I'm A Big Huge Loser!

It's true. There is no hiding the truth anymore. Sometimes it is hard for us to look in the mirror and see what we really are. We sometimes wear mental blinders that keeps our physical eyes from seeing reality. I believe our mind plays these games on us not only because the truth hurts, but because we want to believe that it isn't our fault.

Since my youth I've witnessed all the men and women in my immediate family go from overweight to heavy to morbidly obese. I've sat back and enjoyed the excessive meals completely oblivious to the road I was traveling. Secretly I hated the fact that my family allowed themselves become so overweight and do seemingly nothing about it. I was always slightly overweight as a adolescent and continued with that trend even through 5 years of football and high school sports. In my naivety I assumed that I would maintain my "slightly overweight" condition through my adult years.

Boy was I wrong.

Here is a picture of me late last year. I hate to even say this but I was almost 290lbs. I was forced to buy my first pair of size 44 pants and was completely disgusted with myself. As I stood in the store buying my first truly obese pair of pants I was in a state of shock. I couldn't control my eating habits and neither cared nor had the desire to stop my careless eating habits. I had somehow found my way to a place I thought I would or could never go. I was ashamed, but what was more shocking was I didn't seem to care because I did nothing about it.

Working in the real estate business I was constantly finding myself in positions where I was giving advice to people. Not only in the realm of their transaction, but also with respect to the totality of their lives. I had spent so many years giving advice and yet I couldn't seem to grasp that my health was in serious jeopardy.

In January I woke up around 2am having the worst asthma attack I had ever experienced in my entire life. It was so severe that my wife was forced to call the ambulance to bring me to the hospital. The doctors plainly and clearly explained that my asthma was degenerative and it would eventually kill me unless I started taking it more seriously. My grandmother died at 44 from her asthma, you would think that would be enough to scare me straight right?

It wasn't.

February 7th, 2008 I got on the scale...291lbs. I walked depressed into my living room at sat down with my girls. My youngest daughter who had just turned 3 looked up and me and said "Daddy, I love you. Don't ever ever die ok?" In that short moment my 3 year old had said one of the most profound things to me that I had been avoiding for so long. I finally made up my mind. I wasn't going to sit back and allow this to go on anymore. I was going to do something about my situation and take the control back.

I was tired of the excuses, I was fed up with the reasons why "I couldn't". I got mad and allowed it to fuel my inner fire. I started counting calories, I worked out 6 days a week and started slowly. I was deteremined to reach my goal.

This morning I got on the scale and it read 225lbs. In just over 10 weeks I've lost 65lbs.

I am still planning on losing another 20lbs to get to my target body fat %. Just yesterday I went to Buckle and tried on and bought my first pair of size 34 pants in over 12 years.

I finally came to a point in my life where I realized that I cannot afford to keep talking about change, I need to be the change. I have spent so many years giving advice and direction to people and had not headed my own words. There is nothing quite like seeing your entire body change right before your eyes when you stop making excuses and start making it happen.

The application this has for you is to never make an excuse as to why you can't do it. Whatever your hurdle might be, don't allow yourself to think you cannot achieve ANYTHING. And most of all the best way to get to your goal is to just do one thing. Take the first step. Then once you do, never look back.

This last week I returned to Arizona and now as a proud loan officer with US Bank in North Scottsdale. I'm starting with a renewed vigor that all things are possible, even breaking the cycle of 10 years of poor eating habits. I have a new outlook on life because I am proud to say that I am a BIG LOSER.

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You!

It would be a dramatic understatement to say that the mortgage industry has changed over the past year. Yet in spite of the changes there are still people out there living in the "glory days" of the refinance boom and have yet to truly learn their lesson. The media has provided their typical spin on what's going on in the real estate market and for once I've found myself siding on the side of near pessimism for the sake of my clients.

So why is it that there are still so many people looking for the easy way out? Why is it that there are seemingly still so many people who just don't KNOW what responsible real estate transactions mean? Think I'm exaggerating a little? Listen to this!

Recently I had one of my top producing real estate agents contact me to ask me for a "personal favor". Her mother needed to lower her payment on her mortgage dramatically and she wanted me to do a "payment choice" loan for her mother. To be honest I was shocked because as I got more information regarding her mother's situation it became very clear to me that this loan would be potentially very detrimental for her mother.

