June 2017 Mortgage

June 2017

Applying for a mortgage?

Avoid these mistakes

Top 10

Transform your home into a

summer oasis

Ways to

keep in touch Timothy George also featured:

Chalamaine Armstrong Keith Pitsch Sara Whitley

contents

professionals 4

Work/life balance — Tips for setting boundaries when business is booming

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Managing client stress

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Top 10 Ways to keep in touch

Featured Agent Magazine Phone 888.437.5707 Fax 888.849.3663 contact@featuredagentmagazine.com www.featuredagentmagazine.com 2

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buyers&sellers 6

Applying for a mortgage?

Avoid these mistakes

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Buyer beware — Common pitfalls to avoid when purchasing a home

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Transform your home into a summer oasis

Materials and content included in Featured Agent Magazine and on featuredagentmagazine.com are subject to copyright and may not be copied or reproduced in any part without prior written consent. Featured Agent Magazine is published by Times 3 Publishing Group, LLC. Publisher shall not be liable for any inaccuracy, error, or omission and makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the information, content, or materials included.

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q featured cover mortgage pro

Timothy George

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q featured mortgage pro

Keith Pitsch

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q featured mortgage pro

Chalamaine Armstrong

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q featured mortgage pro

Sara Whitley

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3

Work/life balance —

Tips for setting boundaries when business is booming A career as a mortgage professional, is by design a bit unconventional. With late nights and weekend work, there’s no disputing that top producing mortgage professionals often have a full plate. Trying to balance family life, or a personal life on top of the demands of providing exceptional service, it’s little wonder that most mortgage professionals cite the need for balance as a goal year-after-year.

While achieving perfect equilibrium is probably a lofty goal when business is particularly busy, it is still possible to achieve a semblance of balance, or at least a feeling that your life isn’t completely lopsided.

Here’s a look at ways to work towards better work/ life balance, even when your business is booming.

Focus on What Needs to Be Done First No matter how disciplined you are, or how hard you 4

try to stick to a schedule, the reality is that things come up which are time sensitive. Because every transaction is different, it’s impossible to foresee all challenges that can come up on any given day. That’s why it’s beneficial to start each day with a list of things that need to be done that day, no matter what. Start with those tasks, so if something comes up later in the day, you will have at least accomplished those to-do items that were necessary.

Block Off Chunks of Time for Specific Tasks Studies are beginning to indicate that multi-tasking can lead to decreased productivity. For this reason, it’s beneficial to focus all attention on a specific task for a set period of time. If you need to make follow-up calls, for example, schedule a block of time when you’ll focus only on that task. In most cases, when you focus your whole attention on completing a task, you’ll find Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

No one said being a busy mortgage professional would be easy. But there’s no doubt the rewards are worth it — as long as you make it a priority to carve out time for your own personal life, in addition to the time you spend making your clients’ lives better. advance to a movie, or schedule reservations at a restaurant, to keep you accountable to your personal obligations.

Put Personal Time in Your Calendar — Schedule time for yourself, or time with your family, and put it in the calendar like you would any other appointment. Even if it’s just 30 minutes of reading, relaxing, taking a bath, or walking the dog, it’s important that you honor commitments to yourself like you would commitments to your clients.

you’re able to do so faster than if you’re trying to work on multiple projects at once.

Assess Your Lifestyle Habits and Overall Health — If you’re not sleeping enough, chances are you’re not performing at your best, which makes everything feel unbalanced. Monitor your diet, make at least a little bit of exercise a priority, and avoid too many late nights coupled with early mornings. You’re less likely to feel frazzled, overwhelmed, or exhausted if you’re taking good care of your health.

Plan for Fun in Your Free Time — It’s important to remember the adage about all work and no play, even when you love what you do. So, make certain to plan to reconnect with friends, enjoy family activities, or otherwise have fun when you have the opportunity to take some time off. It might help to buy tickets in Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Unplug for a Bit — Technology is great in allowing professionals to work from virtually anywhere, but as is the case with most things in life, there can be too much of a good thing. Try shutting down your phone during lunch meetings. Silence your calls while watching your children play sports. Unplugging from your phone, computer, or tablet is a smart way to set boundaries in your pursuit of balance.

