Successful Thinkers at the Park

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend and event at the park. The event was the Successful Thinkers meet-up and the energy was electric. John Orozco and Rickey Sanchez of A2B concepts were the hosts of the event and they did an outstanding job.

This was the very first time I had attended an event like this and I did not know what to expect. I was thinking that it would be another night of drinks and networking more of the usual conversation. Hi I am Matt who are you? Awesome what do you do for a living? Then a little of acting interested or acting like you understand what they are telling you when you are thinking I can’t wait to get out of this conversation. Sounding a little negative? I am just trying to be honest. We have all been there because we are human and we all have a goal that we would like to reach in our lives.

How was the Successful Thinkers meetup different? This was the first time that I had conversations and my occupation was not the first thing to come up. People asked about me and who I am and what I represent and told me a little about themselves. Occupation was secondary. It has always been my opinion that my occupation is not who I am but simply what I do and this was the first time I felt like others cared about that.

How did the night go? When I first arrived I gave a business card to the person that was registering everyone, Gina. I filled out a name tag and began to socialize. After about a half hour of socializing everyone sat down and the hosts said a quick introduction and rolled right into the agenda. The first thing they did was highlight a few local businesses that are doing things out there. The first speaker Gina was a breast cancer survivor and she is doing some awesome things for raising funds and providing resources for those that have breast cancer. Next was Marlo who runs a family Jewelry store in Elk Grove. From there they had some giveaways provided by business owners within the network. The gifts were awesome and the winners were very excited. Especially the guy who one the girls t-shirt. After the giveaways , Robert Velarde stepped up and hit a home run explaining the purpose, the mission and the design of the Successful Thinkers community. He was inspiring and informational. Nick Lynch followed to explain just a few of the many amazing things that are going to happen at the November 6th event featuring the main speaker Rudy Ruettiger. Yes you read that correctly the same Rudy from the movie continues his story and inspiration right here in Roseville California at Adventure Church. If you would like to go the event is free if you sign up to SuccessfulThinkers.com and create a profile with a photo and a bio. If you are like me you may be asking what is the catch. That is whay I went to the event in the first place. To determine what I was not reading or seeing. However, there is no catch.  If you would like to attend the event just go to Successful Thinkers and sign up. My referral ID is 6228 so be sure to let them know I sent you. Remember to create a bio so that you can go on the 6th for free. If you are scared that there is still a catch like I was don’t let that stop you from going. You can pay $25 at the door and still get hundreds of dollars worth of information and inspiration.

The night capped off with more networking. I truly enjoyed the format of the Successful Thinkers eetup and know that it will not be the last event that I attend. Stay tuned for all the great stuff that will be coming soon…………. By the Way thank you Robert Velarde for all the very kind words about my blog and my business. Your delivery is both genuine and passionate…………Thank you Rickey Sanchez and John Orozco for arranging the event……………….In the closing words of Mr. Robert Velarde, “See you at the Top.”

Sactweetup at the Lofts

I had an opportunity to attend last nights Sactweetup at the Lofts in downtown Sacramento. The Lofts on L street were kind enough to host the event while showcasing their beautiful 1900 square foot Penthouse Suite. The suite had amazing views of Sacramento and was definitely a showcase of contemporary design.

Alejandro Reyes (also known as @Successfool) and Sierra Friend (@sierrafriend) are the creators of this amazing Sacramento event. The first event that I attended was at Panera and there were quite a few people but last nights event showed just how much the event has grown. Walking in I passed News 10 filming so they could cover the event and give it well deserved time on the news.

What is all the Buzz about? The Sactweetup is where Sacramento and Twitter meet. Local business professionals as well as some from as far as Walnut Creek and Fremont get together and share ideas about how to grow their business through Social Media. It just doesn’t stop there. I have met with many of the professionals that I first met online and then at the Tweetup outside of the event. I have been able to exchange referrals and learn more about their businesses.  Above that I have established some relationships that transcend business. I regularly get together with a friend @thisaac and we share our faith and hold each other accountable is areas of life.

