Desaree and Andrew LaMacchia have known each other since high school. Now with three years of working together in the mortgage industry, the LaMacchia Team is a trusted name and the go-to local lender in San Antonio. “It’s been a crazy ride,” Desaree says. “We took a chance and trusted each other whole-heartedly.”

 

When she and Andrew started dating, Desaree was already working at a mortgage company started by her mother and stepfather. “It wasn’t until after Desaree’s mother passed away that I made the decision to become a loan officer,” Andrew says. “Her passing hit us both hard. We both wanted to do more for our families and community while carrying on her legacy.” Andrew earned his loan officer license and the rest was history. “I felt total peace about our leap of faith,” Desaree says, “I knew Andrew could do anything. I also knew he would be so good at it because of his demeanor and patience.  Looking for a home is exciting, but the loan process can be intimidating and confusing.  Andrew is great with numbers.  Loan scenarios are like puzzles for him. He is a natural. Our clients appreciate it and become clients for life.”

 

In 2020, Desaree and Andrew tripled their business. “Our growth is a testament to getting comfortable, staying focused, and being consistent every day,” Desaree says. At Guild Mortgage, Andrew is the lead Loan Officer; Desaree handles marketing while working with their realtor and builder partners. They have added a new Junior Loan Officer this past year. “Part of our growth is finding good people and making sure that they have team roles that serve their strengths,” Andrew says. “Desaree is great at growing new relationships and marketing. We all wear a lot of different hats, and we’re just getting started.”

 

The LaMacchia team is proud that 100% of all their business comes from referrals. Desaree and Andrew attribute their success to the distinct personal touch they give to every transaction and relationship. “We’re starting to see our efforts pay dividends,” Andrew says. To stay in touch, they utilize client service technologies, as well as Andrew’s signature “All About You” form, which helps them not only tailor their services, but also support clients in a personalized way. “From one All About You form, I learned a client loved key lime pie,” Andrew says. “On my regular Tuesday Update phone call to her, she told me she was stressed because her close date had been delayed by builders. I could sense her frustration and lack of excitement. I bought her mini key lime pies and surprised her. I was able to put her mind at ease and enjoy the process again. We love doing things like this for our clients. Buying a home is stressful but it should also be fun and exciting.”

 

When Desaree and Andrew are not working with clients, they love to spend time with their two boys. “We really try to be present and make family time a priority,” Desaree says. “Finding a balance of work and personal life can be tricky especially when you work together, but we are great teammates.” Desaree and Andrew continue to support their local community through local charities and organizations that have meaning for them.  “Both our moms passed away before their time,” Desaree says. “We are constantly reminded not to take one day for granted. We try to give our sons our best, because that’s what our moms gave us.”

 

Looking to the future, Desaree and Andrew plan to continue to align their business with their values. “This year, the pandemic changed how we interacted with our clients and real estate partners. We had to get creative. We integrated more video within our process and created an online group that meets regularly,” says Andrew. “I think a big part of our success is also because we made conscious changes to focus on quality, not quantity,” Desaree says. “Some might think that will hurt your growth, but it is the opposite. You will grow. It may not be as fast.  Our focus on quality is why we’re 100% referral based. We want our business to be truly about serving people.”  The LaMacchia team has big plans for the upcoming year.  They are adding another client service that will be completed after the loan.  And they will roll out their official podcast and YouTube channel LifeWise with The LaMacchias.  You can expect to hear real talk about real life with real people. 

 

To find out more about Andrew and Desaree LaMacchia, you can contact Andrew by phone at 210-854-7354 or by email at andrew.lamacchia@ThriveMortgage.com and Desaree by phone at 210-452-7129 or by email at  desaree.lamacchia@ThriveMortgage.com.  You can also visit them at  www.closewithdrew.com.