NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE 7-15-19

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

3 TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES TO

REVITALIZE MOMENTUM IN THE OFFICE

TURNING YOUR PROFESSION INTO A PASSION

PRODUCTIVITY KILLERS: 4 WAYS TO MAKE BETTER USE OF YOUR WORKING HOURS

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

ANGELO CHRISTIAN

Angelo Christian cut his teeth in the they go out of their way to ease the burden 7 of the transactional process 10 as much as mortgage industry back in 2005. Learning the ropes at a billion-dollar nationwide possible. “We go the extra mile and make mortgage bank instilled in him the the difference in the lives of our borrowers,” For MaryAnn Comparin luncheons with her rea How did Giorgio Klinar beco fundamentals of customer service and Angelo says. “We’re creative inJones, sourcingentering the mort“I brainstorm with everyo one of the most trusted biling efficient processes. “I studied firsthand the right tax credits, down payment gage industry was a natural says. And because she is mortgage lenders in New Jer how they originated and refinanced, and the assistance programs, grant programs, and choice. spend time marke training was phenomenal. That really built closing concessions—anything that we can “Right when Iand doesn’t beyond? graduated college, I knew effort instead into maintain my core and foundation in the mortgage do to help the client.” business,” Angelo remembers. Since then, I wanted to pursue this partners and clients.

13 asGiorgio Klinar started as a Rea Beyond the office, Angelo and ahiscareer,” team he has gone on to serve clients across the she explains. in 2001, and often focused back to their community through states of Texas, Florida, California, and the ANGELO CHRISTIAN give MARYANN COMPARIN GIORGIO KLINARand JEFF NICOLA MaryAnn began interviewing with companies, Clients love to spread t the Wounded Warrior Project. He alsoCOREY SEITZ &helping Carolinas. What’s more, he has established c prevent foreclosures JUHL JONES soon landed a job as an assistant at a mortgage LAUREN recently said, “MaryAnn supports breast cancer awareness and research efforts, a reputation for industriousness, round-the-clock 2003, during the Iraq War, he chose to join the Ar Jeff Nicola brings not only his 22 years Working closely with agents is a big knows all about what I’mlaunched there every step of Christian the “I way Mortgage Brokers Coreythe Seitz and of the and an la banking company. learned business from the process was notoldest scary recently the Angelo foundation, communication, and a knack for solving the unsolvable. of experience in the mortgage17 industry part fo Jeff’s day.

“I think a lot of real to serve his country, taking a six-year sabbatical 18email 21Group Lauren Juhl –many of Excel Financial brokertold groups in thei thefr which supports in accessing nto new homes. and always a underprivileged text, up, orstudents phone ground assisting loan officers.”

She soaked people have me to bear when helping his clients at Bay estate agents forget that if you don’t in Fort Colorado –the are firmly about any type of industry.

He returned to work injust real estate in 20 Today, Angelo oversees a fifteen-person team comprised educational opportunities.

In his Collins, free time, most ed a large moving call away, day up or asnight.” muchcommitted information as he possible, learning the ins that I dealtthere directly M to providing their many is,” sayswith Lauren.

Equity Home Loans, he also brings his have a trusted loan officer, how much Three and a half years ago, he was presented with of processors, marketers, and enjoys time spent with family, especially alongside hiswith the hasthirty always nev and Realtor partners lendersorforhad regu on for nearlyloan 15officers, assistants, the process she began pursuingRodriguez other random staff background as of a teacher a trainer. three children.and outs ofbuyers mental spacebefore that takes up atBreonna seven managers—all under the banner Finance and of America opportunity to help develop Nationwide Mortg very best in client service.

With a solid helps us locate thethe b on the back endPreviously of The result is his favorite part.

“The had a passion for helping people as agenerated personal o’clock atand night when they’re it on her own.

Once felt ready, she thinking, received her directly with the and experts Mortgage. With more than halfworking of his business focus on clearshe constant communiborrower, then w Bankers, Inc. He’s now a Vice President with Nationw saction,” he says. funthe partfuture, is calling someone and telling to achieve sustainable trainerclientele, and coach, Jeff is creative naturally In ‘Itodidn’t ahold of the over at 17 informed, cation, and their willingness to educate private lenders for obs Angelo intends foster growth and license and became a get loan officer.

It’sguy now been personable experience.

Inicte by repeat and referral Angelo cites Mortgage Bankers—a direct lender—where he lead their buyers on the intricacies of the pretty much y them their loan is clear to close,” he built on relationdrawn to helping and teaching people. such and such bank, I didn’t get ahold longevity on his team, with she plansentered to expand further in home ownership.

Sheand worked foranything pri problem-solving and an earnest spirit of service as the years since the business, and she’s made honest helpful and is f mortgage anda Lauren Adds Corey: “Our team team of four loan officers, an operations manager, of in theprocess, guyhave atCorey the company. the years“Just to come.

“In this business, you to mortgage be smiles. hearing the joy their and lenders who hallmarks of his business. “Our mantra is to help as three years as a nonprofit Housing get incredible strides.

Serving all of Texas, she works she is phenomenal in what 23 share a fierce work ethic and a willingproviding our clients w says. “I want tothe help team reach the next Imy hope this closes!’

Workingin-house with me processors He can brings to working with home giver,” several New York,serv N many as we findthat funding,” he says.

“We’re voices,heexperiencing excitement end ofpeople the transacness to go above and Mortgage beyond for their financial fam Counselor, where serving she quality focused with Fairway Independent Corporation to level, so that they can many people as they can close.” day week, and bothPuget clientsSound and they buyer can be sure it will in Washington’s Jersey, andonFlorida.

“Three and a half ago customers in every situation. with the years lowest rates av nopen waslate, theevery ‘go buyers to’ of the whether they’re a help firstas time serving the go above and beyond her client’s expectations.

AsSpanish-speaking MaryAnn continuestooth to the process.”

JEFF NICOLA BREONNA-MARIA COREY SEITZ referral partners can call and get Whether LUCAS J. help.