After a lengthy conversation my Realtor became very frustrated with me for not agreeing to proceed with the loan and hung up on me when I suggested a possible reverse mortgage or longer termed ARM. Later that day I received an email from my Realtor explaining that she was very disappointed in me and that she would be going with a local broker who was offering her a 5 year fixed rate that was NOT a neg am or a pay option arm at .5%.

Yes...I said POINT 5 PERCENT.

Not only was it less than 1% but it was also interest only and the best part is that the company emphatically denies that this loan is in any way a neg am note. The following day I heard this company spamming the radio and even television with their new loan that features that low interest only non neg am loan. It was shocking to say the least.

After years of being in this business it never ceases to amaze me how people will allow themselves to be sucked in by any Joe who is willing to lie about their programs and rates. In the end the consumers walks away with a bad loan, extremely high closing costs, and ultimately a bad experience when they should have trusted their responsible lender in the first place.

Just a few days ago I received a purchase contract from this same Realtor as an obvious gesture of fixing the bridge she burned with an email that followed basically apologizing for her mistake. They got to the closing table and found out the truth of what this loan really was and were unpleasantly surprised when they found out that it came with over 4% in fees! Her mother is talking with a reverse mortgage specialist who is going to take care of her. My Realtor is happy and has thanked me for my patience and understanding over and over. In the end I knew she'd need to figure it out on her own to understand what it was I was saying to her. I am just glad she learned because there are still people being taken by these horribly irresponsible loans.

This real estate market will recover in time, but in the mean time don't go chasing after mirages with garbage mortgage promises. If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS! It's sad but what you don't know really can hurt you and those around you.  

The Writing on the Wall - Countrywide's Market Nosedive

It always seems hindsight in 20/20 when it comes to just about every area of our short lives. Although when it comes to finances prudence and self discipline are most often the most careful ways of ensuring stability. It seems however that greed can sometimes overshadow even the most responsible of persons.

I still remember my first day at Countrywide all those years ago. It was a new and exciting time for me as it was my first step into the mortgage lending arena. As I stepped onto the floor and made my way towards my new desk I had a feeling of excitement as I sat down into this new world. Many of the things I learned in those first few weeks molded me into a good salesperson. Countrywide did an excellent job of teaching me how to sell and deal with all kinds of rebuttals and to work hard at it. However in no more than just a few days I learned what drove this large companies subprime's division.

Greed.

Now don't get me wrong. Countrywide is not the only culprit, and certainly isn't all bad in every facet of their business. But what I saw early on was their subprime side had greed that knew no limits. It wasn't uncommon to hear people being proud of selling "The Five Point Special". They would quote clients rates based on 5% in fees (discount) of the loan amount. What was even more sad to me was that clients would often take it and never complain. It seemed they trusted the "Big Lender" because of a name and would rarely turn down the loan.

It certainly wasn't a majority of the people, but it was the culture that was created there. There was no training on what one "Ought to Do" for a client. On the contrary it seemed that the only real measure was how many units you funded every month. Customer service seemed only important when it was required because a client had called to complain.

So it doesn't surprise me when I hear that Countrywide is trading at $15.06 (1:20pm EST), or is in danger of bankruptcy. It is sad because there are a lot of good people that work in that company. A lot of good loan officers and good management that pour their every waking hour into that company being successful. There are and will continue to be people who come and go out of that company without anyone batting an eye. It is sad that such a giant in the lending world could have done so much to prevent what is happening right now.

It's possible that even with continual problems that Countrywide finds an out because of their close relationship with the Federal Reserve, and I truly hope that for the employees sake and for the sake of their customers they don't go bankrupt. My hope is that at the end of all of this mess they truly learn a lesson and their fiduciary responsibility. Of course we have seen this before with other companies that the world was sure would never fall.

In the end what matters most is customer service and doing the right thing for your clients. I truly hope for the sake of their customers that Countrywide starts putting their priorities back on the client and responsible lending.

Link To Bloomberg Article

Leaving to Mexico in Just 4 Days! Pray for us!

I haven't updated anyone in many weeks regarding my trip to Mexico. We are finally on the week of the trip and I can't wait to get there. We have a total of 700 teenagers from all over the United States coming with us on our trip and we are all so excited. Our primary mission is to go there to live out our faith by building homes, doing VBS for the kids, and to help the community with the assistance of the local church.

