CALIFORNIA MORTGAGE 4-5-21

CALIFORNIA MORTGAGE EDITION

6 Methods for

BUILDING BETTER EMAIL LISTS

How to Get the Biggest Recharge Out of Your Lunch Hour

7 DEADLY SINS

OF PERSONAL BRANDING

TOP MORTGAGE LENDER

BRENDA DINTINO COVER STORY

BERNADINE TORRES

CALIFORNIA MORTGAGE EDITION

BRENDA DINTINO With forty-two years in the mortgage9lending industry, Brenda Dintino is as passionate as ever about serving her clients and helping them achieve their goals. “Seeing them get into their homes on time is my favorite part of this job,” Brenda says. Her enthusiasm for her work is contagious, which is one of the many reasons why Brenda’s clients love working with her and keep coming back.

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“There is nothing like th client and their family so achieved this goal. The where it all starts. It’s s of that.”

In her limited free time, B donating her time and en “As a company, we hos BERNADINE TORRES BRENDA DINTINO month, and we participa says. “We’ll go down t Known as “Brenda the Lenda,” Brenda is a Branch homeless shelters, and Manager at Total Quality Lending (Powered by the holidays. We’ve adopted severa Western Express Lending), Brenda manages a growing CONTENTS ical issues, and have sponsored team of dedicated professionals who are all equally commitWhen Brenda is not helping clien ted to providing top-notch customer service. Serving Irvine, 4) HOW CUT 15) 6 METHODS FOR BUILDING time, she loves being with her California, Brenda TO and her team make customer satisfaction DOWN ON DIGITAL BETTER EMAIL LISTS four grandchildren. their priority. Offering a full set of services, Brenda’s team DISTRACTIONS AND UP can provide every kind of loan to buyers. “We can do it all,” 18) HOW TO GET THE PRODUCTIVITY Brenda is excited about the future, Brenda YOUR says. “The whole gamut. We serve first-time homeBIGGEST RECHARGE OUT to slow down. buyers, 6) and7can handle more complicated financing.

We’re DEADLY SINS OF YOUR LUNCH HOURShe and her busines plans to expand their team, bringing proud toOF offer our clients comprehensive PERSONAL BRANDING service.” serve more KILLERS: clients. “It’s important t 22) PRODUCTIVITY skills with more officers, and to Dedicated, compassionate, and personable, Brenda’s high TOour 4 WAYS MAKE BETTER repeat and referral rate is a testament to her client-centered eration,” Brenda says.

Brenda has USE OF YOUR WORKING HOURS success in her career because of her approach. “They know they can trust me,” Brenda says. “I always keep my word. When I secure a loan and tell the love everybody,” Brenda says. “Ev that’s what’s great about this job. I clients to come back in six months to refinance, they know Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 stories. My number-one priority is g I mean business. I do not mislead or over-promise. I’m honmag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com est, and my clients appreciate that.” homes, and to see them happy at the

BERNADINE TORRES

No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published For Brenda herMagazine team, cannot customer the forematerials,and Top Agent be heldservice responsibleisforatopinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. front of their philosophy and business practice. “As a team, Published in the U.S.

we each make sure if a client reaches out, we respond the same day,” Brenda says. “We want clients to feel that they are 2 our only client. It’s about really listening to what they want and need, and to execute from there.”

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mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

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How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions

and Up Your Productivity As a real estate professional, staying tethered to your phone and computer are likely par for the course. When your office is on-the-go and you’re fielding round-the-clock questions from clients, it’s only natural that you’ll be drawn to your phone for professional updates. From refreshing your inbox and engaging with clients on social media, to drafting email blasts and coordinating with colleagues by text message— 4

it can feel impossible to untangle yourself from the worldwide web.

