All In!

Happy {soon to be} New Year!  I am very excited for 2014!  For the past several months, I have spent much time thinking about where I am at and where I want to go…

(Image found on Pinterest)

In April of 2013, I ended my time as employee, and began my journey as self-employed.  This has been a very different, but very rewarding experience.  Although I've experienced typical start-up challenges, I've grown more and more excited about my business each and every day.

After much thought and prayer over the past two months, I decided: I'M ALL IN!

Yes, I'm all in.  I've been blessed to have opportunities that allow me to make some changes to my business and give.it.my.all.  Folks, I get to live.out.my.dream!

I'm glad to be at this place, with this mindset.  I feel good about where I've been and even better about where I'm going.

I've been brainstorming, using both my business and creative abilities to make changes that I've long dreamed of and that will benefit both me and those I serve.  Talented people surround me and are working with me to help me achieve my goals.

Image courtesy of Hack College

Here are just a few updates that are already in motion for 2014:

1. New business name
2. New location
3. New website
4. New client services
5. New people at my office

And there's much more on the horizon!

Image courtesy of MyUrbanAccess

I'm going to be unveiling each of these changes over the next two months and I literally can't wait to share them with you.  I'd love to have you connect with me on one (or more) of these social media sites as I announce the details of each change online:

Facebook
Twitter
Linked In

Thank you for your support in 2013!  I'm wishing each of you a very blessed year!

Cheers!

Thank You!

As I take the day off of work to spend time with the ones I love, I'd like to share with you just a few of the things I'm thankful for:

• My wife and children, who bring me the deepest of joys.
• A thanksgiving family gathering at an ice exhibit, even though it involved: waiting in line for an hour, being dressed in a parka, thousands of people in a small space, and wrestling a toddler in my arms!

Can you see the joy on my face?! Haha.

• The mortgage industry, which has allowed me to provide for my family and to serve others.
• The Thanksgiving Turkey Trot that my family participated in yesterday morning.

Ready to run! (Myself, my wife and kids, and my in-laws.)

Jenny and I, post-race

• Leftover turkey, which will undoubtedly be my lunch for the next week!
• Not being a participant in "Black Friday"
• The upcoming joy of the Christmas season, in which we will celebrate the birth of my Father.
• You! 

Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Congratulations are in order!

Jo Scheel, of Montgomery ERA Real Estate in Carlsbad, was recently voted "Best Realtor in Carlsbad" by the readers of the Carlsbad Current-Argus.

Jo Scheel, of Montgomery ERA Real Estate

As someone who has worked in the real estate industry for many years, I can attest to the fact that it is very hard to please your clients.  And the reason that it is so difficult is because purchasing a house is typically the BIGGEST purchase of most people's lives.  It is a major decision and there is so much that goes into the home search as well as the mortgage process, so there are many opportunities for clients to become stressed.

Which makes this award even that much more special...her clients voted on her as THE. BEST. REALTOR.  {The greatest sign of a job well done is the client's appreciation of that job.}

Jo is very special to me, not only because she refers her clients to Xcel Lending, but because she is my aunt!  Congratulations Jo on a job well done.  I am so proud of you, and am blessed to work together with you on your real estate transactions.

Wishing you continued success in your profession!

Refinancing: A Good Deal!

I completed a refinance today for a family who will save $295/month on their monthly mortgage payment!  It's one of those closings where you feel really good about what you do, and how you can help people.  Putting an extra $3500/year into a family's budget is great.  GREAT!

Photo courtesy of doityourself.com

Refinancing usually isn't hard and the closing costs can be financed (rolled) into your loan.  Typically you will make back in a year those closing costs with the reduced monthly mortgage payment.

Who else is ready to refinance?!