific program the place we helped tons of of companies with working capital traces of credit score and tools purchases.
After 17 years, I used to be offered with the chance to journey the nation and took a job in Software program Implementation for a Business Lending LOS system. I used to be chargeable for assembly with Banks throughout the nation to find out their wants with the software program they bought, then configured the software program to satisfy their wants. Over the 5 years that I did this job I helped greater than 100 banks implement this software program and enhance their efficiencies.
Six years in the past, Union Financial institution was trying to open a mortgage manufacturing workplace in North Conway, and I’ve been right here since.
Will:
I started my profession on the financial institution as a Common Banker, and since final June I’ve been serving because the Department Supervisor.
Kathy:
I began in Banking as a Teller and moved over shortly to New Accounts and after a number of years began my profession in Residential Mortgage Financing. My husband is self-employed as a Dental Lab Technician in North Conway.
Thomas:
I began my banking profession at Norway Financial savings Financial institution a bit over 5 years in the past now. My father and mom had been each in banking (father nonetheless is) and after a number of years in retail gross sales, I made a decision it was time to attempt it out and see if that profession path was value switching to.
I wore many hats whereas I labored for Norway Financial savings Financial institution and when it got here time to maneuver to a very new city, I wanted to search out one thing nearer. Fortunately, the department supervisor on the time right here was a former co-worker from Norway Financial savings so it was a very simple transition!
What do you take pleasure in most about working right here?
Susan:
My favourite a part of my job helps folks and companies obtain their dream of enterprise possession or enterprise progress. I take pleasure in working at Union Financial institution as our choices are made domestically, however people who’re invested of their communities and the individuals who stay there.
Will:
What I take pleasure in most is working with my incredible colleagues. We’ve a supportive, customer-focused crew, and it’s rewarding to be a part of such a collaborative atmosphere.
Kathy:
I like working for an area Neighborhood Financial institution and the help I’ve at Union Financial institution in my position and outreach efforts in Mount Washington Valley.
Thomas:
I feel the factor that I take pleasure in essentially the most about working right here is seeing the satisfaction coming from our clients after we’ve finished all we are able to to assist them with their banking wants.
There’s no higher feeling than seeing a buyer extraordinarily blissful after having a relationship transferred over to us or perhaps a new relationship, they usually reward your entire employees for all their onerous work. It’s such an incredible feeling.
Do you have got any private or household historical past of rising up or attending faculty within the North Conway space?
Susan:
My husband grew up in Chatham and attended faculties in Fryeburg, Mainer. My youngsters additionally attended faculty in Fryeburg, each having graduated from Fryeburg Academy.
Will:
I grew up in a distinct nation the place I lived close to the mountains, about two hours from the coast. In that manner, transferring to North Conway has felt acquainted, because the pure panorama right here jogs my memory of dwelling.
What do you consider the housing market in MWV? How has it modified through the years?
Susan:
The housing market within the Mt. Washington Valley may be very robust. The demand for properties to personal or lease far exceeds the provision of obtainable models. Communities and builders work onerous to search out alternatives to generate new stock, nonetheless, in current occasions, the associated fee is prohibitive, and the brand new development tends to lean towards the second householders or rich people.
Kathy:
In my twenty years dwelling in North Conway and being very concerned within the native housing promote it has change from a really rural setting to now a serious four-season vacationer space. There are lots of 2nd houses being offered within the final 4 years which limits housing for the oldsters that work in our space. Housing costs have additionally soared upwards. This makes housing affordability for locals very tough.
What recommendation would you give first-time homebuyers in Conway or the encompassing areas?
Kathy:
Search out a mortgage skilled that may information you step-by-step for a future profitable dwelling shopping for expertise. It’s by no means too early to get educated!
Susan:
Be affected person, work on ensuring your private state of affairs is the very best it may be by eradicated bank card debt, and so forth. Avoid wasting cash so you have got the funds wanted to buy a house and be open to dwelling in surrounding communities.
Will:
For first-time homebuyers in Conway, my recommendation is to be ready and act shortly. I lately made the error of not doing that, and it seems like my spouse and I missed the possibility to purchase our dream dwelling.
Ensure you’re pre-approved for a mortgage (with Union Financial institution, after all) so you may make a proposal with confidence, as competitors is excessive. It’s additionally vital to work with an area realtor who understands the precise market developments in Conway. Be versatile together with your wants and take into account properties simply outdoors of Conway, which can be extra inexpensive whereas nonetheless providing easy accessibility to the city’s facilities.
How does the financial institution assist clients navigate mortgages, particularly given the native housing developments?
Susan:
We’ve a superb crew of Mortgage Originators, particularly Kathy Sanderson, who cowl New Hampshire.
Kathy:
We associate with Housing Finance companies for House-buying lessons and availability for down fee help. We even have many mortgage packages for distinctive properties and supply construct mortgage packages that may accommodate homebuyers wants.
Will:
The financial institution gives personalised mortgage providers to assist clients navigate the native housing market. We offer pre-qualification and pre-approval providers to provide patrons a bonus in a aggressive market. Kathy Sanderson, our mortgage mortgage originator helps educate patrons on the several types of loans obtainable, together with first-time dwelling purchaser packages, which could provide decrease down funds or higher phrases.
What native elements, like value of dwelling or neighborhood developments, ought to homebuyers in MWV concentrate on?
Will:
Homebuyers in Conway ought to concentrate on the rising value of dwelling, particularly with property costs and taxes rising. Moreover, North Conway’s robust tourism business contributes to the native economic system, which may have an effect on housing demand, particularly for second houses or trip properties.
Patrons must also take into account the supply of native facilities akin to faculties, healthcare, and the proximity to leisure actions, that are key to Conway’s attraction. Latest neighborhood developments and the city’s deal with sustaining its allure may also affect property values, so keeping track of native zoning modifications and infrastructure tasks is essential for long-term funding planning.
