If you’re lucky, you have cheerleaders in your life. They come in different forms and can be mothers, aunts, friends and pastors. They’re the ones that believe in you, when you don’t believe in yourself. They’re the ones that push you when you need to be pushed. Jay Capozzolli is one such person in my life and he is new here at Active Rain and has written his first blog. I would like to introduce you all to Jay -- one of my good friends! I wouldn't be the Realtor I am if it weren’t for him.
I met Jay six years ago, when I was working as an assistant to two other realtors. Jay was the lender they worked with. We talked on a regular basis, and as time went by, we became very good friends. I was going through a very, very, difficult time in my life and he just kept encouraging me.
At the time, I was a child care provider and a real estate assistant. Jay commented regularly on my professionalism and soon began asking why I was an assistant and not an agent. I told him that I had quit a sales and marketing position years ago, to be home with my children. He kept trying to convince me, that I would be a heck of a real estate agent. Although my kids were in school, the thought terrified me and I wondered if I’d be good enough. I had been home and out of the work force for twelve years. The thought of giving up the steady income from childcare, was a daunting thought. Money was a serious issue at the time.
But Jay kept pushing and wasn’t at all shocked to learn that I had a bachelor’s degree in business management with minors in sales and marketing. He kept insisting that I could be very successful. Sometimes he was downright irritating. I finally gave in, and decided I could be a real estate agent and a childcare provider until I felt secure enough to let the childcare go. After being at home for twelve years, I had serious doubts on whether I could pull it off. But Jay kept pushing. Why did this man have so much faith in me?
He obviously saw something in me that I did not see in myself. In 2007, I was one of the top 20 agents in our company. Times are difficult now and it’s hard for both of us but we keep encouraging each other. Jay has personally gone through a very difficult year in 2008, but his glass half full attitude has always been there.
As a loan officer Jay is very special. I knew he was a cut above the rest when he sat down with one of my clients and told them they could not afford a home. He told them he could get them into a loan, but it probably would not be in their best interest. Sometimes it’s not about what you qualify for; it’s about what you can afford. He counseled them on their debt to income and explained how strapped they would be. He wanted what was best for them, more than he wanted to make money off them. That is the kind of person I want to work with. With Michigan having the highest incidence of mortgage fraud, Jay is a jem!!!
If you are looking for a lender you can trust, I can not recommend Jay enough. His honesty and integrity are one of the greatest things about him!!
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