He’ll ‘Guide You Home’

Note: This blog is part of a series about professionals in the Pioneer Valley with whom Janice collaborates.

When it comes to his work, Brian Risler has a lot of positive energy and will gladly take the opportunity to get you to know his business.

Brian is the producing branch manager of Residential Mortgage Services, Inc. in Easthampton. He’s been working in his current field for 14 years, and before that, he spent 15 years working in commercial insurance. Since he was young, Brian has always been interested in working with numbers and got into the field when a friend began a mortgage company.

Janice knows Brian through her membership in the Mill River chapter of BNI, a global business networking organization with chapters all over the Valley. Brian, 49, of South Hadley, is the current chapter president, and Janice is impressed with the professional—and compassionate—way he runs the group.

Janice has also helped Residential Mortgage Services with a press release announcing new staff members.

Residential Mortgage Services, Inc. is a non-banking mortgage lender, meaning their main service is providing mortgages that are tailored toward particular buyers, such as veterans, for instance.

Brian’s work involves finding the right mortgage fit for clients and also helping those who struggle with credit to repair their credit history so they might become mortgage eligible. Brian views his work as extremely rewarding; he loves helping people finance their own homes, giving them independence, and a stable and predictable housing payment. He enjoys helping people take charge of their own personal wealth.

Brian’s field of work often finds him thinking critically. His work has shaped the way he thinks, and he thinks in terms of verifiability. Instead of taking information at face value, Brian thinks about the reliability of both the information and its sources.

Brian attended the University of Massachusetts, where he began degrees in both English and math. Eventually, he transferred to Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts to earn a degree in business administration, concentrating in finance.

Brian joined BNI in December 2013. He finds it rewarding to work with referrals from many different members of the group, and to learn about their businesses. He also enjoys interacting with members and their visitors and is a constant source of ideas and encouragement.

Here are some tips from Brian for anyone considering the purchase of a home or selecting a mortgage lender:

• Always begin the process early.
• Gather paperwork that shows the income being used to repay the loan, as well as any bank account or other asset statements that show the money to be used for the down payment.
• Get a credit consultation early in the process of your home search, and don’t be afraid to ask your lender about the details of the loan being recommended. Some questions are:
  • “What makes this loan a good choice for my situation?”
  • “Are there other options we should be considering?”
  • “How many of these loans do you and your institution make every year?”
• And of course, Brian always suggests asking yourself, “How can I verify that?”