Have I got your Interest?

Well if I have not then I should, that’s because the Bank of Canada today announced that they will leave the key lending rate basically unchanged at .25%. However that is not the best part, the kicker is that they say that they will not touch the rate until mid next year. That is provided we do not have any unforeseen increases in inflation.  At this point you may be asking yourself, what’s in it for me? Well here it is, lower costs of borrowing, on things like secured and unsecured lines of credit, variable rate mortgages and any other loan that may be linked to the prime lending rate.

So what do you do now? Well given this news there is no better time than the present to take a look at your current financial situation and see if there could be room for improvement. By combining you high interest loans into one low interest loan you will lower your current monthly payments, cut your cost of borrowing and if done correctly can also be a way to achieve debt freedom much more quickly.

If you would like a free no obligation debt analysis, then feel free to contact my office. I will provide you with a simple form to fill out where can get a better idea of where your finances are right now and show you how to create a brighter financial future for yourself. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

Reality Distortion field

Ok I have to admit that I was inspired by or influenced by today’s Apple press conference to write this blog post. For those who don’t know I am a serious Mac head. The term “Reality Distortion Field” is used to describe being in the presence of Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs. Because of his charisma or his strong belief’s people look at things differently after being in his presence.

However the reason that I am using that term is to ask you if you are suffering from a distorted reality in some area of your life? For example I told my wife for years that I was 6 foot, I knew I wasn’t and she believed me until one day she decided to measure me and found out for herself that I am only 5 “11. So it makes me feel better to say that I am 6 foot but it just does not happen to be true. Another example is I thought I was in pretty decent physical condition, I have been working out for years, and just recently I started doing the Crossfit workout. Talk about a serious blow to my ego and a major reality adjustment after I could not complete several of the workouts as prescribed.

For the sake of this article let’s turn the focus on your financial reality. Do you tell yourself and or others that you are good with money? When in-fact you spend more than you make, are behind in your bills, and spend money to appear more successful than you actually are. If this is the case you may be in the need of a serious reality adjustment. Before it gets to the point of an intervention, now may be the best time to sit down and do a thorough analysis of your financial situation. You should sit down and figure out what your monthly expenses really are, and also get in-touch with your actual monthly income. Sometimes this practice alone with help people get an understanding of their financial reality. If you think that you may need help with the process, then please feel free to contact my office at your earliest convenience. I can also put you in contact with a great financial advisor in my friend Steve Cox. Once your debts are under control, Steve can help you develop a plan to insure your financial future is a future that you can look enjoy. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

P.S- Steve I am glad that you are back!

Is it the end?

…. or a new beginning? It all depends on how you look at it. Whether it be divorce, bankruptcy or loss of employment, it does not always mean that the sky is falling and the worst has happened to you.  Some view these major life changing events as a reason to change their life for the better and this could apply to you as well. I remember back in February of 2002, I was made redundant ( laid off, downsized, eliminate and voted off) from a company that I worked at for over 7 years. I was disappointed  but not devastated. I took that opportunity to get into something that I really enjoyed, something that I could get exponential return for the effort that I put into it, I started my own business, and have never looked back.

I know as hard as it may be when these events are happening to see the bright side, it takes time but there always is one. It even took me several months to get myself going in the right direction. What I had going for me at the time is that I had a goal in mind and was very clear about my objective.

If one of your goals are to start and operate you own business, then congratulations on making that decision. You have made the 1st step in the right direction. You should realize that there are lots of resources at your disposal. There are experts who can help you with your business planning, commercial leasing agents to help you locate the right spot for your business, and if needed we can help you secure financing to insure the future success of your venture.  Feel free to give my office a call, I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

Half assed?

Or complete ass? Unfortunately that is how most people approach the majority of the tasks that they do on a day in day out basis. At the end of the day the only person who you are really accountable to is yourself. Ask yourself how you think you really did? Did you give it your 100%, a half assed effort or were you just a complete ass about your responsibilities. If you are not happy with your current results, you only have to look back to the effort that you put into the task that you did.

Begin tomorrow with the end in mind. With that I mean, remain focused on your stated goal or outcome. Having a clear image of where you want to go is the 1st step. Next you must take massive action to make sure that you get going in the right direction. For example, if your goal is to improve your level of fitness, then sleeping through your workout is not the best way to start the day. Give each chosen (yes I said chosen because we are all given the ability to decide) task your full out 100% honest effort.