As a professional, you may not be able to withdraw from the digital world completely, but there are a few techniques you can use to limit your extraneous digital distractions and streamline the time you spend online. After all, it’s entirely common to faithfully begin one task and then

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get unexpectedly drawn down the digital rabbit hole. To save yourself time and virtual burnout, here are a few ways to unplug, recharge, and make the most of your time online and off.

Focus on one digital task at a time.

While multi-tasking may seem like a sound approach to productivity, this method usually results in surface-level progress across a few tasks, rather than reaching the finish line on any.

Instead of opening multiple tabs and trying to do it all at once, hone in on one digital task at a time. Have emails to return? Allocate an hour to work exclusively on this to-do list item. Need to post a new blog entry? Pencil in a dedicated half hour. If you focus on one task a time and exclusively devote your energy and productivity to it for a set period, you’ll make a far bigger dent in your list of duties for the day.

Give yourself a curfew.

In the real estate business, the hours may seem never-ending, but if you don’t want to slow your productivity with fatigue, you’ve got to set some boundaries. Try setting up a digital curfew for yourself and put your phone away after a certain hour. Devote an hour or two before bedtime to time away from your computer and your phone—read a book, prep your lunch for the next day, or try a round of mindful meditation. Carve out space and time to disconnect from your technology and stick to the habit. By morning, you’ll be refreshed and ready to dive back in.

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Mute social media notifications and create dedicated check-in times instead.

Instead of taking a reactionary approach to social media—waiting for the dings and pings that lure you back to your screen—try muting some of your social media alerts and instead dedicate three timed windows per day to check-in on your timelines and engagement. If you’re constantly interrupted at unexpected intervals when someone likes a post or leaves a comment, your whole workflow can be derailed. Instead, unchain yourself from the instant gratification of responding to every buzz and beep your phone emits. Systematize your professional social media life and you’ll stay organized and on task.

Keep your inbox organized.

While it may take some time and effort to create a sorting system for your email inbox, it can go a long way to limiting distractions and stress. Create folders and an organizational flow and every communication will have a place and a priority.

That way, when you open up your inbox and have to go digging for old emails or exchanges with past clients, you won’t have to waste time sorting or feel overwhelmed by the clutter. If everything has its place, you’ll have an unobstructed, streamlined canvass to conduct business from.

Digital distractions don’t have to derail your day or sap your productivity. Email, internet, social media—all are tools to be commanded. With the right planning, understanding, and consistent execution, you’ll be able to wield the power of each without the downside of distraction.

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and they don’t care for sudden changes in procedure or lifestyle. They also like activities they can start and finish.

Compliants are thinkers. They’re always wondering how things work.

They want practicality, logic, fairness and a systematic approach. When talking to thinkers give facts, documentation and data. They seek accuracy.

They’re motivated by standards of high quality, limited social interaction, detailed tasks and logical organization of information.

7 Deadly Sins of Personal Branding

some personality assessment tools can cost thousands of dollars, but at Corcoran Coaching, we’ve opted for a much more affordable offering: a free DIsC assessment. Just visit www.corcorancoaching.com/behavioralstyle. php and you’ll be guided through a quick questionnaire to learn your own What is a style ‘personal Just likeothers com- as sistently dominant andbrand’? how to read well. (across all marketing platforms), pany or product branding, it’s built around a well-defined brand can elevate agent recimaging and messaging that is designed to ognition and help to establish credibility Yes, understanding people, listening to their needs and wants and responding create a feeling. And in the case of personal and authority. However, when executed appropriately all takehow work But because realare estate is a people branding, it influences you and wantattention. others incorrectly, the effects lackluster at best, business, it’s simply a must.

And the better at it you become, the to feel about you. From your photos to other and harmful at worst. To help you better avoid living as an or broker. brandyou’ll images,make elements andagent even content, theI promise. pitfalls of personal branding, we’ve there is a lot that goes into creating your compiled a list of what we feel are the 7 unique brand.to Displayed Best of luck you! correctly and con- deadliest sins.

Copyright©, 2015 BubbaNO Mills.

