Money, Mortgage, Mindset

No one's going to be as committed to your business as you are. In this episode our hosts are joined by owner of Exit Realty, Laya Gavin, as she shares her transition from real estate to finance, and the importance of having a team you can truly trust.Laya started her company with her mom, who's been in the business for 40 years. After obtaining her real estate license at a young age, she took a 17-year break to work in finance before rekindling her love for the industry. She now has her own franchise, book & growing real estate team she built from the ground up.“When you're good with people and you want to take care of your client no matter what industry you're in, that's a gift. I hire for the individual, personality, and character. I can teach you the rest. I can't teach you to be kind to people.”You can be taught the skills, but you must have the will. Trust factor is also a huge component both in a real estate team, and as a client. Make sure your team is talking to each other. Make sure the lender and realtor communicate! And if you're the client, you get to hire and fire everyone on the team. The realtor is your advisor.“There's nothing more that brings me joy than to watch somebody give keys to someone's house that they thought they'd never be able to afford. It's special.”Resources from this episode:Laya Gavin's blog Find out your home value and maximize your Real Estate investment options Search new construction homes and floor plans with dozens of builders and communitiesNational Association of Real Estate Brokers fighting for democracy in housing for 75 yearsThe Phoenix Realtist Professional Group is the local Arizona Chapter for NAREB (National Association of Real Estate Brokers) - check in for news, events, and membership information for realtors, lenders, inspectors and a variety of affiliate partners Laya Gavin: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | emailAndrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

There are several things you can do to flex your equity and put you in a better overall position. Join Andrew and Kevin as they discuss refinancing, investing, and how to put yourself in the most advantageous positions using your house equity!Rates are higher than normal but that doesn't mean it's not a good time to refinance if you're making the right move. We're still in a very heavy sellers' market. Or this might be an easier time to take your current home and turn it into your dream, rather than going out and finding something new. You already know your home. Perhaps you've invested money into that home in the past.“Putting money in a savings account should have the same amount of mindset focus as paying your cell phone bill.”Credit card debt is out of control – usually folks have zero debt, or a crazy amount. However, you can consolidate the debt into your property! Another way to flex your equity is to use that equity to make money. Another – investment properties. Take the money out of your home and make a down payment on another home you intend to rent out. If you're charging more in rent than your mortgage, then you'll make money. Refinance – it's not the rate, it's the payment. Flex your equity!Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

Do you have a plan around savings? Debt? Moving your credit score up? Retirement? In this episode, Kevin and Andrew discuss how to reboot your money goals by checking in with all these objectivesNew year's is a great time to think about and put some goals to paper about your finances. Part of the reason people struggle with putting money in savings is that it's simply not tangible. So, you must decide - what do I want to see in my savings of the year? By attaching a goal to it, tangibility is added.“When people don't know where their money is going it's usually going to lots of little things people don't account for, such as small groceries purchases, going out to eat, etc. It's convenience.”Putting our savings on “auto pilot” with auto transfer is a wise move. Another exposing exercise: pull the last 2 months of your bank statements and answer - was it an “I want” or “I need” purchase? You'll be quite awakened about your spending habits. If we can kill 2 birds in one stone – consolidate debt, improve the cash flow, and pump a little bit more money into the house, that's a win-win.Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

People buy when value exceeds costs. And cost is not always money. In this episode, Kevin and Andrew discuss some of their most cherished life advice that has helped them reach success.If you don't have a mentor in your life, find someone you look up to. Mentors are so important. They don't have to be older than you but find someone in your life that can help you grow.“Think of the last expensive item you purchased. Was it worth it? It is when value exceeds cost.”Cost and value are different to individual people, even in the exact scenario. When talking about items, everything has a lifespan. At some point the cost is going to exceed the value.As our hosts explain these concepts, we can start changing our perspectives on purchases, value, and limitations. What's cool about a limit is that it can be increased, you can be limitless! After sitting on the advice shared in this episode, you can walk into new perspectives in your personal and business relationships.Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

We are in an insane real estate market right now. Housing is off the charts, and it's now causing the rental market to go up in cost too. In this episode, our hosts Andrew Karam and Kevin Booth walk us through the difference between bank, brokers and retail lending and which one is best for you.Andrew and Kevin are mortgage brokers with the goal to find a product to suit your needs. Consumers are always focused on the lower rate = better mentality. It's hard to find the sweet spot in the market. They're here to tell you that's not always the truth. Some lenders provide more than others in the loan process – you want a company that's going to help you out through the journey, not just take your bills.“I believe that being a broker, we have the flexibility of getting a little more creative. We're not one shoe fits all, we're going to be able to shop around and get the right shoe that fits.”Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

