Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Derilus.
Hi Joe, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, my story started as a sales rep for ADT, I was selling alarm systems for residential and commercial going door to door as a commission only salesperson. Most of my sales came from referral partners who happen to be real estate agents who would refer me their clients whenever they closed on a home, and after seeing how I treated and took care of their clients, some of the agents suggested that I get my real estate license. So, after about a year, I decided to go to real estate school, went and took the state test and passed on my second attempt, and got the license in July of 2016. I have since helped dozens of families in the central Florida area start their families’ legacies and generational wealth, and turning houses into homes. And about 4 years ago now, I decided to transition to the mortgage side of the business because I felt I could be more helpful in helping families realize their dream of homeownership by helping them in their preparation phase well before they even sit down with a real estate agent to talk about home buying. It has been very satisfying to see families from all types of background establish their footing in the community, and seeing the pride on their faces at the closing table to have a place they can call home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just like every entrepreneurial journey, there have been ups and downs, whether it was the market conditions, making the transition from one industry to another, or even establishing yourself as an expert in a new field. Personally, one of the early struggles was simply to gain clients’ trust and show my expertise in the industry as a brand-new agent. Therefore, I relied on my customer service skills and overall genuine care to first connect with them; as a result, they allowed me the opportunity and room to learn and grow with them throughout the process. I got better and better with each client, and eventually I became a trusted voice and reliable resource in the community for my expertise in real estate.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a loan officer and mortgage broker, I help people make one of the biggest financial decision of their lives—buying a home. I specialize in guiding buyers, homeowners, and investors through the mortgage process in a way that feels clear, approachable, and stress-free. A big part of what I do is education—I break down complex financing concepts so people can make confident decisions because I take the time to educate them throughout the process, whether that’s a first-time homebuyer figuring out FHA vs. conventional, a veteran exploring VA benefits, or an investor looking to maximize returns and expand their portfolio or a brand new investor looking to do their first fix’n’flip.
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with clients. I’m not just focused on closing loans; I focus on creating long-term relationships by making sure people feel supported and actually understand that a mortgage is just a tool to use to make their money work for them for the long haul. That personal touch, combined with deep knowledge of lending guidelines, is what really sets me apart. I’m known for being straightforward, resourceful, and for finding solutions where others might hit a wall.
At the end of the day, I’m not just in the business of loans and mortgages—I’m in the business of helping people create stability, build wealth, and achieve their goals.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The best advice I can give for finding a mentor is the one I’ve heard and followed myself: find someone that is where you want to me professionally that has the life you want personally. Many times, we see people’s success out in the public sector without realizing the sacrifice it cost them to have that but if you’re not willing and able to pay the same cost then you will probably not experience the same level of success. Although, there will always be a level of sacrifice to achieve success in any field, for me, there are non-negotiable values like faith, family, and integrity that can’t be sacrificed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joemortgageguy.com
- Instagram: @joe_mortgage_guy
- Facebook: https://www.fb.com/jderilus
