NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE 4-19-21

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

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THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR BIGGEST GOALS HOW TO GET THE BIGGEST RECHARGE OUT OF YOUR LUNCH HOUR

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BEYOND-THE-OFFICE ACTIVITIES TO INSPIRE A CREATIVE BUSINESS BOOM FEATURED AGENT

JODY CANFIELD

Embracing Smart Homes: Does New Technology Really Increase Home Value?

COVER STORY

LEZLEY JOHNSON

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

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JODY CANFIELD

Jody calls her entry into th mortgage industry a happ accident. Taking a temp-jo at a mortgage company whe she was eighteen has sinc evolved into over twenty yea of helping homebuyers. “I’m still in it to win it,” Jody says

Currently, Jody is a mortgag banker with Watermark Home Loans, and is in the pro cess of launching her own brokerage with a partne laying the groundwork to open Framework Mortgag CONTENTS in April of this year.

LEZLEY JOHNSON

4) 5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR BIGGEST GOALS 6) HOW TO GET THE BIGGEST RECHARGE OUT OF YOUR LUNCH HOUR

JODY CANFIELD

15)time 3 BEYOND-THE-OFFICE A long in the making, Jody and her partner brin their many years of ACTIVITIES TOexperience INSPIREtoAbear in creatin Framework Mortgage.

“We are excited to open CREATIVE BUSINESS BOOM new brokerage company that is client focused,” Jod explains. “Our clients include not only our borrowe but21) our EMBRACING referral partners SMART as well. We’re making HOMES: DOES NEW positive experience and making sure that questions ar TECHNOLOGY answered and that we’reREALLY able to take the time to spen INCREASE HOME VALUE? with clients to make sure they’re making a smart mov with their mortgage.”

Today, over forty percent of Jody’s business is referre from past clients, financial advisers, and real esta mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com agents.

Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440

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 materials, Top When with clients, Jody is patient. She take Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or factsworking supplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. the time to fully answer their questions and understan Published in the U.S.

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their situation, steering them towards a mortgage th will benefit them in the long term and further the financial goals.

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Her extensive background in mortgage operation

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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5 Things You Can Do To Achieve Your Biggest Goals If there’s one thing successful people can agree on, it’s that setting goals has been key to their success. Whether you’re creating a five year plan or just settling on what you want to achieve by the end of the day, setting goals gives you the focus and direction you need to complete even the biggest tasks.

But there is a method to setting them. It’s a process that takes careful thought and con4

sideration up front, which is then combined with the hard work necessary to implement your plan. Luckily there are proven methods to goal setting that you can start using immediately.

1. MAKE YOUR GOALS SPECIFIC

Yes, it’s fun to think in grand terms of where you want to end up in life and in your career, but it’s better to have a specific

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Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. goal like “Increase my sales by 25%”, than “Get rich.” When a goal is clear and specific, it allows you to figure out the exact steps you need to take to accomplish it. The more general it is, the more paralyzed you might be when it comes to figuring out what to do since, the choices may be overwhelming.

2. MAKE IT ATTAINABLE

Making attainable goals might seem boring, I mean afterall, you want to dream big! But you don’t want to suffer through the disappointment of not reaching your goal, something that may not even be possible at this stage in your life to begin with. One solution to that is creating goal levels. You can have the dream goal, but underneath that you have the realistic goals that are setting up a foundation for achieving the big one.

Things that are attainable still take work and effort to achieve. Those small victories will keep you motivated and encouraged to go for the bigger dreams. And don’t forget, those little goals may have been things you wouldn’t have gotten done if you didn’t set out to achieve them, so be proud!

3. PUT A PLAN OF ACTION IN WRITING

Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. There is something about seeing things in writing and crossing them off the list that is oddly satisfying.The daily goals are especially Top Agent Magazine

important in regards to building up those good habits. The first few weeks of your plan of action are critical when it comes to your long term success. Reaching a goal is something you are doing every day, all throughout the day, in numerous ways.

Achieving goals is all about creating good new habits.

4. MAKE IT MEASURABLE

This is key, since you definitely want to reward yourself for a job well done, and having a goal that is measurable in some way is a sure way to know. Maybe it’s to increase your lead generation or to cut expenses, whatever the case, have a measurable test you need to meet, as well as a time frame. Then calculate what you have to do to reach that goal. Not only should your goal be specific, but the plan and the measure of success should also be set in stone.