Last night, at the event, I had the opportunity to meet several more people. Each time I get the chance to go I am never let down. I carpool with one of my favorite people ever @meghanwood; the meghanshow.com and we just have a great time.

Make sure to check out the L street Lofts and make sure that you make it to the next Sactweetup. Check it out at www.sactweetup.com.
Here are the great people that I met last night to name a few:

Jason Everett – Sales Partners

Rajkumar Karthikeyan – Midland National Life Insurance

Kristi LeGue – CPA

Ryan Lucia – Voyage Financial Group

Rick Pearse – American City Realty and Financial

This list is certainly not all encompassing as I met Jennifer Bourn, Mickey O’brien and spoke to several others that I have met in the past. Looking forward to the next tweetup!

Key Delivery Experience was the Best!

Last week I closed a transaction on a home for my clients. Generally, once I have “FUNDED” the loan and informed the buyer that we have gone on record I am done. I get to send a Thank you card but the last time that I have seen the client was at the signing. The signing is a time to get the paperwork done and laugh a little but generally it is still stressful because you are almost done. There is still the whole funding process to go through. This could take a few days and there is still a remote possibility that it does not happen.

This time was different. Once we had funded and recorded the transaction I received a call from the Realtor, James Herron, and he said, “Hey I am meeting our clients at the property at 1pm and I have some Champagne. I am going there to deliver the keys. Do you want to meet us there? This was the first time that I was invited to join a Realtor to drop off the keys. This was my very first experience of the key delivery. IT WAS AMAZING. Not only did we toast to the completion of the deal, the clients showed me around the house and explained all the plans they had. The EXCITEMENT on their faces was irreplaceable. I really enjoyed being part of the Key delivery. It is obviously  the most gratifying part if the transaction.

I am thankful for my clients and James for allowing me to share in the moment. This is something that I would like to be part of moving forward. The joy on the clients face when they get the keys is a look that is better than any other time of the transaction. Thank you all so much.

Matt Freeman

Debt Freedom including your Mortgage? Dream or Possibility?

“Close your eyes and dream…….. What would it be like to be debt free?  Yes, even your home is paid for in full.”  What if that date wasn’t thirty years from now, but 12, or 10, what if it could be 8? Although you may be thinking that I am on my patio daydreaming and maybe even a little off my rocker it can be done. Your Grandparents or parents are proof that it can be done. So am I simply talking about Fiscal responsibility? Probably not? That seems to be frowned upon in the United States today. I am a firm believer in learning fiscal responsibility and if their is a tool that will coach you through the process that is a effective why would it be a bad thing?

Consider you are driving from Roseville to San Francisco but along the way you exit 12 toward Napa. This is definitely off course. However, most of us now have some form of GPS to alert us of the misdirection and recalculate our next move to insure arrival. The tool that I am going to speak about can be considered a Financial GPS. A tool that if you happen to get off course or life happens and you are forced to go another way (detour if you will) it will assist you in re charting the course. GPS, a coach, a mentor offers peace of mind. It allows you to focus on the important things while all the details are worked out for you. Peace of mind is valuable. So valuable that it can hardly have a price tag. After all I think that peace of mind is what many of us strive for. Paying off your home offers peace of mind.

Dennis and Cheryl Harris

As many of you may already know and for those of you who do not know I love meeting new people and seeing what they have to give back to the world. I do not freely endorse or promote anyone or their product without the opportunity to get to know them a little as a person.  Any product that is revolutionary can also be controversial. However the heart of the business person presenting the product is what I look for. I had the great opportunity to sit down both Dennis and Cheryl Harris on Thursday evening and learn about them. What I came to find out about them is that they are amazing people. I have met many U-first agents and asked the very questions I am going to summarize below and I have got all sorts of answers. None of those answers showed the level of genuine interest that I felt from Dennis and Cheryl. They were not selling me the product that they have. Instead they were sharing with me how it has changed their life. I could sense the peace of mind that they have in knowing that the financial gps they hired will keep them on course to realize DEBT FREEDOM. I would encourage anyone who desires debt freedom to sit down with Dennis and Cheryl and allow them to share with you their story.

