Building Homeownership Through Relationships:

Lisa Czajka of Premier Mortgage Resources

By Debbie Hall

Working in the mortgage field wasn't part of Lisa Czajka's initial plans. More than two decades ago, she ran her own business when she met a California hard-money lender looking to expand into Nevada and asked her to manage the operation.

“I told him I didn’t know anything about mortgages, but I knew enough to know if I entered that field, I wouldn’t have anything to do with hard money!” said Czajka, a representative for Premier Mortgage Resources (PMR). “I also told him I didn’t like math or paperwork, so I couldn’t see myself being a fit for that field.”

Still, she agreed to get licensed and began exploring the business. What she discovered surprised her.

“I realized this industry is sales based on relationships,” she said. “All I’d done in my life was sales, so I went in a little deeper and realized I absolutely loved it.”

She gradually closed her previous business and transitioned to mortgage lending full-time. One of her most meaningful moments early in her career was assisting a military couple who were first-time homebuyers. The wife shared that she would be the first in her family to own a home.

“She talked about how incredibly excited she was to be able to paint her house the way she wanted, without having to request permission from a landlord,” Czajka said. “She made me realize how important the ‘little things’ are and that they’re not really little things.”

That moment stayed with Czajka and reinforced how meaningful homeownership can be for her clients. Over the years, those relationships have continued long after their mortgage transactions ended. Czajka has been invited to weddings, birthday parties and baby showers, a reflection of the lasting bonds she has formed through her work.

At PMR, she found a company culture that complements her approach to the business.

"Our systems and support are second to none," she said. "One of our mantras is that we are 'good people doing home loans.' The good people part is real, and it's truly reflected in our hiring process. You can be a huge producer, but if you’re not a good human, we aren’t going to hire you.”

PMR’s leadership structure is another aspect of the company she appreciates. Weekly Teams meetings bring departments and loan officers together to share updates, discuss challenges and celebrate successes. Czajka initially questioned whether the meetings would be worth the time. Now, she says she would not miss one.

The company also offers an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, established in 2022, which gives employees a direct stake in PMR’s success.

“The mindset is that we are all owners of our company,” she said. “That means we get to talk to our leaders, share ideas and work together to grow profitability.”

With over 300 loan officers and licenses across all 50 states, PMR continues to grow steadily. Ultimately, however, she says her most valuable relationships are with her clients and referral partners.

For more info, visit pmrloans.com/lczajka.