Suzanne Caldeira is approaching her 25th year in lending, and she’s not slowing down.
After a year of personal reflection and an unsuccessful attempt to switch companies, Suzanne has returned to Rate Mortgage. “It was so hard to say goodbye because that company had an amazing culture, but it just wasn’t the right move on my part. I made a mistake to move.”
What distinguishes Rate from other lenders is its speed and ease for consumers.
“People don’t want to wait, and I don’t blame them,” Suzanne says. “They’re used to Amazon’s one-click convenience and personalized suggestions. That doesn’t mean I don’t talk to people—quite the contrary. I’m constantly on the phone, helping clients choose the right mortgage for their financial needs and offering tailored recommendations. However, two features wowed my returning Rate clients. First, our system remembers them and automatically retrieves documents from previous files. Second, our Smart Underwriting leverages advanced AI to deliver loan commitments for qualified homebuyers in record time. Imagine finding your dream home and needing to act fast, but your lender says it’ll take 24-48 hours. With Rate, well-qualified buyers can apply at 11 p.m. on a Friday and have an immediate loan commitment to make their offer.”
Suzanne’s excitement about returning stems from Rate’s cutting-edge technology and the CEO’s relentless commitment to innovation. “I feel like I work for the Steve Jobs of lending,” she said. Or, a tech company that happens to do mortgages.”
As part of her return, Suzanne is planning a significant geographic move for her family. In October, they’ll settle into a newly-built home outside Greenville, South Carolina. In August, they’ll leave their home of 20 years in the Northeast for a short-term rental in the South. She is committed to serving her existing clients and business relationships as well as becoming the new girl and learning a whole new area. She has 14 state licenses, and Rate has licenses in all 50 states. Where she lives is a non-issue with the tech at her disposal.
As the primary caregiver for her 84-year-old mother, Suzanne understands the challenges of the sandwich generation. This experience fuels her focus on reverse mortgages, a product she’s passionate about demystifying.
“I’m committed to helping seniors age in place,” she says. Reverse mortgages can assist seniors who have depleted their assets or affluent seniors looking to preserve wealth and reduce tax liability. Suzanne’s expertise ensures clients understand how these loans can meet their unique needs.
Her optimism about the real estate market is unwavering. “I’m bullish on real estate,” she says. “It’s been a game-changer for me, and I love helping others achieve homeownership.” She finds particular satisfaction in guiding young buyers toward their first home. “The sooner they start, the faster they build equity,” she explains.
Despite turbulent rate fluctuations since the low mortgage rates of the COVID years, Suzanne maintains a calm perspective.
“Real estate is a solid long-term investment,” she says. “In the Northeast, particularly Rhode Island and Massachusetts, limited inventory supports strong home values. However, she cautions aspiring fix-and-flip investors to research thoroughly and study market data.
“If someone wants to flip houses, then I’m not their best fit, and I’ll tell them so,” she says candidly.
Another passion of Suzanne’s is serving veterans. Her stepfather was a veteran, and her parents used a VA mortgage to buy a home after financial struggles during her teenage years. Rate Mortgage’s VA program stands out: it has no credit score minimum for loans up to just under $2 million and charges no lender fees. “It’s not a gimmick,” Suzanne emphasizes. “Government loans are profitable, but many competitors claim to prioritize veterans without delivering. We do it right.”
Suzanne recognizes that people buy homes for countless reasons: young buyers tired of renting or living with family, couples separating, families expanding (sometimes unexpectedly), or those navigating the loss of a partner. Her empathy and expertise make her a trusted guide through these life transitions.
If you’d like to connect with Suzanne, you can reach out to her at 401-480-3670 or suzanne.caldeira@rate.com.
For more information on Suzanne’s upcoming reverse mortgage webinars visit: https://sites.totalexpert.net/event-registration/reverse-mortgage-webinar-list-373673
For details on VA mortgages visit: https://sites.totalexpert.net/event-registration/va-home-loans-373673
To connect with Suzanne for a preapproval visit: https://sites.totalexpert.net/your-dream-home/forever-or-first-home-373673