McGARY work with our clients one-on-one e area,always working with them to bring their in started Nationwide Mortgage Bankers,” Giorgiospe sa or they’re buying their latestcommunity. home, when it came time During that she quickly realized how Corey, who he’s has more than twoloans, decades oftime, experience financial is tailored spec we’re refinancing a grocery store or to an life. apartment to besolution able that to provide pe home-buying dreams “I work When not closing Jeff likes RODRIGUEZ & LAUREN JUHL that’s with what more I like than best about in my career I hada veteran on disability purchase a Now, “In the month of to Maytheir wefinancing closed overthey $110 mill in thethis mortgage industry, essentially recruited Lauren needs.” decade ofjob.” insight, complex, helping underinformed her clients often were by the lenders “We’re a adirect and offer down payment favorite part about the mu bu with a lot of Amazon and Microsoft tolender, give back toAngelo the community.

Jeffassisthe business in 2018.

“I’d known Corey for pretty much ns to choose from. in business.” considers what he enjoys most about his career.

“I love home, or working with a first-time millennial buyer — were working with and, as a result, didn’t really understand the clientele,” Jeff says. “We have a couvolunteers with a mission in downtance programs,” she explains.

“I do a lot with the a people person.

I just lov my whole life,” says Lauren. “I was managing restauPerhaps the best evidence of the quality to Lucas’ commitment to results is whytime, people accomplish their goals.

They may be wemy try opportunity to connectple with as manyset-ups peoplewith as possible so wehelping of unique them, and incorporate military town Seattle, feeding homeless, and oncedecided abased yearwhat rants fortheir aHer longthe andIn we2014, started speaking about Lauren provide can be foundand in wil theh loans. she she’dandbecome a loan offias well.” business is entirely off seeing them excited facing challenges and don’t know how to make this that we can help.” ndent Mortgage” supports the American theteam lifeWarrior ofwork loan officer looked like.for I ended up taking they have received, including those“ Giorgio and his teama provide a wide range of loans.

Day 1 Certainty and that attracts a lot ofhetech-savvy Jeff and his with Habitat Humanity cer herself with the goal to provide her clients with the best che offorreferrals, awe’re testament toturn her superior service and on which site they both hold perfect process work them, ableand tobegan their of vets faith, working with Corey at Excel Initiative, helpsabutleap local in team YOUR runs a division called Americasa Home Loans, clients, we don’t haveAPPROACHES to get paystubs, wewhich toget build house.

“It’s a fun day,” he 4) 5because FRESH NEW 15) TURNING PROFESSION world around and that family into a home, orteam-building gettowards thatand possible service in“I terms theirwasoptions. andw Financial Group.”

Lauren learned theeducation business quickly ratings.of “Corey a delight to work Angelo and his team’s breadth of knowledge and commitment to getting clients their goals. back end of real ways asthat variedsays. as assisting them in don’t have to get paychecks we can get all “And it makes a difference.” works to facilitate home ownership among the Hispa and in less than 14 months has risen toto one of the area’s knowledgeable, professional, prompt an businessownerfeel the cash they need to keep their business experience runs the gamut.

From private loans, FHA, TO CONTENT MARKETING INTO A PASSION “I wanted to be able focus on educating people about and that no matter if it’s a $10,000 loan or a million offers Lucas brand newthem.” ways to getting small business loans or to acquire Loan Originators. kind of“The guy,” reads one. “Lauren is a dr community,” Giorgio says.

Hispanic commun going. Whatever theworking case, Itop love working with clients VA, Commercial,stuff BankforStatement, and more—Angelo theirisloans,” Breonna said.customer She works Fairway lov dollar loan,difference everyone deserves theloan same goes abovewith and beyond for her clients y make the are biggest purchase of therapy dogs for agents them. to“The American Warrior Making why Jeff is officer.

“I now and make thosea milestones happen, and in if aIthe and his team most adept in finding solutionsTO for United States isdirect wildly underserved and inoth g 8) 4 EASY WAYS Currently, both Corey and Lauren can claim that almost their needs first,” reads another.

Independent Mortgage Company, a lender. thatat I Fairway,” would want.”

MaryAnn also aimsEXERCISES to Making easier and quicker fordear clients is love people fulfill their dreams,” he says.

19) 3 TEAM BUILDING nloans officer, Lucas lookschallenging atthe hisprocess jobfor as others.

Initiative is very allservice of us helping here can’t get to them the help they need, no one can.” that have proven Likewise, the entirety of their businessneed is based referrals from Most of Giorgio’s business com ofupon counseling.”

MARYANN COMPARIN JONES GIORGIO KLINA

LUCAS J. M GARY

BREONNA-MARIA RO

CONTENTS

REDECORATE OFFICE what sets Jeff apart his peers. “We don’t close get“Helping get into theirand fantasy houseRealtor where they things them done fast and efficiently.

“I want everyator and an educator.

“I make sure from heYOUR says. happyTO past clients their many partners.

“I When IN they aren’t working, both Lauren REVITALIZE MOMENTUM from referrals from previous clients orofrealtor partne loans late,” WILL he says. “IBOOST have a greatMORALE return and refer- thing can begin making memories of ato lifetime -they getting to would say that a big part of that isitthat know they’rein Housing availing themselves the many outdo Staying true her background Counseling, done right away, and I want done yesterday. with are the most knowledgeable THAT To learn more about Angelo Christian THE getting a that reallyOFFICE great deal with us as a brokerage,” says in their scenic town provides. The two, ral rate because people are happy with our service, be a small part of process is so rewarding.”

Breonna stillreturned specializes insame providing down-payment assisLucas has big plans for theEmails future.431 “AsLauren, a6331, team our are . They are educated and up-to- CLIENTS and calls the day. Financial & how IMPRESS –phone email Angelo@chihomeloans.com, call (832) when asked to account for the loyalty they each Group, lenders also love getting What sets Giorgio apart of from other in theout b with quickly we get things done, and at a good goal is to be the number one team in all of Fairway,” t’s financing and understand the tance (DPA).

“I know the ins-and-outs the different I’m always accessible.”