5. ADJUST AS YOU GO

You can have all the best laid plans, and you still might quickly realize that what you thought would help you reach your goal, might not be cutting it. Commitment to reaching your goals is good, but commitment to a plan you know isn’t going to work is not only a waste of time, but will be a devastating blow to your motivation.

Sticking to a plan everyday means adjusting it accordingly.

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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 6

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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LEZLEY JOHNSON Top Agent Magazine

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Branch Sales Manager with the Mortgage Banking Firm LeaderOne Financial Corporation in Washington, Lezley Johnson is relentless in her aim to match clients with the best loan solutions.

Always keeping client satisfaction at the forefront, Lezley Johnson, a Branch Sales Manager with the Mortgage Banking Firm LeaderOne Financial Corporation in Washington, is relentless in her aim to match clients with the best loan solutions. A former accountant, Lezley joined the mortgage industry with the desire to help people. Having watched her father—who worked as a real estate agent—make a huge impact on people’s lives when she was a child, Lezley was inspired to pursue a career that would be similarly fulfilling.

Working in mortgages has provided her with that opportunity, and she has been able to combine her aspiration to help people with her need for a challenging and meaningful line of work.

Specializing in residential home loans, reverse mortgages, government 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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loans, as well as construction loans, Lezley is always careful about ensuring that her clients are in a good financial position after their purchase. “I don’t want to just get my clients into a house and wish them good luck. The house should be a benefit, not something they need to worry about. That’s why I spend a lot of time going over details Top Agent Magazine

to make sure that they are in a positive position after the purchase.”

Lezley’s passionate about customer care which is why she keeps the lines of communication open at all times via phone calls, texts and emails. “I try to make every one of my clients feel like they’re my only client.”

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“I take on a lot of challenging type of loans in order to help people. I’ve always believed that if you want to own a house you should be able to do that as long as you’re willing to put in the work to get it.”

That, along with her problem-solving skills, are the main reasons for her high 95% referral rate. “I take on a lot of challenging type of loans in order to help people. I’ve always believed that if you want to own a house you should be able to do that as long Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

as you’re willing to put in the work to get it. That’s why I enjoy helping people down that path. I love to see the joy on their face when I tell them that they are approved for their dream home. That is a wonderful moment for me.”

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Being strongly involved in her community is important for Lezley, but she makes sure that her involvement comes from her heart and has no promotional benefits attached to it. “Sometimes community involvement can be used as a tool Top Agent Magazine

to promote yourself. I believe that you should get involved with your community and support it because it’s something that you know in your heart is the right thing to do. That’s why I prefer to keep my involvement private. Having said that, Copyright Top Agent Magazine 13

I am very passionate about animal rescue and domestic violence causes,” she says.

Lezley currently works with a team of two loan officers and going forward she hopes

to grow the team further and become a mentor. “I would like our team to truly reflect a collaborative work model. One day I would love to see us in the top ten offices within the company.”

To learn more about Lezley Johnson please call (360) 621-7527. email LezleyJohnson@leader1.com, visit http://lezleyjohnson.leader1.com

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3 Beyond-the-Office Activities to Inspire a Creative Business Boom Maintaining motivation year-round is a challenge, especially for those who are several years into a demanding real estate career. It’s easy to burn out, get stuck in a rut, or cycle blindly through a well-worn routine. But those that leave an impact on their industry understand that creativity holds the key to innovation and longevity. To stay ahead of Top Agent Magazine

the curve and build your brand, you’ve got to take the time to breathe new life into your practice and see things from a new angle. But where to begin?

To invite change, you’ve got to look outside the box—or in this case, beyond the office. If you’re in need of a professional creative make-

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To stay ahead of the curve and build your brand, you’ve got to take the time to breathe new life into your practice and see things from a new angle. over, or at least want to experience a burst of inventive energy, consider some of the activities below. You may just shake up your routine, bend your brain in new ways, and inject some inspiration into your professional path.

Expand your mind through meditation.

You’ve likely heard all about the supposed powers of meditation, and perhaps you’ve long considered it an over-hyped New Age invention. But did you know that some of the foremost entrepreneurs of our era practice this cost-free, mentally restorative routine? From Oprah Winfrey to Steve Jobs, practitioners of meditation cite its stress-relieving principles, in addition to improvements in concentration, energy, self-awareness, and overall health.

