Top Originator Spotlight: Vista Lending’s Sonya Valia

Mortgage Professional America: Can you tell us about your mortgage journey? How did you come into the industry?

Sonya Valia: I was in consumer banking from 1997 to 1999. Then, I left for a nearby tech company, and while there, the bank was asking if I would consider coming back. I had the opportunity to go straight into the mortgage division. I loved the lending side of consumer banking, so I chose to go into mortgage.

MPA: How do you balance your career, personal life, and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?

SV: This is a funny question for a couple of reasons. There have been times in the morning when I am getting ready, and he will say, “Can I ask you a question about a borrower scenario,” and my answer is, “No, I need some zen time!” Aside from that, it’s become harder in our world to balance things because of competition and the fact that clients and agents usually need something right away. I think we have gotten a bit better about it, and we tend to take short trips to help just get away, but we are still always on call.