Please keep us in your prayers during next week while we are building these homes. We are planning on building upwards of 100 prefab homes during this time. Many of the people who are getting homes are completely homeless and have been squatting on these plots of land for months waiting for us to come.

There are also many of these families that are in so much financial strife that they are forced to live and eat out of the local garbage dumps just to feed their families. These are 3rd world conditions in a community not 100 miles away from downtown San Diego. These families deserve a fighting chance at life and to have their own homes, and for that reason we go.

I would ask that you pray that while we are there we are effective in showing the people of Mexico that we truly love them and care for their situations. It is my own personal prayer that the American teens that go gain a heart of true compassion and love for the needy people of this world and that it changes them forever.

10 Years ago this month I went on my first trip out of the country to South Africa. It was there that my life was changed by the experiences I had. One of the most incredible things I experienced was a true understanding of what it meant to appreciate the gifts and blessings of God. I walked away from that experience with a renewed and revived Faith in God and have never been the same since.

My hope is that the youth on this trip have the same experience and that when they return that they are never the same again. Your prayers are worth more than gold to me and I cherish them. Thank to each and every one of you for your messages, emails and kind words. I look forward to sharing our success and pictures upon our return. May the Lord bless you all!

The Method of Communication that You Can Not Afford to Ignore Anymore

It is hard to imagine that just 50 years ago computers were things that only the government and big business used for very simple tasks. Now just a few decades later it is uncommon to find people without a computer in their household. Although 50 years can be a lifetime for some of us, it is a drop in the bucket when you look at how advanced our technology has become in the past century alone.

From a young boy I was taught the value of honor and respect. I was taught that the "old way" was a handshake and a smile followed by excellence in service. Those truths will never be broken from my core convictions and I believe they are what makes successful people stand out. But in spite of how important it is to remember your roots, I have found that you must adapt with change or be left behind.

In some way shape or form we all use the Internet to communicate. But the real question remains, how well do we use this platform to market to new and even existing clients? Unfortunately for many the Internet is more of a playground where we engage others without any real purpose. Far too many people are missing out on the opportunity to use the Internet and new forms of communication as tools to increase their business, and many are leaving the industry because of it.

Now Activerain seems to prove this theory wrong in some respects, but then again does it? With almost 40,000 people registered with ActiveRain how many people are really active and productive within that number? Even if the number was half (and we know it is not) that would still account for a small fraction of the total number of real estate professionals in North America. That's not to say they aren't elsewhere blogging and developing web presence, but as you'll see many people who are web savvy naturally find their way to sites like this and other big names on the Internet.

Recently I met a loan officer who has been in the business over 30 years. After a short conversation she began to explain to me how her business has slowed down dramatically in recent months and she can't seem to figure out why. During our conversation I received a few calls which I let to go to voice mail and shot out a quick text to those people that I was in a brief meeting and would call them back shortly.

The loan officer noticed I sent a few texts and asked me why I had done so. She then explained to me that she refused to text or email her clients. She said it took away from her "personal touch" and made it a point to tell me how much she disliked the Internet and texting. Needless to say I also found out through her own admission that her only complaint from clients was that she was sometimes hard to reach and did not respond to messages quickly.

I am passionate about serving my clients and I try to communicate with them as often and by any means as possible. Of course not all people want to be emailed or texted so you have to get to know your client and how they like to be kept up to date. The bottom line remains that consumers and our future clients are on the Internet more than ever and by opening a new line of communication you may be solidifying a relationship even more.

Brian Brady is a great example of this kind of innovative marketing. I recently heard he has received over 1000 inquiries as a result of his web presence. Not only is that impressive, but that is something each and every one of us should strive to mirror.

Yesterday I was sitting down with family preparing for my week and going over emails when I received my 72^ndinquiry (in 4 months) from Activerain. The deal was submitted, appraisal was ordered, and underwriting approved before noon today. I sent the client an email and gave a quick call to recap everything to date. She told me she has never had a loan officer give her better and quicker service in the 6 mortgage loans she has done.

Wow, now that is a testimony!

We often times do what is easiest and forget to work on our weaknesses because it is hard. In a time where things are slower than normal and business is trickling in, you simply must reinvent yourself and make your weaknesses your strengths. Sometimes change is hard, but if we want to remain successful we must constantly grow ourselves beyond what we thought we could do.

