NJ Lenders Branch Spotlight: Meet the Edison Team
Located in Middlesex County, the NJ Lenders Corp. Edison Branch is proud to service the New Jersey and New York metropolitan community. Offering mortgage product information and home loan financing tools, the members of the Edison Branch office are committed to providing families with reliable service and expert guidance.
Meet the Team: Jim Brown and Tim Maher
Jim Brown entered the mortgage industry in 1985 and has since earned a reputation for his tenacity, charisma, and commitment to his professional relationships. A recipient of the Circle of Excellence award and #1 Top Producing Loan Officer designation from 1985 to 1993, Jim has managed teams of Loan Originators averaging over 1.1 billion in annual closed loan volume from 1993 through 2022.
After joining the mortgage industry in 1990, Tim Maher founded Greenwich Home Mortgage with Jim Brown in 1993. Over the years, Tim received the President’s Club and Circle of Excellence awards for his work in originations and sales management, but when asked about the highlights of his career, Tim points to “recruiting individuals into the mortgage industry, mentoring and coaching them as they strive to become successful mortgage professionals, and continuing to support their career growth.”
Q&A: Navigating Today’s Market
What is your advice for navigating higher interest rates?
“Look at all the options,” Jim says. “Adjustable Rate Mortgages, paying for points, and buy-downs are great options in a higher rate environment.”
“If purchasing a home you expect to stay in for a while, you may likely be able to refinance to a lower rate at some point in the future,” Tim adds.
What advice do you have for first-time homebuyers in today’s market?
“Your search for a home can be an exhausting and frustrating process,” Jim says. “Find a trusted realtor and get fully approved for your mortgage, so you are prepared with a competitive proposal to the seller.”
From a bird’s-eye view of the mortgage industry, what is something you wish you knew five years ago?
“The importance of origination technology and how much it has changed the mortgage industry,” Jim says.
Agreeing, Tim adds, “The power of sales technology and social media is exceptional when it comes to further leveraging your relationships.”
In your opinion, what is the most rewarding aspect of homeownership?
“Homeownership helps to build wealth, but it also allows you to be part of a community,” Tim says.
“It provides a comfortable home environment for you and your loved ones,” Jim says. “It’s a place that helps to create lifelong memories, as well as financial stability.”
Q&A: What Sets You Apart
What do you think sets you and our company apart from others?
“Caring management and strong leadership make up the foundation of NJ Lenders,” Jim says.
“The teams at NJ Lenders view each customer as a customer for life,” Tim adds. “The quality of service, processing, and the results reinforce and perpetuate a culture that results in repeat business and an increased number of referrals from people and clients that we care about.”
Q&A: Company Culture
What would you consider to be the foundation of your business?
“Having a ‘Customer for a Life’ approach is the foundation for all successful mortgage lenders,” Jim says.
NJ Lenders was voted one of the top places to work for the last five years. How has our company invested in our workforce? How does the support for our loan officers benefit borrowers?
“Our ability to deliver fast, transparent, and accurate closings are attractive to customers,” Jim says. “NJ Lenders offers state-of-the-art origination technology.”