The Jim Skal Blog

Jim Skal is your Mortgage Consultant for Pittsburgh, PA and FL

Jim Skal (Wells Fargo Home Mortgage) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 12:29:03 -0600

HI everybody!

You deserve the Best!

I'm a God-fearin, God-lovin man with a beautiful wife, four beautiful children...that means I'm already rich without a penny in my pocket...totally active, high energy sort that loves to network and help people! I'm a drummer, swimmer, biker, runner, gardern, DIYer. I put myself in the shoes of my clients and treat them how I would want to be treated if I really were in their shoes!

I have a marketing business that helps sellers sell faster by selling internet advertising to increase the number of buyers who can see their home. It's called homesbyowner.com/pittsburgh This is a relatively new venture for me but has been very exciting.

I am also a kind, caring and creative mortgage consultant who for the last 10 amazing years has helped literally hundreds and hundreds of buyers achieve their dream of home ownership and prudent financial stewardship!

Currently, I am the Operations Manager for Oxford Mortgage in Pittsburgh. Our company works By Referral Only and our customers quickly realize that Oxford Mortgage is different. We treat them like gold. We pour our marketing investment back into our customers rather than in advertising and they love it and tell their colleagues and so on, and so on and so on! As a licensed banker, Oxford Mortgage has programs that are not available to brokers while still retaining complete flexibility to meet our customer's unique needs. We have some fun along the way and we have a celebration at the closing. Shouldn't the mortgage process always be that way?!?!? With Jim Skal and Oxford Mortgage, it is! I can't wait to receive your referral....P.S. Please don't keep me a secret in PA and FL!

Areas of Expertise

It takes skill, knowledge, awareness, kindness, sensitivity and perserverance to provide financial services to a broad range of customers. Over the last 10 exciting years, I have honed those skills and continue to do so. Whether you are in your golden years and need a reverse mortgage or a first-time buyer, whether you have a little or alot, I have helped someone just like you already. You can count on me to make it happen for you!

What people are saying about Jim Skal

We were very much satisfied with your service and help and will recommend you should we have the opportunity! Gene and Evelyn P., Pittsburgh, PA

I would like to also thank you and all the wonderful people that worked with us in getting our mortgage. It was quick and painless. I will no problem in telling others about your company! Phyllis M, Pittsburgh, PA

Thank you so much for all of your help and believing in my small dream of being a home owner! Sarah F., Pittsburgh, PA

Can't tell you how much we appreciate all your hard work in putting our deal together! It it weren't for you, we wouldn't be here. Marianne W. Sewickley, PA

You're the best we have ever dealt with. Hopefully, the many prospective buyers we have given your name to, along with excellent references, will assist you to grow even more. Thanks again! Pat and Lyn M., Pittsburgh, PA

What is the value ten minutes a day?

Jim Skal (Wells Fargo Home Mortgage) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 12:22:54 -0600

See??? There's just a little bit of sand in that there glass....about ten minutes worth. Now what is that worth? (I started this blog at 9:00am on Saturday morning.) Blogging every day for ten minutes, is it worth it? Okay, so maybe it takes a little longer than that when you are first starting out. But the more you do it, the better you get and faster too. (9:14)

So, is it worth it? You tell me. Since I have started, an excellent colleague in the mortgage business in Florida reached out after reading my blog and said he would refer deals from his home town of Erie, PA to me. GREAT! A realtor in Florida reached out after reading my blog and guess what? She's from Pittsburgh and will be referring the deals she still gets here to who??? ME!!!! Last night, a realtor that I invited to join ActiveRain...and she did just this week sent me this message, "Hey Jim. I just got a great referral request from Active Rain. If it pans out, it will be a pretty good deal. I'll make sure to talk to you if we get that far. Carol"

Is ten minutes worth it?!?!?!?!? You better start now! Have a great weekend! (9:18)

P.S. If you like what I write, find it helpful in any way, would you please subscribe to my blog? Don't keep me secret! I work By Referral Only. Also, make sure you check Mike Tullio's blog too. Great stuff!

What is ten minutes a day worth?

Jim Skal (Wells Fargo Home Mortgage) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:08:04 -0600

Is ten minutes worth it?!?!?!?!? You better start now! Have a great weekend! (9:18)

P.S. If you like what I write, find it helpful in any way, would you please subscribe to my blog? Don't keep me secret! Also, make sure you check Mike Tulio's blog too. Great stuff!

Cheap but effective direct mail

Jim Skal (Wells Fargo Home Mortgage) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:45:27 -0600

Here is what I have learned from some pretty smart marketing analytics....sounds like a condition of some sort!

They say those highly produced, glossy, professional looking direct mail cards, preprinted with addresses and such are actually more likely not to be looked vs a single color post card that is hand-written. I have also learned that two colors can sometimes be a very effective way to also draw attention and highlight important things.

So here is what I have done...I got some ugly looking yellow card stock....created a postcard format about my homesbyowner website...and then marked it up with a red sharpie. Oila Wala... however you spell....I have a two-color card and I tell you, I am getting calls!

It is cheap cheap cheap.....but it is getting attention... You don't need to break the bank!