Learn to Delegate — If there are tasks that can be handled by an assistant or a colleague when you’re particularly busy; let them handle it. This will help keep you focused on priorities, and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by tasks that need to be done, which are not necessarily the best use of your time.

No one said being a busy mortgage professional would be easy. But there’s no doubt the rewards are worth it — as long as you make it a priority to carve out time for your own personal life, in addition to the time you spend making your clients’ lives better.

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Applying for a mortgage?

Avoid these mistakes Applying for a mortgage is exciting, because it’s the first step toward becoming a homeowner. But the process can also feel invasive, intimidating, and a little overwhelming. After all, it’s not every day that someone you don’t really know takes a deep dive into your financial life while holding your future in their hands.

If you’re wondering what you can do to make the process go more smoothly, here are five things not to do when applying for a mortgage:

Change Jobs — Stability is one of the most important things loan officers are looking for. Immediately before or during the mortgage approval process is not the right time to switch careers, start your own business, leave a job or make the move from a salaried position to a commission-based income. Even if you’re not crazy about your current job, grin and bear it until you have completed the home buying process. Once you’re happily settled in your new home, you can start looking for a great new gig.

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Open or Close Credit Cards — During the mortgage approval process, every financial decision you make is going to be under scrutiny. Opening a new credit card can appear to be a reckless move, particularly if you run it up to its limit quickly. With that in mind, it might seem like closing any unused credit accounts you have would be a good idea. Wrong again.

That will change your debt-to-income ratio and possibly hurt your chances of approval. Remember, your loan officer is looking for stability and responsibility, which is why you need to stay the course when it comes to credit.

Co-Sign a Loan — Co-signing a loan might seem harmless, because you’re just helping someone out.

You’re not really responsible for paying it back, right?

Not true. Co-signing a loan can wreak havoc on your carefully cultivated credit. The fact is, you are 100% responsible for paying that loan back if the other party can’t (or just doesn’t want to). In fact, a recent survey

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You need to stay the course when it comes to credit.

shows that nearly 40% of co-signers actually end up responsible for paying back the co-signed loan. Even after your mortgage is approved, you should always think twice about co-signing; in most cases it’s just not worth the risk.

Make a Late Payment — The excitement of the home-buying process can be hectic and unpredictable, which may cause you to let other things slide. But making a late payment on a credit card (or any other) bill, can spell disaster during the mortgage approval process. Just one late payment can cause a dip in your credit score that may be alarming enough to deny you the loan. Additionally, many lenders require a 12-month record of on-time payments on all accounts as one of the baseline measurements to be considered for a mortgage. To avoid overlooking paying bills during this busy time, set up everything you Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

can on auto-pay so you know all your bills are being taken care of.

Move Money Around — Unusual activity in any of your accounts is going to be a red flag for a mortgage loan officer. Avoid large cash deposits and moving big sums of money between accounts. If you receive any cash gifts intended to help with your down payment, the gift giver may be required to provide documentation that the money was given for that reason and does not need to be paid back.

Now that you know what not to do when applying for a mortgage, you can focus on the excitement of preparing to buy a house. Remember, virtually everyone who has ever purchased a home has gone through the mortgage approval process and lived to tell about it, and you will, too. Good luck!

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Buyer beware — Common pitfalls

to avoid when purchasing a home Buying a home is not only a large financial investment, it’s also a significant emotional investment. With so much at stake, the process deserves your undivided attention. To ensure that buying a home goes as smoothly as possible, it’s wise to learn from the mistakes of others, and avoid common home buying errors. Here is a list of six common pitfalls to avoid when purchasing a home.

Falling for a Home Before Your Finances Are in Order — Nearly all REALTORS® will give you the same advice when it comes to beginning your search for a new home or your first home. That advice will be: make sure you have your mortgage preapproval in place. This will prevent you from falling for a home outside of your budget, thereby safeguarding you from disappointment. It will also save you time, as your REALTOR® will be able to find the greatest selection of homes that meet your needs, within your price range.

