I’m so sorry for going M.I.A. on the blog… I will readily admit that I’m not the most technological mortgage guy out there… I had a good friend who was the Goddess of Social Media that helped me with these for a while, until she got a real job! Now it’s up to me. Thanks for hanging in there with me – things have been an adventure lately, with LOTS of changes in the economic landscape and regulatory environment of mortgage lending. Thankfully, Everist Mortgage has survived, and is one of a much-fewer number of licensed mortgage originators out there. I’ll plan to be better about staying in touch going forward, now that I am learning how to do some of this social media stuff! Call me if I can help you with anything, OK? Thanks!
Happy New Year! May 2010 be full of blessings and wonderful events in your life! I hope that everyone had a nice Christmas and New Year’s break and that you are now just as ready for 2010 as I am.
My two sons were out of school for the December Christmas break, so I cut back on work hours to spend some valuable time with them. As kids go, they both had a field day on the 25th and really cleaned up on gifts. Kids truly remind us what gift giving is all about, and their excitement becomes ours too! The noteworthy gift to my 10-year-old, Connor, was a drum set. Connor’s present started a whole new level of communication in our house. He’s been wanting to play drums for a while and was so excited about his present, he started bangin’ away immediately! Cody, my oldest, is a good electric guitar player so I can just see the two of them forming a “Brothers-Boy-Band,” and although I am excited for them, I’m considering forming a ”parents-with-rock-band-kids” support group!
One word of advice to future drum-buying parents…those things are LOUD! I was hoping to get some aspirin in my stocking to help me get through the first few months of his learning curve, and to survive the band in general.
The boys and I took off the day after Christmas and went down to South Texas with their grandparents to spend some time hunting and fishing and just get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We had an awesome time down there. Connor also got his first deer and was excited to feed the family. We’ll have some great venison cuts in 2010 thanks to him.
As for myself, New Year’s Eve was pretty low-key this year, and I spent some time reflecting on 2009. I can say with all honesty that I am truly looking forward to 2010 and am very excited about all the opportunities and possibilities ahead. I also learned a lot about myself last year, which, I believe, is crucial in inner growth going forward. Accomplishing different goals including personal (first triathlon scheduled for March 6th!), family, and business (navigate this challenging economy and change in the industry, while growing Everist Mortgage by 50 percent this year) are at the top of my list, and I can’t wait to start it off full of energy and passion!
My sincere wish for you is for your new year to be wonderful and successful. I hope you will accomplish all you set out to do in both your personal and professional life!
Michael
Posted in From the Heart | Tagged boys, christmas, deer, drums, everist, guitar, Happy New Year, Michael Everist, Mortgage, South Texas, triathlon | 1 Comment »
As I reflect back on 2009 I can’t help but label it “The Year of Change.”
With this year rapidly drawing to an end, I keep thinking of everything that happened, both personally and professionally, both good and not so good. Our personal and professional lives are so integrated that in part the two really become one. What a wild and adventurous ride it has been!
The changes in the mortgage and banking industry have impacted so many clients and their approval processes that I plan to write more about the specifics in blogs and social media feeds. I invite you to become a fan of our Facebook page, or follow me on Twitter @EveristMortgage for regular news and updates. The team in my office at Everist Mortgage is made up of outstanding individuals, and I could not ask for better support and professionalism; we make a great team!
On a more personal note, the biggest lesson I had to learn this year was how to juggle my family and professional responsibilities. You’re never too old to learn, I guess. Being a single dad gave me the chance to appreciate special moments with my sons as I watch them grow up to become the men they are meant to be. If only I could hold the hand of time for just a few minutes longer. They truly are a blessing in my life.
As I am writing this, however, I’ve decided my overall goal this season is to count my blessings and enjoy the Christmas cheer—the wintry weather, the gorgeous lights and decorations everywhere, the generous mood that causes people to give others a little more slack and courtesy than usual, and the thankfulness and hope that come from faith in a God who came to earth as a baby. I truly have a lot to be thankful for, and I deliberately choose to be grateful for those blessings this holiday season.
Merry Christmas!
Posted in From the Heart | Tagged 2009, changes, christmas, everistmortgage, Michael Everist, personal, professional, reflect | 1 Comment »
Thanksgiving was a little “non traditional“, with me and my 15-year-old son Cody going to far South Texas to meet my Mom and Stepdad at a place they have near Laredo.
It’s gorgeous down there in a rugged sort of way, with miles of undeveloped land as far as the eye can see. We enjoy getting away from the asphalt jungle every now and then, driving around in an old Army jeep, shooting at cans and targets (and an occasional deer or hog), and basically unplugging from the grid for a few days.
My son says it’s one of his favorite places on earth to go, so I like taking him down there. He’s been going since he was a toddler, and we’ve got lots of great memories. Cody is a teenager now, times with just the two of us are becoming more and more rare, so I’ll take all of them I can get.
The funny thing was after all the effort and expense to get down there to prime hunting grounds, one of our best “bonding“ experiences was hanging out at a camp dumping ground nearby, full of old TV’s and abandoned equipment, throwing rocks at targets and bottles and watching them explode. He got the biggest kick out of that, not to mention how much I enjoyed watching him!
The sunsets over the countryside were spectacular, and you can see millions of stars at night, free of the city glow in town. I saw a family of Javelina running by one afternoon with two babies that were so small I swear they each would fit in the palm of my hand! They were busy keeping up with Mama, never leaving her side. We had a great time, and I can’t wait to go back.
I hope your Thanksgiving gave you lots of memories you would want to cherish and keep close to your heart as well. In business we tend to concentrate on our goals and objectives, rush to give the ultimate satisfaction, work long hours and keep track of all the every day tasks needed and wanted to be done.
That is good, what is better for me is reflecting on all I have that is wonderful in my life, both clients, vendors, team members and ofcourse without a doubt family!
As we move into the holiday season with Christmas and New Year rushing up fast, it is my wish for you that you had time to reflect and experience wonderful times with your loved ones too.
In the end, its relationships, both business and family, that really matters the most.
Kind regards
Michael
Posted in From the Heart | Tagged family, javelina, Laredo, non traditional, relationships, South Texas, sunsets, Teenager, Thanksgiving | Leave a Comment »
This time of year always reminds me of how much there is to be thankful for:
- faith,
- family,
- friends,
- health,
- opportunity and many more.
I am thankful for all I have and am blessed to have the support of those around me.
You have been instrumental in this support over this past year and beyond, and I hope to continue to grow our relationship more in the future.
May your holidays be filled with joy and thankfulness this year and always!
Posted in From the Heart | Leave a Comment »
Everist Mortgage is a Broker-Banker which gives us the decision making ability of a Bank and the flexibility of a Broker. This results in MORE options for clients and great pricing on loan products!
Our office can do ANY type of loan including:-
- Conventional
- FHA & VA
- CHFA & Access
- JUMBO
- Alt-A
- STRS & PERS
- Sub-Prime
At Everist Mortgage, we know our numbers. Not only do we keep track of all the loan applications and their individual statuses, but we provide professional service with options tailor made to each applicant.
Mortgage lending is a complex business. Rules, products and guidelines change all the time. Company founder, Michael Everist, has more than 15 years of mortgage lending experience and our loan processing staff has 18 years in the business. This experience means we troubleshoot potential problems BEFORE they end up causing surprises at closing. Clients will have the security to know that when we tell them a loan will work – it actually will.
Posted in Why Everist Mortgage? | Tagged Broker-Banker, lending, loan processing, Michael Everist, Mortgage | Leave a Comment »