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Even mainstream medicine is beginning to understand the preventative and restorative health benefits that meditation affords. As professional fields go, the mortgage and real estate industries require their fair share of emotional labor—you’re tasked with guiding clients through the investment of a lifetime.

Meditation promotes peace and perspective, while reducing stress, adding a new level of self-awareness, and helping you mentally declutter. When it comes down to it, it only makes sense that taking time to go quiet and center your mind helps professionals find wherewithal amidst a hectic industry. Next time you’re feeling drained, out of ideas, or at your wit’s end—consider just fifteen minutes of meditation to get you started. Like most things, it takes some practice. But, if you commit the time, you’ll be thanking yourself later.

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Learn something new.

If you’re facing burnout, then adding a new responsibility to your plate may seem like the least appetizing self-help solution there is.

However, learning a new skill can reinvigorate your understanding of familiar tasks and dilemmas. Plus, learning a new skill doesn’t have to mean formal classes or time-draining homework. Select something that can even kill two birds with one stone. Want to let off some steam, too? Try a kickboxing class that meets just once-a-week. You’ll have something new to look forward to, meet new people, challenge yourself, and earn some feel-good endorphins, Top Agent Magazine

too. Want to cut loose and have some fun? Join a board game meet-up group, take a cooking class, or try rock-climbing for the first time. A stimulating new activity will light up long-dormant parts of your brain, and your clients and colleagues will surely notice the influx of energy to your outlook. Still don’t think you have enough time to add something new to the mix? Blend your morning commute with an audio language learning service. The point is to shake-up your habits and introduce a new challenge that’s unrelated to work. Doing so can make you look at things in a new light and boost your mood along the way.

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See new sights.

If you can, there’s no better way to break from routine than to physically separate yourself from your surroundings. There’s nothing more inspiring than traveling to new destinations, experiencing new cultures, and getting a sense of the world’s true vastness. If a trip abroad isn’t in the cards, don’t fret. There are bound to be plenty of places relatively close by that you’ve never seen. And these trips don’t have to break the bank, either. Devote just one or two days to visiting a place you’ve never gone before, like a state park, protected forest, or a small seaside village. Perhaps you’re only a few hours from a National Park you’ve been meaning to visit but have never made time for. Or, there’s a lively city one state over that you’ve always wanted to try. Whatever the destination, near or far, you’ll refresh

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your perspective entirely when removed from all your usual routines. New restaurants, traffic patterns, storefronts, weather—whatever the change may be, you’ll be experiencing everything brand new all around you. Taking the time for trips like these isn’t easy. In fact, making yourself devote those free days may be a difficult task itself. But it’s the most direct way to get a breath of truly fresh air, and when you return home you’ll be able to assess familiar surroundings in a totally new light.

However you decide to add creativity to your professional life, don’t wait. Once you take the plunge, you’ll be regretting you hadn’t done it sooner. After all, the key to longevity is regular maintenance, so do your part and break the mold today.

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JODY CANFIELD Jody calls her entry into the mortgage industry a happy accident. Taking a temp-job at a mortgage company when she was eighteen has since evolved into over twenty years of helping homebuyers. “I’m still in it to win it,” Jody says.

Currently, Jody is a mortgage banker with Watermark Home Loans, and is in the process of launching her own brokerage with a partner, laying the groundwork to open Framework Mortgage in April of this year.

A long time in the making, Jody and her partner bring their many years of experience to bear in creating Framework Mortgage. “We are excited to open a new brokerage company that is client focused,” Jody explains. “Our clients include not only our borrowers but our referral partners as well. We’re making a positive experience and making sure that questions are answered and that we’re able to take the time to spend with clients to make sure they’re making a smart move with their mortgage.”

Today, over forty percent of Jody’s business is referred from past clients, financial advisers, and real estate agents.

When working with clients, Jody is patient. She takes the time to fully answer their questions and understand their situation, steering them towards a mortgage that will benefit them in the long term and further their financial goals.

Her extensive background in mortgage operations helps her circumvent hurdles in the mortgage filing process, so her clients know they’re in good hands at

every step along the way. Jody makes sure to stay in touch with her clients through weekly phone calls to check in and make sure every client stays updated on the status of their file.