Kathy:
Learn as a lot as you possibly can in regards to the native market and future alternatives they’re eternally altering. Ask questions of your mortgage skilled. We’re right here to assist even at nights or weekends.
How do you keep engaged with the group outdoors of labor?
Susan:
I’m the Secretary/Treasurer of the Mt. Washington Valley Financial Council, the treasurer of The Mom Seton Home and concerned with the Fryeburg Truthful.
When my youngsters had been rising up, I used to be very concerned of their faculties, rec packages, booster golf equipment, and so forth. I used to be additionally concerned with the Purple Cross after we had an area workplace within the Mt. Washington Valley years in the past.
Kathy:
I’m concerned with Memorial Hospital/Fundamental Med in North Conway. My membership with Mt Washington Valley Chamber retains me linked with enterprise leaders in the neighborhood. My involvement with the White Mountain Realtors and Affiliate committees is a good what to remain linked with my referral sources. All of those sources present Union Financial institution with many advertising alternatives and relationships.
What do you’re keen on most about dwelling within the North Conway space? Are there any explicit points of the area you suppose make it an incredible place to stay?
Susan:
The Mt Washington Valley is a good place to stay. We’ve fabulous meals choices, actions to maintain most individuals busy and cultural occasions akin to native theater productions.
Will:
What I like most about Conway is the unbelievable pure magnificence mixed with the welcoming group spirit. The proximity to the White Mountains makes it excellent for out of doors actions, akin to mountaineering, snowboarding, and scenic drives. The city has a novel mix of small-town allure and vibrant tourism, so there’s all the time one thing happening whereas nonetheless feeling peaceable. The robust sense of group and native delight really make it an incredible place to stay.
Kathy:
There’s by no means a scarcity of actions in MWV. Being a four-season resort space you have got many selections to benefit from the open air and inside actions or occasions.
Thomas:
I feel what I take pleasure in essentially the most about dwelling on this space is the truth that you don’t need to journey far to go from bustling metropolis life the place each avenue nook is a distinct retailer to accommodate most wants, to driving simply 5 minutes out of city and you might be already immersed within the breathtaking mountain views and a brief drive into the nationwide parks. You actually do get the very best of each walks of life dwelling right here.
For brand spanking new residents trying to become involved, what native organizations, group actions, or occasions would you advocate they try?
Susan:
Keep watch over the Conway Each day Solar and Social Media; there are such a lot of issues happening in and across the space to maintain most individuals engaged.
What are your favourite native spots to go to with household or associates?
Susan:
There’s nothing extra calming that driving north on Route 16 and catching a glimpse of a snow-covered Mt. Washington within the background. There are such a lot of fabulous eating places within the space, and all are so good. Favourite eating places embody SeaDog Brewing, the WildRose at Stonehurst Manor, the White Mountain Resort and Large Dave’s Bagels. Procuring has modified through the years, with many shops leaving the realm and new specialty shops taking their place. It’s usually tough to search out objects akin to a costume shirt for an important day, however entry to higher procuring is barely a brief drive away.
Will:
A few of my favourite native spots embody Echo Lake State Park, the place you possibly can take pleasure in picnicking and mountaineering with gorgeous views of Cathedral Ledge. For eating, I like stopping by The Wild Rose Restaurant at Stonehurst Manor for nice native meals. Procuring at Settlers Inexperienced can be a should, providing a spread of retailers and distinctive outlets that attraction to each locals and guests alike.
Kathy:
I take pleasure in Schouler Park in North Conway. Plenty of strolling and using trails. Within the Winter cross nation or snowshoeing is obtainable to take pleasure in. My favourite restaurant is Black Cap Grill. Domestically owned and operated.
How have you ever seen Conway develop or change through the years, significantly in areas like housing or native providers?
Susan:
The world continues to develop and evolve; the Mt. Washington Valley is a vacationer vacation spot, and the expansion we’ve got seen is expounded to this business. Space points of interest akin to Cranmore Mountain proceed to develop and enhance their operations to draw extra guests to the realm. We want housing for individuals who stay and work right here and lodging for individuals who like to go to and play right here. The world must discover a good steadiness between the 2.
Thomas:
I grew up in Bartlet NH which is simply down the street from Conway. I keep in mind when this whole space was so much much less busy and crowded than it’s at present.
I might say the enterprise inhabitants right here has elevated tremendously since I used to be in my youth, visiting right here fairly usually. The world has introduced extra numerous enterprise that the realm on the time didn’t have so I might say that the expansion this space has had was a blessing.
What would you advocate to somebody transferring to Conway concerning housing or settling into the group?
Thomas:
For somebody transferring to Conway, I like to recommend working with Kathy. She really understands the distinctive housing market right here. Whereas the housing stock might be aggressive, there are alternatives if you happen to’re affected person and ready. Become involved in the neighborhood early on by attending city occasions and visiting native companies—it’s an effective way to really feel settled and meet folks.
Kathy:
Instantly become involved in the neighborhood. Volunteering is an effective way to remain linked and meet locals that may enable you navigate your MWV expertise.
What are some native landmarks, companies, or occasions that maintain particular which means for you?
Kathy:
Memorial Hospital is expensive to my coronary heart.
We Look Ahead To Assembly You!
We hope this glimpse into our crew has helped you get to know us higher. We sit up for constructing a long-lasting relationship with you and supporting your monetary wants.
Union Financial institution is proud to serve North Conway with a devoted crew dedicated to creating a constructive impression in our group. Whether or not you’re opening an account, in search of a mortgage, or in search of monetary recommendation, we’re right here to assist. Cease by at present or contact us to expertise the distinction we are able to make for you!