She has a team behind her inspire. “It also has a lot to do with clear communication,” nity for a good cause, DPA whether golfing or visit www.foamortgage.com/loan-officer/angelo-christian-156333 price.”

Jeff is looking towards a bright future.

“We’ve been ness and keeps his realtor partners coming back?

22) 5 realtor THINGS YOU CAN TONetworkeducation addsthe Corey.

“Our partners love usanswering because keep Miracle or Bowling for the S“ he156333; says. “We want to 1833994 be making the best sure team not only e says. “From a client programs. a volunteer, Iweteach homebuyer isAs smooth, allDO 11)perspective PRODUCTIVITY KILLERS: NMLS# Branch NMLS# growing every yearprocess for past seven years,” hethe says. our buyers up tothe date on what’s going on with theirentire loan process. this year! We develop a strat understand but inthat the Jeff entire nation.” the most educated client needs locally, ACHIEVE YOUR BIGGEST classes with atheir fewRealtors the local“We nonprofits,” she says. As keeping all inof the they don’t to parties call updates or GOALS And of course there’s also the fact isUSE an questions “I’d like and tosokeep that have trajectory going.

But Iforloop. would 4 WAYS TO MAKE BETTER with the realtor and the so know w ion throughoutexpert the process.

My explanations on what’s happening with their loan.”

Theclient pair’s for thewe future are rela aTop result of herwork dedication to clients her clients andplans the that personal offer a personal touch, and we when our Copyright Agent Magazine at communication.

“We always keep an open really like to add another corporate care account, OF YOUR WORKING HOURS continue growing their business while they are looking for and can get a client into a ho goal“I’m isn’t purely though.

“Our have e ‘What is happening?’ because I That attention sheare provides, her business has and line of communication,” he says. on the phonenumerical, where are the preferred lender where create a want usweto.

We don’t banking hours, we’re Both Corey and Lauren proud ofwe their association of the skyrocketed amazing that has becom We have worked very hard to buildservice an entire team larger goal is to many families as possible,” never in the dark.” a lot, constantly updating them.

And wehelp haveasreal specific with usextra with theanhighly-reputable Financial one with their names. impressive 100% ofallows herGroup, business comes from referrals always onrelationship the clock.

Mya company. teamExcel willThat put in the Forbut more Mary doesn’t just their speak Spanish, that about is Latino.

Fr Lucaslist, says. think purchasing amake home a to great estate agents on a separate and“We I give them a time to be a position bereal the good toin itishappen.” from estaterepresentative agents or past borrowers. our officers, processors, underwriters and please call 81 opportunity, and 310-734-1440 we want toemployees be there need to assist aslookmore he paperwork and effortupdated involved monthly marketing analysis.” as theyFor to buy theirloan new homes.” information about Corey Seitz and Lauren Juh Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax can be overwhelming. “It’s like many people as possible in achieving that. What weContactmembers in executive or positions, everyone involved Corey: 970-672-0496 Corey_Seitz@excelfg.com email MaryAnnC it comesWhat to keeps staying touch her in clients and after agentsthe eager to refer to Breonna? mag@topagentmagazine.com | When www.topagentmagazine.com but it’s true - is that Contact t,” he says. “Very few people like say here - and it’s a little cheesy, thealso process understands the culture and nuances of Lauren: 970-829-1475 Ljuhl@excelfg.com transaction, she sends emails and hosts monthly “We provide great service.

We are very or hands-on.

I work visit www.txbe To find out more about Jeff Nicola it’s more about the lives than the loans.” everybody lovesNo theportion result!of That’s countries in Latin America.

This gives us the ability this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher.

Top Agent Magazine with lots of First-Time Homebuyers, and when they call Copyright Top visit his website move through files pretty quickly as they all underst is published by Feature Publications GA, at Inc.bayequityhomeloans.com/jeff-nicola, Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials,

me, I’m accessible. I’ll talk to my agents at eight or nine at the way communities handle their financesCo Topout Agent Magazine cannot be held opinions or facts supplied by itsour authors.

To subscribe or change call him at 206-779-1874 emailexpressed him at jnicola@bayeq.com To find more about Lucas Jresponsible McGaryfor, or night when they are trying to put a deal together. I’ll call listaddress, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. Published in the U.S. his website at fairwayindependentmc.com/Lucas-J-McGary, ing agents for every offer they are putting in.” Throughout every step of the Breonna ensures that her clients Copyright Top process, Agent Magazine at 617-347-9629 or email him at lucas.mcgary@fairwaymc.com and agent partners are well informed; she Magazine does every2 Topand Agent thing possible to make sure that loans go through. To stay in touch with past clients and agent partners, she sends a Copyright Top Agent Magazine www.

www.

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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5 Fresh New Approaches to Content Marketing A couple of weeks ago we were conducting a workshop when we were asked two excellent questions about content marketing:

• People

don’t want to hear from a roofing company every day. So how do you produce fresh and interesting content for social media that goes beyond your core services and yet ties back to your business?

• Can

you extend your social media presence and content to include personal things (like your hobbies) and how does that affect your overall business image?

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The workshop attendee who asked the first question was right. Almost no one wants to hear from any company every day… especially if all the content is about products and services…and yes, even if they’re giving helpful tips and information. Does that mean you should stop producing excellent daily content related to your business? No, of course not! Content is created for two reasons.

First, to provide knowledge, expertise and even entertainment to your ideal customers in order to achieve top of mind awareness as an authority in your industry. And second, to produce SEO-rich results that keep you at the top of search engines. You must strike a

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balance between the two, and try to include content that draws people in by being super interesting and entertaining….and yes, sometimes personal.

To help answer those content questions above, here are five different types of content (beyond the traditional stuff) that can give your brand a fresh, unique and balanced approach:

1. PHILANTHROPIC Your community efforts say a lot about who you are, and people will make an extra effort to do business with you as a result of this connection. We’ve consulted business owners who are very hesitant to promote these efforts because they don’t want it to seem as though they are exploiting the charities and organizations—and most especially because they don’t do it for the promotional aspects. They do it to give back. I ask you to keep this in mind. Nonprofit and charitable organizations very often have small marketing budgets. Not only do they rely on outside marketing forces to promote their initiatives, they would likely be forced to close their doors without that support. That means that when someone with a strong brand and presence promotes them, it’s a highly trusted and personal connection, and you can’t buy that kind of support. In other words, they not only need you to promote them, they want you to promote them. But your instincts are correct. It’s not about you. So just make sure your entire content focuses on the organization you’re helping, what they do for the community and how Top Agent Magazine

others can join in the cause. Then it becomes a huge win for all.

