About Me

My name is Tom Vanderwell and I’ve been helping people with their real estate investments for over 20 years.

In 1988, I took the “plunge” into the real estate world.   I sold real estate for 3 1/2 years until, right after the first Persian Gulf War, I made a change and went to work for NBD (a bank that is now part of JP Morgan Chase).   Over the last 17 years, I’ve worked exclusively as a mortgage lender working for a large bank, 3 smaller community banks, and now for Fifth Third Bank, a “super regional” bank.   I have the ability to write mortgages in 41 of the 50 states through Fifth Third.

My philosophy about mortgage lending has evolved a bit over the years.   I started in the business looking at it strictly as a sales job.   I sold money for a living and I wanted to “sell” more.

In 1995, I was 5 years into the business and getting burned out on the “sell sell sell” scenario.   Getting burned out to the point of considering a career change.   I was talking to a friend of my dad about it (kind of a mentor type of thing) and he said something that changed my career forever.   He said, “Tom, God needs good people in the finance world too.”    That changed my thinking and from then on, I changed my focus.

Instead of selling money, I’m helping people.  I’m spending the time to make sure that people get the right mortgage and “do” their real estate transactions right.  It really changed my perspective on things.   Now, my outlook isn’t “sell sell sell.”   I look at it as “How can I make a difference in someone’s financial picture today?”

That means that:

1. I treat the older couple looking to move their mortgage from their house to their cottage so they can sell their house to their daughter on a contract with the same amount of time, attention to detail and persistence as I do the doctor building a cottage.
2. That I take the time to discuss what a prospective borrower’s both short and long term plans are in regards to that particular property and the debt so that we can make sure we’re doing the right thing.
3. That also means that, on the rare occasion that it happens, that if someone else (aka the “other” lender) has a program that would work better for this particular clients needs, I’ll practice what I preach and talk straight and tell them that it’s a better deal.

Especially in today’s market, it’s never been more important to deal with a professional who puts your needs and wants first.   Someone who takes the time to figure out all of the angles and takes the time to do things right.   I hope that you’ll give me the chance to help you.

Thanks!

Tom Vanderwell

(616) 292-7559

thomas.vanderwell@53.com

or
tvanderwell@straighttalkaboutmortgages.com