Today we’d like to introduce you to Penny Lacuesta
Penny, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up in a small town in Maryland, I never imagined that my personal and professional journey would lead me to Mount Pleasant, SC, at the age of 45. My father served in the Army, and the first five years of my life were spent on military bases where he was stationed. After his retirement, my parents decided to settle in Maryland, which became home for me. I loved living there, being close to Washington, DC, and forming lifelong friendships, many of which are still intact today.
My first job out of school was in the mortgage business, handling more clerical tasks at the time. Although I wasn’t yet on the front lines as a mortgage loan officer, I quickly realized what I loved most about the industry—seeing homebuyers achieve the dream of owning a home. I became deeply interested in learning about the different facets of the mortgage business, and in every role I took on, I strived to become a student of the field. The industry constantly evolved, with new loan products and regulations, particularly after the 2008 market crash. During those fast-paced years, although they now feel like a blur, the most rewarding part was always helping people become homeowners.
I have three daughters: Erin (23), Kylie (20), and Cora Jane (8). Erin and Kylie were raised in Bethesda, MD, where we lived until moving to Mount Pleasant. They still consider Maryland home, and I’m glad to see them return often to visit family and friends. In 2019, when my husband, Josh, and I took Erin to visit colleges, one of the schools we toured was the College of Charleston. Josh and I fell in love with the area and, for the first time, we considered living somewhere other than Maryland. Although Erin ultimately chose to attend the University of South Carolina, our visits to see her brought us back to South Carolina often. Josh and I decided that once Kylie was a senior in high school, we would start seriously considering a move to the Charleston area. That’s exactly what we did. With only Cora Jane left at home, it felt like the perfect time to relocate. In May 2022, we bought our home in Mount Pleasant and moved in right after Kylie graduated from high school and left for her freshman year at Tulane University.
Josh had been working remotely for many years in IT sales, so relocating to South Carolina wasn’t an issue for him. However, I knew establishing myself in a brand-new real estate market would be a challenge. Charleston, SC, is a strong and desirable housing market, and a top destination for people looking to move, but breaking into a new territory is always a challenge. Additionally, anyone tied to real estate in 2022 faced new difficulties with rising interest rates and a lack of inventory. This meant my hands were full with networking and building a solid reputation from the ground up.
Now, more than two years into our life in South Carolina, I feel proud of the progress I’ve made. The company I work for, Intercoastal Mortgage, has played a significant role in this success. They keep us competitive with rates, and their streamlined processes ensure my clients feel the system runs flawlessly. One thing that many peers in the mortgage business will agree on is that confidence in your work comes from being able to stand behind a loan approval. When I tell a client or referral partner that their financing is approved, they can trust that it will be, with no surprises, protecting both their investment and my reputation.
However, what has truly made this new journey successful for me is something innate—something hard to teach. With every new professional encounter in my new hometown, whether aligned with my industry or not, I listen carefully to how I can help someone else. I approach every interaction with a service-minded heart. I believe in the idea that good things happen to good people, and by operating this way in both my personal and professional life, I hope people will naturally want to work alongside me as they embark on their journey to homeownership.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Many of the challenges that I have had are listed in ‘My Story’ and re-building a new network of referral partners here in South Carolina. Overall, these obstacles will be overcome in time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am passionate about empowering homeowners to build wealth through real estate. With a deep understanding of the Charleston SC market and a commitment to personalized service, I guide my clients through every step of the homebuying process, ensuring they make informed decisions that align with their financial goals.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
As it relates to homebuying and financial literacy in general, I possess a deep knowledge of loan products, interest rates and the mortgage process. I communicate often and clearly to help buyers stay informed throughout the process. I have great attention to detail and strong organizational skills, which helps avoid delays or issues with a loan approval. I also have a great deal of patience for what can be a lengthy process, especially for first-time homebuyers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://intercoastalmortgage.com/loan-officer/penny-lacuesta/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennylacuesta/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penny.donohoe/
