For Dwight Marroquin, making clients laugh is the secret to his 18 years of success in the mortgage industry. He loves what he does, and clients truly see the difference.
As a Neighborhood Loans branch manager for 17 originators in two locations within the organization, Marroquin specializes in services such as FHA and IHDA loans. His switch to real estate came during a one-year noncompete agreement in a previous industry. His godmother introduced him to Marty Maher, who ended up taking Marroquin under his wing and convincing him to take a chance on the mortgage industry. Today, Marroquin can’t imagine doing anything else. “This was only going to be temporary for me or until the noncompete was over, but the mortgage industry ultimately sucked me in,” he says.
When the process becomes frustrating, Marroquin reminds clients of the prize: their own home. He encourages them to imagine hosting cookouts or gatherings, because he believes that once a client can visualize themselves in their new space, the work needed to get there seems less daunting. In fact, he often hosts cookouts for his own team as a token of his appreciation for everything they do. “Happiness, laughter, fun, games and barbecues do not come to mind when thinking about mortgages, but that is exactly what we do in our branches,” he says. “Our growth primarily has come from our team members recommending each other. It’s a good feeling when your team is self-driven in helping your growth.” Additionally, being bilingual in English and Spanish has helped Marroquin connect with the market he serves.
This past year, Marroquin opened a second office for Neighborhood Loans while helping increase his team’s production by 71%. He also earned a spot among the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ top 250 agents for the third time. Additionally, the nonprofit Gads Hill Center presented Marroquin with a community giving award, and the Erie Neighborhood House agency recognized him with its lifetime achievement award.
