Go!

Jordan Bernbaum is the international loan whisperer who believes borders are just suggestions

explore whatever country I’m in. The schedule works, and it offers a lot of flexibility,” he said. “And, my wife also has a remote job based on the same hours, so we get to spend our entire days exploring together. It’s not hard to have a work-life balance.”

Bernbaum initially thought his biggest issue would be communicating effectively with clients in different time zones, especially without being able to meet them for coffee or at open houses. “I miss that aspect of being in the states, but, thankfully, my customers have been responsive and engaging over the phone just as much,” he said.

In hindsight, Bernbaum’s biggest challenge has been keeping track of market downshifts while not physically in the states. “I struggled at the tail end of 2022 when the [market] shift negatively started affecting referral leads and my work,” he said. “I took the last half of the year to make videos for social media, attract leads, and build up my knowledge.

As of right now, I’m picking up business again. I’m part of [NEXA’s] business development team, and I’m able to take in national leads. And referrals have picked up again.”

In the downturn, Bernbaum says he’s been able to find a niche in the market: “golden visa” refinances. “The premise is that borrowers can sell their refinances in order to get their golden visas, which essentially means that [they] can shortcut their way into a second citizenship of a country if they invest a certain dollar amount into a property,” he explained. “For example, if you invest $500,000 cash — or equity — into a property in Spain, you fast-track Spanish citizenship regardless of whether you occupy that property or not.”

Origination Abroad

Of course, there are rules Bernbaum has to follow according to where he can practice as an LO. Bernbaum’s NMLS number is Arizona based and his LinkedIn profile advertises that he’s in the Greater Phoenix area, but as Bernbaum puts it, “It’s hard to write that I’m pretty much based everywhere.” Because of distance regulations and lack of a permanent address, Bernbaum had to drop state licenses in Washington and Oregon.

“Luckily, I do most of my business in Arizona and Colorado where it doesn’t matter my physical distance from where my customers live,” he explained. “But I wouldn’t be able to do loans in states with a distance requirement. I’m lucky that I was able to contact both Arizona and Colorado state regulators and get the go-ahead.”

EnjoyingadayoutonİstiklalStreet(averyfamous walking street) in the Taksim area of Istanbul. Lots of shopping and food all around. Behind us is a famous street car that goes up and down the whole area.

Now that Bernbaum is on the road with his new wife and his business to boot, he’s become selective about where he moves. “Obviously, internet and privacy are super important for me to work, so if we stay in hostels it’s for a very short period of time,” he said. “Otherwise, we prefer Airbnbs with good internet, a kitchen, laundry, and ideally, a dedicated workspace.” As Bernbaum puts it, being abroad affects every aspect of his life and impacts which services he uses. “I use Dialpad and have a local Arizona phone number. I have a U.S-based VPN that I take with me and multiple sim cards to ensure that I’m always reachable,” he explained. n

EXCLUSIVELY ON PRODUCED BY NMP FOR THE INTEREST

FEATURING STEVE RICHMAN

TUNE IN EVERY FRIDAY FOR YOUR MONEY-MAKING TIPS.