Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Gamez
Hi Eddie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Originally from El Paso, I went to UTEP for college, studied history, and planned to be a teacher/ football coach. During my senior year I took an internship in athletic administration and for 10 years after college I worked in sports and entertainment sales and marketing for UTEP Athletics, the KC Royals, Arizona State Athletics, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. I did marketing, game entertainment, ticket sales, and sponsorship sales. After completing an MBA at Arizona State University, I decided to move to Austin. I decided on Austin because I had always loved the city’s casual culture, music and bar scene, and emerging tech ecosystem.
After moving to Austin I tried a few different things, knowing I may move to lending if these careers were not a fit. I started with the Austin Technology Council, spent time working with several tech start ups, and also worked at KXAN doing digital marketing and ad sales. Ultimately, none of these places were a fit for me, mainly because I was expected to sell a product or service, but had no control over the end result that was delivered.
After a tech start up that I was working for folded, due to COVID, I interviewed several Loan Officers, and decided to make the move into mortgage lending, working for a friends branch. I’ve since moved from that branch to being an independent mortgage broker, to provide lower rates and have control over the customer service provided.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. I had a painful break up with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
I spent a lot of sleepless nights stressed out about “selling air” at the Austin Technology Council.
My dog had to get two surgeries to remove tennis balls he swallowed.
The local media world was much more disorganized and transactional than I was used to, so much so that I would get anxiety attacks on the freeway.
When I became a loan officer, and started earning 100% commission, interest rate went through the roof. I was working for a high priced retail lender and running out of money because I kept losing deals due to rates. It got pretty desperate at one point. This was at the same time that I was planning a wedding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about EddieGamez.com?
I’m an independent mortgage broker, under Edge Home Finance. As such, I lend people money for real estate purchases and refinances I over 100 lenders to find the right loan programs for borrowers based on their needs. Whether it’s a fast closing, low interest rate, low closing fees, or complex situations – we have access to the right lender.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
If you look at other industries, you could say that there will be more tech platforms that help make loans cheaper and provide the end consumer more options.
But, if you look at other industries, you can also see “change makers” evolving back to the original system they were working to disrupt – Netflix has commercials, Uber has turned into a cab company, and Airbnb has hotels. They’ve opened up options but growth pressures have led to a continually declining customer experience.
I think online lending services will be bought up by banks and their rates will be similar to everyone else’s, while their customer service will decline. Borrowers will continue to get the best deals and customer service from independent brokers.
Pricing:
- We have the lowest rates for home purchase and refinance transactions.
- FHA Loans
- Conventional Loans
- USDA Loans
- Non QM Loans
Contact Info:
- Website: https://EddieGamez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddiegamezdotcom/
