Shmuel Shayowitz (NMLS#19871) is President and Chief Lending Officer at Approved Funding, a privately held local mortgage banker and direct lender. Shmuel has over two decades of industry experience, including licenses and certifications as a certified mortgage underwriter, residential review appraiser, licensed real estate agent, and direct FHA specialized underwriter. Shmuel provides a uniquely holistic approach to comprehensive real estate and financial matters that goes well beyond any single transaction. Shmuel is an award-winning financier recognized for maximizing the short-term and long-term objectives of his client. As a contributing writer to many local and regional newspapers and publications, his insights have been featured in the media for many topics, including mortgages, personal finance, appraisals, and real estate trends.
It was Tony Robbins who said, “The Secret To Living Is Giving” – which has made a great impression on me ever since I heard it. To paraphrase Tony’s words, when you give to others it reminds you that there is more to life than just trying to acquire things. Focusing on the needs of others has a way of motivating you to do more than you thought possible. You feel better about yourself, and that gives you the drive to do more. You become more productive. You find creative solutions to problems. You find strength when you’re exhausted.
Granted, for anyone outside of the non-profit world, most of what we do at work earns us a living, and we are hopefully compensated adequately for that. However, I have very much tried to build my life and business on the principals of “giving” regardless of outcome. Even when I know I won’t get the client or can’t do a deal, I work even harder to help nevertheless. One might think that when you are in a service or transactional business that there is no opportunity to go above and beyond, but that is never the case. In the real estate, and finance world there is so much that can be done to add value outside of the transaction.
We all know how valuable a good real estate agent or mortgage professional is when buying and financing a home. Their advice and guidance are critical when it comes to getting you pre-qualified for a home within a comfortable budget. Their assistance in negotiating the best deal possible will help you save tens of thousands of dollars over the years in your home. Their guidance in handling the myriad of paperwork, contracts and details needed to procure the offer and obtain a mortgage are endless. Then there is the education with home inspections, market appraisals, down payments, closing costs, title reports, and pre-closing walk throughs. We all know the list goes on and on.
But when the professional you choose to work with steps outside of the transaction, there is so much more that they can bring to the table. For example, everyone can give a list of recommendations for moving companies, which is extremely helpful and worthwhile to anyone going through such a move – but giving that list along with personal advice on some of the common moving mishaps (or moving must-haves) goes a lot farther. Similarly, there are so many after-closing matters that come in to the picture well after your Realtor or Lender are done with their job.
But it is precisely then that the benefits of a passionate “giver” come into play. For example, guidance on the different types of home insurances with their complicated fine-print is crucial to an overwhelmed homebuyer. Advice on how to handle utility set-ups, garbage pick-up, or recycling schedules is priceless. Recommendations for handymen, plumbers, electricians, and the like are life-saving. I encourage my clients to be in touch with me after closing and to follow up on any and all random homeownership questions that they never knew about or thought of. The assistance that comes about through these conversations always helps take the sting out of a new homeowner’s load. These are but a few of the many ways that a passionate real estate and financial professional can be of valuable assistance before, during, and after a home purchase.
In that regard, Approved Funding always prides itself of the level of service and support we offer our clients and members of our community. We are grateful for the many years that we have been able to help so many of you, and want to say “Thank You” for that. It is with that in mind that we are proud to announce our “Mortgage Payment Giveaway” contest which is available to anyone – regardless of whether they obtained a mortgage from Approved Funding – and even if they do not have a mortgage at this moment. See the inside back cover and visit our website for more details. I also wanted to give a special “Shout Out” to all those who read my articles. Thank you for reading, and for all of the feedback. As a token of appreciation, I will be giving away 5 gift cards for a free coffee or latte at Lazy Bean ($5 value) to the first five people who comment or email me about this article. Employees and family members of Approved Funding or The Jewish Link are not eligible. Thanks-A-Latte! Happy Thanksgiving!
To learn more about Shmuel Shayowitz, click here or complete this form to be connected with Shmuel:
