Special offer

Takin' it to the streets OR how Active Rain changed my life

By
Mortgage and Lending with The mortgage help you want when you need it.

Many people have told me recently that I'm crazy but I think I have finally come to my senses. It's been a long year with lots of ups and downs.

This time last year I was made an offer I couldn't refuse. I was offered a position as the Eastern and Southern Region Sales and Operations Manager for a wholesale lender. I was honored to be offered this chance when jobs were scarce, especially in the mortgage industry. This job gave me the opportunity to work in a different segment of the industry, behind the scenes if you will. It offered me the chance to work on a national level and enhanced my knowledge of secondary markets. I remain grateful for the faith that was placed in me and for the wonderful education I received. One of the things I loved about this position was being able to talk to mortgage brokers and lenders all over the country. These are my brothers in arms, their stories are mine.As much as I enjoyed the camaraderie, I felt like something was missing.

I posted my first blog entry on Active Rain in April of this year. I became addicted to the community. I am not always as Active as I would like to be but I'm trying. What do I love about this community? I love signing on in the morning, looking at the dashboard and knowing that I am connected to people just like me. I love reading the stories of good closings and the challenging ones, hearing your horror stories and your triumphs. I love seeing the advice given and the advice asked for, seeing the community help each other and heck, I love the occasional squabble.

The more Active I became the more I realized how removed I was from what I really love, how far I really was from being in the thick of things, how long it had been since I had qualified a borrower or attended a settlement. I missed all of that so much but I was apprehensive to make another change. As we all well know, this is a tumultuous time to be in the real estate industry and any change is nerve wracking. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Sometimes ya just have to jump. With the support I have received from the Active Rain community (those who knew I was making a change and encouraged me, those who have never heard of me but who's stories inspired me) I jumped. I resigned my prestigious (and salaried) position to become, once again, your 24/7 loan officer.

I'm taking this show on the road, I'm takin' it to the streets. If you are a member in the Lehigh Valley, expect a call from me. Heck, if you live in the Lehigh Valley and I happen to catch your eye in the grocery store expect to be handed my card. If you are one of my many on line social networking associates, don't forget I do mortgage loans for a living, I'm very good at what I do and I'm available to discuss your needs or those of your clients.

 I may be crazy but I've never been happier!

David M. Childress
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Akron, OH
I would love to be your Realtor® in Akron Ohio!

What a wonderful story and congratulations.....If you are happy, you did the right thing.....much success!

Nov 10, 2008 09:17 AM
Beth Forbes
The mortgage help you want when you need it. - Center Valley, PA
Your 24/7 loan officer

David- Thank you so much! I am VERY happy and success will surely follow.

Nov 10, 2008 09:24 AM
Scott Geary
Infinity Home Mortgage Company Inc - Allentown, PA
Your Pennsylvania Mortgage Source

Bravo Miss Forbes!!! Today was the first day of the rest of your life! None better in this business! I for one am very happy you made the decission you did. Enjoy

Nov 10, 2008 09:24 AM
Beth Forbes
The mortgage help you want when you need it. - Center Valley, PA
Your 24/7 loan officer

Scott- Your opinion is hardly unbiased but thanks!

Nov 10, 2008 09:36 AM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Beth~ Life is too short.  Do what makes you happy and makes your heart sing!  The rest will follow.....Hey! You live in PA -  what a great place to live too!! 

Nov 10, 2008 09:45 AM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Beth - You are just like me and Dano?  Scary, to say the least! Congratulations on making the move, I know you will be very happy and successful!

Nov 10, 2008 10:19 AM
No Longer Active
Real Estate - Fallon, MT

Congrats Beth...  BTW - Did you have a running event last weekend?

Nov 10, 2008 10:54 AM
Tony DeLuke
Markley Realty - Cuyahoga Falls, OH
ABR, GRI, SFR

Beth,

   Congrats to you but more importantly congrats to all your future clients. They will definetly be in great hands!

Nov 10, 2008 01:01 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Beth... I could tell in your voice on Friday that you were beyond being happy in your new choice. I always thought what it would be like on the wholesale side, and as you mentioned, I myself could never leave the retail side. Set aside from management, I always want to be down in the trenches.  I love helping people ahieving their dream homes. I just recrieved a very thankful e-mail today, how much she has appreciated my help, that she hadn't received the same from a previous loan officer. It makes you feel special.. and you will do great.

jeff belonger

Nov 10, 2008 03:28 PM
Eric McGowan
Moody, AL

Beth, congratulations on the move. At least this one is a "choice". So many do not get the opportunity to make them now. I look at everything as a new opportunity anyway.

Nov 11, 2008 05:52 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Welcome back to the trenches, my dear.

Nov 11, 2008 07:08 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

Congratulations on having the guts to do what you love. That is a rare quality that I deeply admire. I'll be cheering you on, my friend! GBU~

Nov 11, 2008 01:39 PM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

I would like to add you as an associate. I also subscribed so I can follow your blog. I wish the VERY BEST for you. GBU~

Nov 11, 2008 01:42 PM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

So ya finally did it. Congratulations Beth! I wish you all the success you deserve and I look forward to a day very soon when I can send biz your way:)

Mwa!

 

Nov 11, 2008 02:23 PM
Kevin Rhodes
Bridgeport, CT

That was a great story and always remember that it is better to be happy and chas your dreams than to be doing something that hate only to receive a paycheck.  I commend you and wish you all the best.  If I can be of any help, please feel free to reach out to me.

Nov 12, 2008 01:56 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Jennifer - You meant my way, right:)

Nov 12, 2008 02:52 AM
Beth Forbes
The mortgage help you want when you need it. - Center Valley, PA
Your 24/7 loan officer

Thank you all for you kind comments! I will respond individually when I have a few minutes. As you can imagine, getting the new office up and running is a bit time consuming!

Nov 12, 2008 08:56 AM
Erik Hitzelberger
RE/MAX Alliance - Louisville REALTOR-Luxury Homes - Louisville, KY
Louisville - Middletown Real Estate

Beth - Congratulations!  I always find it inspiring to see people doing what they love.  Thanks for providing that inspiration and good luck getting going again. 

Nov 13, 2008 12:54 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

Happiness can never be replaced, even by a salaried position. You go get 'em girl!

Nov 14, 2008 03:12 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hi Beth, I wish you the best.  That's was gutsy, and I admire you for going for it!

Nov 18, 2008 10:13 PM