2. HOBBIES You bungee jumped from four of the tallest bridges in the U.S. In your spare time, you go fly fishing. You love playing chef and use only locally grown, organic foods. Your friends are always begging you to go to Vegas with your card shark talents. You’ve done mission work in Africa and would like to start your own group. You almost played professional baseball. You have an insane talent for gardening design or bass guitar.

Your family works at a soup kitchen once a month. Ok…you get the picture. And two more words. Reality TV. People are interesting…and people are interested in interesting people. We remember others based on these unique traits. And most of all, people love the story behind the face. Don’t be afraid to share your hobbies. Quite often, it’s the first thing that will personally connect you to a prospect.

3. CREATIVE CONNECTION This one is perhaps our favorite. While we can’t imagine seeing something come across our news feed from a landscaping company every day, imagine this for a moment. What are we always told to remember in this hectic world? Stop and smell the roses, right? So what if…a landscaping company posted a beautiful flower each day, just to remind you to ‘stop and smell the roses’. And at the bottom of that photo (small print), you included

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the type of flower and type of environment needed to make it flourish (moist soil, full sun, etc.). And then, of course, watermarked it with your logo….and a title like, “Sam’s Daily Reminder: It’s Time to Stop & Smell the Roses”. You could even include some great, thought-provoking quotes. It has the personal connection (Sam), the business connection (flowers & logo watermark) and a cool creative connector (pause the meetings and paperwork to take a moment and appreciate life by noticing this beautiful flower). This is a great idea for staying ‘top of mind’ and connecting business with the kind of creative messaging people wouldn’t mind seeing every day.

4. EXPERIENCES This one is similar to hobbies from the personal aspect, but instead of something that identifies us like our hobbies, our experiences are random happenings that can have great interest and meaning to our audience.

Whether you have a unique experience buying a new car or a fateful conversation with a stranger in the airport, if you feel it ties into a life lesson or business lesson you’d like to share, by all means do. The lesson is to keep your radar up 24/7. Any experiences you have which relate to your

ideal customer are an opportunity to connect beyond the business world. And when we do that, we become a part of the family.

5. INFLUENCERS “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”. You’ve probably heard that saying, and the same is true whether you are a teenager or a business owner. Maybe you’ve learned a lot of your business knowledge from Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet…or you like to quote Benjamin Franklin. Perhaps you have some mentors you’d like to recognize and tell why they’re important to you. Sharing the people and things that influence us is what makes us human. No matter how successful your business, you didn’t get there alone. People and circumstances shaped you along the way. Recognizing others for their contribution in our lives, large or small, is important in staying connected and grounded.

We hope these five types of content help you to put a fresh spin on what you share with your audience, whether personal or professional. We believe you must have the combination of both to build an incredible brand.

Tonya Eberhart is the Branding Agent to Business Stars and founder of BrandFace®, LLC. Michael Carr is America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer & BrandFace® partner. Together, they focus on personal branding and marketing designed to help real estate professionals become the face of their business & a star in their market. BrandFace® for Real Estate Professionals is a book, professional speaking series and an exclusive workshop for agents, and is currently active in 18 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.BrandFaceRealEstate.com.

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ANGELO CHRISTIAN Angelo Christian cut his teeth in the mortgage industry back in 2005. Learning the ropes at a billion-dollar nationwide mortgage bank instilled in him the fundamentals of customer service and efficient processes. “I studied firsthand how they originated and refinanced, and the training was phenomenal. That really built my core and foundation in the mortgage business,” Angelo remembers. Since then, he has gone on to serve clients across the states of Texas, Florida, California, and the Carolinas. What’s more, he has established a reputation for industriousness, round-the-clock communication, and a knack for solving the unsolvable.

Today, Angelo oversees a fifteen-person team comprised of processors, loan officers, assistants, marketers, and managers—all under the banner of Finance of America Mortgage. With more than half of his business generated by repeat and referral clientele, Angelo cites creative problem-solving and an earnest spirit of service as the hallmarks of his business. “Our mantra is to help as many people as we can find funding,” he says. “We’re open late, every day of the week, and both clients and referral partners can always call and get help. Whether we’re refinancing a grocery store or an apartment complex, helping a veteran on disability purchase a home, or working with a first-time millennial buyer — we try to connect with as many people as possible so that we can help.”

Angelo and his team’s breadth of knowledge and experience runs the gamut. From private loans, FHA, VA, Commercial, Bank Statement, and more—Angelo and his team are most adept in finding solutions for loans that have proven challenging for others. Likewise,

they go out of their way to ease the burden of the transactional process as much as possible. “We go the extra mile and make the difference in the lives of our borrowers,” Angelo says. “We’re creative in sourcing the right tax credits, down payment assistance programs, grant programs, and closing concessions—anything that we can do to help the client.”

Beyond the office, Angelo and his team give back to their community through the Wounded Warrior Project. He also supports breast cancer awareness and research efforts, recently launched the Angelo Christian foundation, which supports underprivileged students in accessing educational opportunities. In his free time, he most enjoys time spent with family, especially alongside his three children.

In the future, Angelo intends to foster growth and longevity on his team, with plans to expand further in the years to come. “In this business, you have to be a giver,” he says. “I want to help my team reach the next level, so that they can help as many people as they can in the process.”

Now, with more than a decade of insight, Angelo considers what he enjoys most about his career. “I love helping people accomplish their goals. They may be facing challenges and don’t know how to make this process work for them, but we’re able to turn their world around and get that family into a home, or get that businessowner the cash they need to keep their business going. Whatever the case, I love working with clients and agents to make those milestones happen, and if I can’t get them the help they need, no one can.”

