Meet Becky Coley! Becky is a Senior Mortgage Consultant for OnQ Financial Inc. Becky and her husband of 24 years (Jim) work together as The Coley Team.
We want to thank Becky for spending time with us and for telling us more about her life and her love of the Golden Strip.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: I started in Real Estate and had my one “go to” lender. She was talking to me about needing to bring in a new loan officer and the lights came on and she said, “Hey!….why don’t you think about working with me?” I said no, I was just getting rolling in Real Estate but we went back and forth about it for around 6 months when we decided to give it a try. I was Rookie of the Year my first year in the business, so the rest is history!
Q: How long have you been in this career?
A: TOO long! I started in Real Estate in 1985 and migrated over to mortgage lending in 1991….April Fools day…HA!
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
A: Helping my clients get into their homes. From the first time buyer to the seasoned buyer, it still is rewarding to get them to the finish line.
Q: Describe the strangest or funniest incident you’ve experienced in your business?
A:I will stay out of the strange end of it, but there is plenty of that!! One of the funniest that sticks in my mind is early on in the job, I was interviewing my client to establish affordability….I asked did he have a car payment, he said no. When the credit report came in, there was a auto debt. When I called and asked him why he told me no, he said….”You asked if I had a car payment, this is my Truck payment.” It was all I could do to keep from laughing out loud!
Q: What did you do prior to this career?
A: Real Estate sales.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the Golden Strip, and what do you love there?
A: I love Anita’s in Simpsonville. It has been there forever and has remained consistent. I typically get the Pollo Fundito…way too much to eat though.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in the Golden Strip area?
A: I actually live in Taylors currently, but have worked this area since the early 90’s.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Cabo San Lucas….We have traveled there a few times and it is always one of the most relaxing, enjoyable trips we make.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: I hate to admit it, but I LOVE ” My Fair Lady”.
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: Don’t block me in! I am a bit claustrophobic, so am very happy that I am relatively tall. that helps with the claustrophobic feeling. It isn’t severe, but it is there!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: A two week river cruise in Europe. I would love to detach and tour on a River cruise.
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: Oh mercy….I like a broad range of music. I enjoy blues, Country and 70’s music most I think. who would I like to see…
1–Elvis….yes, I know, old school, but he was such a force. Sad life though.
2–Lady Gaga—crazy, but has tons of talent.
3–Earth Wind and Fire….I have seen them several times and they never disappoint!
Q: What current / former local business makes you feel the most nostalgic about the Golden Strip area?
A: Wade Shealy…He had a Century 21 Franchise at one time and then a restaurant in downtown Simpsonville, but has remained in the area and makes me remember when I first got into this industry.
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in the Golden Strip area would you have lunch?
A: Condoleezza Rice. I am not a Political person, per se,but she in intriguing to me when I see her in interviews. She has a very calm presence…is highly intelligent and a golfer too!
Of course, I would say let’s go to Anita’s.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about the Golden Strip area?
A: I love that it is still Small town feeling, but has so much activity and growth at the same time.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: Probably Still doing what I do now I love it, it can be very stressful, but also very rewarding.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I love old musicals….the ones with Fred Astaire…Bing Crosby…Gene Kelly. Love all those movies. They way they all dressed to the nines for everyday living cracks me up! Can you imagine?
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Family, love, relax.
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: Wow! That one is tough. It evolves, as I do! Maybe George Clooney?
Q: If you had a full time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: CHEF!!!!!!!!!! I never have time to cook anymore
Q: Do you have a charity or organization that you are passionate about? Do you do any volunteer work for it?
A: I love Camp Courage. It is for children with cancer and blood disorders…through the Greenville Hospital System They take these kids for a week of camp, and allow them to be just
kids. the expense for this is high due to all the support staff (Nurses, Doctors, etc) that have to be there. Many of these kids don’t have the money to buy swimsuits, etc. so the donations go to these costs and more.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Not sure I have any of that! Ha, no. I love to golf, shag dance, read books.
Q: Do you have any pets or cute pet stories to share?
A: I Currently have a puppy (what were we thinking??? a puppy!) and 2 cats. Gypsy Rose Lee, Chandler Bing and Ella Fitzgerald.
Q: Who else would you like to see nominated as a Face of the Golden Strip?
A: Gosh, I cannot think of a particular person off the top of my head, but there are so many great people to get to know around here.
