Her Story
About Jane
Jane James is a Loan Officer in Austin, Texas with more than 35 years of experience in the mortgage industry. She began her career in 1991 as a temporary employee and worked her way through roles in shipping, closing, processing, underwriting, and operations—giving her a full understanding of the loan process from start to finish.
After decades working behind the scenes, Jane now brings that experience into a client-facing role at Home Goal Lending. Her background allows her to structure loans with care, identify potential issues early, and guide clients through the process with clarity and confidence.
Throughout her career, Jane has built a reputation for being detail-oriented, dependable, and solutions-focused. She spent more than two decades with The McMillan Team in leadership roles, including Operations Manager and Senior Loan Processor, and also worked as an Underwriter with Infinity Mortgage, LLC. Her experience managing complex files and working closely with teams across the process helps create smoother, more predictable closings for both clients and real estate agents.
Today, Jane is focused on building strong relationships and helping individuals and families achieve homeownership—especially those who may not think it’s possible. Known for her honesty, strong work ethic, and approachable style, she is committed to making the loan process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jane
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong work ethic, staying organized, and genuinely caring about the people I help. Early in my career, I was told that if you have the work ethic, you can accomplish anything—and that has stayed with me ever since.
I believe in starting each day with a positive mindset and a clear plan. I’ve always relied on writing everything down, staying organized, and holding myself accountable. It may sound simple, but consistency in those habits is what allows me to follow through and deliver results.
What truly drives me is helping people achieve something they didn’t think was possible. There is nothing more rewarding than working with someone who believes they can’t qualify, and then guiding them step-by-step until they’re holding the keys to their home.
I started in this business in 1991 as a temp and worked my way up through processing and underwriting before becoming a loan officer. That foundation allows me to identify and address potential issues early, helping create a smoother, more predictable experience for both clients and agents.
More than 35 years later, I’m still driven by the same mindset—work hard, stay organized, and always put people first—and I take pride in being someone clients and agents can trust to get things done the right way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that with a strong work ethic, you can accomplish anything. That principle has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to guide how I approach each day.
I’ve always believed in starting the day with a positive mindset and a clear sense of purpose. Early on, I also learned the importance of staying organized—writing everything down, keeping a running to-do list, and holding myself accountable. Those simple habits create consistency and discipline, which ultimately lead to results.
That combination of work ethic, organization, and a positive attitude has been the foundation of my success over the years.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to go in with a positive attitude and not get discouraged. There’s a learning curve, but if you stay consistent and keep moving forward, you’ll build confidence over time.
For me, staying organized and goal-oriented has been key. I’ve always believed in writing everything down—your goals, your to-do list, and your priorities. Those simple habits create structure and accountability, which are critical in this business.
Success doesn’t happen all at once—it comes from showing up every day, staying focused, and doing the work. If you stay consistent and organized, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In today’s Austin market, one of the biggest challenges is affordability along with changing interest rates, which can make the process feel overwhelming for buyers. That also creates an opportunity to guide and educate clients so they can move forward with confidence.
There’s also a growing opportunity to help first-time homebuyers, especially those who may qualify for down payment assistance but aren’t aware of what’s available to them.
From my experience in processing and underwriting, I focus on identifying potential issues early so the process runs more smoothly. I also prioritize clear, consistent communication so both clients and agents always know what’s going on from start to finish.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, what matters most to me is helping people achieve something they didn’t think was possible. There’s nothing more rewarding than guiding someone through the process and seeing the moment they realize they’re getting into a home.
I believe in being a steady, supportive guide for my clients—helping them understand the process and keeping things as smooth and stress-free as possible.
In my personal life, family is everything to me. I’m blessed to work alongside my daughter, and I truly value the time we get to spend together. I also love spending time with my husband and my grandchildren—they are a big part of my life.
I also make it a priority to stay active and work out at the gym three to five times a week, which helps me stay balanced, focused, and energized
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