Meet Anna Courtade: Aspire North REALTORS Affiliate Committee Chair
Some people find their way into real estate and lending through carefully mapped-out career plans. For CityWide Home Mortgage professional Anna Courtade, the journey was shaped by experience, resilience, family, and a desire to help people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
Today, Anna serves as a Residential Mortgage Lender with CityWide Home Mortgage, specializing in first-time homebuyers and unique lending situations. She is also proud to be the only lender in the region certified in both VA and FHA construction lending, a distinction that reflects both her expertise and dedication to serving clients with specialized needs.
Anna entered the mortgage industry in 2020 after a successful career in hospitality management, corporate acquisitions, and training. While she valued the work she had done, she was ready for a change that would allow for a healthier work-life balance after becoming a mother. Encouraged by her mother-in-law, Julie Bravender, whom Anna affectionately calls “the queen of construction lending” and guided by mentors, she discovered a passion for mortgage lending and helping others achieve homeownership.
Her connection to Aspire North REALTORS® goes back even further. Anna has been involved with the association since entering the industry and remembers hearing about the former Traverse Area Association of REALTORS® (TAAR) as far back as high school through family friends and community connections.
What inspired Anna to serve on the Board of Directors? In her words, it was the encouragement and support of friends, colleagues, and past and current presidents including Deirdre, Jessica, Stephanie, and Doug. But what truly drives her passion for board service is education and advocacy. She believes the more professionals understand the intricacies of the industry, the better they can protect consumers and guide them through complex transactions with confidence and integrity.
Anna brings a uniquely compassionate perspective to the board. Having experienced both financial privilege and personal hardship throughout her life, she understands firsthand that every client comes with a different story and different challenges. Her philosophy is simple: “People over paychecks.” Whether someone is purchasing their first home, rebuilding after difficult circumstances, or investing in multiple properties, Anna approaches each situation without judgment and with a commitment to helping people move forward.
She is also passionate about the future of the industry and the importance of public trust. Anna notes that younger generations are increasingly skeptical of both the mortgage industry and homeownership itself, largely due to a lack of financial literacy education and broader distrust in institutions. She believes the industry must do more to educate communities, operate ethically, and build stronger relationships with consumers.
Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending time outdoors with her children, especially working on creative thrifting and homesteading projects together. Currently, the family is building raised garden beds from recycled pallets in hopes of growing their own popcorn, an adventure she describes with equal parts excitement and humor.
One of the most meaningful parts of Anna’s story is her journey as a naturalized citizen. Adopted into the United States as an infant, she became a U.S. citizen at just two years old. She proudly speaks about her gratitude for her family, her upbringing, and the values instilled by her father, an Army veteran, and her uncle, a two-time Purple Heart recipient.
When asked what impact she hopes to make during her time on the board, Anna points to progress and preparation. She has focused on helping organize association events earlier and more strategically, with the goal of leaving future leaders in an even stronger position than before.
Her advice to those entering the industry is refreshingly honest: stay true to yourself, recognize that business relationships are not always personal friendships, and focus on presenting yourself with integrity and authenticity.
Above all, Anna says her greatest inspiration comes from her children. Watching them overcome challenges with courage and resilience reminds her daily that perseverance matters, both personally and professionally.
Fun facts about Anna:
- Depending on her mood, she will switch from coffee to tea and back again.
- She is a night owl.
- If she had to choose between the mountains and the beach, she will pick the beach if it is by the ocean.
- She prefers to read a good book over listening to a podcast.
- Anna moonlights as a DJ for weddings and charity events.
- Her favorite Northern Michigan spot….she won't tell you. It's where she hunts for morels.
