Licensed Loan Originator Stacey Crandall has a driving business philosophy to stay extremely positive, especially in a time when the market she works in continues to change dramatically. Emphasizing an optimistic and upbeat attitude has helped keep her clients comfortable when making one of the biggest decisions in their lives, whether it’s mortgaging a home today or in the future. “Lenders still want to lend. There’s the perceived notion out there that banks don’t want to lend money because of what’s happened in the past, and that’s not the case,” Crandall said. Crandall has spent the last 23 years working in the mortgage industry and has been working for the mortgage banker Homestead Funding Corp., based out of Clifton Park, since 2011. The multi-state, privately held and independently owned company has 290 employees, with its corporate headquarters in Albany. In 2012, Homestead Funding Corp. was rated the No. 1 lender in the Capital Region by the Business Review. A wife and mother of two, Delmar resident and The College of Saint Rose alumna Crandall strives to focus on the importance of obtaining that local feel by being face-to-face with her borrowers, staying away from the insecurities of online loaning. “Because of confidentiality and the information we’re dealing with every day, you should be dealing with somebody local. Don’t go on the Internet and find companies there,” Crandall advised. Crandall offers flexible night and weekend hours, knowing many of her clients work busily throughout the day. Honesty and integrity sets Crandall aside from other loan originators, since she is completely up front with her clients when they are looking to establish a loan. She tells them exactly what they need to do and what to expect in order to be able to make their loans, without tiptoeing around situations. “What I’m going to do is fit them into the best product for them,” Crandall said, adding that she sits down with her borrowers discussing their credit scores and income to see their best options. Crandall also tries to go to every single one of her borrower’s closings, adding to the personal relationship she stresses. “Seeing the smiles on people’s faces and how excited they get. It makes it worth it all,” Crandall said. Homestead Funding also lends a hand to the community by participating and fundraising in events like the Cystic Fibrosis Stair Climb, the American Heart Association Heart Walk, Red Cross blood drives and the CDPHP Workforce Challenge. Crandall can be reached at her office at 1407 Route 9 in Clifton Park, [email protected] or at 495-3737.