Attempting to Buy a Home Without a REALTOR® Representing You — Many people do buy homes without the advocacy of a buyer’s agent.

However, it’s not recommended for first-time or relatively inexperienced buyers. This is because there are so many moving parts in a real estate transaction, that even small missteps can lead to missing out on the perfect home. Because REALTORS® spend every day immersed in the process of buying and selling homes, they are a veritable treasure trove of information. From knowledge of various neighborhoods, to premium negotiating skills, to advocating for various improvements or concessions, having a reputable buyer’s agent working on your behalf is in your best interest.

Buying the Most Expensive Home You Can Afford — There’s something to be said for exercising a little financial restraint when it comes to buying a home. In other words, it’s not necessarily in your best interest to buy a home that totally maxes out your spending power. Instead, consider keeping a bit of money on hand, for things like upgrades, or unplanned expenses such as having to replace a furnace or hot water heater.

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Buying a Home You Don’t Like — In effort to secure a foothold in the real estate market, many firsttime home buyers purchase homes that they just really don’t like. This should be avoided at all costs. That’s not to say that your first home must be your dream home, but you should find more things you love about it, than things you dislike about it. Buying a home, just because you can, or feel like you need to, can lead to buyer’s remorse and/or resentment. Make sure that you can truly see yourself living in a home, and enjoying it before you make an offer.

Purchasing a Home When You Plan to Move Again Soon — Life happens, and there is no way to fully anticipate every possible scenario, such as having to move because your job suddenly transfers you. However, if you know for certain that you’re planning to move within a relatively short period of time, it’s not in your best interest to buy a home, only to live in for a very short time. Doing so can lead to losing money, particularly if the market declines in the short time you’re in the home, or if you’ve purchased with a no money down loan.

Buying Without a Home Inspection — Different states have different laws on housing inspections.

However, no matter where you live, you should never miss the opportunity to have a full inspection conducted to confirm the home you’re planning to purchase is foundationally, electrically, and structurally sound.

Buying a home without having a full understanding of potential problems is unwise in all cases. Insist upon a home inspection before you buy.

Buying a home should be an exciting experience, not an emotionally or financially exhaustive endeavor. In effort to enjoy the process, it is smart to engage the services and expertise of a licensed real estate agent, who can answer any and all questions you have, negotiate on your behalf, safeguard you from potential delays and missed opportunities, and educate you along the way.

With an ally working on your behalf, the process of finding and buying a home can be a lot of fun, and there’s a good chance you’ll make a friend along the way.

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The first thing that becomes evident when speaking with Chalamaine Armstrong, Mortgage Originator and Branch Manager at Gold Financial Services in Dallas, is how much she loves people. Her excitement when talking about how rewarding it is to help others is practically contagious.

Indeed, to hear Chalamaine tell it, she’s felt this passion for helping others since her very first days in the mortgage industry more than 20 years ago.

“I started in the mailroom of a mortgage company in 1994, almost by accident,” she recalls. “But I kept hearing stories about people getting into their homes, and I connected with that. I felt even then, that I was doing something to help people,” she says. Chalamaine realized that this was her calling, and knew that she would continue on the path of helping others to accomplish their goals and dreams. She set out to work her way up from the ground floor.

Over the years, she did just that, accumulating invaluable experience along the way through every stage of mortgage lending. From underwriting for financial giants including Bank of America, to processing, to serving as Operations Manager, Chalamaine says that her vast experience in all aspects of real estate financing is one reason that her business is overwhelmingly based upon referrals from past clients and partners in affiliated industries.

However, there are many reasons why so many people come to Chalamaine for help with securing a home loan.

Certainly, one reason she’s built such a thriving business is due to her willingness and dedication to working with buyers who have challenges to overcome, or who might not believe they can achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

“I have a bit of a niche in helping median and lower income individuals to secure loans,” she says. “I may have to work twice as hard, but being able to help those who otherwise wouldn’t have help is so rewarding,” she adds.

Chalamaine Armstrong To that end, she specializes in helping with down payment assistance programs, and says that almost nothing warms her heart more than experiences such as “helping a single mom provide a stable home for her family.”

