VIP MORTGAGE - THE CRAWFORD TEAM
VIP Mortgage began from the idea that the mortgage lending process could be simplified, that the dream of homeownership is very much alive and well, and that that the people working on your loan could provide empathy around the process, having been there themselves.
The Crawford Team, spearheaded by Stuart Crawford and Ryan Madrid, works hard to ensure they exceed client expectations. They're not only work partners but great friends with deep community roots. Here we explore their dedication to service, local favorites, and the podcast celebrating local players that you need to check out.
Photo: Shultz Digital
Q & A
Stuart Crawford, Senior Vice President | Ryan Madrid, Director of Business Development
Q: What sets The Crawford Team/VIP Mortgage apart in a competitive industry?
A: The process can be overwhelming, so we deliver a client journey that focuses on a high degree of education and clarity to ensure a comfortable experience. It’s also extremely important that our focus is on our team and provide them with a comfortable and fun work environment. We feel lucky to have such a close-knit team that is like another family to us.
Q: You and Ryan are great business partners but also close friends. How did this evolve?
A: This is a great question with a great story, but to keep it simple we have the same goals. Don’t take ourselves too seriously, treat people right, love our families (work and home), and have as much fun as possible. Life can be a short ride and we know how lucky we are to have such a great situation, so we make the most of it.
Q: Can you share with us a few of your local favorites (restaurants, recreation spots, stores, services, etc.)?
A: The Americano, Maple and Ash, Rusty Spur, Scapegoat, and The Porch to name a few…
Q: Ryan, you have a podcast Real Talk with Ryan Madrid that interviews a variety of guests (even beyond real estate) and explores their careers and lives. Can you tell us more about this and what the catalyst was for launching this back in 2019?
A: The original reason was to provide the truth about how things really work in the real estate world. The truth is that the mortgage business can be very difficult and sometimes that gets overlooked so I wanted to open up the playbook for people to understand the complexities of the business. That led to me wanting to dive more into people’s personal stories in and out of the industry. I found that the more authentic someone is the more people understand who they really are instead of who they think they are from social media or whatever. I know a lot of great people with cool stories and the more I get into this the more and more I look forward to each interview.
Real Talk with Ryan Madrid Podcast
Q: You both are involved with a variety of charities and community organizations. Please share the organizations or charities that are close to your heart.
A: Stuart is involved with the Scottsdale Charros and Ryan is involved with Executive Council 70. Both organizations are men’s charity groups that raise money to help children’s charities. Giving back has been part of our business since we joined forces.