To learn more about Angelo Christian

email Angelo@chihomeloans.com, call (832) 431 – 6331, or visit www.foamortgage.com/loan-officer/angelo-christian-156333 NMLS# 156333; Branch NMLS# 1833994 Top Agent Magazine

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4 Easy Ways to Redecorate Your Office that Will Boost Morale & Impress Clients Your office is a battle-station of sorts. It’s where you field business, launch your communications, and make the magic of your enterprise happen on a daily basis. While you’ll certainly need to have all the functional elements of an office in order to get your work done—desk, chair, internet—have you really considered the physical environment you’ve cultivated in the process? Think of it this way: working all day in a windowless, poorly lit room 8

wouldn’t exactly inspire productivity or morale, would it?

The fact is humans take all sorts of social, behavioral, and emotional cues from our environments.

And as a real estate professional, you likely already understand the power of the visual and the benefits of making a good impression. With all that in mind, how can you redecorate or retool your

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office space in a way that will boost your mood, productivity, and client relationships? For inspiration, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you consider the ambiance and environment in which you conduct business.

1. A little goes a long way Redecorating your office space doesn’t have to break the bank. Style and décor are often about tiny details adding up to make an overall impression. For instance, paint color, plant life, and lighting are all straightforward ways to rejuvenate a room without spending a fortune. Have dark, drab walls? Consider springing for a lighter, fresher color that will breathe new life into your space. Have bare window sills or empty corners?

Buying and potting a few low-maintenance plants like ferns or succulents can add freshness and pops of color to a sparse room. Rely on fluorescent lighting? Consider sprucing up your space with a few well-chosen floor and table lamps that add accents of taste while warming up the tone in your office. A few intuitively placed items can inspire renewed energy.

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle One way to make a big change in your office environment without spending a penny is to declutter and reorder. Let’s say you have rows upon rows of crowded, bulky filing cabinets. Try digitizing your records and cut the clutter, opening up square footage in the process. Maybe your desk has faced the same wall for years. Have you considered rearranging your existing furniture and décor? Just by reorganizing the flow of your workspace, you can give your office the cheapest face-lift possible.

You can also make work areas flow more intuitively, based on the processes and collaboration you’ve adapted to over time.

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3. Think like a client Imagine you’re walking into the office for the first time. As a client, what details would stick out? What red flags would come to mind? While you’re used to working in the same space every day, clients are coming into your office with no set expectations. With that in mind, complete a walkthrough of your office area to address eye sores, clutter, and whatever feels unprofessional or amateur. Half the battle of redecorating your space is finding opportunities and seeing things anew, instead of being content with the status quo.

4. Build out your brand Redecorating your space is about aesthetics, but it’s also about creating a unifying setting for your professional brand. If you’re catering to luxury clientele, it makes sense that your office space should appear elegant, high-end, and sophisticated.

If you’re selling second homes out in the country, perhaps a more rugged but well-curated ambiance would set the right tone for your services. Maybe you’re courting the Millennial market or touting your tech-forward approach to real estate. In that case, a modern, sleek, progressive layout would speak to your company’s values and culture.

Whatever the case may be, think of your office environment as an extension of your brand that communicates with clients, motivates your team, and sets the tone for your day-to-day operations.

Even if decorating isn’t exactly in your wheelhouse, there are plenty of simple and philosophical shifts you can make to your space that will maximize your presence and productivity. What’s more, real estate is a business built on relationships—so it doesn’t hurt to create an office where clients are comfortable and confident in the environment you’ve built.

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MARYANN COMPARIN JONES For MaryAnn Comparin Jones, entering the mortgage industry was a natural choice. “Right when I graduated college, I knew I wanted to pursue this as a career,” she explains.

MaryAnn began interviewing with companies, and soon landed a job as an assistant at a mortgage banking company. “I learned the business from the ground up, assisting many loan officers.” She soaked up as much information as possible, learning the ins and outs of the process before she began pursuing it on her own. Once she felt ready, she received her license and became a loan officer. It’s now been 17 years since she entered the business, and she’s made incredible strides. Serving all of Texas, she works with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation to go above and beyond her client’s expectations.

“We’re a direct lender, and offer down payment assistance programs,” she explains. “I do a lot with the military as well.” Her business is entirely based off of referrals, a testament to her superior service and commitment to getting clients towards their goals. “I feel that no matter if it’s a $10,000 loan or a million dollar loan, everyone deserves the same customer service that I would want.” MaryAnn also aims to get things done fast and efficiently. “I want everything done right away, and I want it done yesterday.

Emails and phone calls are returned the same day.

I’m always accessible.” She has a team behind her making sure the process is smooth, answering all questions and keeping all parties in the loop. “We offer a personal touch, and we work when our clients want us to. We don’t have banking hours, we’re always on the clock. My team will put in the extra time to make it happen.”

When it comes to staying in touch after the transaction, she sends emails and also hosts monthly 10

luncheons with her real estate agent partners.

“I brainstorm with everyone in the community,” she says. And because she is 100% referral-based, she doesn’t spend time marketing herself, putting more effort instead into maintaining her relationships with partners and clients.

Clients love to spread the word about her. One recently said, “MaryAnn is amazing! My refinance process was not scary and lengthy as many other people have told me their experience was. I liked that I dealt directly with MaryAnn and Angie and not other random staff or had a switch up in staff. I dealt directly with the experts and in real time. VERY personable experience. I tell people that MaryAnn is honest and helpful and is fully vested in the process, she is phenomenal in what she does.”

As MaryAnn continues to grow, she always wants to be able to provide personalized service, as her favorite part about the business is the people. “I’m a people person. I just love working with them and seeing them excited and happy.”

For more about MaryAnn Comparin Jones, please call 817-812-2284 or email MaryAnnC@fairwaymc.com, visit www.txbestlender.com Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

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 12

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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GIORGIO KLINAR How did Giorgio Klinar become one of the most trusted bilingual mortgage lenders in New Jersey and beyond?

purchase process. As a result, it’s a quick transaction— from getting them pre-qualified, to finding the perfect home, to closing. We can get it done in less than twenty days,” Giorgio says.