Also be flexible in your approach, notice what is working or not and keep changing till you find what works. Lastly stick to it until you reach your goal. These can also be applied to the goal of improving your personal financial situation. Sit down, take stock of where you are right now (know your income and expenses). See if there is opportunities to improve both. Decide where you want to go, income, expenses, trips, toys etc. Take massive action right away and notice what is working or not and keep going until you reach your objective. If you find that you need some help along the way, feel free and contact my office. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

Walk your talk!

Walk your talk!

It’s all too easy to give advice, and much harder to live by it. We have all seen or heard about the out of shape personal trainers, broke financial planners or the struggling life coaches who just happen to be at the end of their rope. Tony Robbins says that “repetition is the mother of all skill”, and Malcolm Gladwell in his great book “Outliers” says that it takes roughly 10K hours to truly master a skill or profession. I find that if I read it, then I hear it, I teach it, then I know it.

I am not the best mortgage broker out there, but I have learned a thing or two over the past 7 years. Writing and researching these blog posts has allowed me to hone my skills and to pay closer attention to my own financial decisions. Some say ” those who can do, and those who can’t teach”, well I would like to add something to that by saying that the truly great do and teach or at least share their knowledge.   Where would we be as a society if we had to learn it all over again with each successive generation. We would probably still be living in caves, and hitting each other over the head with rocks and sticks.

Knowledge is meant to be shared. I find that with each idea that is shared, 10 more great ones come back to me. if you have found any of my articles helpful then I would be extremely pleased, if you have anything to add or to share please feel free to comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Pat

We regret to inform you

That you did not get that job, have not been accepted at XYZ University or did not qualify for the loan. My older brother called these PFO letters and for good reason.  Thinking back they mattered so much because you had no plan B. What would you do if you did not get that job, get that loan, or if your child was accepted at the university and does not have a student loan and you have nothing saved up to send them . Do you  have a slush fund, 60-90 days of income put away that would allow you to live? Are you asset rich, but cash poor, or just struggling to get by? Either way there is a solution and there is no time like the present to do something about it.

Stop walking around looking at your feet! Set your eyes on a goal toward the horizon and go for it. It’s too easy to get caught up in living day to day that we forget to plan ahead. However before you know it, you are nearing retirement with nothing saved to support yourself in your golden years. What do you do then, live off family or the government? The vast majority are either dead broke or dead once they reach 65, and to me that does not sound all that appealing. Take the time now before it’s too late. Design your ideal future.
I would suggest that you contact my friend Steve Cox a certified financial planner who can help you develop your road map to get you where you want to go. Once you have that we can sit down, if you need to, and help you restructure your debts so you can eliminate them more quickly and get on the fast track to building true wealth and financial freedom. I look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers,
Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

Everything including the kitchen sink!

When you are opening your own business, there is a lot to think of. You normally start with your business and marketing plans. They most people spend a lot of time looking for the perfect location as business books drill into your head that it’s location, location, location. While it’s true that location does indeed help with the initial success of most businesses. What you also have to consider that pays a very big roll in your long term success is the proper amount and type of financing.

I have seen my fair share of business plans, and they tend to be on the overly optimistic side. While this is all well and good, the general rule of thumb is to hope for the best and plan for the worst. Check out this link to find out information about helping you get going in the right direction regarding your business plan.

Now as for business financing, there are several types. What I want to focus on for the purpose of this article is financing for FF&E. This is not Frank, Francine & Edward, but rather Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment. Or sometime referred to as the whole ball of wax. This will allow you to finance everything right down to the kitchen sink and potted plants. The proper amount and type of financing will allow you to sail through the challenging times, meet commitments as they arise and properly execute your business and marketing plan to position you for long term success.

Take a look at where you are and where you want to go. Realize that all successful business take advantage of expert advice to help them along the way. For expert help regarding the financing of your business, please feel free to give my office a call. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

Double the Pleasure!

Double the fun! Get your mind out of the gutter. In this situation it’s about the power of great combinations. Like Macaroni & Cheese, Burgers & Fries, Romeo & Juliet or in this case “Working Hard and Working Smart”! Working hard without working smart is sort of like the fly who keeps banging up against the glass thinking it will get a different result the next time around. How many times have you gone about doing something the same way as before but hoping that you would get a different result? If you were not aware, that’s the definition of insanity!

