Karen Brown - Branch Manager and Mortgage Loan Advisor
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here and look forward to learning more about you and hearing your story! I LOVE my career as a Loan Officer and Branch Manager. Helping clients with one of the largest financial decisions of their life is my PASSION. Some of my number one life values include honesty, integrity and trust – and these directly flow into my business, clients and team as well. It is an HONOR to help you with the mortgage process, but it also flows into so much more. Wealth advising, a listening ear, life guidance, credit advice – being a Mortgage Loan Advisor is way more than just mortgages. We take our time to get to know you, creating a customized plan specific to your needs that guides you toward your goals and desires.
For as long as I can remember, my goal in life was to help others. As a child, I dreamt of being a Medical Doctor, and serving our community in that fashion.
But college Biology labs left me numb, and I decided to fall back on my other passion – math, numbers and money. Finance was something that came easy to me and something I was good at, so veering that direction made sense. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Northern Michigan University, in Marquette, Michigan.
My Finance Professor and Department Head, David Rayome, pounded into our heads that “bonds and interest rates have an inverse relationship,” which is funny to me now, because I use that in conversation with clients all the time. Little did I know that my foundation of mortgage success was being laid back then.
After college, I obtained my Series 7 license and worked as a Financial Advisor in an Asset Management Group. It was a great position but not where I was meant to be long term. After bouncing around a bit, I ended up connecting with Carl White & Tammy Schneider, founders of The Marketing Animals, where I coached Loan Officers on how to successfully market and grow their business. It was an incredible foundation that has helped shape me into who I am today in this business. After several years of coaching others, I decided it was time to take my own advice and apply it! I obtained my Mortgage Loan Originator license and have never looked back! God was laying a foundation in me all along and it’s pretty cool to look back and see it now.
If you’ve made it this far—thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me and the heart behind what I do. This isn’t just a career for me; it’s a calling. Every step of my journey has led me here, and I truly believe it’s no coincidence. Whether you’re just starting to explore homeownership or you’re ready to take the next step, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. My team and I are here to listen, to guide, and to help you build not just a mortgage plan—but a future you can be proud of. I can’t wait to hear your story and be a part of the next chapter.
My family is my world and my why. They motivate me, make me proud and are always supportive. They make me want to be the best version of myself, every day. They help me bring my best to my clients and my team as well. As a working mom, managing that work-life balance can be challenging, but I do my best to give attention to the areas that need it. T.D. Jakes said at a conference that I attended years ago, “You can’t give everyone or everything 100% all the time. You will burn yourself out. So, whatever you give 100% to today, give it to something else the next day.” That message has stuck with me for many years and I try to apply it to my “work hard, play hard” mentality. We work REALLY hard but we also have a lot of fun.
When I’m not slaying the mortgage game, I’m spending time with my husband Christopher and our two children, Kaden and Caleigh. Christopher owns West Coast Fishing Adventures and is an experienced Charter Captain and Commercial Fisherman. We also own West Coast Stone Crab. Like fresh stone crab? Head over to our Facebook Group and we’ll have fresh claws for you all season. I’ve met some great people through that hustle as well!
We spend a LOT of time on the water, fishing, boating and enjoying Mother Nature. Our oldest son, Luke, is married to Skylar and they have two beautiful young girls who we also love spending time with! Traveling, cooking, baking, fishing, nature, gardening and orchids are my favorite hobbies. Life is short and making memories with the family and kids is one of my absolute favorite things to do. People often ask – what adventure are you off to next!? If you have a travel suggestion, I’m all ears!! We love exploring new places.
At the end of the day, it all comes back to faith, family, and living life with purpose. The balance isn’t always perfect, but the love, laughter, and adventures we share make it all worthwhile. I bring that same energy and commitment to my clients—because I believe that success isn’t just measured in closed loans, but in relationships built and lives impacted. Whether we’re helping you achieve your homeownership goals or swapping travel tips and favorite recipes, I’m truly grateful for every connection. Thank you for getting to know me a little better—I can’t wait to get to know you, too.