Giorgio Klinar started as a Realtor in 2001, and often focused on helping prevent foreclosures. In 2003, during the Iraq War, he chose to join the Army to serve his country, taking a six-year sabbatical from the industry. He returned to work in real estate in 2009.

Three and a half years ago, he was presented with the opportunity to help develop Nationwide Mortgage Bankers, Inc. He’s now a Vice President with Nationwide Mortgage Bankers—a direct lender—where he leads a team of four loan officers, an operations manager, and several in-house processors serving New York, New Jersey, and Florida. “Three and a half years ago we started Nationwide Mortgage Bankers,” Giorgio says.

“In the month of May we closed over $110 million in business.”

What does Giorgio like most about his work? “Every deal is different. There is not a cookie cutter solution.

I learn something new every day and it stays really interesting. There is always a different flavor.” To give back, Giorgio is the President of the local chapter of the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, and is the Community Director for the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals He is also one of the founders of Educasa, a New Jersey nonprofit focused on educating the Hispanic community. Giorgio is from Peru, but grew up in Italy and speaks Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and English. “My wife is from Brazil, so I had to learn Portuguese as well,” he said.

In his cherished free time, Giorgio loves to spend time with his wife and son, cooking pizza and pasta, or hunting for the “best gelato in America.” For the future, Giorgio plans to expand his business to Texas, Arizona, and California. “I want to continue giving back,” he says, “and help people achieve the American Dream of home ownership.”

Giorgio and his team provide a wide range of loans. “My team runs a division called Americasa Home Loans, that works to facilitate home ownership among the Hispanic community,” Giorgio says. “The Hispanic community in the United States is wildly underserved and in great need of counseling.” Most of Giorgio’s business comes from referrals from previous clients or realtor partners.

What sets Giorgio apart from other lenders in the business and keeps his realtor partners coming back? “We understand the entire process. We develop a strategy with the realtor and the client so that we know what they are looking for and can get a client into a home.

We have worked very hard to build an entire team that doesn’t just speak Spanish, but that is Latino. From our loan officers, processors, underwriters and key members in executive positions, everyone involved in the process understands the culture and nuances of the countries in Latin America. This gives us the ability to move through files pretty quickly as they all understand the way our communities handle their finances and Top Agent Magazine

To find out more about Giorgio Klinar, please call (973) 440-8209 or email gklinar@nmbmortgage.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 13

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Turning Your Profession into a Passion The old adage goes that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.

On the other hand, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day worries and responsibilities of your career, even if you generally enjoy what you do. While there’s no guaranteeing that every day on the job will be a picnic, there are a few steps you can take to vastly improve your morale and transform your profession into a passion.

After all, cultivating a passion for what you do will not only add to your quality Top Agent Magazine

of life, but will likely make you more successful in the long run.

BUILD YOUR BASE OF KNOWLEDGE Knowledge builds confidence, and confidence breeds success. A sure way to light a fire in your heart for your daily work is to challenge yourself to learn more and expand your understanding of your field. By doing so, you equip yourself for success, create challenges, and find the most inter-

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esting features of your work—especially those that most appeal to your interests and talents. Try reading the top five books on the topic of your industry, or subscribe to a podcast where thriving professionals offer their two cents. Either way, learning more about your industry is bound to reveal a source of inspiration worth pursuing.

THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE

TAKE RISKS

CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED PROFESSIONALS

One of the biggest hindrances of professional passion is falling into a rut. Routines are familiar and everyday responsibilities vie for our energy. But the next time you tackle a task the way that you always have, take a moment and try to refresh your perspective—is there a more clever or efficient way you could approach this project?

Even better: why not take the plunge and do the things you’ve always been meaning to—throw that client appreciation event you’ve put off planning, take the continuing education course you keep forgetting to register for, even try a creative activity that pushes you out of your comfort zone.

There’s no better way to inject some passion into your life than by going outside your bubble and taking a risk.

Have you ever chatted with someone who was overflowing with energy for what they do? That sort of passion tends to be infectious—often causing us to beg our own questions about professional engagement.

By participating in local organizations or networking with those who are active

Passion comes from all directions—from your own interior journey and from the world around you. To transform your profession into a passion worth having, invest in yourself and venture into the vast world around you. You’ll surely reap the rewards.

Sometimes reinvigorating your passion for your work is about looking outward, rather than inward. Gain some perspective and consider who your work helps in the long run. As a real estate professional—whether you work as an agent, broker, in mortgages, home inspections, or otherwise—your work positively impacts someone else’s home-sweet-home. You make a difference. While it may seem like just another day at the office, taking a moment to visualize exactly who you are helping in the world at large is a great way to add some motivational fire to your daily tasks.

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and excelling in your field, you may find that others’ approaches inspire your own.

Likewise, what you learn from other successful, passionate people in your field can help you shape your own office and work life, in turn creating more opportunities for you to fall in love with what you do, all over again.

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LUCAS J. McGARY Lucas J. McGary knows all about getting people into new homes.

After all, he managed a large moving company in Boston for nearly 15 years. “I had been on the back end of the real estate transaction,” he says.

“Our business was built on relationships with realtors and lenders who were on the front end of the transaction. My reputation was the ‘go to’ mover to refer. So when it came time for the next chapter in my career I had a pool of connections to choose from.

That is what lead to my opportunity at Fairway Independent Mortgage” Moving from the back end of real estate to the front offers Lucas brand new ways to help people as they make the biggest purchase of their lives. As a loan officer, Lucas looks at his job as being a communicator and an educator. “I make sure the agents I work with are the most knowledgeable Realtors® possible. They are educated and up-todate on their client’s financing and understand the intricacies of it,” he says. “From a client perspective I know that even the most educated client needs great communication throughout the process. My clients never ask me ‘What is happening?’ because I make sure they’re never in the dark.”

Lucas knows that the paperwork and effort involved in getting a loan can be overwhelming. “It’s like going to the dentist,” he says. “Very few people like the process… but everybody loves the result! That’s

what I’m there every step of the way and always a text, email or phone call away, day or night.”