Here is what we talked about

Matt: Considering the fact that America promotes Fiscal irresponsibility (cash for clunkers) and refuses to teach in the school systems how money works how do you explain and overcome our hard wiring to leverage and finance our  Dreams?

Dennis and Cheryl: There has to be a paradigm shift on the way we view our money. The first question is how is what you are doing right now, working for you today? If you continue to do the same thing will you achieve peace of mind or freedom from your debt? If you are serious about getting your debt paid off and someone shows you the way it is hard to ignore.

Matt: The cost of the product can be quite substantial. A Garmin or Tom Tom can cost about $199 but this “Financial GPS” is $3500. How can someone who is looking to become more fiscally responsible justify spending this much?

Dennis and Cheryl: $199 for a Garmin saves you the time and the gas of getting lost. It helps to increase the quality time that you will have once arriving. It is an investment into the quality of your life. Although the cost of the U-First Software is $3500 dollars the savings can be hundreds of thousands. If I said you can invest $3500 and yield a return of $200,000 and show you this with factual numbers would you not invest the funds? The investment is a fraction of the return.

Matt: If the system no longer used a Home Equity Line of Credit and now is done through the use of a checking, savings and Credit Cards, What happens if the consumers credit card balances are reduced to the current balance? This is quite common today.

Dennis and Cheryl: Although the use of the Credit card is a factor and part of the program it is not reliant on the card solely. The program works to help you also pay off your debts such as auto loans and credit cards a s well as your home. The upgrades that have been made include total DEBT FREEDOM not just the home. If you follow your financial GPS it will again help to reduce the balance on the card regardless of the limit so that you will free up space to use the credit card as necessary. I understand the concern, what happens if things change to the point the program no longer works. I lose my job or my investment income dries up or… The Financial GPS will recalculate and get you headed back to San Francisco. It will also tell you if you don’t have enough gas to make it to S.F. and how long you will last at the current spend rate. The system is based on interest cancellation and is a result of money movement in favor of the consumer not the bank.

Matt: I think that it would be hard to hear about this product and not get excited. However, each year on the first people get super excited about working out and losing weight. That last the first two weeks of the year and then they fall flat on their face. How would this product be any different than the elliptical trainer sitting in the corner of the room with dust and clothes draped all over it?

Dennis and Cheryl: I would love to see the stats on those that hire a trainer and see how long they last. I would bet that those that have a coach and an accountability partner have a much higher success rate than those who do not. This program comes with not only great math behind your financial decisions but it also comes with Cheryl and me. We are a part of the process. Once you’re on this trip to financial freedom we are along for the ride with you. As much as you will allow us we want to walk this road home with you. We are just a phone call away and we stay in touch with our clients. The program requires desire. Remember I said at the beginning we want to partner with people who are serious about becoming debt free. However, the program requires discipline. All great things require discipline and obedience. To achieve DEBT FREEDOM you will have to make some changes in your life in the way you manage your money– changes that don’t affect your life style very much, but do affect the handling of your money. (Cheryl) I’m always encouraged by the graphic interface that shows our years to pay off, remaining interest to be paid and the date we will be out of debt coming down. U-First provides a written guarantee that if you follow the program you will get the guaranteed results shown in the free analysis that is done in the beginning. It is a lot like P90x or other workout programs. If you work them they will get you results.

Matt: How have you overcome the fact that is yet another Network Marketing Pyramid like business. The Stigma that accompanies this type of business can be a turnoff.

