Justin Harford
Sioux Falls,SD
Work Preference
Summary
Dynamic business development professional with established expertise at Fairway Home Mortgage, specializing in loan origination and client relationship management.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development
Fairway Home Mortgage – Heartland Branch
Sioux Falls, SD
05.2025 - Current
- Guided borrowers and real estate partners through application to closing with precision.
- Delivered personalized loan solutions and clear financial guidance to clients.
- Drove production via strategic marketing initiatives and community engagement efforts.
- Collaborated cross-functionally, ensuring compliance and timely closings for all transactions.
- Analyzed borrower financials, aligning them with Fairway loan products and regulations.
- Established strong referral pipelines through education and outreach initiatives.
- Represented Fairway at events, enhancing brand visibility and supporting branch goals.
- Developed over 50 referral relationships, significantly boosting overall business growth.
Post-Closing Clearing Specialist
Plains Commerce Bank
Sioux Falls, SD
12.2024 - 03.2025
- Reviewed and cleared investor conditions on closed loans to expedite loan purchases.
- Strengthened relationships with investors, brokers, and internal teams to enhance post-closing processes.
- Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of mortgage lifecycle, from application to funding.
- Consistently surpassed performance standards, establishing a reputation as a reliable problem solver.
- Delivered exceptional communication and time management in compliance-driven environments.
- Recognized for speed and accuracy; departure resulted from structural changes, not performance.
In-House Mortgage Banker
Plains Commerce Bank
Sioux Falls, SD
08.2023 - 12.2024
- Oversaw real estate closings, ensuring adherence to lender, title, contract, and funding requirements with zero tolerance for error.
- Elevated department performance through strategic documentation updates and compliance alignment.
- Rebuilt trust among clients, realtors, and lending partners by delivering proactive communication and reliable execution.
- Recognized as the go-to closer for high-stakes files, restoring bank's market presence.
- Led process enhancements that streamlined workflows and reduced closing times by 20%.
- Actively represented bank in community initiatives, reinforcing a respected presence across civic and charitable efforts.
- Brought expertise in credit analysis, banking regulations, and risk management under pressure.
- Increased client satisfaction scores by 40%, helping regain top market share status within six months.
Escrow Officer
Stewart Title
Sioux Falls, SD
06.2021 - 08.2023
- Managed hundreds of complex real estate closings, ensuring compliance with contracts and lender requirements.
- Delivered elite service to high-volume agents, lenders, and attorneys, fostering client loyalty.
- Resolved title issues such as tax liens and boundary disputes to maintain transaction flow.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced turnaround time and minimized errors during closings.
- Drove branch back to #1 market share through exceptional service and relationship-building.
- Established strong partnerships with agents and builders, leading to repeat business from satisfied clients.
- Recognized statewide for professionalism and execution under pressure in closing processes.
- Coached internal teams on best practices while handling challenging files and VIP closings.
Executive Office Case Specialist
Wells Fargo
Sioux Falls, SD
02.2020 - 06.2021
- Managed executive-level escalations and high-risk client cases, ensuring prompt and compliant resolutions.
- Investigated sensitive stakeholder complaints while upholding brand integrity and compliance standards.
- Delivered tailored customer experiences through precise written and verbal communication.
- Collaborated across departments to identify issues and provide insights to prevent escalations.
- Executed comprehensive analysis of key case data for accurate documentation across platforms.
- Led training for new representatives and managed overflow case assignments effectively.
- Contributed to risk mitigation and service enhancements, consistently achieving performance metrics.
- Received multiple Trailblazer Awards for leadership excellence and exceptional execution.
Licensed Customer Advocate
Esurance
Sioux Falls, SD
04.2011 - 11.2019
- Delivered elite customer service and sales support while resolving complex escalations.
- Acted as escalation specialist for high-risk cases, establishing trust with leadership and regulators.
- Collaborated across departments to clarify policies and drive first-contact resolution.
- Created and implemented internal procedures that improved efficiency and reduced errors.
- Maintained detailed documentation for accountability and trend reporting to enhance services.
- Spearheaded sales and cross-sales of insurance products, achieving team revenue goals.
- Represented Customer Advocacy in service enhancement meetings, voicing client and staff needs.
- Trained new hires and mentored team members, serving as a reliable support figure.
Education
E-Commerce and Business Administration
Colorado Technical University
Sioux Falls, SD12.2005
Skills
- Loan origination and mortgage strategy
- Time management
- Client consultation and relationship management
- Business development and referrals
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Pipeline management
- Regulatory compliance
- Problem solving and critical thinking
- Process improvement
- Real estate transaction oversight
- Communication skills
- Technology proficiency
- Leadership and team empowerment
Languages
English
Professional
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Work like you are poor, sleep like you are rich!
Justin Harford
Timeline
Business Development
Fairway Home Mortgage – Heartland Branch
05.2025 - Current
Post-Closing Clearing Specialist
Plains Commerce Bank
12.2024 - 03.2025
In-House Mortgage Banker
Plains Commerce Bank
08.2023 - 12.2024
Escrow Officer
Stewart Title
06.2021 - 08.2023
Executive Office Case Specialist
Wells Fargo
02.2020 - 06.2021
Licensed Customer Advocate
Esurance
04.2011 - 11.2019
E-Commerce and Business Administration
Colorado Technical University