All rights reserved.

DIFFERENTIATION Branding about being known forvicereal estate agent who expressed to us that Bubba Mills isis not co-owner and executive president of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), an in international your profession.

It’s about being known she was already well branded her area. consulting coaching that performance coaching and for being and different in yourcompany profession.

If specializes She stated,in“When I walk into a restaurant theallimplementation sound systems Real Estate Companies, Mortgage agents were the of same, howbusiness would your in into my community, people already know Companies and Small Businesses. Bubba Mills is a nationally recognized inspirational customers know who to choose? Lack of I’m a real estate agent.” And while that and education speaker, coach and mentor to the top real estate agents and mortgage differentiation is out by more far the #1 personal is a great start, it’s nowhere close to succompanies.

To find about Corcoran Consulting & Coaching, call 1-800-957-8353 We love to tell the story of a cessful branding. Let’s assume I walked or branding visit us at sin. www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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into that restaurant and noticed her. But I also noticed two other agents in the same restaurant. Now, who do I choose? Which

‘brand’ stands out to me? What lets me know that one of them is uniquely positioned to serve my needs?

and they don’t care for sudden changes in procedure or lifestyle. They also NO FOCUS like activities they can start and finish.

In business, you can’t be all things to all side of your specific focus. That would be people. Many have and failed.

In or- always quite difficult.

It does mean over work. time Compliants are tried thinkers.

They’re wondering howthat, things der to have business and brand, doneacorrectly), you approach. will do moreWhen and They wanta successful practicality, logic, fairness(ifand systematic you must define yourfacts, ideal custommore ofand the data. exact They kind ofseek business you talking toclearly thinkers give documentation accuracy. er and how you will super-serve that cus- want, and conversely, even stop doing They’re motivated by standards of high quality, limited social interaction, tomer. In other words, declare and develop the kind of business you don’t want. And detailed tasks and focused, logical itorganization of information. a specialty.

By being does NOT that’s what a great brand is designed to mean that you stop doing all business outaccomplish.

some personality assessment tools can cost thousands of dollars, but at Corcoran Coaching, we’veNO opted for a much more affordable offering: a free AUTHENTICITY DIsC assessment. Just visit www.corcorancoaching.com/behavioralstyle.

Recognizable personal brands can be very You should be able to ‘breathe your brand’ php and you’ll be guided through a quick questionnaire to learn your own clever and memorable, but if your brand in everything that you do. This is importdominant andlast. how to read as well. isn’t ‘you’,style it won’t If you try toothers put ant not only for your customers, but perout a persona that is different from your haps most importantly for you. There is Yes, needs and wants responding ownunderstanding and the way you people, live yourlistening life, peo- to their a tremendous amount of and confidence that ple will take notice overwork time. and The attention. most comes knowing youisare who appropriately all take Butwith because realthat estate a people incredible it’s personal brands weaveAnd pro-theyou portray, that become, you have the business, simply a must. better at itandyou thehabits, better fessional and personal intoorone. inspiration, knowledge and expertise to living you’ll make asqualities an agent broker.

I promise.

Your brand becomes an extension of you. back it up.

Best of luck to you!

NO CONSISTENCY

You can have a2015 recognizable memocards, postcards, brochures, etc. Other peoCopyright©, Bubbaand Mills.

All rights reserved.

rable brand, but if you don’t display those ple don’t see them nearly as often, so don’t branding correctly consis- viceapply or compare your own habits and Bubba Millselements is co-owner andand executive president of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), an international tently across all of your marketing plat- exposure to theirs. Repetitiveness in marconsulting andyou coaching company in only performance coaching and forms, it does little good.

In orderthat to specializes keting is not a good thing, it’s essenthe implementation sound systems Real Estate Companies, Mortgage accomplish this taskofwell, youbusiness must step tialinto for retention.