The result is his favorite part. “The fun part is calling someone and telling them their loan is clear to close,” he smiles. “Just hearing the joy in their voices, experiencing the excitement whether they’re a first time buyer or they’re buying their latest home, that’s what I like best about this job.”

Lucas’ commitment to results is why he supports the American Warrior Initiative, which helps local vets in ways as varied as assisting them in getting small business loans or working to acquire therapy dogs for them. “The American Warrior Initiative is very dear to all of us here at Fairway,” he says.

Lucas has big plans for the future. “As a team our goal is to be the number one team in all of Fairway,” he says. “We want to be the best team not only locally, but in the entire nation.”

That goal isn’t purely numerical, though. “Our larger goal is to help as many families as possible,” Lucas says. “We think purchasing a home is a great opportunity, and we want to be there to assist as many people as possible in achieving that. What we say here - and it’s a little cheesy, but it’s true - is that it’s more about the lives than the loans.”

To find out more about Lucas J McGary, visit his website at fairwayindependentmc.com/Lucas-J-McGary, www.

call him at 617-347-9629 or email him at lucas.mcgary@fairwaymc.com

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JEFF NICOLA Jeff Nicola brings not only his 22 years of experience in the mortgage industry to bear when helping his clients at Bay Equity Home Loans, he also brings his background as a teacher and a trainer.

Previously working as a personal trainer and coach, Jeff is naturally drawn to helping and teaching people.

He brings that to working with home buyers in Washington’s Puget Sound area, working with them to bring their home-buying dreams to life. “I work with a lot of Amazon and Microsoft clientele,” Jeff says. “We have a couple of unique set-ups with them, and we incorporate Day 1 Certainty and that attracts a lot of tech-savvy clients, because we don’t have to get paystubs, we don’t have to get paychecks - we can get all that stuff for them.”

Making the process easier and quicker for clients is what sets Jeff apart from his peers. “We don’t close loans late,” he says. “I have a great return and referral rate because people are happy with our service, with how quickly we get things done, and at a good price.”

And of course there’s also the fact that Jeff is an expert at communication. “We always keep an open line of communication,” he says. “I’m on the phone a lot, constantly updating them. And we have real estate agents on a separate list, and I give them a monthly updated marketing analysis.”

Working closely with agents is a big part fo Jeff’s day. “I think a lot of real estate agents forget that if you don’t have a trusted loan officer, how much mental space that takes up at seven o’clock at night when they’re thinking, ‘I didn’t get ahold of the guy over at such and such bank, I didn’t get ahold of the guy at the mortgage company.

I hope this closes!’ Working with me they can be sure it will close.”

When he’s not closing loans, Jeff likes to give back to the community. Jeff volunteers with a mission in downtown Seattle, feeding the homeless, and once a year Jeff and his team work with Habitat for Humanity to build a house. “It’s a fun team-building day,” he says. “And it makes a difference.”

Making a difference is why Jeff is a loan officer. “I love helping people fulfill their dreams,” he says.

“Helping them get into their fantasy house where they can begin making memories of a lifetime - getting to be a small part of that process is so rewarding.”

Jeff is looking towards a bright future. “We’ve been growing every year for the past seven years,” he says.

“I’d like to keep that trajectory going. But I would really like to add another corporate care account, where we are the preferred lender where we create a specific relationship with a company. That allows us to be in a position to be the good representative their employees need as they look to buy their new homes.”

To find out more about Jeff Nicola visit his website at bayequityhomeloans.com/jeff-nicola, www.

call him at 206-779-1874 or email him at jnicola@bayeq.com 18

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3 Team Building Exercises to Revitalize Momentum in the Office A positive team dynamic can transform an average office into a powerhouse lineup. Likewise, a healthy in-office atmosphere translates to boosted productivity, while clients sense an environment brimming with positivity and support. Just as professional self-development is an essential ingredient to a dynamic career, the development of a team is indispensable to long-term growth and success. So, how do you create a platform for office Top Agent Magazine

members to combine their energies and talents for the better? For starters, add these team-building exercises to your repertoire to inspire natural comradery and momentum in your workplace.

Dream Big, Together If team members aren’t challenged, productivity stagnates and the office loses steam. The same can

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If team members aren’t challenged, productivity stagnates and the office loses steam. The same can happen if employees don’t believe their voice is being heard or taken seriously. happen if employees don’t believe their voice is being heard or taken seriously. How should a leader compensate? To curtail negativity and bring a breath of fresh air into the office, give team members a platform to think big, no questions asked.

Before your next office-wide meeting, devote a half-hour to visionary thinking. Ask each member of your team to write privately for ten minutes, considering what if scenarios regarding their current roles, career aspirations, and the office’s culture. What do they wish was different? How might things be streamlined? What skills do they wish they possessed? Encourage team members to be imaginative and wrestle with the hurdles or questions they’ve been grappling with. When time is up, split employees into smaller breakout groups and allow them to share their thoughts with one another. Not only will this ignite thoughtful discussion, but it will also allow team members the chance to brainstorm creatively, while articulating their ideas and visions for the road ahead.

Lend a Hand If in-office team-building activities aren’t your style, consider service-oriented excursions that bring office staff together and benefit a worthy cause. In the real estate field, there are countless housing-related organizations to which your office can donate their time and energies.

For instance, Habitat for a Humanity constructs homes for those in need using amateur volunteers, while there are nationwide projects that support housing relief for military veterans. The scope of your service commitment can also vary—from a dedicated day hammering away at a new home, 20

to sponsoring a golf tournament benefitting area organizations. Either way, service projects unite your team’s energies, afford employees a refreshing change of pace, and positively impact your community.

When All Else Fails, Keep it Light Sometimes team members need to blow off steam to avoid office burnout. One way to combat low energy is bring team members together for a lighthearted game. Try office-themed trivia: come up with thirty trivia questions based on your office, then divide team members into competing groups.

Encourage groups to think up team names, and organize trivia questions into themed categories.

