Candie DeVenne
Candie DeVenne is a seasoned mortgage professional with over 31 years of comprehensive experience in the industry. She began her career answering a newspaper ad as a receptionist and steadily worked her way up through the ranks. Over the decades, Candie has held positions as an underwriter, processor, branch manager, operations manager, and has collaborated extensively with appraisers. Her expertise spans both retail and wholesale lending, giving her a deep understanding of the mortgage market and enabling her to navigate through three housing crises successfully. Currently, Candie serves as Branch Manager at NuView Mortgage, LLC in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, where she focuses on helping first-time homebuyers and low-income households achieve homeownership. She specializes in guiding clients through city, county, and state down payment assistance programs, carefully reviewing credit, income, and assets to identify the best financing solutions. Candie thrives on working closely with clients and referral partners, ensuring that each individual receives personalized guidance and support throughout the homebuying process. Candie’s professional philosophy emphasizes honesty, trust, and client-focused service. She is passionate about empowering clients to achieve their dream of homeownership, taking pride in the moments when they receive the keys to their first home. With a career built entirely through hands-on experience, dedication, and mentorship, Candie exemplifies perseverance and excellence in mortgage lending, making her a trusted partner for clients and colleagues alike.
• Pro (Pinellas Realtor Organization)
• YPN (Young Professionals Network)
• GTAR
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to ride the wave. The mortgage industry is so up and down. One week it might be one thing, next week it's something completely different. You have to understand the rules, regulations, the changes, and really understand the market and where it's at in order to survive.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to write everything down, leave nothing forgotten and if you can avoid missing a phone call, grab the call. It's one less call you have to make later.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell women entering my industry to be patient. It's a tough industry right now, find somebody that can mentor you and help guide you through the tough market where it's at right now. So, they need to really work for somebody or a company that has training for them, and it's paid for so they're not coming out of pocket with money. Do not to be afraid of an all-commissioned job. Take that plunge. It's worth it. I've been doing it for 30 plus years. If you do your callbacks and do your weekly follow-ups and stay on top of everything, the business will come to you. I would also tell them to be out in the community and market yourself. Go to networking events. Go to open houses. Just walk into an open house, introduce yourself, drop your card. Work with integrity and most importantly honesty, which is key to build your rapport.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges right now are competition, interest rates, a flooded market, and low inventory. It's always one or the other - either low inventory or a flooded market, where everybody wants the same house and they're all competing. As for opportunities, I always love the opportunity to meet new people, referral partners and help the next client achieve their dream of homeownership! Other opportunities would be just to expand my presence in the community!
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are honesty, integrity, trust, and confidence in knowing that I'm going to get it done.