Once you determine the Companies and Small Businesses. Bubba Mills is a nationally recognized inspirational back from your marketing and see it the overall messaging and look of your brand, and education speaker, coach and mentor to the top real estate agents and mortgage way others To do.find Youout seemore yourabout socialCorcoran media Consulting that look should continuecall across literally companies. & Coaching, 1-800-957-8353 every day. You see your business every marketing platform you touch. orchannels visit us at www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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NO CONTENT The ultimate goal of personal branding is comfortable producing is the key to keeping to become known as an authority in your it simple. No one wants to be bogged down andchosen they niche. don’t That caremeans for sudden or lifestyle.

They also withprocedure producing content.

But on the flip side, that youchanges must in likedemonstrate activitiesthe they can start and finish. knowledge, expertise and/ no one knows how much you know until or experience to back up your position. you share it. Great content demonstrates your knowledge and how helps your customers Content that are best expresses youThey’re and your always Compliants thinkers. wondering things work. at the same time.

In addition, it serves anbrand could be as simple as a series of They want practicality, logic, fairness and a systematic approach. When other purpose with search engine optimizaphotos, quotes, e-books, video shorts, etc. talking to thinkers give facts, documentation and data. They seek accuracy.

Choosing the type of content you’re most tion and attracting prospects online.

They’re motivated by standards of high quality, limited social interaction, detailed tasks and logicalNO organization of ACTION information.

CALL TO

You’re spending money to market across using other people’s money’. Your call some personality assessment tools can cost thousands of dollars, but at multiple platforms, so why not take the to action may change with different marCorcoran Coaching, opted for more affordable offering: keting channels or purposes, buta free you opportunity to extendwe’ve an invitation fora much DIsC Just with visityou? www.corcorancoaching.com/behavioralstyle. your assessment. prospects to engage It can should always, always have one. If you want people to do something, tell them a simple call be to action, such as ‘call me phpbeand you’ll guided through a quick questionnaire to learn your own you’d like them to do. That’s how you first’ or more ‘contact me others for a aswhat dominant stylespecific, and how to read well. free home staging assessment’ or ‘download my e-book and learn how to invest

move prospects one step closer to becoming customers.

Yes, understanding people, listening to their needs and wants and responding appropriately all take work attention. But because real estate is a people NOand FOLLOW-THROUGH business, it’s simply a must. And the better at it you become, the better with hundreds of agents, folWhyyou’ll is this included in branding, living make as an agentyou or may broker.munication I promise. ask? Because your brand is your bond. It’s low-through is at the top of the list when it comes to customer complaints. You don’t your handshake. When you say you’ll do Best of luck how to you! something, can people trust you if want to be that person. Putting an incredible you don’t follow through with your prom- message and image out there isn’t enough. must live up to those standards with ise? This is often elementMills. that people Copyright©, 2015theBubba All rightsYou reserved. forget altogether. And in fact, in our com- every customer, every transaction

Bubba Mills is co-owner and executive vice president of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), international ® Tonya Eberhart is the Branding Agent to Business Stars and founder ofan BrandFace , LLC. ® consulting andMichael coaching company that specializes in performance coaching Carr is America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer & BrandFace partner. and the implementation of they sound systems into Real Estatedesigned Companies, Mortgage Together, focusbusiness on personal branding and marketing to help real estate ® professionals become theBubba face of their & a star in their market. BrandFace Companies and Small Businesses.

Millsbusiness is a nationally recognized inspirational Real Estate Professionals is a book, speaking and and an exclusive and educationfor speaker, coach and mentor toprofessional the top real estateseries agents mortgage workshop for agents, and is currently active in 18 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand. companies. To find out more about Corcoran Consulting & Coaching, call 1-800-957-8353 For more information, visit www.BrandFaceRealEstate.com. or visit us at www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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BERNADINE TORRES

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9

“A lot of our clients thought they could never buy.

But once we sat with them, they had the motivation and were able to achieve the American Dream.”

“Our clients like the way that we work as a team,” says Bernadine Torres, Mortgage Broker and Real Estate Owner at Prominent 1 Financial Group, Inc., Torres Realty, Inc. & Superior Escrow Division in Covina, California. “They see we’re very dedicated and that we love what 10

we’re doing, which is helping them achieve their goal of homeownership. They like that we’re honest, and they never forget how we help them from beginning to end. A lot of our clients thought they could never buy. But once we sat with them, they became believers and we gave Top Agent Magazine

them the motivation they needed to help them achieve the American Dream.”

Bernadine started her professional journey working as an executive assistant for large corporations’ years prior to starting her career in real estate and financing. “I actually got started in the mortgage and real estate industry when my husband introduced me back in 2000 when we had first met. He needed a good Administrative Assistant to help him keep his Top Agent Magazine

files and schedule organized,” she says. She initially came on to run the administrative side of things. “My husband was my biggest mentor,” she says.

When they started to notice a trend of lenders making big promises and failing to deliver, her husband Fernando motivated her to become their buyer’s Preferred Lender. “Not knowing anything about financing, I always want to challenge myself,” says Bernadine, “and I was 11

always interested in helping people. In 2002, I got my Real Estate license. From there on I’ve never looked back. I’ve kept growing, learning new programs, and advancing my skills.”

Bernadine and her husband Fernando have always had big plans of opening up their own Real Estate & Mortgage Firms, and having Bernadine act as the in-house Preferred Lender.

They made their long term goal a reality in 2018, and have been business owner’s for the past 2 ½ years.

Bernadine prides herself on working with

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her clients from the beginning of the process through to the very end. “Even if they’re not able to qualify due to low FICO scores or whatever their situation is, I never dismiss anyone as my clients, I help them to become ready and able,” Bernadine explains. “They might not be ready now, but they will be later.”

She has a systematic program that has proven successful results. “It’s a service I offer that most lenders don’t take the time to do for their clients’,” Bernadine explains. “It helps my clients’ situation very quickly instead of sending them off to credit repair, which shows

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Bernadine prides herself on working with her clients from the beginning of the process through to the very end. “Even if they’re not able to qualify due to low FICO scores I never dismiss anyone as my clients,” results long-term but not in a short period of time. With this, I’m able to guide them through what they need to do to achieve their goals.”

Bernadine’s clients are thrilled with her work.

The majority of her business is referral based.

She works together with her husband, who manages more of the real estate side of the business, and together they save clients’ money whenever possible. “I always tell them that we’re not thinking of the now, we’re thinking of the future,” says Bernadine. “And it shows.

Clients come back five, six times over as they buy and sell and or refinance their mortgage.

It’s worked very well.”

When they aren’t hard at work, Bernadine and her husband are committed to serving their community. They have worked with Los Angeles Mission, an organization providing necessities to homeless populations. Bernadine Top Agent Magazine

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also is involved in her church and donates to the organization. “I’m a Christian,” she says, “so that really helps me keep on going. I believe strongly in putting God first and everything else will follow.”

In her downtime, Bernadine likes to stay active. “I’ll do anything involving health,” she explains. “Health equals wealth. If you don’t have good health, you can’t accomplish any

other goal. Health and wealth go hand in hand with being successful.”

Looking to the future, Bernadine is excited to continue growing her business. “We’ve been business owners for the last two and a half years,” she says. “Our ultimate goal is to expand and open up branch offices. We want other agents to have the ability to know what it’s like to be a business owner within our corporation.”

To learn more about Bernadine Torres, call her office at 626-727-2256, her cell at 909-568-5805, or email Btorres@prominent1fg.com 14

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6 Methods for Building Better Email Lists

By Kendra Lee

Email lists can be a blessing or a curse. When they’re composed of real email addresses of people in your target micro-segment, and those people recognize you or your company by name, an email list is an invaluable lead generation resource. When the list is filled with contacts who don’t know of you or your company, i.e. a cold list, lead generation can be though – really tough. Likewise, if your list is populated with fake, inactive, or irrelevant accounts you’re at risk of being banned by your email software provider.

