During the eleven years she worked as a real estate paralegal, Tina Gjerald gained invaluable experience that later helped her launch her career as a senior mortgage consultant. After winning awards four years in a row for the law firm, Tina had the opportunity to start a new title office for a large title company. In 2000, Tina moved to the company’s corporate office where she headed up their Training, Development and Compliance Department. In 2003, she changed paths and began using her real estate expertise as a mortgage consultant.

Tina now heads up a thriving team that includes herself, a loan officer and a loan officer’s assistant. Tina’s primary concentration is mostly south of the Metro, though she’s licensed to originate loans in all 50 states. Certified as a Military Housing Specialist through USA Cares, Tina works closely with military personnel and veterans and understands their options and needs. She’s also known throughout the industry as an expert originator for the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Program.

Most of Tina’s clients are referred to her by local realtors or past clients. What keeps realtors sending their clients to Tina in such large numbers? “When my realtors refer a customer to me, they know they can pretty much hand off the customer and they don’t have to worry about anything,” Tina says. “I have realtors I’ve literally worked with for decades.” To keep her realtors informed, she sends regular industry and program updates. She also provides them marketing and financing flyers to help them in their business.

To stay in touch with past clients, Tina reaches out with regular newsletters chock full of helpful information about real estate and mortgages. “I also reach out to customers from time to time if I think they might want to consider refinancing when the market improves,” she says. It’s these thoughtful touches that keep her clients coming back and referring friends and family at high rates.

What sets Tina apart from other lenders in the area? “I’m actually not a hardcore salesperson,” she explains. “I’ve grown my business because of the way I do business–I’ve grown my business mostly on reputation. I’m good at what I do. I’m honest, ethical and incredibly thorough. That’s how I’ve built my following.” Her strong legal background also gives her the ability to correctly interpret both relevant statutes and loan program guidelines.

Tina’s favorite thing about the job is helping people buy their homes, especially first time homebuyers. “It’s a good feeling when you help someone accomplish something as important as buying a home,” she says with a smile. Her clients walk away from the process impressed with the ease and smoothness of the process and thrilled with Tina’s clear communication style.

Tina volunteers as an educator with the Minnesota Real Estate Agent Continuing Education Program, providing training both at CE events for realtors and within her company, Wintrust Mortgage. In her rare free time, she enjoys being with her husband. “We love to travel, but it’s hard because while I’m at the office Monday through Friday, I also work at night and on the weekends–whenever my clients need me. So my husband and I just like quiet evenings together, sitting on the porch. That’s how we unwind at the end of the day,” Tina says. For the future, Tina would love to grow her business and add a fourth person to the team. With her dedication to her team and her clients, she’s sure to make that dream come true!

To find out more about Tina Gjerald, contact her via phone at (612) 518-4297 or

email at TGjerald@wintrustmortgage.com.