Meet

Dawn Fitzgerald

How long have you been working at Lendfirst Home Loans?

I've been with the business since 2020.

 

What solutions do you deliver at Lendfirst?

Home loans and personal loans.

 

How would you describe your approach to work?

Responsible and client-focused.

 

What did you do before you started at Lendfirst?

11 years in Conveyancing, two years in mortgage broking prior to and working in hotels in Sydney where I did my first Diploma and Bachelor of Business.

 

What is your greatest source of enjoyment in your job?

Assisting a client settle on their home is always a great source of enjoyment.

Submitting a loan application without any resubmission requests from a bank means I’m doing my job well as it saves clients time on their contracts.

 

Can you tell us about the most memorable moment of your career?

First Home Buyers had attempted to purchase a property two years prior with no luck. They then re-contracted on the same property, and we managed to obtain finance approval.

 

Is there a client or project that stands out?

A single parent wanted to create her wealth through property, and we managed to secure her a spot in the Family Home Guarantee Scheme which enabled her to achieve her goal. Her drive and enthusiasm to achieve home ownership was very empowering.

 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

I enjoy hikes and have recently taken up Bachata Latin Dancing and Samba Dancing.

 

Tell us something surprising about yourself.

I am originally from Papua New Guinea. I was born in Madang which is where I completed primary school. In 1999 I went to boarding school in Toowoomba. My mum is Papuan/New Guinea mixed race, and my dad is of Australian/American decent, so I don’t look like your typical Papua New Guinean. It is always a surprise for people to find out.

 

What’s the most unusual or interesting loan request you’ve had?

I’m yet to come across a loan interview with a three-metre python, so I’ll let Michael take the cake on this one. I’m sure my time will come.

 

What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking about purchasing their first home and why?

Obtain the right advice from the right people; use a Mortgage Broker. There are so many loan products available in the market and ensuring you structure your lending the right way from the beginning is imperative not only to your initial goal of purchasing your first home, but your future goals as well.

 

Imagine you are at a BBQ with strangers, what surprising fact would you tell them about mortgage broking or mortgages?

Seeking advice from a mortgage broker is not always everyone’s first step. To some, it seems like common sense, to others it’s a very daunting experience.