Throughout his 14 years in the mortgage industry, Alessandro Madonia has found himself in humbling situations: the financial crisis of 2008 and now the COVID-19 pandemic. These types of challenges always cause him to reflect on his career, where he started and how he built up his business based on relationships. All of his business is referral-based and comes from attorneys, brokers, financial advisors, insurance agents and, most of all, past clients.
“I know people are nervous and anxious during these times,” says Madonia, senior mortgage advisor with Preferred Rate, which is partnered with American Pacific Mortgage. “One of the most important aspects of my job is exceeding customer expectations and coming from a place of contribution when dealing with people. I hold myself and my team fully accountable.”
His team consists of an assistant, a processor and himself, and they all assist a variety of homebuyers — from first-time to high-end to investors — with conventional, jumbo, FHA and VA loan products. “Combined, we have over 40 years of experience in the mortgage industry,” Madonia says. “Having a team on my side with that level of knowledge really helps divide the workload evenly, so that every one of us, including myself, is working efficiently for our clients.”
A Five Star Mortgage Professional award recipient since 2014, Madonia has also made Chicago Agent magazine’s Who’s Who list for the past five consecutive years. “My business style is easy,” he says. “I think to myself, ‘If I were buying a home, how would I want to be treated? How would I want to be spoken to?’ And I make the process as fun as possible, but I also set expectations upfront so there are no surprises.”
Outside of work, Madonia likes spending time with his wife and two young children, volunteering in the community, running, and lifting weights. “If there’s anything this quarantine taught me,” he says, “it’s to always make time for your family.”
