PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Dan Rock
www.rate.com/drock
How long have you been in the mortgage business and what inspired you to get into it?
25 years. I was inspired to get in the mortgage industry after watching my brother in law lead a successful career in the same field. I love helping first time home buyers get into their first home and watching their lives grow.
What advice would you give new or first time home buyers?
My advice to first time buyers would be to get pre-approved early...so we can put you on the right path and make the process easy and painless.
What can borrowers do to ensure a smooth mortgage underwriting process?
The key to a smooth mortgage process is to get pre-approved in advance of finding a home. Discussing your loan options early to determine if you need to apply for a FHA loan or a conventional loan, if a fixed rate or an ARM is suitable for your situation. You really need to deal with a local mortgage professional rather than search online and run numbers on a mortgage calculator. If in doubt consult your mortgage professional first...large deposits or transfers between accounts should be avoided. Job changes, applying for new credit and large purchases should be avoided as well.
Summary of where you grew up: family, affiliations, college, high school, etc.
I grew up in Wheaton and am one of five children, my parents still live in Wheaton and I am always in the area. I went to Glenbard South High School and attended Indiana University for my undergraduate degree. I now live in Plainfield and enjoy watching my children play baseball, soccer, hockey, and swimming.
Tell us something that makes you unique or something wacky, yet interesting about you?
Along with being a mortgage professional, I like to travel and see new places. I always like to try new things zip lines, gliders, back packing through Europe, hiked a volcano, swam with dophins and sting rays, salmon fishing in Alaska...always looking for the next challenge!
PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Five Star Professional conducts market-specific research throughout the U.S. to identify service professionals who demonstrate professional excellence and provide quality services to their clients. The Five Star Mortgage Professional program is the largest and most widely published award program for mortgage professionals in North America, covering more than 40 major markets. Five Star award winners do not pay a fee to be included in the research or on the final list of award winners.
The Five Star Professional research team contacted thousands of recent homebuyers, consumers and industry leaders to identify Chicago-area mortgage professionals who stand out in their industry and community.
To learn more about the research methodology, click here.
