CacheValleyNews is pleased to present a “Five With” interview with John Neil, loan officer at Wasatch Mortgage Solutions.

CVN: Did you grow up in Cache Valley? Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

John: I actually grew up in the Bay area, California, in a town called Los Altos. I came to Cache Valley in 2002 to play basketball for Utah State. Coach Don Verlin, who is now the head coach at the University of Idaho, recruited me while I was attending a junior college in Redwood City, California. Cache Valley has felt like home ever since. Me and my wife, Hayley, absolutely love it here. The winters can be tough but at least we have Aggie basketball to keep us going during those cold months. We had a baby last year and it’s looking like Cache Valley is going to be home for good.

CVN: What does Wasatch Mortgage Solutions do?

John: Wasatch Mortgage Solutions originates mortgages for residential real estate. We consult with clients who are interested in either refinancing or purchasing a home and guide them through their options for financing, whether it be a conventional, FHA, or Rural Housing loan. As of late, we have been originating more and more FHA loans as the guidelines on conventional financing have become more strict.

CVN: Tell us what you do at WSM, how long you’ve been there and how you came to work there.

John: I have been a loan officer with WSM since October of 2007. I was working as a loan officer at World Savings on innovation campus when Wachovia bought the company and our office was shut down. I really enjoyed working in the mortgage industry and so I applied for several loan officer positions with big banks in California, Utah, and Texas. Then I remembered that I had had a good experience with WMS when they originated my mortgage for a home purchase back in 2005. I gave them a call and after a couple interviews I was offered a position in the company. It has been a dream job ever since.

CVN: What is your favorite thing about living in Cache Valley?

John: Besides cheering on the Aggie sports teams, me and my wife love having all the amenities of a big city with the feel of a small town. We love going to a store and seeing people that we know. We are excited to raise our family here.

CVN: What else do you think people in Cache Valley would be interested in knowing about you and/or WSM?

John: They might be interested in knowing that WMS has a 21-day closing guarantee. If the loan doesn’t close within 21 days of the initial application, WMS will pay $50 towards the closing costs for every day after. It is a very bold guarantee and one that we can offer because of our experience and the efficiency with which we process our loans. It’s also our 10-year anniversary as a mortgage broker in Cache Valley. We look forward to 10 more successful years.