Not surprisingly, I hear from clients all the time asking how to build an email list that will get results for their campaigns.

Should they purchase? Should they attempt to build their own?

Remember that with email list building your goal is to build a list of people within your micro-segment, so quality is more important than quantity. The more similar the contacts, the easier it is to tailor your nurturing and lead generation content to their specific needs.

Here are six methods that will help you build a quality email list.

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1

Nurturing and lead generation activities: When you engage in social media, nurturing activities, SEO, and Adwords, those mediums provide forums for you to drive people to your website, start a conversation via a social channel, attend an event you’re hosting, and add people to your list. People who respond really do want to be part of your list.

2

Membership organizations: Whether it’s through industry associations, mastermind groups, or networking events, these types of organizations provide an excellent means for collecting contact information. Generally, people will update or provide their own information because they want other members to have easy access to them so you know the data is current.

3

Shared lists: By finding a peer who targets a similar microsegment with a non-competitive offering, you may be able to forge a partnership in which you promote to each other’s lists. This happens frequently within the high tech space, with consultants, and with professional services organization where they understand the value of collaboration.

4

Research the web and build your own: Increasingly, we’re seeing companies comb LinkedIn, Zoominfo. com, InsideView.com, DiscoverOrg.com and other websites for contact information, and then follow-up with companies to confirm the validity of that information. This approach is time consuming, but it can be very effective. A client who we coached through this process recently got a 41% open rate on their email nurturing campaign. I really like DiscoverOrg for the detailed information they have if you’re selling in the IT or telecom industry.

5

Purchase lists: There are numerous companies that sell email lists, but you need to be careful which vendor you buy from

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and how much you spend. Prices typically range from hundreds to several thousand dollars depending on list specificity and size.

One warning: Expect higher bounce rates with these lists and negotiate for that issue when you purchase. To avoid high bounce rates, look for a list company that validates the information. In this way I’ve been very pleased with ExchangeLeads for new lists and validation of current lists. If you don’t have any list, this may be the way to get started.

6

Trade information for information: Sites like ExchangeLeads and Data.com community give you credit for providing contact information for companies you’ve worked with in the past. As you earn credit, you can use it to acquire lists for free. These services generally have a fee option as well, and the data integrity is dependent upon users keeping it current.

Again, look for companies that validate data to reduce bounce rates and wasted time. I really like ExchangeLeads for trading information as well as purchasing it.

Ultimately, my advice would be to focus as much on the organic list building methods (#s 1-4) as possible, and supplement with the purchased methods (#s 5 and 6) when necessary. If you start with a purchased list, plan to nurture it and build your recognition.

Don’t toss it away if you don’t get immediate results.

At the end of the day, you want to strive for list quality over list quantity. Pushing your messaging out to unwitting, uninterested, or unsuspecting prospects won’t do anything to help you close more deals.

Contact details for Kendra Lee: Phone: 303-741-6636 (Old fashioned, but very effective.) Email: Info@klagroup.com (Yes, I get every one of these personally.) Twitter: @KendraLeeKLA (And I do follow all direct messages on Twitter!) KLA Group is a sales consulting and training firm focused on helping clients get more customers in the Small and Midmarket Business (SMB) segment through lead generation, prospecting, hiring and onboarding strategies.

Copyright©, Kendra Lee. All rights reserved.

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How to Get the Biggest Recharge

Out of Your Lunch Hour When things get busy, it’s typical to find a grab-and-go lunch and keep plugging away on the tasks at hand. While some days demand this kind of hustle, your lunch hour can be a valuable window in which to recharge and set the tone for the latter half of your day. In fact, taking a mindful break at midday can create 18

mental space for extended productivity and provide the morale boost necessary to take on a new task for the afternoon.

