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OK, I Am Taking the Plunge

By
Mortgage and Lending with Summit Funding, Inc. NMLS# 32965

OK, I am taking the plunge. My eyes are wide open and I am not even holding my nose.

TATUM     How’s that for courage?

 

 

In May of this year, I attended an incredible event in Chicago with a small, elite group of incredibly talented and gifted women. It was the mastermind of our Mortgage Girlfriend’s Headmaster, Karen Deis

Mortgage Girlfriends_Mortgage Divas

 

 

 

 

 

They each brought their own unique concepts to the table and were willing to share generously with the rest of us. I was both mesmerized and overwhelmed with the volume of material and ideas they shared so willingly. I left there with my notebook overflowing and my brain on overload.

 

I came back motivated, fired up and ready to dive into the new and exciting world of blogging, or so I thought. 

 

They say when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. 

 

Confession time: I was willing and ready mentally but I was not emotionally. 

 

Grandma

This year has been a particularly difficult year for my family; Five deaths with three of them in the 1st quarter alone.  My beautiful grandmother was the first one and the most difficult. She was 94 yrs. young. She was a gracious and loving soul; the true heart of our home. She was the best storyteller I have ever known. She was my hero.

 

So, as much as I thought writing would be easy for me, somehow cathartic, it was anything but that. I painfully tried, but the blank pages kept staring back and made my attempts futile and frustrating. 

 

 

 I managed to pick up the notebook several times over the last few months but the courage still wasn’t there.

 

Finally, after watching Ruth Vogt’s incredible DVD series on how to use Active Rain and watching Rebekah Radice’s blog from Monday on ending the year strong and setting goals for next year, their inspiration was both fresh and welcoming. My grandma is looking down and laughingly saying  “It was the kick in the britches” I needed. books

 

 

I made a decision today-FINALLY. I made a commitment to start blogging and I knew the first one had to be with the Active Rain community. I knew you would be supportive along with guided advice, which is a complete necessity! 

Time to dive in…

Wish me luck! 

 
Posted by

Sharon LittleJohn

Senior Loan Officer

Service First Mortgage

NMLS# 32965

Cell: 972-365-1084

Office: 800-210-6822

Fax: 214-509-6883

SLittleJohn@ServiceFirstMtg.com

SharonLittleJohnGroup@Gmail.com

www.SharonLittleJohnGroup.com

 

1220 N Brazos, Suite 1

Whitney, TX 76692

 

 

                                                           

                                                                  Company NMLS: 166487

 

 

****FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS could be eligible for a MCC tax credit up to $2000 annually!    This is an exciting opportunity.  Don't miss a chance to buy a house and get cash back!  Ask us for more details.   Referrals are always welcomed and considered the greatest compliment.****

 

 

Texas Mortgage Disclosure

Figure: 7 TAC 81.200(c)

CONSUMERS WISHING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST A MORTGAGE BANKER OR A LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKER RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR SHOULD COMPLETE AND SEND A COMPLAINT FORM TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING, 2601 NORTH LAMAR, SUITE 201, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705. COMPLAINT FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SML.TEXAS.GOV . A TOLL-FREE CONSUMER HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE AT 1-877-276-5550.

THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A RECOVERY FUND TO MAKE PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN ACTUAL OUT OF POCKET DAMAGES SUSTAINED BY BORROWERS CAUSED BY ACTS OF LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKER RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATORS. A WRITTEN APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE RECOVERY FUND MUST BE FILED WITH AND INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE PAYMENT OF A CLAIM. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECOVERY FUND, PLEASE CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SML.TEXAS.GOV.

 
Show All Comments Sort:
Ron T. Weems Jr.
Weems Property Group | KW North Sound - Bothell, WA
Managing the details one home at a time.

Sharon,

Welcome aboard! Have a great weekend.

Nov 18, 2011 08:43 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Sorry for your loss Sharon. Welcome to the community and best of luck. Read, write, comment, learn. 

Nov 18, 2011 09:02 PM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Sharon, that was a great way to start.   You have a lot of material from your grandmother's gift of storytelling to pass along to us.  Wishing you the best.  

Nov 18, 2011 09:06 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Sharon, Welcome to Active Rain. This is a great place to learn. Wish you good luck /

Nov 18, 2011 10:09 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Congratulations, good luck and happy selling. 2012 is going to be a great time to make a splash I believe and getting ready now is a good start.

Nov 19, 2011 12:53 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sharon. You don't need luck, you did just fine. I'm sorry for your loss. Your Grandmother looked and sounded like a very special person. The more you write, the easier it gets. Welcome.