Jody works with a marketing specialist to keep her marketing current. Jody also grounds her approach in making a personal connection with Realtors® as well as with her clients. Introducing herself to both sides of the homebuying transaction, Jody keeps everyone involved up to date, and always follows up with Realtors® for the potential to work together in the future.

“No two days are the same,” Jody says of why she loves the challenges of working in the mortgage industry. Between fluctuations in the market, new guidelines and helping her clients, there is always a new problem to solve.

Jody finds ways to give back to her community, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, working with her son on a service project for Teen Challenge collecting donation items. When conditions allow, Jody volunteers with inner-city youth, helping them with financial advising: learning budgeting and planning.

When she’s not working, Jody loves spending time with her husband, her two kids and her dog, relaxing at the beach, going for walks, and hanging out with friends.

In non-pandemic conditions, you can often find Jody cheering on her kids at a soccer or baseball game.

Jody is excited to start her new brokerage, Framework Mortgage, as details of hiring staff and the official opening fall into place. “We’re making sure that we position ourselves as an industry leader, not just following the pack,” Jody says. “We want our referral partners to feel that love, that we’re still here and making sure they’re supported.”

For more information about Jody Canfield, please call (949) 510-2603, email jody@jodycanfield.com 20

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Embracing Smart Homes:

Does New Technology Really Increase Home Value?

Technology and innovation move at a lightning-fast clip, so it can be hard to keep up with all the smart-home trends sweeping the market at a given time. From smart thermostats to security systems accessed through an app on your phone—there are endless options to customize and update your home for the modern era. But which, if any, of these smart home products add Top Agent Magazine

value to property in a significant, worthwhile capacity? Especially with new generations of the same products released in quick succession, it can be hard to determine whether it’s worth it to take the plunge. With that in mind, we’ve conducted a deep-dive into the smart home options out there that make the most sense for your bottom line and real estate investments.

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Smart home amenities range in price and return.

There are certain smart home products that won’t break the bank while still adding lovely touches and time-saving features to your space. For instance, a smart thermostat may not run more than a few hundred dollars, but it can take so much of the guesswork and analog nuisance out of programming your home’s internal environment. That said, buyers selling properties with mid-range amenities like this can’t expect a windfall in return. While smart home features can certainly lure buyers and give the sense that a home is attractively modern (and thus move-in ready), it doesn’t mean that you’ll be reaping a sizable monetary reward for your foresight. Conversely, this reality doesn’t mean those smart options

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are without value entirely; it just means that the value of smart home options may be apparent in a different capacity, like luring a particular buyer or creating a desirable, sleek image for a property headed to market.

On the other hand, larger scale smart home amenities that are being left behind for the buyer—like a smart refrigerator or wired sound throughout the property—may be able to lure particular buyers who value high-end details. While it can be difficult to state definitively the value of smart home options, the rule tends to be that the more you put in, the higher the likelihood you’ll reap the investment you sow. Focus your smart home options on home appliances first, then work your way toward security, thermostat, and entertainment options.

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Smart home amenities capture the attention of buyers

Agents must know how to pitch the value of smart home options

Even if you have mostly opted for small or mid-range smart home options, you can still benefit from their presence in a property—even if they don’t inflate your bottom line as a result. Smart home amenities have the power to focus the attention of buyers, sending a clear signal that the previous owners were tech-forward and made an effort to upgrade the property for the contemporary era. Millennial or Gen Z buyers especially value these up-to-date modifications, and the presence of these desirable gadgets can create added interest and drive up value naturally. Likewise, featuring these options in listing photography can also drive interest from younger or high-end buyers looking for move-in ready spaces.

Remember that smart home features are relatively fresh to the market. While some new construction properties are equipped with these smart amenities, just as many homes on the market don’t offer these upgrades and modern flairs. This means that many buyers, of all ages even, aren’t familiar with the benefits and perks of these options, let alone how they’re operated. Before you can derive value from a smart home or smart home features, you’ll need to understand a product’s proper usage, cost, and benefits. Do your homework regarding what smart home features can offer in terms time or cost savings, and be able to show prospective buyers how easy these objects are to use, as well. Do both, and you’ll be in proper command of what smart home features can offer buyers and pitch them accordingly.

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