Dennis and Cheryl: First off this isn’t Network Marketing. There is nothing about the program that requires me to involve other people for it to be successful. It stands on its own. I follow the on screen prompts and I’m out of debt sooner rather than later. The hint of network marketing comes in when we start talking about the business opportunity that is here. I look at it like this: When is the last time that you got gas? The attendant gets paid when you do and the supplier and the company and etc. etc. Every business transactions have multiple levels of payment. The thing is I have a product that can impact the lives of many. That is what I present. If my business grows and others that I have helped want to share it and get paid for their efforts where is the harm in that. If it were only Cheryl and I think of all the people that I could not reach. I think that everyone should know about this great opportunity.

Matt: Today’s economy has created in many cases a Financial Paralysis among many. The instability of  jobs, the market, home ownership and life in general has lead to indecision. Given the fact that we often make Emotional decisions and our emotions are out of sorts how have you reached the consumer.

Dennis and Cheryl: Indecision is like inverted insanity. Doing the same thing or doing nothing hoping for something is just crazy. Whether or not this product is for you is purely MATHEMATICAL! The numbers are either supportive of a decision to move forward, or it just plain doesn’t work. (Cheryl) If you had a hole in your gas tank and were leaking gas would you not fix the problem. This is something I wish I would have known earlier. However, we will have our home paid off in less than twelve years leaving me plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Matt: Who is the ideal client?

Dennis and Cheryl: There are three different types of people that I have found have a genuine interest in the product. They get the concept and they move forward. Those people are:

1. People serious about getting out of debt
2. Those interested in Wealth Building
3. Those interested in increasing their income.

Dennis and Cheryl chose to take a hard look at where they wanted to be in the near future. They chose to go outside of the conventional way of thinking and take a look at something that could impact their life significantly. They took the steps to do so and they are already experiencing the results. This one choice has helped to change their thinking. They have seen the system work for them first hand. The Financial GPS has redirected them when “Life Happened.” Dennis and Cheryl would like to share with others what they have learned for themselves. It may not be for everyone but if I were looking for a coach whom I could trust Dennis and Cheryl would be just that. Their passion to help others is evident. If you are interested in hearing more about what has changed their life contact them at:

(916) 367-3453 or dennisgharris@gmail.com.

Thank you Dennis and Cheryl for taking the time to sit down with me and share your story.

Technology have you down? Watch Mike Ferry’s Video on Technology and real Estate

I came across these video and it caused me too laugh a ton. Mike Ferry is a well respected Real Estate Trainer and to hear his take on Technology was informative. Check it Out!

Where does your Professional go when the deal hits a snag? You Deserve to Know!

In today’s market even the cleanest deal will have some hurdle or obstacle that will have to be explained. The question is when the going gets tough who is there to answer the questions and help you through the hurdle. Is it the Realtor? Is it the Loan Officer? Is it Both? Neither? Who is there by your side as a buyer and/or a seller when the road is bumpy?

I mention this because it gets to me a little bit. I think that as an industry we have to rally together to deliver the news. All too often professionals go into hibernation when the deal hits a bump. They do not answer their phone or they wait until they have it solved and call as if they did not ignore the previous 100 calls. Let’s look at this from a different angle for one minute:

I am a doctor and I just looked at X-rays for my client. I have found a mass that I have not quite determined what or how I will take care of it. I have a few ideas based on my expertise but want to do further research before providing the solution. In this case do I:

1. Inform the patient of my findings and let them know what I think may be the solutions
2. Send the patient home without any knowledge of the findings hoping that I will have the solution in a few days
3. Ignore all the inquiries I am getting from the curious nurse, patient, family members, etc.
   

I think that we all know the answer to this. It is our duty as a professional to let others know. If we do not have the answer and we have to consult other “doctors” as sometimes is the case we should let the parties know this. “Uncertainty” is one thing that every human I have ever met is inclined to dislike. We like to know what is going on and what we have to do to help the situation. Sometimes that will be nothing but knowing that we can do nothing but wait is better than not knowing what is going on at all.

