Meet Jeanne Randazzo Szczech

Mortgage Professional Since 2000

Founder of Arete Mortgage

Certified Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Serving Southwest Colorado Since 2003

I founded Arete Mortgage in 2001 with a simple belief: every borrower deserves honest advice, clear communication, and a mortgage professional who puts their interests first.

My career began in education as an elementary school teacher, where I learned the value of patience, listening, and helping people understand complex topics with confidence. Those same skills have guided my approach to mortgage lending for more than 25 years. I believe an informed client makes better decisions, which is why education remains at the heart of everything I do.

Since entering the mortgage industry in 2000, I have helped hundreds of individuals and families purchase homes, refinance existing mortgages, invest in real estate, and create retirement strategies through reverse mortgage solutions. As the founder and owner of Arete Mortgage, I am committed to providing a level of personal service and accessibility that is often difficult to find with large banks and national lenders.

I am a Certified Reverse Mortgage Specialist with extensive experience helping homeowners understand how reverse mortgages can be used as a retirement-planning tool. Whether a client is looking to age in place, eliminate a mortgage payment, establish a growing line of credit, purchase a new home with a reverse mortgage, or improve monthly cash flow, I believe every conversation should begin with education—not sales. Reverse mortgages are among the most misunderstood financial tools available today, and my role is to help homeowners understand both the opportunities and considerations so they can make informed decisions.

While reverse mortgages are a specialty, Arete Mortgage offers a full range of mortgage solutions, including conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, refinance, second home, vacation home, investment property, and first-time homebuyer financing. My goal is always the same: to find the loan strategy that best supports a client's long-term financial goals.

In 2003, my family and I made Durango our home, and I have been proud to serve Southwest Colorado ever since. Community involvement has always been important to me. I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Local First Foundation and actively support organizations, events, and initiatives that strengthen our local economy and help our community thrive. I believe local businesses play an important role in building vibrant, connected communities.

Outside of work, you'll usually find me enjoying the outdoors with my husband, Chris, family, friends, and our pup, Darla. We love hiking, backpacking, camping, rafting, traveling, exploring the mountains and deserts of the Southwest, and spending time under the night sky. The values that guide my personal life - integrity, curiosity, resilience, connection, and a love of adventure - are the same values I bring to my work with clients every day.

Whether you're purchasing your first home, refinancing, investing in real estate, planning for retirement, or exploring a reverse mortgage, my commitment is simple: to provide trusted guidance, exceptional service, and the knowledge you need to make confident financial decisions.

I look forward to helping you navigate your mortgage journey.

Areas of Expertise

• Reverse Mortgages (HECM)

• Reverse Mortgage Purchases

• Reverse Mortgage Refinancing

• Retirement Mortgage Planning

• Conventional Loans

• FHA Loans

• VA Loans

• Jumbo Mortgages

• Investment Property Financing

• Second Homes & Vacation Properties

• Home Refinancing

• First-Time Homebuyers

Licensed in Colorado and New Mexico