Gwen Swain
Producing Branch Manager
Gwen understands that in this competitive market you deserve a lender who is ready and willing to work overtime to make your experience as stress-free and smooth as possible. Her team is available to work on your mortgage by phone, text, Facebook messenger, and email – even after hours and on weekends. From applying for a loan to closing on your home, they deliver five-star concierge service every step of the way.
As a top producing mortgage professional, in 2018, she was awarded the title of “Boise’s Best Lender” through the “Best of The Treasure Valley” poll. She also earned the title of Waterstone’s Rookie of the Year in 2020, as well as originating the most loans through Idaho Housing and Finance in 2020 and 2021.
Gwen grew up in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C., and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in 2006. She then moved to San Francisco where she lived in the Marina District until 2010 when she relocated to San Diego. In 2016, she moved to Eagle, ID with her two sons, Carter and Cameron.
She is passionate about helping first-time homebuyers and families relocating from out of state take advantage of the most affordable loan programs available today. And, as a former business owner, she has an affinity for the self-employed and knows her way around a tax return.
“I was very pleased with my experience with Gwen’s team at Waterstone. She was able to close my loan two weeks earlier than originally planned and the communication along the way was top notch. She also personally attended the closing with us which was something I had not experienced in many years. Thank you Gwen” Tyler W.
Rich Hermsen III
Loan Partner
Rich Hermsen joined Team Gwen as a Loan Partner from the world of corporate business analytics in the technology and consumer packaged goods industries. His forte is building relationships with his clients and fostering a smooth and enjoyable lending process.
Rich enjoys exploring the outdoors, jamming on the drums, and playing any sport that is out there (golf is his favorite)! Rich was born and raised in the shadow of Mt. Rainer in Eatonville, WA. After graduating with his Bachelor’s of Arts from Western Washington University, he traded coasts for a Category Analyst position in New Hampshire before returning to the west as an Advertising Analyst at Yahoo, Inc in Santa Clara, CA. Rich and his wife started their family in the Bay Area, but moved to Boise in 2019 to raise their kids. He has two daughters, Sienna (5) and Sawyer (2).
As a detail-oriented individual with a solutions-driven mindset, Rich is thrilled to be at Waterstone Mortgage on a team that’s dedicated to going above and beyond to meet their client’s needs.”
“Rich was an exceptional contact within Waterstone. He was always extremely quick to respond and very knowledgeable. If I did have a question that he felt Gwen was better suited to answer (this only happened once, and was likely due to me being a first time home buyer) he was honest about that and arranged a conference call with all 3 of us. Not only was Rich responsive and knowledgeable, but I feel like him and Gwen were both genuinely excited for our family. They would check in on us to see how the house hunt was going and were encouraging. I also never felt pressured by them whatsoever, which helped reduced stress in an already stressful situation. The market being as competitive as it is in Idaho currently; I know our family was not their only customer, but I would not have ever known that. Offer letters were especially important to get quickly, and they were on it. So quick in fact that my agent even mentioned how quick Rich was to respond, which made submitting offers quickly much easier. I credit getting our dream home to Both Rich and Gwen and their incredible service.” Ben R.
Samantha Moncada
Loan Partner
Sam has joined Team Gwen as a Loan Partner. Her passion lies in helping homebuyers navigate the exciting journey towards homeownership, ensuring they achieve their ultimate goal with confidence and ease. With six years of experience in the mortgage industry, coupled with a background as a surgery scheduler for an orthopedic spine clinic, she brings a unique blend of organization, empathy, and attention to detail to her role. She has seamlessly slid into her role on Team Gwen like she has been with us forever. Outside of work, you can find her exploring the outdoors, reading a good suspense novel, or simply enjoying quality time with her husband and three dogs. She is thrilled to be part of the journey towards making dreams of homeownership a reality for our clients!
Heather Coms
Mortgage Assistant
Heather schedules loan applications for our referrals and manages our client database. She assists with marketing campaigns and follows up with our clients after closing with first payment reminders. She also oversees operations for our Eagle and Nampa branches.
Heather Coms has over 20 years in customer service experience including an 18-year career as a Hair Stylist. She spent 4 years working in the title and escrow world, making her an integral part of the team. She is a real team player and is happy to help in any way she can.
Born and raised in western Washington, the PNW is in her blood. When she’s not spending time with her family and pets, she is probably having coffee with friends.
Kat Alexander
Loan Processor
Once we have a purchase contract Kat works directly with the homebuyer to gather up any needed documents for our underwriters to ensure a smooth and quick escrow. She works with our closing department to send the final documents to the title company and communicates with all parties involved in the transaction.
Kat is an Avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and social butterfly. She loves spending time with her husband, two daughters and son, as well as friends and extended family. She’s also a killer karaoke performer!