So if you would like this blog sent to you in a text or email press the * key now :)

Don't let your head get bigger than your heart

You've reached the pinnacle of your career. You are in the top tier of your profession and you've spent most of your career working hard to achieve that status. You've sacrificed time, money, and areas of your personal life to get where you are now. You started off with nothing and earned every bit of the success you now have. You are an accomplished real estate professional that is not only wealthy in your own right, but respected and honored for your achievements.

So what could possibly be wrong with this picture?

The most simple answer is nothing, but in order to answer that question you need to ask a question. Do you live your life with the same passion, direction, and vision as you do at work? I am not referring to whether or not you spend leisure time at the golf course because you are really "passionate" about golfing. I am talking if you are someone who gives back, spends quality and loving time with your family, and focused on things going on in our world that positively influence people in need. This might sound audacious but I propose that you can be the best of the best in business and yet still fail by neglecting the things that really matter in life.

I might be young, but I've accomplished great things in business for myself over the years. I've learned from some of the best and best and have found myself at many President's Club-like events. One of the things I noticed early on was that my success changed me in both good and bad ways. It was hard to look at myself in the mirror and see, but I had let my success get to my head and make me borderline conceited. I didn't even realize it, but I would sometimes find myself laughing at others in my mind who were not as successful as me. I still remember the first day my wife pointed out to me that I had become that way. My initial reaction was anger and denial. I mean I EARNED that notoriety, I WORKED hard for that money, and I LOVED being the best in my area. What could possibly be wrong with that!?

That weekend I did some soul searching and started to think about my wife's admonishment. What I began to do was see that I had unintentionally allowed myself to become something that I never intended to be. Sure there is nothing wrong with a sense of pride in oneself. But once you have all of those "things" that you've been working so hard for, then what? He who dies with the most toys still dies. One of my favorite musicians Dave Matthews in his song "Seek Up" puts it very direct,

• Oh look at me in my fancy car and my bank account
• Oh how I wish I could take it all down to my grave
• God knows I'd save and save
• Man, take a look again, take a look again
• The things you have collected, well in the end it piles up so tall
• To one day nothing, one day nothing at all

Please don't misunderstand my message here. I have two beautiful little girls that will be well taken care of both when I am here and when I pass away. This isn't about the future for our families. This is all about our priorities and the life we live while we strive to succeed in our business. So why is it that our families statistically spend more time at night watching T.V. than talking with one another over dinner? It really all boils down to priorities and understanding that what we do in our life and in our work is not our sole purpose. This is my own conviction, but I believe my purpose is to serve others, to lead by example, and to invest my life in the lives of others.

You'll often find that when you serve others and work towards a goal greater than just money you'll live a life that is truly filled with meaning and purpose. And when you build your business in the lives of others your business will be built for life.

How Writing A Life Plan Changed My Life

Over the past two months I've taken a break from blogging daily to fully focus on my family, my new job and where I am headed in this industry. Thanks for Mortgage Market Guide I picked up an incredible book called "Becoming a Coaching Leader" by Daniel Harkavy. I have to admit I am biased when it comes to the "Building Champions" founder Daniel Harkavy since I've been involved with his organization.

Even if you haven't been exposed to the Building Champions organization this book is a must read for anyone in the real estate industry or any industry for that matter. One of the most incredible things about this book is how easy it is to read and yet in just over 200 pages it has an incredible amount of life changing information.

One of the more dynamic portions of the book is the "Life Planning" chapter. Over the years I have always been a strong advocate for business plans and positive affirmations. I had heard of Life planning before, but I never thought it had any significant value. Boy was I wrong!

I started out on the path of writing my own Life Plan among the many other solid suggestions that the book gave. Now as a general disclaimer, I have been in the business going on 6 years and have been very successful over the years. I have made and followed many business plans as well.

I began to see that many of the things that were really important to me in my life were becoming far more clear as I wrote them down and made my own personal goals. I began to reflect on my time in the business and noticed that over the years I had lost sight of some of my important life goals to sacrifice for my business. I had achieved incredible things in my professional life, but had lost more than I had realized in my own personal life.

As I feverishly began to write out my Life Plan I regained my perspective on things that I had somehow lost in my journey to the top. When I walked in my office I placed my new Life Plan, Business Vision, Business Plan in front of me. I feel like I am more productive, doing less work, and more satisfied than I have ever been in my entire life. That is not to say that things are perfect, far from it, but I have a lot more focus on the things that truly matter to me in my work, my life and my goals.