“I believe that I’m here to help people to get to the next season in their life.”

Chalamaine’s dedication to helping those who need extra time, assistance, guidance, and a friend with integrity, has certainly paid off. “It’s a lot of work to prepare these families for homeownership. But I believe that we are here to do things that are not necessarily for our own understanding.

Our higher power has a plan. I believe that I’m here to help people to get to the next season in their life — of homeownership. I also know that the key to doing that is through education.”

Chalamaine is very involved in her community, hosting first-time home buyer seminars, working with the Women’s Council, and providing training seminars to referral partners frequently. Her efforts have not been in vain, as she continues to secure a position as a top producer in her company’s president’s club year after year.

Yet, she is humble and quick to point out that she doesn’t deserve all the credit for her success. “I have an incredible core team, all of whom have been with me for more than five years. I don’t take that for granted, and I take the responsibility of helping their families — in addition to our clients — very seriously. I need to make sure my team is succeeding, so they are able to care for their families, too,” she says.

With all that Chalamaine does to help others, it’s no surprise that she chuckles when asked how she likes to spend her free time. As a top producing originator, wife and mother to seven, she says, “I have yet to find free time, but I am trying to get to boot camp a few times a week.” The rest of her time away from the office is spent with her husband and family.

“Family is the most important. That’s why I love helping others with loans so much. I get to be a part of helping them to create legacies for their families.”

Chalamaine Armstrong

Branch Manager | Gold Financial Services | Dallas, TX 214.453.4200 | carmstrong@goldfinancial.com | www.chalamaine.com NMLS# 259978 Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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Managing

client stress

Mortgage professionals are responsible for guiding clients through some of the most significant transactions of their lives. And because these transactions involve making huge life changes, coupled with major financial decisions, they can be incredibly stressful. But that doesn’t mean they have to be unpleasant. Learning how to manage borrowers’ stress (along with your own) can help make every aspect of the deal go more smoothly for everyone involved. Try some of these client stress management tips: Stay in the Moment — Borrowers will cause themselves lots of stress and sleepless nights envisioning all the ‘what if?’ scenarios that could possibly derail the deal. Encourage your buyers and homeowners to stay in the moment and make decisions based upon facts you know to be true, not things that may or may not happen.

Focus on the Positive — Buyers and homeowners can get caught up in fear, and talk themselves out of a loan entirely. Try to keep clients focused on the positive aspects of the deal and work through challenges one at a time, as they come up, rather than waiting and then trying to tackle them all at once.

Keep Your Ducks in a Row — Clients will follow your lead, so be sure you’re setting the tone for a relaxed and productive partnership from the start. Stay organized and informed so you can answer borrowers’ questions quickly and never leave a question unanswered. Not keeping clients informed is one of the quickest ways to undermine trust and create unnecessary stress.

Customize Communication — Each client comes with a different set of needs and expectations regarding communication. Some will get stressed out if they don’t hear from you regularly — even if there’s nothing significant going on. Others will prefer to hear from you only when there’s noteworthy news to report. Learn each client’s preferred style and communicate accordingly, whether that’s through text messages, email, or good old-fashioned phone calls.

Take Five — When you sense a client’s stress level rising, take a quick break to breathe and regroup; talk about something else for a few minutes. You can also suggest going on a short walk, or stopping to have a quick bite. In fact, steady blood sugar and proper hydration will go a long way toward reducing everyone’s stress level. Try to remind your borrowers, even when it seems like they need to continue producing document after document, that the end is in sight, so they might as well take good care of themselves, with a quick reprieve or snack. This way they can avoid getting too caught up in feeling overwhelmed.

