Homegrown Bend Success Story Boss Mortgage Nurtures Community Roots
Bend native Randy “The Boss” Vance has risen from humble beginnings — starting with a can of gas and a willingness to work mowing neighbors’ lawns at the tender age of ten — to become a familiar face in Central Oregon and beyond as a leader in the lending industry.
Vance, who describes himself as “the luckiest guy alive,” may be familiar to local viewers for his distinctive eyewear and company Boss Mortgage’s light-hearted series of TV ads — often spoofing his acknowledged lack of prowess on the golf course, while another particular hit was the buzz stirred by a Super Bowl spot featuring his beloved alma mater Bend High Lava Bears football team among the numerous humorous antics.
But there is no doubting the seriousness of his commitment to helping clients achieve the dream of home ownership, and to giving back to the Central Oregon community of his origins.
Vance, who grew up in Bend, has been working in the mortgage industry since 1999 when he moved to Arizona to get a foothold on his career path. “I started out as a funding technician with a company called The Principal Financial Group — a special thank you to my aunt who landed me the interview!” He recalled. “And here I am 23 years later managing a network of branches in the Central Oregon area.
“I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams and I consider myself a “Mortgage Lifer.” I’ve survived two recessions and the Implode-o-Meter! I’m either really lucky or really good at what I do. All I know is that I love my job and love bringing the dream of homeownership to my clients.”
Vance has witnessed his profession’s evolution “from dot matrix printers to modern systems” and cherishes his relationships with family, team, clients and friends, priding himself on guiding consumers through buying, refinancing, and portfolio building, providing education and support throughout the process. Owner of five admittedly spoiled dogs, he gives credit to his wife Quinn, as the real force behind their company’s name and success.
Working with several mortgage companies after his Arizona stint honed his “nuts and bolts” knowledge, culminating in his leading a group known as Team Vance Loans back in Central Oregon by 2016, and his realization of the importance of operations in the efficient running of business. To that end he recently hired renowned industry veteran Blake Hensley as new chief operating officer. “Nowadays we are concentrating on strategic growth, rather than hiring just for the sake of it, and have pared back to pre-COVID levels,” Vance added. “We want to grow by attraction not promotion and fundamentally the market will dictate growth.
“One thing that separates us is our branding and marketing and we follow the maxim that 20 percent of earnings are reinvested in those areas,” Vance continued. “Not everyone is going to need a mortgage but when they do the idea is that we will be top of mind — people feel like they know us.
“During the refinance boom around 2020-21 people were not advertising so much, but I actually doubled down and by the time the market turned we were ahead of the competition — not to make the phone ring, more to maintain awareness.”
Following the concept of betting on yourself led to Vance launching his own company, Boss Mortgage, with its distinctive style and holistic approach. “We have several loan officers who share leads – I want the whole team to flourish,” he said. “I feel like the luckiest guy alive getting to help people in need and have had met great people and had some great mentors along the way. A shout out to local CPA/coordinated financial care company Capstone for their valuable guidance, as well as Hayden Homes, among others.
“I started at the bottom and now have something of a target on my back, which I enjoy. You need healthy competition, and I welcome it, though we will refer calls out when necessary,” he continued. “I became curious again, enjoying a feeling of renewal, particularly relishing first time buyers as the most exciting to work with. You can create long term clients and relationships and I take the time to educate and mentor — emphasizing the difference between cash in the bank and building wealth.”
The affable Vance, who graduated from Bend High in 1997, also hosts the insightful weekly “Truth in Lending” podcast “for loan originators, by loan originators” offering market updates, industry professional opinions, local real estate and mortgage trends, as well as tips and tricks to help business. “At Boss Mortgage we are committed to providing mortgage solutions with unwavering integrity, personalized service and fostering enduring client relationships,” he added. We believe that every individual, regardless of background or income level, deserves the opportunity to achieve homeownership and you can expect personalized attention and exceptional customer service from start to finish.” Vance said Boss Mortgage is passionate about our community and aims to make a difference in the lives of people in many other ways besides helping with home ownership.
One of the charities Boss Mortgage proudly supports is First Story, which operates with the support of founder Hayden Homes and a dedicated network of donors. It specializes in offering move-in ready homes to under-resourced families within Hayden communities throughout the Northwest.
Through an innovative loan program, it provides qualified individuals and families earning 80 percent or less of the area’s median income with the opportunity to secure a home loan at zero down payment and zero percent interest for 30 years.
Other causes aided by the Boss group include The St. Charles Foundation, supporting the St. Charles Health System in Central Oregon in aiding in the provision and enhancement of healthcare services, Sparrow Clubs helping local children facing serious illnesses and Bethlehem Inn — a community-supported emergency shelter in Central Oregon, offering warmth, safety, meals and case management services to adults and children experiencing homelessness with a mission is to transform lives through shelter, help and hope.
A purpose that is particularly close to Vance’s heart is supporting veterans, adding, “They do so much for us and are why we have the freedoms we enjoy today.”
To that end, Boss Mortgage is a major sponsor of the Home for Heroes program, designed to provide assistance and support to heroes in the community, including former or current military, firefighters, law enforcement officers, healthcare workers and teachers. The program offers various benefits such as reduced closing costs, rebates on home purchases or sales, and discounted mortgage rates as a way to express gratitude for the service and sacrifices of these heroes. Boss Mortgage offers up to $1000 off closing costs for participants and was number one in the state of Oregon in 2023, contributing some $37,000 to the Homes for Heroes program, and leading the pack now in 2024.
In a similar vein, support is also given to Mission22 — a widely known national charity located in Central Oregon that has helped thousands of veterans and their families. Founded and staffed by Veterans, it provides personalized support and resources for Veterans and their families. Programs include stress monitoring, meditation, exercise, and wellness supplements and Mission22 offers exclusive support for spouses and a network of Ambassadors to raise awareness. “From assisting numerous clients to proudly title sponsoring the 2024 Winterfest, our journey has been nothing short of remarkable,” Vance added.
“My first job was at ten years old when I got a can of gas and mowed lawns, and at 14 I was a cashier at Shopko. It has been quite a journey, but there is no way I could have done it without the support of my wife,” Vance stated. “We met at work as she was in the business for a number of years. Covid made us change how we thought about a lot of things and nowadays she runs a lavender farm in Central Oregon.”
Vance says one thing his company aspires to live up to is the “Boss Code” gleaned from insights picked up over the years, and articulated as follows:
Courage — always bet on yourself. Overcome fear one step at a time;
Onus — Take responsibility. That’s not my job does not exist here;
Dedication — Commitment to our craft, our clients, and our community;
Equanimity — When faced with adversity, be the eye of the storm.
He added that future plans include continuing to branch out in Western states.