I would strongly encourage everyone to buy and read this book. If you are a workaholic like me this can make a really powerful difference in how you do business and how you live your life. Stop writing business plans that only come back to haunt you during the first of the year and performance reviews like I used to. Regardless of your background or career this book can make a dramatic positive influence on your life. Go get it today!

Arizona Construction Loans with Arizona Mortgage Pro Jacob Morales

Are you looking for a reliable experienced mortgage construction lender in Arizona? Are you planning the construction or purchase of a lot loan in Arizona? 

I am your Arizona Lender Mortgage Banker!

I am a native of Phoenix, Arizona and have been working in mortgage planning and financing for 5 years. Located in the heart of the Biltmore near downtown Phoenix, I am here to serve your construction home loan needs. Even if you just have questions or would like to discuss what options are available to you, I am here to help you today!

Here are some of the benefits of using a ONE TIME CLOSE product:

• Convenience: One application and one qualification. A complete one time approval for the entire construction process from start to finish.
  
• Extended Lock Periods: We feature lock period of up to 18 months on the construction of your home. If rates fall we will float them down at NO additional cost to you!
• Deal With The Bank, No Middle Man: We are the bank and we specialize in construction loans. No middle man required to complete your ultimate dream home!
• Absolute Control: You sign off and approve all advances to your builder. You keep an intimate control over the transaction and we help ensure the progress.
  
• Save Money: You pay closing fees only ONE time. No additional fees or surprises at the completion of your construction loan.
  
• Financing up to 95% on Lot Loans: Depending your FICO score we can finance your lot loan for up to 95% of the purchase price!
• Approval Even Before You Choose A Builder: You can get financing approval before you even find the builder who will construct your customer home! This is REAL buying power.

Arizona Home Mortgage Loan for your Purchases & Refinances with Mortgage Pro Jacob Morales

Are you looking for a reliable established mortgage lender in Arizona? Are you going to be purchasing a home or would you like to refinance to a better loan?

I am your Mortgage Banker!

I am a native of Phoenix, Arizona and have been working in mortgage planning and financing for 5 years. Located in the heart of the Biltmore near downtown Phoenix, I am here to serve your mortgage needs. Even if you just have questions or would like to discuss what options are available to you, I am here to help you today!

Here are some of the great benefits of working with me!

• 100% Financing/Zero Down Loans Available!
• FHA, VA, Conventional, Investor Loans, Jumbo and Super Jumbo Loans
• Bad credit and first time home buyers specialists!
• The Lowest Fixed Rate Products
• Over 450 Loan Programs to serve your needs
• Stated Income, No Debt Ratio, Self Employed Loans with FICO's as low as 560!
• Hard money to 75% Loan to Value
• 400 FICO's+, bankruptcy buy outs, foreclosures, Call us now!
• Commercial financing loan amounts to $20,000,000

As you can see there is virtually no loan we can't do. Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, or a Realtor looking to team up with an experienced professional I can help you today! Call me today at (602) 293-6011!

Mortgage Coach and Mortgage Professional Jacob Morales

Are you struggling to produce the business you want? Do you want to bring in more business and spend less money doing it? Are you tired trying to originate loans and getting no where?

I am your personal Mortgage Coach!

As a CMPS and Building Champions certified coach I bring over a half decade of originating experience to help you start bringing in new business TODAY. No more wasting money on overly costly marketing materials that give little no no results. My results are guaranteed. You will have 4 more fundings in 90 days or less GUARANTEED. 

The Mortgage Coaching also includes the Mortgage Originators Turn Key Marketing System designed by and for originators to bring in more business than you've ever had.  ($495 Value)

• Exhaustive Marketing Training with Tools to Bring In Clients from Day 1.
• 90 Day Blast Campaign to Bring in 12 more FUNDED loans.
• Top Placement Search Engine Marketing and How To Do It Without Spending a Penny
• Developing Realtor Relationships that Last.
• How to Bring in Builder Business.  
• 1 on 1 Coaching to be Available to Ask your Day to Day Questions.
• Seminars, Online Web Meetings, Tapes, and Everything you Could Need for Ongoing Personal Development.
• Dynamic Speakers with Decades of History in the Business to Offer Sound Advice for Building Your Book of Business
• Accountability Program Designed to Keep You Successful and Help You Maintain Your Goals

Feel free to contact me anytime for details or visit our website. Thanks and see you there!