Watching her father succeed in real estate, Vanessa Keyes always planned to follow in his footsteps. Her memories include listening to him close deals on the phone, taking her to showings and going into homes he was preparing to list. “That is when my love for homes, architecture and design began,” she shares. “I’ve always looked up to my father’s drive and success; it’s what I want to achieve in my life.”
Vice president of mortgage lending at CrossCountry Mortgage, Keyes specializes in jumbo, doctor and new-construction loans. In the industry for 18 years, she was an intern with NASCAR before accepting a position in the mortgage department at Bank of America. “My background in marketing and client engagement allows me to think outside the box, communicate clearly and make what can be a complex process feel approachable, and even exciting,” she says. “That combination of creativity, connection and strategic thinking continues to shape how I serve my clients and referral partners today.”
Recently transitioning to CrossCountry Mortgage, Keyes repositioned her business for long-term growth by streamlining her processes, investing in her brand presence and focusing heavily on relationship-driven business development. Crediting her success to being authentic and her ability to form relationships, she enjoys helping people connect and supporting the communities she serves. “I’m different from most lenders because I don’t separate the relationship from the strategy; they go hand in hand in how I run my business,” she explains. “I take the time to truly understand every one of my client’s goals.”
A mother of three, Keyes stays busy serving on committees and volunteering, while spending weekends attending her college son’s Division I football games. She also supports various nonprofit dog rescues, with hopes to have a dog rescue farm someday.