Remember to award fun prizes to create a light incentive. A healthy sense of competition revolving around silly subject matter can get team members loosened up and working together. Concoct questions of moderate difficulty that speak to people’s common ground. For instance, how many tiles are in the office kitchen? Or, how many doors can be found in the office? These questions are light and won’t create any real tension, but will allow a reframing of a stuffy office into a collective home base. Plus, it’ll keep your next holiday party lively.

Team-building is an important form of routine maintenance, whose benefits shouldn’t be overlooked.

Whatever activity you land on, the overarching idea is to nudge team members beyond their comfortable routines and come together in a new way.

At the end of the day, you’ll boost your business, office morale, and colleagues in the process.

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BREONNA-MARIA RODRIGUEZ Breonna Rodriguez has always had a passion for helping people to achieve informed, sustainable home ownership. She worked for three years as a nonprofit Housing Counselor, where she focused on serving the Spanish-speaking community. During that time, she quickly realized how underinformed her clients often were by the lenders they were working with and, as a result, didn’t really understand their loans. In 2014, she decided she’d become a loan officer herself with the goal to provide her clients with the best possible service and education in terms of their options.

“I wanted to be able to focus on educating people about their loans,” Breonna said. She now works with Fairway Independent Mortgage Company, a direct lender.

never be able to achieve. It can be a process to work with them on improving their credit and overcoming other obstacles. I love seeing their sense of accomplishment and pride at the closing table, that they were actually able to get there!” Many of her clients are the first person in their family to ever buy a home, or have come to the US from other countries to pursue the American Dream. “It’s really special to be able to see someone who has overcome so much adversity to purchase a home for themselves and their family. It means so much to me to know what that will mean for them, their families, and their future!” In her cherished free time, Breonna spends time with her husband and their two-year-old daughter, who loves music, dancing, and now has taken up soccer. For the future, Breonna would love to stay at Fairway and grow a team so she can mentor others and serve more people in her community.

Staying true to her background in Housing Counseling, Breonna still specializes in providing down-payment assistance (DPA). “I know the ins-and-outs of the different DPA programs. As a volunteer, I teach homebuyer education classes with a few of the local nonprofits,” she says. As a result of her dedication to her clients and the personal attention she provides, her business has skyrocketed and an impressive 100% of her business comes from referrals from real estate agents or past borrowers.

What keeps her clients and agents eager to refer to Breonna?

“We provide great service. We are very hands-on. I work with lots of First-Time Homebuyers, and when they call me, I’m accessible. I’ll talk to my agents at eight or nine at night when they are trying to put a deal together. I’ll call listing agents for every offer they are putting in.” Throughout every step of the process, Breonna ensures that her clients and agent partners are well informed; and she does everything possible to make sure that loans go through. To stay in touch with past clients and agent partners, she sends a monthly report on the current value of the home, and will do annual mortgage reviews with her clients to help see if there are any money-saving options out there they can take advantage of.

What is Breonna’s favorite part of her job? “Buying a house is a whole different thing for a First-Time Homebuyer than it is for a move-up buyer,” she says. “For first-time homebuyers, this is a dream they often thought they would Top Agent Magazine

To find out more about Breonna Rodriguez, email brodriguez@fairwaymc.com, call (720) 263-7345, or visit brodriguezhomeloans.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 21

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 consideration 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 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 22

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 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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COREY SEITZ & LAUREN JUHL Mortgage Brokers Corey Seitz and Lauren Juhl – of Excel Financial Group in Fort Collins, Colorado – are firmly committed to providing their many buyers and Realtor partners with the very best in client service. With a solid focus on clear and constant communication, and their willingness to educate their buyers on the intricacies of the mortgage process, Corey and Lauren share a fierce work ethic and a willingness to go above and beyond for their customers in every situation.

Corey, who has more than two decades of experience in the mortgage industry, essentially recruited Lauren to the business in 2018. “I’d known Corey for pretty much my whole life,” says Lauren. “I was managing restaurants for a long time, and we started speaking about what the life of loan officer looked like. I ended up taking a leap of faith, and began working with Corey at Excel Financial Group.” Lauren learned the business quickly and in less than 14 months has risen to one of the area’s top Loan Originators.

Currently, both Corey and Lauren can claim that almost the entirety of their business is based upon referrals from happy past clients and their many Realtor partners. “I would say that a big part of that is that they know they’re getting a really great deal with us as a brokerage,” says Lauren, when asked to account for the loyalty they each inspire. “It also has a lot to do with clear communication,” adds Corey. “Our realtor partners love us because we keep our buyers up to date on what’s going on with their loan so they don’t have to call their Realtors for updates or explanations on what’s happening with their loan.”

Both Corey and Lauren are proud of their association with the highly-reputable Excel Financial Group, one

of the oldest and largest mortgage broker groups in the state. “We have just about any type of residential loan there is,” says Lauren. “We shop over thirty lenders for regular loans which helps us locate the best deal for the borrower, and then we’ve got many private lenders for niche products and pretty much anything you can think of.”

Adds Corey: “Our team is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality financial services combined with the lowest rates available. We will work with our clients one-on-one to ensure they get a financial solution that is tailored specifically to meet their financing needs.”

Perhaps the best evidence of the quality of service Corey and Lauren provide can be found in the glowing reviews they have received, including those on Zillow.com, on which site they both hold perfect five-star overall ratings. “Corey was a delight to work with…he is very knowledgeable, professional, prompt and a no-nonsense kind of guy,” reads one. “Lauren is a dream lender; she goes above and beyond for her clients and always puts their needs first,” reads another.

When they aren’t working, both Lauren and Corey enjoy availing themselves of the many outdoor activities life in their scenic town provides. The two, alongside Excel Financial Group, also love getting out in the community for a good cause, whether golfing for Children’s Miracle Network or Bowling for the Special Olympics this year!

The pair’s plans for the future are relatively simple: to continue growing their business while sacrificing none of the amazing service that has become synonymous with their names.

For more information about Corey Seitz and Lauren Juhl, Contact Corey: 970-672-0496 or Corey_Seitz@excelfg.com Contact Lauren: 970-829-1475 or Ljuhl@excelfg.com Top Agent Magazine

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