Meet the Lender: Chris Elgert

Chris Elgert's life pivots around family. Growing up, his family is who influenced him in the real estate and mortgage industry. Now as an adult, his family provides the support and motivation for everything he does. As a mortgage lender, Chris knows the joy that he can help other families experience when they become proud homeowners.

Chris' father was the president of a large real estate company for many years. Chris was able to watch the industry from the outside and get insight into the home buying process. He started working in the mortgage industry in 2003, but took some time off in 2010 to spend time with his mother who was battling cancer. He decided to come back to the industry in the fall of 2010 joining the Lincoln Federal team and has been thrilled with the experience.

Sitting down with Chris it is very apparent how much he enjoys talking with people and getting to know them. The mortgage process is a very personal experience for him every time he works with a family because he knows the stakes. Buying a home is often the biggest purchase people make. The American dream starts with it. Knowing that he is able to help that happen is thrilling to him.

Chris knows he's making a difference when his clients come back time and time again. Chris worked with a family who was moving to Nebraska from Georgia to be closer to their grandchildren. Chris was able to develop an incredibly close relationship with this family, so much so that when they recently decided to move back to Georgia, they insisted on Chris working with them for their new mortgage application down south. They stop by and visit when they come back to visit the grandkids and always make sure to bring jelly and other treats. He's got plans to visit them as well.

Chris' biggest advice to anyone thinking about buying a home is to actually sit and meet face-to-face with a lender. He says that even though we have the ability to do so much online that it is so very important to get to know the people you are working with. When you work with a professional like Chris, you are able to navigate through the details together. There's never a "one size fits all" approach to mortgages. Each family has different asset structures, different incomes and different goals. Even as busy as he gets, Chris is very strict on meeting everyone he works with and relishes helping them plan what they need to do and what they should be doing to achieve their goals.

In his spare time, you can find Chris on the golf course with his wife and children. They often play together and support each other in everything they do. Having that kind of relationship and encouragement is what family is all about, and helping others enjoy that sense of togetherness is why Chris loves to do what he does.