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Timothy George

Timothy George CNN Mortgage During his successful tenure in the automobile sales industry back in 2001, Timothy George discovered his natural aptitude for numbers. Already a master of client care, Timothy made a slight shift to focus on the financing portion of vehicle sales, a role in which he thrived from 2003 to 2007. Then, on the hunt for a new path that would allow him to serve others while engaging his skillset, Timothy decided to forge a career in the mortgage industry. That was ten years ago, and today Timothy is flourishing in his role as a loan originator with CNN Mortgage, pairing his knack for numbers and problem-solving with his passion for helping others achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

Primarily serving Maricopa County, Timothy and 12

CNN Mortgage offer a broad array of loan products — from purchase and refinancing options, to investment products and programs for first-time homebuyers. As a team leader, Timothy takes a personalized approach to his work, prioritizing open lines of communication and big-picture thinking to safeguard his clients’ interests. “I’m sensitive to my clients’ fears and always encourage them to ask as many questions as they need to feel comfortable,” Timothy recounts. “I do my best to listen to my clients fully so that I not only understand their needs, but that I can also help them achieve both their short-term and long-term goals.” Timothy believes in thorough communication throughout the transactional process, explaining that keeping in regular contact mitigates stress and ensures that Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

“I do my best to listen to my clients fully so that I not only understand their needs, but that I can also help them achieve both their short-term and long-term goals.” closings are smooth, on-time, and go off without a hitch.

Because the entirety of Timothy’s business is driven by repeat and referral clientele, it’s little wonder why he and his team take great pains to provide a memorably superior experience for those they serve. He and his team deliver on client-care through forging personal bonds and staying in contact long after a deal is complete, even sending out closing gifts to mark the milestone of homeownership. With the majority of his clientele consisting of real estate agents — along with a balance of financial planners and builders, as well — fellow professionals are confident in relying on Timothy and his team to deliver results. “We care about our clients and often make friends with those Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

we serve,” he explains. “Foremost, we earn our clients’ trust. We always try to use time efficiently and incorporate state-of-the-art technology to complement our customer service.” What’s more, Timothy never loses sight of the individual or family at the heart of each transaction. “I love it when someone buys a home and calls us back years later with equity, ready to transition to their next place,” he says. “There’s nothing more rewarding than watching our clients grow, reach new milestones, and come back to us because they were pleased with our service.”

In the same spirit, Timothy makes it a point to contribute to his local charitable and civic landscape. He and his team donate to charities of their choosing, and Timothy’s current recipient is the Barrow 13

“There’s nothing more rewarding than watching our clients grow, reach new milestones, and come back to us because they were pleased with our service.”

Neurological Institute. Timothy is also passionate about professional development, and is part of an elite group for mortgage and real estate training called “The CORE” which meets twice a year to engage in philosophies pertaining to client-care and business modeling. In his free hours, Timothy relishes spending quality time with his family and loved ones, and enjoys activities in the great outdoors, such as wakeboarding and surfing.

As for the future, Timothy has plans to continue to grow his vision as a business leader. Currently overseeing a capable team of five, Timothy hopes to continue his team’s development and ultimately expand to include additional like-minded professionals. With a decade-long track record of a success and a demonstrable commitment to his clients’ overarching goals, the years to come are sure to be bright for Timothy George and his team.

Timothy George Loan Originator | CNN Mortgage NMLS #229194 | AZ-0912321 17505 N 79th Ave #303, Glendale, AZ 85308 602.492.6847 | timothyg@cnnmortgage.com | www.cnnmortgage.com

This information is not intended to be an indication of commitment to lend. Other limitations may apply. Rates, terms and availability of programs are subject to change without notice. All applicants are subject to credit and underwriting approval; not all applicants will qualify. LHM Financial Corporation dba CNN Mortgage NMLS#148530 BK#0901814. 7025 E. Greenway Pkwy., Ste. 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Toll free 877.443.9090.

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Top 10

Ways to keep in touch

We all know loan originators, brokers and bankers whose client base consists of 100% repeat and referral business. It’s an amazing achievement, and a goal many other mortgage professionals aspire to reach. But how do they get there? Are they just lucky? Or maybe they’ve always just been in the right place at the right time?

The truth is, they are the ones who understand the value of consistently communicating with clients long after the transaction is over. Whether you choose to do one, two or a combination of the following, check out the Top 10 ways to keep in touch with clients.

Send Anniversary Cards — No, not wedding anniversary (though that would be a nice touch). We mean sending a card to commemorate the date of the closed transaction you had with them.