If you are working hard but not working smart you are just spinning your wheels, you go a few paces ahead only to have to take a few paces back just down the road. Don’t you think that it’s about time that you throw in the towel, no honestly I am kidding. One of the cornerstones of success is to take massive action. Notice what’s working and what is not, and be flexible in your approach, and to change what is not so you can adopt a new strategy to get you to where you want to go.

Romeo and Francine, just don’t cut it, nor does Butch Cassidy without the Sundance Kid. The result is much greater than the sum of it’s parts.

Working hard and working smart are the key, it’s the one two combination. If you find yourself struggling to get ahead financially, feel like you are living to just pay your bills. There is a better way. Feel free to contact my office, you never know we may be able to help. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

Need a new career direction?

How about joining my team as a mortgage broker? It’s a challenging yet rewarding career. As an independent contractor, you get back what you put in to it. Below are some frequently asked questions: Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Is this a full time or part time opportunity?

This is a full time career opportunity.

Is there a base salary?
No. The position is entirely commission based.

What can I expect to earn?
Its difficult to say. As a commissioned agent your income is based on your performance. Your commissions are tied to the fees earned on a given transaction. The average loan fee collected on a loan transaction ranges between .75%-2.5% of the loan amount. Your commission ranges from 50-75%% of the net commission. Your commission rate is based on your production .

Is a license required?
Yes it is necessary to obtain a license through Service Nova Scotia the Department of Municipal Relations. You will also become a member of the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals.

Can I earn any money while I am training?
Yes you can. Since Craigburn holds both the Broker License and the CAAMP membership , you can start earning commissions right away. Ask your mentor for the details.

Will I receive any hands on training?
Yes, the best way to learn how to successfully complete a real estate mortgage transaction, is to follow one from start to finish. You will shadow a licensed agent from initial client interview to funding of the loan.

Will I need to work from your office?

No, many of our agents work from their home office and spend time in the field. We all remain in contact though the use of phones, faxes, email, Internet web sites and overnight delivery.

Where do I meet my clients?
The easiest and most efficient place to meet clients is at their home or place of business. This allows you to gather all the needed information without having to set up additional meetings. If your client prefers, you can schedule a meeting at our office.

Can I use the internet?
Yes, your clients can get information and they can apply online.

How will I generate business for myself?
We will show you. One of the most important parts of the training is prospecting and lead generation. We will show you how to benefit from the various market techniques and the use of the internet.

What types of properties can I work with?
Both residential and commercial. We can arrange loans on residential property, such as single family homes up to 4 units, commercial properties, such as larger apartment buildings, office buildings, stores, storage, etc. can also be arranged.

What types of loans are available?
You will be able to place top quality “A” paper loans at the most attractive rates and terms as well as the “B-C” type of loans for borrowers with credit problems or unusual properties. You will have access to a very wide variety of loan programs and lenders.

Is Craigburn Capital a direct lender?
No, Craigburn Capital is an independent broker . As such we broker loan requests to mortgage lenders, both institutional and private. We work with an ever growing number of lenders to best meet the needs of most of our clients.

Please contact me if you have any questions, as always I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,
Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

No Excuses!

We have all heard this, but how many of us live by it? If you are not doing anything about the current state of your life, you are obviously making excuses, to yourself and to others.

What is your excuse if you are not in shape?

What is your excuse if you are not in the best relationship?

What is your excuse if you are not making sales?  Your kids don’t listen, you drink too much, you hate you job, you are broke?

If you sat down long enough and really thought about it, it’s nobody’s fault but your own. You and you alone are responsible for the current state of your life; and guess what? Only you alone can do something about it. We all have only 24 hours in day, no one gets more.( My friend Brad thinks he gets more cause he works with people in 5 time zones!) If you want to get in shape, make the decision and do something about it. I have 3 kids and work 10-12 hours a day so I get up at 5 am and go to the gym, some days it’s the only time that I can do it. Want a better relationship, then work on improving you! You can’t change some one else with ease. Want to make more sales, do more prospecting and learn more about how to connect with your target audience.

Lastly and certainly not least, if you are struggling financially, then sit down and take stock of where you are right now. How much are you bringing in each month, what are your outgoing expenses and can you cut back, where can you add more value and increase your income? Think of everything. If you want help brainstorming idea’s feel free to give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you.

Live with a take charge attitude, take no prisoners and make no excuses!

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.