I will be the first to admit that when I was first in the industry I did not like making the bad call. I still don’t but the difference between now and then is “I have been on both sides of the fence.” Solutions are derived from brainstorm and I still believe in the old saying “Two heads are better than one.”

Please feel free to let me know if you agree or disagree with this?

Marketing Focus: Where do you spend your time?

Yesterday morning I was at my networking group meeting. This is not the normal Letip or BNI group it is more than that for me. It is called the Christian Business Roundtable. We are group of men that share the same Faith gathering to sharpen each other and hold each other accountable in business and in life. It was my second meeting and my very first formal meeting. Each meeting it is practice of the group to have a Best Practices portion where we can share and expand each others business arsenal if you will. Today the Question was:

You just sold your business to a conglomerate and have agreed to remain for a few months as a consultant. You will receive 100K bonus if you can increase sale by 20% in the next six months but you have been allotted only a limited increase in your marketing budget and no media advertising budget.

You have gotten together with an Advisory Board to give you straight talk about ideas to drive traffic. Start getting the advice now!

• What “out of the box” marketing steps can be taken in: Special Promotions, Network Marketing, Newsworthy Press Release, Low cost Direct Mail etc.
• What steps will drive more traffic to your product or service?

As I left that meeting I had so many ideas to work on for my business but the one that stuck out was based on affiliate marketing. When market others services our reward internally is great. In addition external reward via increase in our business is nearly always the result. However, I do not want to rest on my own understanding. I realized that Facebook and Twitter have given me a large audience of business professionals. These professionals that I have come to know are always thinking outside of the box to drive more traffic. So I figured I would ask my advisory board.

What steps would you take to increase your revenue by 20% in six months? Share them hear with all of our readers and watch the explosive power of two or more.

Don’t take my word for it:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, the other can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

***** This information is not my own. It was borrowed from the Christian Business Roundtable that I am involved with. The post here is meant to be thought provoking and to generate a massive brainstorm session amongst a group of professionals. We all can always use a jump start of fresh ideas.*****

How is my Credit Rated? Part 3

As part of the five part series on credit rating Michelle Luker takes a moment to look at the third largest weight on our credit.

First let’s take a moment to recap. In the first two parts of the series we found out the following:

• 35% of the score is based on how you handle your debt obligations

• 30% of the credit score is derived from your revolving balances carried on accounts as they pertain to your debt utilization ratio.

In Summary we learned that paying our bills on time mixed with a healthy balance of debt makes up 65% of our score. That is 2/3 of what makes up our credit rating. That leaves three remaining items that comprise only 1/3 of our score. Now don’t make the mistake of minimizing the remaining three factors in the series because they are only a small portion. So the third important factor in our credit score rating is the following:

• 15% of the score is derived from the average length of time you have had credit.  The longer an account has been open, the better.  Never close a credit card account; leave it open with a zero balance.  You actually reduce your score by closing older accounts as your average account age will not increase in the future as quickly.

Two things can happen when you close an old card. Your debt utilization ratio which we learned about in the second part of the series is decreased and the average length of time accounts have been established is also decreased. So two things are happening from one simple action that we believed would be for the best. The trick though is too make sure the cards get used because if they go unused forever without activity it will decrease the overall impact of the card. After all it is a credit rating and that would require credit to be used.

New accounts obviously can only grow in strength over time. Many times when you pay off a mortgage or car note that you have been paying on for a long time your score will go down. Then the new debt is added. Two things have occurred the auto loan is paid and closed and the new debt has no history of payment. So you can see how this works.

Again, I want to thank Michelle Luker for stopping by California Home Strategies to offer some advice on Credit. We greatly appreciate your presence and the fabulous information that you have provided us.

For any specific credit questions do not hesitate to contact Michelle directly.

Office: 916-652-9637 Cell: 916-316-0247 Fax: 916-644-6626

Capital Credit Source, Inc. 4804 Granite Drive, Suite F-3261 Rocklin, CA 95677

What exactly is college success?

