Bruce Bufe

BruceBufe-full

Bruce Bufe

Vice President of Mortgage Origination
1st Advantage Mortgage, a Draper and Kramer Company

With 24 years in the industry, Bruce Bufe is as experienced as they come. And while he counts his longevity in the industry as one of his greatest achievements, Bufe has not just survived – he’s thrived. Aside from being named to the President’s Club as a top producer every single year he’s been at 1st Advantage Mortgage, he estimates he’s originated close to $1 billion in mortgages throughout his career.

After graduating from Indiana University, Bufe traded on the options exchange and worked in corporate sales for several years before being introduced to the mortgage business by a friend. Working with mortgages satisfied Bufe’s personal interest in real estate and his desire to do something other than the nine-to-five desk routine, and so, in his own words, “I haven’t looked back.”

The entrepreneurial spirit runs through Bufe’s blood—he recalls wanting to own his own business as early as 15. Combined with his experience in corporate sales and real estate experience “on the other side” as a property owner and investor, that spirit gives him a unique vantage point from which to approach his clients’ needs. As someone who’s been on both sides of the table in real estate financing, he stresses how important it is to listen first: learning who the client is and what their goals are in order to come up with the best plan for them as an individual. As Bufe describes his clients, it sounds more like he’s describing old friends – he stresses honesty and mutual respect, and says, “I always want to be there for them.”

Outside of real estate, Bufe finds inspiration in his wife and two daughters, all of whom are heavily involved in athletics. Aside from coaching his own daughters in soccer and basketball, he’s been a volunteer board member for a local traveling soccer club. Bufe grew up around sports: his father played in the 1956 Rose Bowl for Michigan State; his brother was an All-State quarterback in high school; one sister was an All-American collegiate diver, and the other was an All-Conference collegiate volleyball player; and he himself played football for Indiana. He believes that the commitment, sacrifice, discipline, and the teamwork that sports teach are the keys to success, both on the field and off.

Thanks to The Residences at New City for letting us use their beautiful location for our photo shoots.

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