The Loan Officer Who Has
Been on Both Sides of the Desk
Born in Baton Rouge. Displaced by Katrina. Built a career across Mississippi and Missouri. Came home to Louisiana in 2020.
From Katrina to the Closing Table
I grew up in Baton Rouge. Hurricane Katrina displaced my family to Mississippi and that's where my career in lending began — at Tower Loan, where I was simultaneously the processor, the underwriter, and the funder on every file.
I built my career across Mississippi and Missouri before returning to Louisiana in 2020. I spent years as Branch Officer and AVP at Regions Bank. And for years I rented — knowing exactly which programs could help me buy. In June 2026 I finally used them. A 203K renovation loan. Commission income. 51% DTI. 53 days from offer to keys.
That house is now my home, my renovation project, and my Airbnb. I am a borrower, a homeowner, an investor, and your loan officer.
"I've sat on both sides of the desk. I know what underwriters look for because I was one."
Call Your Lender First.
Before You Call a Realtor.
The lender controls the money. Most buyers don't realize this until they've already fallen in love with a house they can't afford, or can't close on the timeline they need, or need a program nobody told them about. I tell every client the same thing — call me first. It's free. It's a soft pull. And it changes everything about how you shop.
Whether you're ready now, in 3 months, or in 6 months — that conversation with me maps out exactly where you stand and what it takes to get you to closing.
Built for This Work
Finance company specializing in high-cost mortgages and cash-out refinances. I was simultaneously the processor, underwriter, and funder on every file. Completed their 12-month management training in 6 months — Vicksburg to Magnolia to Lexington, MS then Columbia, MO where I earned NMLS #1680348.
Underwrote personal loans, auto loans, HELOCs, and home equity loans up to $100,000. This is where I built my consumer lending underwriting foundation. Understanding how a lender evaluates a borrower's full financial picture makes me a better loan officer every day.
Joined Regions Bank in 2020 as Branch Officer and Manager in Zachary, Louisiana. Promoted to Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the Airline Highway branch in 2021/2022.
Senior Loan Originator specializing in FHA 203K renovation loans, VA home loans, USDA, DSCR investment loans, and manual underwrites. Licensed in AZ, CA, FL, LA, MS, MO, NC, TN, TX. NMLS #1680348.
Featured & Published
Featured as a mortgage expert. Local coverage of homebuying programs, market conditions, and credit education across Louisiana.
View Features → 💰Quoted as a mortgage expert on Fed rate cuts, tax changes, and what homebuyers need to know heading into 2026.
Read Feature → 🎵Co-host of Financial Fridays LIVE. Mortgage education, market updates, and real talk about homebuying for first-time buyers and veterans.
Follow @james_nmls1680348 → ✍️Contributed mortgage education content to Lone Star Financing — the former DBA of First Option Mortgage. Buy vs. rent, buyer strategy, and more.
Read Articles → ⭐Verified reviews from real clients on Experience.com and Facebook. Consistently rated 5 stars for communication, professionalism, and closing results.
Read Reviews →James in the News
James has been featured multiple times on Louisiana First News as a trusted mortgage expert — covering topics that directly impact Louisiana homebuyers.
James joined Louisiana First News live in studio to walk buyers through credit, budget, pre-approval, and why calling your lender first changes everything.
Watch Coverage → 📺 Louisiana First NewsJames breaks down how a government shutdown affects FHA, VA, and USDA loan processing — and what buyers should do to protect their closing timeline.
Watch Coverage → 📺 Louisiana First NewsJames explains what Fed rate decisions and upcoming tax changes mean for Louisiana buyers heading into 2026 — and why now may be the right time to move.
Watch Coverage → 📺 Louisiana First NewsJames covers new housing legislation and what it means for first-time buyers and families in Louisiana who have been sitting on the sidelines.
Watch Coverage →Mortgage Education Articles
Before letscalljames.com, James contributed mortgage education articles to Lone Star Financing — the former DBA of First Option Mortgage, also operating as 1st Florida Mortgage.
Lone Star Financing
Read Article → ArticleLone Star Financing
Read Article → ArticleLone Star Financing
Read Article → ArticleLone Star Financing
Read Article →Serving Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Texas & 5 More States
James Hair is a Senior Loan Originator based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana serving buyers throughout Denham Springs, Livingston, Gonzales, Walker, Zachary, New Orleans, Shreveport, Lafayette, and Lake Charles.
In Mississippi: Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Mendenhall, Vicksburg, Brandon, and Pearl. In Florida: Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Naples, Boynton Beach, and statewide. In Texas: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and statewide.