You must have a plan in place for both short and long-term financial goals. What is your goal, what is your money supposed to do for you? This week, Adam Carlat from One2One Wealth Strategies joins us to wrestle through these questions to get you where you wish to go.We must plan for all things – vacation, car, house. Having an advisor, you can call to help plan all those things. Life's not cheap but having adaptability and contingency plans can be critical to your financial success.Some line items that are imperative in your planning process must include investments, 401k, and saving for yourself. 73% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. If able, don't let that be you! If your company offers a company match 401k, take it! It's free money. Roth IRA's have more investment options; however both are great to max out if you have the means to do so.“You can get help - you don't have to have millionaire money to be using a financial advisor! Maybe you should have a financial advisor because you want to have a lot of money.”Once you get a financial advisor, you're going to say "Wow, I wish I had this relationship years ago”. Whether you have $1 or $1 million, we have to put you on the tracks to move you in the right direction. You have to have a plan! And the plan will change – but at least you'll have an advisor to go back to. Ask for help!Don't be scared to ask, don't be afraid to talk to someone in the finance world. It's something people don't talk to people enough... to their kids... adults... it's something you have to be able to discuss. It's a huge part of life.Representatives registered with and offer only securities and advisory services through PlanMember Securities Corporation, a registered broker/dealer, investment advisor and member FINRA/ SIPC. One2One Wealth Strategies and PlanMember Securities Corporation are independently owned and operated. PlanMember is not responsible or liable for ancillary products or services offered by this representative or by One2One Wealth Strategies. Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a callAdam Carlat - One2One Wealth Strategies: website | facebook | linkedin | facebook - 121WS

Andrew and Kevin have shared lots of information in past episodes about finance and real estate. But how well do you know their story? On this episode, our two hosts share how they each entered careers in banking, finance and finally - real estate.“I can honestly say, I love this business. This is the best job and career path I have ever had. It can't be about the paycheck because we don't get paid until all the paperwork is signed.”Both of our hosts came from a similar background, sharing that passion for taking care of people. It's not about the paycheck. You must love and have passion for that job if you are going to live off of commission.They end the episode with some great advice - don't be afraid to make that career change. If it is something you're passionate about, do it! If you're just living for the paycheck, that's when you start to hate life, and it will wear you down. Don't be afraid to make moves, sometimes the best decisions come from the ones that are uncomfortable.Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

The biggest investment you can make in your life is your credit. In this episode, Trisha Palmer from Continental Credit joins us to bust the myths on credit and share ways to better your own score. From Credit Karma to credit cards, we are here to equip you to a deeper financial understanding.“I always tell people credit is like friendship. If you have no history, it's like we're new friends. As a consumer, if you can equate your credit to friendship, from day one it'll put your credit on the right path.”Derogatory items hold score down. These include items such as medical collections, credit cards and public records. Fortunately, these can also be the easiest to get off your account and score. Credit companies such as Credit Karma and Experian run off their own algorithms – not the same one as your bank would use. They're great for monitoring but will not judge as harsh as a mortgage pull.The credit world is like a maze in the amazon jungle and Trisha has the map. The biggest investment you can make in your life is your credit. You must take a step forward for anything to change. Contact Trisha PalmerRegional Account Manager Continental CreditPhone: 435-922-1401Email: Trisha.palmer@continentalcredit.comTrisha Palmer: website | facebookAndrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

During the home buying process, accurate documentation is essential. But it can also get stressful on a 30-day buyer turn around. In this episode, Andrew and Kevin walk us through what documents we need and how to be prepared in the home buying process.“I am only as good as your documentation and how you fill out that loan application.”Documentation beats conversation. Make the documentation match your story. For the real estate underwriters, it's all about packaging the story for a smooth process. The fewer conditions you have as the borrower due to great packaging, the less stress there will be in the process. It is in your best interest, as the borrower and future homeowner to be upfront, honest, and clear from the get-go.Underwriters are like researching ninjas, they have ways to find everything out. If you're not truthful in this process as the client, you can grenade the entire deal. The documentation process is a checks and balances situation between us all and we're here to help you succeed. And most importantly, ask for help! Don't go through this process alone. We want you to get approved - We take satisfaction in seeing that we help someone get into their home.Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

It's very important to have insurance coverage. A lot of people think insurance is a scam - there is a big misunderstanding of how insurance works. It's not a tangible thing. Chester Winter from Liberty Mutual joins us to dig deep into insurance policies and why we all need to be covered.“All insurance is great until you need it, then that's when you separate the good companies from the bad ones.”Insurance companies can be separated into two categories – the 1-800 companies and the more personal ones. If you're working with a 1-800 company you get what you pay for, and there's a reason why they're cheaper. They don't cover as much and that can leave you stranded when filing a claim.In homeowner's insurance, dwelling coverage is the most important. Homeowners insurance isn't for when your golf clubs get stolen – that's not what's important. It's about what if your roof gets blown off or your house catches on fire. Those are the claims you want to use your insurance. And if you have a prequalification on a house – this is the perfect time to start looking at home insurance policies. Take a slow circular video of each room in your house. This makes the claims process and your life a lot easier to remember what you had if a loss occurs.Insurance can cover many categories, from auto, home, annuities, renters, and umbrella policies. Chester Winter walks through them all, sharing crucial information on how they can each best equip us to be prepared for any emergencies. You need to have insurance, let the Mortgage Money Mindset team help you find the best policy today. Contact Chester Winter, LUTCFLead Sales RepresentativeLicensed in AZ, COLiberty MutualCell: 623-243-2814Direct: 623-707-1168Fax: 603-430-5968 Chester Winter: website | facebook | linkedinAndrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

