(Updated for 2022) If you’re a homeowner or home buyer in Texas, you’ve probably heard of homestead exemptions. Maybe that’s what brought you to our site. You’ve come to the right place! Below, you can learn all about Texas homestead exemptions, their basic requirements, and the application process.

What Is a Texas Homestead Exemption?

At its core, a Texas homestead exemption is basically a tax break for qualifying homeowners. It’s one of the many perks of buying and owning a home in the Lone Star State. A homestead exemption allows you to “write down” your property value, so you don’t get taxed as much.

As you probably know, residential property taxes are a major revenue source for the state of Texas. They help fund public schools, libraries, streets and roads, and more. They also compensate for the lack of state income tax. Texas is one of several states that do not impose a statewide income tax. As a result, they tend to lean more heavily on homeowners to generate necessary revenues.

And that’s where the Texas homestead exemption comes into the picture. The “residence homestead exemption,” as it’s officially known, is one of several tax breaks associated with homeownership. The state offers additional exemptions for military veterans, disabled persons, homeowners over 65, etc. But those are the subject of another article.

Click here for general information on homestead exemptions. Find your county here.

How Does the Standard Exemption Work?

Let’s talks specifics. Here’s how the basic Texas homestead exemption works. Section 11.13(b) of the state’s tax code requires public school districts to offer a $40,000 exemption on “residence homesteads” located within their districts. That’s legal jargon for a home that serves as a primary residence.

Other sections of the tax code offer similar exemptions:

• Section 11.13(n) gives taxing units the option to offer a separate homestead exemption of up to 20% of the appraised property value — but not less than $5,000.
• Section 11.13(a) requires a homestead exemption of $3,000 to be offered in those counties that collect flood-control or “farm-to-market” taxes.

The most common type of homestead exemption in Texas is the $40,000 reduction mentioned above, as outlined in section 11.13(b) of the state tax code.

So how does that exemption work?

Let’s say the local tax assessor or appraiser in your area determines that your home is worth $200,000. Under the standard Texas homestead exemption, you would be allowed to reduce the taxable value of your property by $25,000. So you would only be paying taxes on a $175,000 property value, versus $200,000. That could potentially save you hundreds of dollars annually.

Depending on where you live, you might have a separate exemption of up to $40,000. So this is something you’ll want to research at the local level, starting with your county’s tax website. Look for the “appraisal district” section of the website. That’s where you’ll find the homestead exemption rules and guidelines for your county, as well as any special requirements.

Prior to January 1, 2022, homestead exemptions could not be filed until the year after a home was purchased. As of 2022, homeowners may file for a homestead exemption immediately upon closing on their property, so long as an exemption has not yet been filed for that tax year.

Who Qualifies for It?

The good news is that there aren’t any strict qualification criteria for the general ($40,000) homestead exemption. You must have an ownership interest in the property and use it as your “principal residence.” In other words, you can’t use a homestead exemption on a second / vacation home. But that’s about it, as far as requirements go.

As it states on the Texas Comptroller’s website:

“A homestead can be a separate structure, condominium or a manufactured home located on owned or leased land, as long as the individual living in the home owns it. A homestead can include up to 20 acres, if the land is owned by the homeowner and used for a purpose related to the residential use of the homestead.”

Note: The general rules and procedures for a Texas homestead exemption come from state taxation officials. But the individual counties can implement them in different ways. So the exact requirements and exemption amounts can vary slightly from one county to the next.

Click here for general information on homestead exemptions. Find your county here.

How Do I Apply for It?

Applying for homestead exemptions in Texas is fairly straightforward, assuming you meet the basic eligibility requirements mentioned above. All you have to do is file a bit of paperwork.

The process can vary slightly from one county to the next. But in general, it works like this:

1. Visit the tax appraisal website for your county to find any specific instructions.
2. Obtain a copy of the “Application of Residential Homestead Exemption” (a.k.a., Property Tax Form 50-114) from your local appraisal district.
3. Complete the application with the required information about yourself and the property you’re claiming as a primary residence.
4. Submit the form in accordance with instructions provided by your appraisal district.
5. Provide any additional items your district might require (e.g., copy of driver’s license).
6. Follow up with your local appraisal district if you don’t receive any confirmation.

To learn more: If you have additional questions about this subject, you can refer to the “property tax exemptions” section of the Texas comptroller’s office. Their site offers more information on the topics covered above, along with a helpful FAQ section. You can find it with a quick Google search. You’ll also want to visit the “appraisal district” website for your particular county.

Have mortgage questions? Trinity Oaks Mortgage proudly serves the entire DFW Metroplex. Our experienced loan officers can answer any mortgage-related questions you have and guide you through the process. We look forward to hearing from you!

The post Homestead Exemptions in Texas: How They Work and Who Qualifies appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

When you choose Debt Consolidation Refinance, it involves paying off high-interest debt for a loan with a lower interest rate. Consolidating debt allows you to save on interest payments in the long term. Costs can add up quickly if you owe a lot of high-interest debt, and it can become unbearable. For many, the apparent path is debt consolidation.

Currently, mortgage rates are at an all-time low, and a debt consolidation refinance could be a smart way to save money. Prior to making a decision on debt consolidation, it’s essential to realize all that is at play and learn these five benefits. It’s crucial to discern what’s involved with these strategies because securing high-interest debt against your home can be risky, so weigh all the pros and cons before determining.

How does debt consolidation work?