Nov 19, 2011 01:24 AM
Jennifer Robinson
Starkey Mortgage - Where PEOPLE come first! - Montgomery, AL
NMLSR# 190994/AL#50092, Conventional, FHA, VA, Step Up and USDA

Sharon, we are "taking the plunge" together!  I finally built up the courage this past month to dive head first into Active Rain after watching Ruth's video.  SO much to learn...it's very exciting!  Great job!

Nov 19, 2011 01:27 AM
Sharon LittleJohn
Summit Funding, Inc. - Dallas, TX
972-365-1084 NMLS#32965, FHA VA USDA Conventional

Ron, Thank you so much. Have a super weekend yourself!

J. Phillip. Thank you for the support- have a great weekend!

Ron, LOVE the dogs! If I have half the gift my grandmother had, then I will be very blessed. Thank you!

Thank you for the support Gita! Enjoy your weekend!

Charles, thanks for the support!

Sheila, thank you for the kind words for my grandmother!. She was and still is special in my life. Thank you so much for the support. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hi Jennifer, (mortgage girlfriend) I am glad to hear you took the plunge and sorry I wasn't aware. I will be more alert and supportive. Thank you for taking the plunge with me. I really appreciate it! Have a super weekend!

~Sharon

Nov 19, 2011 02:20 AM
Anonymous
Karen Deis

Sharon - Great blog!  And Congrats for your courage!  Keep it up girlfriend and recommend that you add a "task" to your calendar, to blog here every two weeks or so.  You have an awesome talent--keep it up!

Nov 20, 2011 11:30 AM
#9
Sharon LittleJohn
Summit Funding, Inc. - Dallas, TX
972-365-1084 NMLS#32965, FHA VA USDA Conventional

Thank you so much Karen! I am really excited about doing this. Excellent idea on the calender. I will do that!

Thank youfor all your support and great gifts!

Nov 20, 2011 12:13 PM
Rebekah Radice
Imagine WOW! Digital Marketing Agency - Burbank, CA
Social Media Marketing, Coaching & Training

I am SO proud of you Sharon!  Blogging is very much a "mental" commitment and it sounds like you had other much more important matters to deal with this year.  I am subscribing to your blog now and can't wait to see your next post and all you have to offer the AR community!!

Nov 20, 2011 12:55 PM
Louise Thaxton NMLS 69996
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp Louisiana NMLS#2289 Equal Housing Lender - Leesville, LA
Military Mtg Specialist - 866-960-9115 VA FHA USDA

Very excited for you, Sharon!  So glad you are here - I am subscribing to your blog and will look forward to hearing much from you! 

Nov 20, 2011 01:27 PM
Sharon LittleJohn
Summit Funding, Inc. - Dallas, TX
972-365-1084 NMLS#32965, FHA VA USDA Conventional

Rebekah,

Thank you so much for the support. I watched your videos last week on goal setting and it really hit home. Thanks for the extra push. I really appreciate your support and hope you find my future blogs worth your time. I appreciate and welcome your critiques anytime you have the opportunity. I always look forward to your info in your blogs. They are very helpful! Thanks again for being a model of excellence to humbly follow! I feel very privileged to have your support!

 
Nov 20, 2011 02:05 PM
Sharon LittleJohn
Summit Funding, Inc. - Dallas, TX
972-365-1084 NMLS#32965, FHA VA USDA Conventional

Louise,

Thank you so much for the support. I read your blogs and I am always inspired. I saw you at Todd's event and I was blown away with your presentation. You are truly an inspiration! Thank you for all you do!

 
Nov 20, 2011 02:16 PM
Ruth Vogt
Fairway Independent Mortgage, LLS. Equal Housing Opportunity. Regulated by the Division of Real Estate. - Colorado Springs, CO
719-592-0855 www.ReverseLoansInColorado.com

Sharon,

Congrats on taking this important step! And so sorry to hear about your losses. :( 

I, too, will be subscribing to your blog here in "The Rain" and look forward to watching your skills and relationships grow! Let me know if there is anything more I might help you with.

Here's to: Rockin' in the Rain in 2012!!!   CHEERS!!!

Nov 21, 2011 06:14 AM
Sharon LittleJohn
Summit Funding, Inc. - Dallas, TX
972-365-1084 NMLS#32965, FHA VA USDA Conventional

Ruth,

Thank you so much for all your help! I am ready to go Rockin in the Rain with you!!

Have a wonderful holiday week!

Nov 21, 2011 07:17 AM
Anonymous
Peggy Wilson

Congratulations Sharon!  I love the look of your blog - you did a great job and are a step ahead of me.  Keep up the good work!

Nov 21, 2011 09:25 AM
#17
Sharon LittleJohn
Summit Funding, Inc. - Dallas, TX
972-365-1084 NMLS#32965, FHA VA USDA Conventional

Peggy,

Thank you so much! Hang in there. When you are ready, it will come!

Have a nice holiday!

Sharon

Nov 21, 2011 02:28 PM