Broker Spotlight: Trevor Ryan, Aussie Home Loans

I have been a mobile mortgage broker with Aussie for 13 years. Approximately 18 months ago, I transitioned from taking company-sourced enquiries to now being entirely self-sourced.

How did you get into the industry?

It happened when my wife and I relocated from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast. I had been interested in mortgage broking for a while, so when I saw an advertisement in the local newspaper for Aussie brokers, I applied and was successful.

What are the advantages of broking in a regional area compared to the capital cities?

I don’t really see that there is a big difference between the two. Every area has its own idiosyncrasies – whether regional or metro. However, I do find that customers in regional areas tend to take their time in developing a long-term relationship with a broker. When they find an educated broker who can really take the time to guide them in their purchases and provide a trustworthy service, they will return to them over the years.

What are the disadvantages of broking in a regional area?

Again, every area is different, so it’s hard to compare. But at the moment, smaller loan sizes and a slower market would be the biggest disadvantages. But even in the varying financial climates, helping people through this purchasing process is what I enjoy about my work, so I don’t really see them as a disadvantage.

What are the misconceptions that city brokers have of regional brokers?

Unfortunately there is often the misconception that regional areas are slower paced, and regional brokers are more casual in their approach, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. I will always ensure every loan is handled with absolute care and fastidiousness – and this would be the same whether I was regional or city-based. Location isn’t a differentiator in these things. There is also sometimes the belief that regional brokers don’t encounter as many complex loan situations, but again this is completely unfounded.