Keep Clients Informed — If you want clients to think of you as an expert in real estate financing, prove that you are by sending informative newsletters. If you don’t have the time or resources to put one together, there are turn-key services that provide standard content with a bit of local customization.

Share a Cup of Coffee — If you have time to meet clients for a cup of coffee and a catch-up, that’s great. But even if you don’t, you can still treat them to a cup of joe. Send out Starbuck’s cards or gift cards to a local favorite coffee shop with a note saying “This cup is on me.”

Send Small Gifts — Encourage clients to remember you by sending small, useful gifts, a few times a year.

Set Up Periodic Calls — Make quick phone calls to check in and make sure clients are happy in their new home, or with their refinance, and see if they need any other help from you. Incidentally, this is also a great time to request a referral or testimonial.

Send Birthday & Holiday Cards — Birthdays and holidays are the perfect time to let clients know you’re thinking of them. If it seems like too much to keep track of, there are automated services that take care of everything for you.

Host an Event — Love planning parties? Host an annual client appreciation event. Go all out with food and entertainment to make it a truly memorable experience and a must-attend event on clients’ social calendars.

Grab Lunch — You might not have time to do it with all your clients, but taking your very best clients out to lunch a few times a year is the perfect way to cement the relationship.

Make the Holiday Rounds — The holidays are a perfect time to stop in to see clients’ beautifully decorated homes and deliver a thoughtful gift.

Make Social Media Matter — If you’re going to spend time on social media, make it count by using it to keep in touch with clients. You’ll develop a stronger connection as you keep up with their daily activities.

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featuredagent Keith Pitsch magazine

“The keystone of my business is education, education, education,” says Keith Pitsch, Branch Manager and Mortgage Professional with Absolute Mortgage in Bellevue. Fortunately, for first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, and homeowners looking for cash-out debt consolidation refinances, there’s frankly no one better to provide that education than Keith.

Beginning his mortgage career in 1999, Keith has since garnered experience in literally every aspect of the mortgage industry. He’s worked in big retail banks, small brokerages, managed warehouse lines, and spent time on the wholesale side of the business. These days, the former President of the Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals is busy as ever, focusing his efforts on educating others on how to purchase their home or better their financial situation, through a variety of seminars.

“I host between 3-5 first-time homebuyer seminars every month, and I absolutely love it,” he says. “There is so much excitement, and so much energy from the buyers.” Unfortunately though, Keith says that there is also still a great deal of misinformation surrounding the homebuying process.

“I take informal surveys at seminars asking how many people think they need to put 20% down to buy a home. At least 60% of attendees believe they do. They aren’t aware that there are incredible down payment assistant programs available, or that we have a range of products available including no-money down loan products. I really love being able to help others to have an Aha! moment.”

Keith’s vibrant personality, backed by years of experience is frankly contagious, so it’s no surprise that his business is more than 60% by referral or returning clients. “I want people to know that buying a house isn’t scary. It’s an exciting process. I want it to be fun, and will do whatever I can to reduce stress. It doesn’t need to be a stressful experience,” he says.

However, to ensure that buyers do have that fun and an exciting experience, Keith adheres firmly to his core values of respect, responsibility, and integrity. “At Absolute Mortgage, we respect our coworkers, our clients, and our

partners. We also take the responsibility we have for the care, custody, and control of our clients’ financial decisions very seriously. Our integrity can be seen in our transparency.

We do not wait until the 11th hour to tell a partner or a client if there is trouble. There’s no excuse for that; particularly in an ultra-competitive market. We tell the truth, and if we have to give bad news, we give it when it happens.”

“I want people to know that buying a house isn’t scary. It’s an exciting process. I want it to be fun, and will do whatever I can to reduce stress.”

Make no mistake though, Keith is doing everything he can to ensure there isn’t bad news, particularly for move-up buyers.