But how do you maximize that hourlong reprieve amidst a busy schedule?

Here are a few ideas for inspiration, no matter what your tastes or preferred habits may be.

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Taking a mindful break at midday can create mental space for extended productivity and provide the morale boost necessary to take on a new task for the afternoon.

GET MOVING Just ten minutes of light exercise can get your blood pumping and your energy renewed.

Step outside and take a brisk walk around the block, or walk to your favorite sandwich shop instead of hopping in your car. Find ways to incorporate light exercise into your lunch hour routine and you’ll not only enjoy a chance to stretch your legs and get your eyes off of screens, but you’ll also reap the health and mood benefits of endorphins. Even extended stretching or mild calisthenics can provide rejuvenating relief in short order.

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PLAY CATCH UP Sometimes catching up with an old friend or family member can brighten your day and give you a morale-boosting outlet beyond the office. During your next lunch hour, why not combine a jaunt around the block with a call to catch up with your sibling or college buddy? Shifting your focus from work and centering instead on a comforting interpersonal relationship can really boost your mood and reinforce your personal values.

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CHANGE YOUR TUNE

SOAK UP THE SUN If you’re tempted to eat your lunch at your desk while staring into the same computer screen that you’ve been working on for hours—think again. Sure, a busy schedule sometimes means making that sacrifice, but when your schedule and weather permits, try to take your lunch outside and disconnect from your office setting. Soak up the sun, feel the breeze, and lift your gaze to the horizon instead of toward your phone or computer screen. The mood-boosting benefits of time spent recharging outside are well-documented, and a change of scenery can give you the boost you need to power through your afternoon to-do list.

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Use your lunch hour to treat your senses. As you eat or get active, try queuing up your favorite music or the latest episode of your favorite podcast. If you focus on the same tasks and stimuli for too long, your brain will fatigue and your focus will erode steadily over time. Shift gears and treat your mind to some music or stimulation outside of your daily tasks. You’ll help yourself relax, recharge, and create a natural transition point for your ensuing afternoon workflow.

Your lunch hour isn’t just about being purely functional. If you want to maintain a steady rate of productivity and leave the office satisfied by the progress of your day—use your lunch hour wisely. As important as it is to nourish your body, also consider nourishing your mind. No matter what your chosen outlet may be, don’t overlook the power of a well-spent lunch hour and the positive benefits that are sure to follow.

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BRENDA DINTINO With forty-two years in the mortgage lending industry, Brenda Dintino is as passionate as ever about serving her clients and helping them achieve their goals. “Seeing them get into their homes on time is my favorite part of this job,” Brenda says. Her enthusiasm for her work is contagious, which is one of the many reasons why Brenda’s clients love working with her and keep coming back.

Known as “Brenda the Lenda,” Brenda is a Branch Manager at Total Quality Lending (Powered by Western Express Lending), Brenda manages a growing team of dedicated professionals who are all equally committed to providing top-notch customer service. Serving Irvine, California, Brenda and her team make customer satisfaction their priority. Offering a full set of services, Brenda’s team can provide every kind of loan to buyers. “We can do it all,” Brenda says. “The whole gamut. We serve first-time homebuyers, and can handle more complicated financing. We’re proud to offer our clients comprehensive service.”

Dedicated, compassionate, and personable, Brenda’s high repeat and referral rate is a testament to her client-centered approach. “They know they can trust me,” Brenda says. “I always keep my word. When I secure a loan and tell the clients to come back in six months to refinance, they know I mean business. I do not mislead or over-promise. I’m honest, and my clients appreciate that.”

“There is nothing like that feeling of seeing the client and their family so happy to have finally achieved this goal. The home is the hub, and where it all starts. It’s so special to be a part of that.”

In her limited free time, Brenda is committed to donating her time and energy to the community.

