In a world where homeownership often feels like an unattainable dream, overcoming the challenges of the mortgage process can seem like an overwhelming task. From understanding down payments and interest rates to finding the right loan product, first-time homebuyers and seasoned investors alike are frequently left questioning where to turn for guidance.
In this landscape, finding someone who not only understands the intricacies of the mortgage industry but also genuinely cares about helping individuals achieve their homeownership goals is invaluable. Austin Lampson, a Branch Manager and Licensed Mortgage Professional at Movement Mortgage, is exactly that guide.
Austin has dedicated nearly three decades to the mortgage industry, and her passion for her work only continues to grow. Reflecting on her journey, Austin recalls how she initially stumbled into residential lending as a recent college graduate when the big investment firms weren’t hiring. What began as a practical choice quickly evolved into a profound mission.
Debunking Myths and Empowering First-Time Homebuyers
Over time, Austin recognized the systemic flaws in the industry, describing how the pendulum had “gotten stuck on stupid.” She believes that people deserve more than flashy advertisements and unattainable rates—they deserve education, support, and tailored strategies. Her unwavering dedication is rooted in helping clients achieve their goals by developing true financial plans and fostering stable housing solutions. For Austin, this work goes beyond securing loans; it’s about empowering individuals to create a foundation for building long-term wealth.
Austin has extensive experience working with first-time homebuyers, particularly those relocating to California. One of the most common challenges she observes among her clients is the misconception surrounding down payments. Despite the wealth of modern information, the myth of needing a 20% down payment persists, often discouraging potential buyers.
Austin emphasizes that many options are available to help first-time buyers enter the market more quickly. However, she acknowledges that balancing the emotional and mathematical aspects of such decisions can be tricky. For instance, she often poses a question to clients: is it easier to save $100,000 over a year, or to manage an extra $700 per month? For most people, the latter is the more feasible choice.
Given California’s reputation for some of the highest housing prices in the country, Austin is passionate about helping clients navigate these challenges and take advantage of opportunities to build equity sooner. She believes that the quicker buyers can establish a foothold in the housing market, the better positioned they will be for long-term financial success.
Streamlining the Mortgage Journey
Austin understands that the mortgage process can feel overwhelming, especially with the flood of information buyers face—emails, calls, reminders, timeframes, and contingencies all demanding attention simultaneously. To ensure her clients have a streamlined and stress-free experience, she employs a multi-faceted approach tailored to different learning styles and preferences.
For those who learn visually, Austin provides informative videos explaining the process, next steps, and what clients can expect along the way. She and her team also maintain consistent communication by scheduling weekly update calls every Tuesday, as well as additional calls at key milestones in the process, such as when disclosures are issued or loan approval is granted.
Austin places a strong emphasis on open communication, ending every call with a thoughtful prompt: “Is there anything else with which we can help you today—are you sure?” This practice encourages clients to ask lingering questions and ensures nothing is left unresolved, fostering clarity and confidence throughout the mortgage journey.
Leading with Integrity and Heart
Austin made the pivotal shift from the Operations side of residential lending to the Origination side in 2012. Her dedication and client-centered approach quickly earned her a spot in the Scotsman Guide as a Top 1% Originator in 2013, and she has remained among the coveted Top 200 since 2014. Even now, Austin finds those achievements humbling and surreal.
Her success stems from treating every client as an individual with unique goals shaped by their past decisions and future aspirations. While many lenders focus solely on loan amounts, Austin prioritizes the process itself. She believes success is achieved when clients are guided through the mortgage journey with efficiency, care, and heart—ensuring they feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Austin’s journey in lending began on the direct-to-consumer side, working with car title loans, personal loans, and other quick debt solutions that people often turned to when their paychecks fell short. This early experience left a profound impact on her approach. She recalls personally calling clients who missed payments, recalibrating debts where possible, and sometimes facing the difficult reality of repossessing collateral or garnishing wages.
