Financial Security Requires the Right Strategy

Know where you stand so you can plan where to go.

The cornerstone of success in any industry is strategy. In mortgages, it's tempting for loan consultants to rush through the loan process in order to expedite their commissions but every one of my clients deserve my undivided time and attention. There's no universal loan or approach that works for everyone – I consider each situation individually.

To ensure that I provide you with the best possible service, I implement a strategic loan planning session for every client I work with. The essence of the strategic loan planning session is to help the buyer select the most appropriate and cost effective mortgage program to meet their individual financial needs. The strategic loan planning session consists of:

1. Assessment of the client's financial goals (short and long term). This sounds simple but often clients need their consultants to draw information out of them, like water from a well. And many loan officers forget the most fundamental skill of interaction at this time. They forget to LISTEN. A client can talk until they are blue in the face but unless the consultant listens to and digests what they say, the exercise is futile.
2. Review of credit report. This step is to make sure that you understand what's on your report and how that reflects on your financial image. Even if someone has already discussed your credit report with you, I'll go over it again and clarify any cloudy issues.
3. Offer strategies to boost credit score. Again, you may have already been through this before, but we want to make sure nothing was missed. I want to offer you every opportunity to obtain the best loan for your needs.
4. Discuss risk preferences. This step illustrates to me your inclinations and tendencies, drawing me a vivid picture of what loan best suits you. Matching an individual to a loan is like setting up two people on a blind date – you have to be sure they're compatible together or else it spells disaster.
5. Explain the differences between fixed and adjustable rate mortgages. This step, again, is to make sure the loan you select is absolutely the best loan program available for you. Different rates work for different people so it's important to determine which right for you.
6. Select the appropriate loan program. After conducting this in-depth interview, we should be able to choose a loan program together that best suits you, your needs and your financial goals. If you had any other questions, I would answer them in detail at this time.
7. Use the correct loan program as a financial tool. Your mortgage loan doesn't just open the door to your new home; it's the key to your financial future. You can use it as a tool to help achieve your identified fiscal goals.

If your loan officer doesn't check off all of the items listed above, you're not receiving the best service available. My strategic planning session can also be utilized in other areas. As a certified mortgage planning specialist, I'm qualified to assist you in:  

• Mortgage Management;
• Home Buying/Selling;
• Refinancing/Improving Monthly Cash Flow;
• Preferred Debt Management;
• Non-Preferred Debt Management;
• Asset Diversification; and
• Retirement Financial Planning

Your mortgage is the greatest asset and the largest debt that you'll ever have. With the knowledge, experience and resources I possess, I feel a professional responsibility to help you manage that debt and to assist you in achieving your long and short-term financial goals.