Brad Asbury is known locally for many things stemming from his work with non-profits and his involvement in Rotary. Brad is not limited to these accomplishments but for the sake of having room to write the article I have condensed them. Brad agreed to share one of the things that he does with us here at California Home Strategies regarding college funding. Since, many homeowners are required to use equity in their home or finance College I wanted you all to be aware that you have other options. Enjoy the article and subscribe as Brad will be back with more information.

For many, the question is, will my son or daughter able to get into the college s/he wants to attend? That’s college access. College success is attending the most appropriate school for the career of your choice, graduating in the least amount of time (a four-year degree in four years), graduating with the fewest loans and out-of-pocket expenses, and being “successful and happy in your career.”

Getting a good college education has become more and more difficult recently. Colleges are more competitive with admissions and funding is seemingly harder to get. That is one reason why it is wise to work with a coach who specializes in these areas so your student has a leg up on the competition. Because that is exactly what it is, competition.

Organizations like the one I consult for, The Access College Foundation have turn key programs designed to give your student the tools necessary to achieve college success. They are also designed to minimize out of pocket expenses and maximize financial aid received for college funding.

We start from the beginning, identifying a career appropriate for your student, raising their SATR/ACT test scores to make them more attractive for the selected colleges, identifying the 6-8 best colleges for the chosen profession, helping fill out the admissions forms, filling out the all important financial aid forms, lowering the EFC(Expected Family Contribution) when possible, helping with the negotiation of awards, and most important, keeping both the student and the parents informed every inch of the way. We have a plan, a roadmap to college success for you to follow.

College is serious business and needs to be treated as a business. The value of working with an experienced college planner could be the difference between a successful college experience and a mountain of debt. I enjoy working with families to achieve winning results and helping launch successful careers.

It all starts with college success.

Brad Asbury
916-607-3104
basburycsa@yahoo.com

Consultant for the Access College Foundation-A member of the American College Planning Foundation and the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administers

How is my Credit Rated? Part 2

Michelle Luker is back in the second part of a five part series regarding “how your credit is rated.” In part 1, Michelle explored how delinquency makes up 35% of your score. Today Michelle touches upon Debt Ratio which makes up the next 30% of your score.

30% of the credit score is derived from your revolving balances carried on accounts as they pertain to your debt utilization ratio.

Revolving credit cards make up a very significant portion of what ultimately determines your credit score. Your total revolving credit utilization ratio is calculated as follows: Divide your Total Open Revolving Credit Card Debt into your Total Open Revolving Credit Card Limits gives you your Credit Card Utilization Ratio.

Example: $15,000 of open credit balances divided into $75,000 of available credit card limits = 20% Credit Card Utilization Ratio (debt ratio for short).

The closer to zero you’re Credit Card Utilization Ratio is, the better your credit score.

Having a 0% debt ratio is ideal, so you want to keep your credit card balances as low as possible to maximize your credit score. If you are able to do so, you should pay off or pay down your credit balances to enhance our score.

Another step you can take to improve your credit scores is to lower your debt ratio by raising your current credit limits. Caution: You need to approach this matter with care. Call and ask each credit card company if they will crease your card limit based on a review of your payment history with them only. INSIST that you do not want them to pull your credit report and thereby create an inquiry that will damage your score. Some creditors will do this, some will not. I do not suggest letting them pull your credit if you plan to make a credit purchase in the next six (6) months since the inquiry will decrease your credit score.

Now you know that the most important factor in determining your credit score is based on the handling of your debt obligations

Whether you pay your creditor on-time is 35% of the score.

You also know that the second most important factor in determining your credit score is determined by the amount of debt you carry as it pertains to your revolving debt ratio.

Revolving account debt ratio is 30% of the score.

Contact Michelle Directly to see what steps you may take in bringing your score up to the highest levels.

Office: 916-652-9637

Cell: 916-316-0247

Fax: 916-644-6626

Capital Credit Source, Inc.

4804 Granite Drive, Suite F-3261

Rocklin, CA 95677

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