Looking back on his career in mortgage lending, the only job he has ever known, Andrew J. O’Brien wouldn’t change a thing. “My brother introduced me to the mortgage lending world,” says O’Brien, a senior loan originator with The Andrew O’Brien Mortgage Team at Neighborhood Loans. “Meeting families and helping them get into a new home is pleasing and fulfilling.” He realized immediately it was something he could truly feel a great sense of accomplishment from while at the same time helping others.

Because he knows purchasing a home is a big decision for families, O’Brien is extremely patient and always goes out of his way to make borrowers feel like they are his only client. He sets realistic expectations from the beginning, educates clients on the process and is always available to answer any questions they may have along the way.

O’Brien lives by the motto, “Work hard, play hard,” and doesn’t allow himself to become distracted by outside noise. “It’s important that I put the same amount of energy into each loan, so my clients get to the finish line quickly,” he says.

Ranked among the Top 1% of Loan Originators by Scotsman Guide, O’Brien’s total volume exceeds $46 million based on 174 loans closed. “I cannot do what I do without my team,” he says. “We work collectively to achieve our clients’ goals.”

With a strong hold on the Chicagoland market, O’Brien plans to continue on a path of growth by working his hardest to benefit clients. “It’s not about the competition for me,” he says. “There are so many families out there who want to become homeowners that it’s too much for any one person or company to handle.” More meaningful to him than awards and honors is when clients return to him for their lending needs and refer him to their friends and family.