“There are terrific opportunities for homeowners who want to move into a larger home, but the money they need for the down payment is tied up in their equity. The amazing appreciation homes have experienced in Washington makes it possible for homeowners to use that equity for a down payment through the resurgence of bridge loans. They can buy their new home using their equity through a bridge loan, and then sell their home. Most people don’t know about this opportunity, so I love being able to teach them about it,” he says of the move-up buyer seminars he also hosts.

When it comes to educating his referral partners, communication and transparency again take center stage. “We let our partners know exactly what is going on from the time the file is handed to us, through the pre-approval, until closing. We aren’t selling someone an app or a car. We are responsible for the roof over their clients’ heads, and we are responsible for letting them know exactly what to expect and what is happening as it is happening,” he explains.

With such longevity in the mortgage industry and dedication to giving back to the community — through his role as chairperson of the Seattle/King County REALTORS® Association’s annual Community Charity Golf Tournament, and in his role on the Board of Talk It Up TV — Keith has certainly demonstrated his devotion to helping others in whatever capacity he can.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to educate others and mentor young originators by teaching the next generation of mortgage professionals about the intricacies of mortgage lending, along with how rewarding it can be to help others make smart financial decisions.”

Keith Pitsch

Sales Manager & Sr. Mortgage Advisor | Bellevue, WA 206.713.9063 | KPitsch@AbsoluteLoans.com | www.PitschMortgageTeam.com MLO-1012367

Absolute Mortgage is a division of Finance of America Mortgage LLC | Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act.

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| NMLS ID #1071 | Mortgage Banker License #0910184 | Licensed by the Department of Business

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Transform your home

into a summer oasis

Whether you’re preparing a home for listing during the summer months, or just want your own living space to feel cool, comfortable and seasonally appropriate, there are several things you can do to make that happen. Of course, you can’t fully redecorate every room for every season, but there are many easy, inexpensive and fun ways to transform a home into a relaxing summer getaway.

Decide to Declutter — Think of your favorite summer beach house or the best hotel room you’ve ever stayed in. Chances are part of the reason you loved it was because it was clean, serene and clutterfree. To achieve that look, pack away a majority of the dust-collecting knick-knacks, framed photos, heavy throws, books, and other clutter. It’s a great first step in opening up rooms to give them a lighter, airy feel.

Your items will feel new again when you bring them back out in the fall; or you may decide you like the look so much that you begin to embrace minimalism.

Change the Layout — Nothing can change the look and feel of a room more quickly than rearranging the furniture. If your current seating arrangement is centered around a fireplace, change it around to focus Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

on a window instead. If living areas are feeling crowded, consider removing extra chairs or end tables and replacing them with large floor cushions in bright fabrics for lounging and watching movies; they can be stacked out of the way in a corner when not in use.

Embrace the Light — Replace dark, heavy curtains with light and airy sheer panels that catch the breeze and let in light. Your room will feel larger and more open when the windows aren’t weighed down with heavy fabrics and dark colors.

The Scents of Summer — We all love the smell of a pumpkin spice or rich, warm vanilla candle, but strong, foody scents can become heavy and overwhelming during the warmer months. Switch your home fragrance to something light, fresh, and clean.

Citrus aromas and green florals are universally pleasing choices, as are scents reminiscent of a day at the beach (especially if you’re landlocked). Instead of candles, which can generate extra heat when they’re burning, switch to scented oil diffusers. They’ll keep a steady, subtle aroma in the air without worrying about whether kids, guests or pets might accidentally knock over a burning candle.

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Add Splashes of Color — Here’s where it

gets really fun! Summer is the time for punchy brights, crisp nautical hues, and All-American red, white, & blue color schemes. Incorporate color into bedrooms and bathrooms with crisp new linens and towels in your favorite summer colors. Add some striped, floral and solid throw pillows to couches and chairs in the family room. Stock up on Turkish towels, which are super-lightweight, dry quickly and come in loads of fun colors. They can serve as pool towels, swim cover-ups, tablecloths or light throws if the AC is cranked a little too high. In the kitchen, add some brightly colored acrylic serving pieces like trays and pitchers to your table settings, and use cloth napkins in a complementary hue.