“As a company, we host charity events every month, and we participate as a group,” Brenda says. “We’ll go down to Los Angeles to the homeless shelters, and do coat drives around the holidays. We’ve adopted several kids who have medical issues, and have sponsored kids through school.”

When Brenda is not helping clients or giving back her time, she loves being with her family, including her four grandchildren.

Brenda is excited about the future, and she has no plans to slow down. She and her business partner, Travis, have plans to expand their team, bringing on new loan officers to serve more clients. “It’s important to us to be able to share our skills with more officers, and to mentor the next generation,” Brenda says. Brenda has found fulfillment and success in her career because of her passion for people. “I love everybody,” Brenda says. “Everybody is unique, and that’s what’s great about this job. I love learning people’s stories. My number-one priority is getting people into their homes, and to see them happy at the end of the process.”

For Brenda and her team, customer service is at the forefront of their philosophy and business practice. “As a team, we each make sure if a client reaches out, we respond the same day,” Brenda says. “We want clients to feel that they are our only client. It’s about really listening to what they want and need, and to execute from there.”

Brenda keeps in consistent touch with clients and referral partners through newsletters and more personalized communications, such as birthday and anniversary cards. “I like to keep everyone informed on economic news,” Brenda says. “Education is very important to me.”

For more about Brenda Dintino NMLS #239946, call 714.501.1997, visit brendathelenda.com or TotalQualityLending.com, or email BrendaTheLenda@TQLend.com www.

Brenda feels privileged to do what she does. “I love that I can help somebody secure their first home,” Brenda says.

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Productivity Killers: 4 Ways to Make Better Use of Your Working Hours

Even on the busiest of days, it can be hard not to get distracted by social media, smartphones, chatty colleagues, or personal to-do list items. So how do you keep your professional blinders on and power through your tasks with efficiency? Practice these four tips and witness your productivity skyrocket—easing stress and bringing renewed energy to your daily duties.

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1. Create a sense of peace and quiet The office may not be your idea of a tranquil oasis, but for most, focus requires quiet and calm to best lend attention to the task at hand. If you find yourself seated next to talkative coworkers or in the center of a bustling office atrium, consider noise can-

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celing headphones, earplugs, or carving out an empty conference room for your work day. Turning the volume down creates fewer chances for disruption, allowing you to make the best use of your time.

4.Take your smartphone off the table

2. Organize your workspace A messy work area breeds anxiety and distraction, but a clean and organized desk inspires efficiency. If you’ve got a busy day ahead, take fifteen minutes and organize your workspace: gather miscellaneous papers into their proper place, dispose of out-of-date or unnecessary documents, or give your keyboard a dusting. Not only does cleaning and organizing your workspace prepare you for the work ahead, it also helps you transition to a productive, goal-oriented mindset.

3.Create a goal-oriented reward system Coffee breaks, coworker catch-up, and social media check-ins tend to break up our workflow on an hourly basis. Instead of trying to go cold turkey on these workplace routines, reframe them as rewards.

For every to-do list item you complete, allow yourself a fives minute treat, whether that’s a fresh cup of coffee or a walk around the block. Not only will creating a reward Top Agent Magazine

system help you stay motivated throughout the day, it will also provide you with much-needed mental breaks that actually boost long-term productivity.

The number one productivity killer in this day and age? Smartphones. With access to endless social media portals, web browsing, text conversations, and games, smartphones are one-stop shops for distractions. While you may not want to delete apps from your phone, try leaving your smartphone in a locked desk drawer until your next break, or safely in your car. By simply putting your smartphone out of your line of sight, the impulse to distract yourself is muted.

Even though technology and the modern office create ample opportunity for distraction, making these few small adjustments can go a long way in safeguarding your productivity. After all, a productive day allows you to enjoy your time at home and outside the office, without the worry of incomplete tasks and looming deadlines darkening your day. Keep these productivity tricks in mind as you mount your daily to-do list and you’ll be thanking yourself tomorrow.

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