This formative chapter shaped Austin’s unwavering commitment to integrity in her mortgage business. She firmly believes in closing loans responsibly, ensuring that clients are not set up for financial strain. Her dedication extends beyond her professional life through active community involvement, including cleaning up beaches, serving in shelters, and supporting individuals who may have faced hardships without proper guidance. Austin’s approach is grounded in respect, truth, and providing both hard conversations and meaningful support, meeting people wherever they are in their financial journey with compassion and integrity.
Crafting Success with Time, Balance, and Purpose
Austin attributes her ability to balance her professional and personal commitments to the art of time blocking. While some may jest that she’s a “slave to her calendar,” Austin sees her schedule as a tool that serves her passions. She emphasizes the importance of intentionality, recognizing that saying yes to one commitment inherently means saying no to another.
For Austin, the key is setting clear expectations about what she can offer, both in terms of time and energy. Her guiding principle is simple: if something doesn’t make money, save money, or bring joy, it likely doesn’t deserve a place on her calendar. This mindful approach allows her to dedicate herself fully to her roles in organizations like the Junior League of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors, while still nurturing her personal and professional goals.
Overcoming Mortgage Hurdles
For Austin, the most rewarding aspect of being a mortgage lender lies in helping clients overcome adversity. Challenges come in many forms—financial, emotional, and situational—and each client’s story is unique. Whether it’s assisting a single mother in securing a safe home for her children, helping a teacher meet a pressing relocation deadline, guiding a local business owner through the delicate balance of taxes and down payment funds, or supporting heirs worried about preserving a family home, Austin finds immense satisfaction in navigating these complex scenarios.
Her ultimate reward is in helping clients achieve their dreams through a challenging process. The joy of making a positive impact and witnessing the transformation in her clients’ lives is what fuels her passion for the work she does every day.
Leadership Beyond Boundaries
Austin views leadership as a 360-degree role—one that involves leading not just those under your charge, but also peers, superiors, and even within yourself. Her experience in leadership positions across various local organizations has given her a unique perspective on the challenges businesses face, whether for-profit or not. This understanding helps her anticipate potential challenges for herself and her team, allowing her to navigate them more effectively.
In her role as Branch Manager and Mortgage Professional, Austin continuously strives for personal and professional growth. She works to meet people where they are, offering support to help them achieve their goals. She also recognizes that true leadership comes from actions, not titles, and she remains committed to learning from the leaders around her. Her focus is on improving daily and making a lasting, positive impact on both her team and clients.
Guide to Seizing Homeownership
Austin emphasizes the importance of taking action when it comes to buying your first home, especially in a competitive market like California. She brings to mind a Japanese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is today.” While she acknowledges the challenges of the home-buying process, she encourages prospective buyers to step outside their comfort zones and make a move toward their goal.
Austin stresses the value of consulting with a professional to develop a solid plan and strategy. She suggests that potential buyers visualize themselves living in the home and making the payments to assess their comfort level. Creating a thoughtful, adaptive approach to the market will always serve buyers better than overthinking or delaying the decision. The key is to take the plunge—don’t just think about it, make it happen!
Austin sees the mortgage industry evolving rapidly, with technology playing a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape. She notes that the days of “lazy loan officers” are over, as clients are more informed than ever, armed with options and opinions, though not always accurate.
Austin believes technology will continue to impact the industry, streamlining processes and improving efficiency. However, she emphasizes that while technology will handle some tasks, there will always be a need for human support in navigating complex financial decisions. In the future, she envisions a more empowered and collaborative environment where technology is used to demystify the mortgage process, but professionals remain essential in guiding clients through the challenges and opportunities. It’s about embracing the power of technology while continuing to provide personalized care and support for clients.
Blueprint for Winning the Homeownership Game
Austin emphasizes that while interest rates are important, they are only one part of the equation when buying a home. She explains that a low rate doesn’t matter much if a buyer can’t actually secure the home they want. There are various factors influencing rates, and buyers can explore different strategies to either lower or manage them. She points out that the mortgage industry has become overly focused on rates, which can be misleading. Austin advises homebuyers to ask questions, consider the bigger picture, and build a strong support system around them. Developing a personalized strategy is key—just as even the best teams don’t always win the Super Bowl, having the right approach and support will make all the difference in achieving homeownership goals.
