Paddling Upstream for Sustainability
Q. Why is Rose City Mortgage described as an upstream company?
A. We support local businesses such as appraisers, home inspectors, attorneys, accountants and web designers whose products and services work with our vision for a sustainable future. Think of when you're thirsty and camping near a creek. Has the water been polluted upstream? It is the understanding that everything affects everyone.
Q. What are some of your green practices?
A. We recycle everything that doesn't compromise client privacy and, if available, buy organic, green and recycled supplies. For its "outstanding" work to reduce waste, reuse and recycle, Rose City Mortgage Company received a Blue Works Award from Portland's Office of Sustainable Development.
Q. Environmental stewardship is one of the many ways your loan specialists are committed to sustainability. What are some examples?
A. Loan specialist Kristi Lahusen takes her vacation time to assist in primate conservation in places such as Costa Rica. Surfer and loan specialist David Blackmon was quick to add the Surfrider Foundation, with its emphasis on ocean beach preservation, to the list of non-profit organizations supported by this company. David is an active member of Surfrider's board.
Interest Rates
Q. What are the current interest rates? Are they listed on your website?
A. Anyone can receive an immediate rate quote by calling 503-768-4248 or e-mailing us. We can meet or beat any other lender because we work with more than 100 different lenders to find the best rate. We've chosen not to list interest rates on our website because rates change often and we have thousands of loan options available.
Q. What are your fees?
A. We routinely save our clients thousands of dollars on fees. We have no junk fees, often called administration fees, that other lenders charge. Our $595 processing fee includes the credit report, verification and delivery fees. Other companies may have higher individual fees for these services.
Q. Are there any advantages to applying on-line?
A. Some clients like the convenience of on-line applications. It also saves a few trees. We can pre-approve most applications the same day, and often close in seven to 10 days.
Q. What is memorable about visiting the Rose City office in Portland?
A. Our clients and loan specialists enjoy our feng shui office design, which promotes harmony with its positive energy. The office is welcoming and relaxing with comfortable couches, candles, music and inspirational murals.
Award-Winning Business Practices
Q. Have you received awards?
A. Yes. We received the 2005 Small Business of the Year Award from the Better Business Bureau of Oregon and SW Washington. Renee Spears, company president, received a prestigious award in 2005 as one of Portland Business Journal's Business Women of the Year. She was also recognized twice as Oregon's Association of Mortgage Professionals Mortgage Broker of the Month in 2004.
Q. Why is Rose City Mortgage described as a great place to work?
A. Visionary Renee Spears formed this company with employee satisfaction as a priority. From the very beginning, she wanted to change the status quo of working in the business. Spears: "I've worked at many places that treated their employees poorly and took advantage of them for bottom line gain. It was easy for me to see the way it shouldn't be done and just change that." Before beginning her own mortgage company, she held every job in the mortgage industry from receptionist to regional vice-president.
Q. Do women have employment opportunities at Rose City equal to men?
A. Yes. You'll find more women loan officers working at Rose City than at your typical mortgage company. We love women. Seventy percent of our employees and 70 percent of our clients are women. We support Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon, which provides mentoring, empowerment and advocacy for young women.
Commitment to the Community
Q. Why and how is the company committed to the community?
A. Unanimously, our loan specialists believe that to be a contributing member of the community, you need to give back in some way. RCMS loan specialists are encouraged to take the time to volunteer with various non-profit organizations. Also, the company donates $100 of every $595 processing fee to a non-profit organization. We're proud to have donated a total of $100,000 to non-profit organizations since we started this program in 2000.
Q. Which non-profit organizations do you support?
A. RCMS has donated to more than 20 non-profit organizations such as the Cascade AIDS project, Friends of Trees, Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Humane Society, Girls Inc. of NW Oregon, Raphael House of Portland, Sierra Club, and Surfrider Foundation USA.
Embracing Diversity
Q. How would you describe your commitment to diversity?
A. Knowing that the world may treat people unfairly, we strive to treat all of our employees and clients with respect and to give them the best possible service. Renee Spears gets specific: "Even in Portland, we've seen gays, women and people of color discriminated against and we know that it is unfair and wrong." We are committed to providing loans to anyone who seeks alternatives to traditional home financing.
Q. Do you help low-income clients or people with credit problems?
A. Yes. We can assist everyone. Our large variety of loan programs make it possible to overcome any obstacles.
Q. Do your commitments to sustainability and diversity as one of the nation's first socially responsible mortgage brokers really matter to your clients, or is getting the best rate available most important?
A. Our clients want to find competitive rates and do business with a company committed to giving back to the community. We offer both, as well as excellent service.
Q. Which Rose City employee has the most tattoos and is a recycling artist?
A. Rob Agler, who has 30 meaningful tattoos and makes sculptures from recycled car parts. Rob is our marketing director and Harley guy. He welcomes diversity and wants customers to be assured that they will not be judged at Rose City.
Rose City Mortgage's success has been cruising since 1999 when Renee Spears and Rob Agler began the company.
Media Contact Information:
Renee Spears
President and CEO
Rose City Mortgage Specialists
5200 S.W. Macadam, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97239
Phone 503-768-4248
Fax 503-768-410
renee@rosecitymtg.com
Macy Guppy, PhD APR
Principal
GoodWorks Public Relations
7425 S.W. 27th Avenue
Portland, OR 97219
Phone 503-892-3178
Fax 503-293-2372
macy@goodworkspr.com