Bring the Outside In — Fresh flowers are

abundant this time of year — maybe even in your own yard! Take advantage of Mother Nature’s good mood and keep fresh flowers in your home throughout the season. It’s one of the easiest, most beautiful ways to make a home feel summery. Stick with vibrant colors like hot pink, sunny yellow and juicy orange; save the deep, dramatic hues like burgundy and purple for fall and winter. Whether you go for a full-on arrangement 18

Of course, you can’t fully redecorate every room for every season, but there are many easy, inexpensive and fun ways to transform a home into a relaxing summer getaway. or just a few stems in a simple vase, you’ll smile every time you see them.

Don’t Forget the Floors — Sandy. Wet. Muddy. Grassy. Dusty. Floor coverings take a beating during the summer. Roll up and store wool throw rugs and replace them with inexpensive washable rugs you won’t feel bad about getting rid of at the end of the season. Don’t forget to add a new doormat to every entrance door to catch sand, dirt, and water before they get tracked inside.

Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

featuredagent Sara Whitley magazine

Almost 15 years ago, Sara Whitley “fell into” the mortgage profession, almost by chance. “I started as a temp receptionist,” she recalls.

Fortunately, for so many people throughout Wisconsin, and particularly in Dane County, Sara also says that she immediately fell in love with the opportunity to be able to help people. Working her way up, she gained incredible experience in all aspects of real estate financing, as a loan processor, affordable housing specialist, and more, before becoming a loan officer more than four years ago.

Since that time, she’s been helping borrowers in need of loans of virtually any amount. “Last month I helped a customer with a $30,000 loan and someone else who needed a $1 million loan. I can work with everyone thanks to the company I work for and the products we offer. One of the reasons I really enjoy working at Old National is because we are a full-service bank and service our own loans,” she says.

Even better for Sara, and those she helps to obtain loans, is the team environment she is grateful to be a part of at Old National. “I’m thankful for my business partners that I work with both in our retail department and on the investment side of things. After building trust with my clients, I know I can maintain my relationship with them, and offer them more through life. If they want to buy a car for their children or get life insurance, for example, I have great resources for them,” she explains.

With a supportive team surrounding her, Sara is free to do what she does best, which is to help individuals and families through the mortgage process with honesty, integrity, and a focus on communication. “I will never give a client the run around, and I make sure that they are always in the loop on the status of their loan,” she says. “Buying a home

is a very big deal. It can seem overwhelming, especially if it is your first time. I never want a customer to feel intimidated, like I’m just this person in a suit waiting to crunch numbers. I do whatever I can to make them comfortable, because it is important to me to treat every client the way I would want to be treated.”

Not surprisingly, with such obvious enthusiasm and a clear passion for customer service, Sara has been recognized in her industry for continuing to raise the bar. She’s been honored as a Top 10 Loan Originator numerous times and has been recognized for her tireless efforts in helping home buyers to obtain down payment assistance.

To date, Sara has helped buyers to secure more than $400,000 in down payment assistance to buy a home.

Although Sara admits that receiving the awards does make her feel good, “helping people is honestly the most rewarding part of my work,” she says. To that end, she spends much of her free time trying to help others in additional ways. Whether she’s helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity, hosting customer education seminars, or actively working with the Waunakee Rotary, Sara is equally devoted to serving her community. She’s also committed to doing her part to ensure and promote diversity within the mortgage industry, and is currently working with organizations and associations to spearhead various diversity in lending initiatives. “My family is diverse, so making sure that we have diversity in mortgage lending is important to me,” she says.

Clearly, no matter what Sara decides to throw her heart and soul into, others benefit from her efforts. She has no intention of slowing down, either. “I feel very fortunate to be where I am. I’m very proud that Old National was recognized in 2017 as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the prestigious Ethisphere Institute, for the 6th consecutive year. I’m glad to be a part of this team, and I’m excited to continue to be able to help people buy their own homes. I don’t want anyone to ever give up or think they can’t afford a house. I want everyone to know there are options available, and we can help.”

Sara Whitley

Mortgage Loan Originator | Old National Mortgage | Waunakee, WI 608.849.1465 | Sara.Whitley@oldnational.com MLS # 822243 Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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