Buying a house is an emotional purchase. And in terms of setting up your mortgage, you may have to give up a little on one to give more to the other. In this episode, our hosts walk us through the financial details including costs, rates and monthly payments to equip you to home ownership confidence.“Rate, cash to close and monthly payment – those are the numbers people tend to focus on and they have to work together to find your mortgage sweet spot.”The key is to find balance in those numbers that make you comfortable in the purchase of your home. Lower rates do not equate to better rates – Andrew and Kevin are professional guessers. A lot goes into the rate percentage and we are so conditioned to lower rates through advertising. Closing costs can also add up to be a considerable part of your loan, and include variables such as prepaids (insurance, property tax, etc.), all county related fees, and title fee. Most people don't anticipate this in their loan, and it can be a shock.You must determine the sweet spot for yourself - is the out-of-pocket monthly payment or rate most important? Figure out your sweet spot and how it directly relates to cash to close is crucial - what is your monthly payment desire? The best way to get a starting point for these numbers is to base it off how much you're paying rent right now and surround yourself with a great team in the process.“The team you surround yourself with will make or break the deal; I promise you.”Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

For the average American, your home debt is the biggest and longest lasting debt you will incur in your lifetime. Everyone in America wants flexibility, and flexibility is what it's all about because life happens! Something will come up. It is crucial to hope for the best and plan for the worst.“My money is a game, and the better I play the game the faster I can build wealth, the faster I can get to retirement, and the more I can enjoy life without having to worry about money because worrying about money is a terrible feeling.”One of the goals people try to achieve when doing a refinance is to pay it off faster, but you have extended it 3-5 years. Now, keep paying that principle down – there is going to be less $ for them to keep charging you interest on.When creating an action plan for your loan repayment - attack the highest interest rate first, paying the minimum dues on the others until the highest is paid off. Treat it like a game! When it comes to credit and debt consolidation - no one knows the rules to the game, no one taught anyone the rules. It makes it even more intimidating. People do not realize there's more than one option. One size does not fit all, and we're here to help customize this to your advantage. Let us make it work for you.Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

Your house will likely be the biggest purchase you will ever make in your life. Thus, the team you surround yourself with (real estate agent, loan officer) is so crucial in this process.  Join us as we walk through choices you can make today to ensure you're ready to purchase that house of your dreams.“You don't own the home; the home owns you!” This goes for everything – our car, bills, anything we have an ongoing monthly payment on. You also must factor in that you don't just purchase a house and then you're done, you just bought into a multiple monthly payment, from water to cable bills. For instance, here in Arizona, your electrical bill is like your car payment in the summer. And closing costs? That will be between 1.5-2.5% of your home purchase price, in addition to a prepay of home insurance one year in advance.Here's some simple mortgage math - take what you make per month, divide it in half to automatically remove things like standard utilities, then subtract your credit obligations. – then that will tell you what you can afford monthly based on just your income. What this doesn't tell you is “should I afford that”, which is more of a fluid question.These figures might sound daunting, but we are here to equip you with financial confidence as you purchase your first home. Your game plan for homeownership might be for today, six, or twelve months down the road, but bottom line is if you don't have a game plan you don't know where you're going.Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

Credit cards want you to give them interest. They're like Chinese Finger cuffs – you put your fingers in and you'll ever get them out. In this episode, Andrew Karam and Kevin Booth walk us through valuable insights in how to set budgets, avoid credit card debt, and create a successful savings plan!“I promise you if you save first you will still get your bills paid. It is a mindset and knowing your starting point. Start out small! “ If you want to save for that next home, there is no better way to start the journey to home ownership than with budgeting. Pay yourself first, pay your bill second. One important thing to realize when it comes to saving and budgeting is that they're not the same thing but do work hand in hand. However, it's never a one size fits all situation. We all live different lifestyles and have a diverse set of financial goals. Go to your past two months of bank statements and ask yourself – “is this an ‘I want' or an ‘I need'?” For subscriptions and bills, then call those companies charging you and ask if this is your cheapest option. Call that credit card and phone company, they could give you a lower rate. That money saved can better live in your savings account!Life happens. We have now planned for the unforeseen.Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call

Everyone needs a roadmap to get from point A to point B. It is like sitting in a four-legged chair - credit, income, assets, and property. With all four legs, you can enjoy the dream of home ownership. If the chair is unbalanced, it's going to tip over.On this inaugural episode, our hosts walk us through the first steps to success in home ownership. What is your total debt obligation + new house in relationship to your gross monthly income? And what are you comfortable with? As we walk through these questions and more, you'll be equipped and more confident in your financial choices through the home ownership journey. It's all about looking at the legs of the chair and creating a plan. You might be ready now to start your journey, or it might take a few years. And that's okay! “People have a misconception that we don't want to help. I genuinely want to help. I genuinely want to see people get into their home. To see their face light up when they get handed their keys.”Andrew Karam: website | facebook | linkedin | instagram | book a callKevin Booth: website | facebook | linkedin | book a call