High-interest debt commonly originates from unsecured financing sources, like personal loans and credit cards. “Unsecured” means the lender contains no surety to regain losses if you run out on the debt. (Unlike a mortgage, which is “secured” by a tangible item; your home.) It’s easy to get in way over your head with many high-interest payments being sent to numerous lenders every month. Debt Consolidation Refinance is a straightforward way if you have predictable income and want to have affordable monthly payments.

The goal of a Debt Consolidation Refinance

The main goal of any debt consolidation strategy is to have more manageable monthly costs. For most homeowners, the lowest-cost source of money is their primary mortgage. Homeowners wanting to consolidate debt often use a cash-out refinance. Debt consolidation involves closing on a new home loan worth more than your current mortgage amount. The additional loan amount is cashed out at your closing.

Then, you use the cashed-out money to pay off your current high-interest debt, leaving you with one single debt to pay off: your mortgage. With this route, you’re conclusively paying off costly unsecured debts by means of a lower-interest mortgage loan. Funds received during a cash-out refinance can be used to pay off other significant obligations, like medical bills or student loans.

If your top goal is to become debt-free faster, then the highest-interest debts should take priority. The added benefit is that today’s mortgage interest rates are at near historic lows. So there’s a good chance you can lower your current mortgage rate and save on home loan interest as well as the interest on your other debts. Don’t forget that refinancing comes with closing costs, just like with your original mortgage.

Requirements of a Debt Consolidation Refinance

In order to consolidate debt using a mortgage refinance, you must qualify for the new loan. Requirements vary depending on your current loan type and the type of cash-out refinance you are applying for.

First, you will need enough equity to pay off the existing debts. You’ll typically need more than 20% equity to qualify for a debt consolidation mortgage. Most lenders want you to leave at least 20% of your home equity untouched when using a cash-out refinance. For instance, 30-40% equity is required to cash out 10-20% in cash.

You will additionally need to meet minimum credit score requirements. The most common type of refinancing is a conventional cash-out refinance, and it requires a credit score of at least 620.

FHA offers a cash-out refinancing program, which allows a lower FICO score of 600. Be aware that taking out a new FHA loan means you’ll pay for a mortgage insurance premium (MIP), including both an upfront fee and a monthly mortgage insurance fee. This increases the total cost of your new loan and digs into your savings margin.

A great option for qualified veterans and service members is to consolidate debt via a VA cash-out refinance. The VA cash-out loan allows you to refinance 100% of your home’s current value. Veterans might qualify even if they don’t have enough equity for a conventional cash-out loan.

Benefits of a Debt Consolidation Refinance

Debt consolidation can be a resourceful way to get out of debt faster. Learn more about the five benefits of using a debt consolidation refinance.

Benefit #1 – Pay only one bill every month

One of the more apparent benefits of consolidating debt with a refinance is having multiple payments lumped into one payment. This benefit is a great way to free up money monthly to save or invest in your future.

Benefit #2 – Lower your monthly payments

Debt consolidation is a way to make your month-to-month debt more affordable by paying off to reveal a lower interest rate. Lowering your monthly payments is a great way to

Benefit #3 – Improve your credit score

Consolidating your debt can also improve your credit score. It helps by lowering your “credit utilization ratio,” which is the percentage of your total credit limit that you’re using at any given time.

In general, the lower your utilization ratio, the better your FICO score.

Benefit #4 – Save money by reducing the interest paid on outstanding debt

The obvious benefit of a debt consolidation refinance is that you’ll save money by lowering the interest rate on your outstanding debts. This could save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

Benefit #5 – Lower your current mortgage rate to save on home loan interest

Another benefit in completing a debt consolidation refinance is to save on your original mortgage interest. By consolidating your mortgage and debts together in one, you save on interest in the long run.

Overall, a debt consolidation refinance is a smart way to pay down your debts at a much lower interest rate. But it requires a high level of discipline in making payments to avoid negative consequences.

Remember, you still owe the money

With a Debt Consolidation Refinance, you should exercise caution and be highly disciplined in your repayment. You could put your home at risk if you’re unable to make payments with your mortgage or home equity-backed loan. Loanees occasionally get into trouble because their previous credit lines are freed up when their debt is consolidated. It’s possible to rack up debt and get into trouble all over again. Remember, consolidating does not mean your debts have been “wiped clean.” They’re just being restructured to become more feasible. The ultimate goal is to stay debt-free; a refinance or loan is just a means to that end.

Next steps

Debt consolidation is a reasonable road to get out of debt for many borrowers. You will need to be aware of the possible risks in advance to avoid them and pay down your debt victoriously.

• Pursue help to get your monthly spending habits under control
• Make a higher-than-minimum payment on debts
• Contemplate a zero-interest transfer or personal loan as another option

Have mortgage questions? Trinity Oaks Mortgage proudly serves the entire DFW Metroplex. Our experienced loan officers can answer any mortgage-related questions you have and guide you through the process.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The post In’s and Out’s of Debt Consolidation Refinance appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

This year Americans are looking forward to their tax refund with more anticipation than ever before. Americans, along with the rest of the world, experienced a trying year in 2020. The pandemic affected millions of people in all aspects of life: work, health, family, and relationships. So, those expecting a tax return are anxiously monitoring the deadline to submit their tax return. Tax Day is the deadline when individual income tax returns are due to the Internal Revenue Service. It typically falls in mid-April, but this year the IRS has extended the deadline to June 15th.

Submitting your tax return is sometimes half the battle. Getting the most out of your tax return is the next goal. Investing in homeownership is a logical way to spend your tax refund. As a homebuyer and homeowner, you can take advantage of your tax refund in numerous ways. Leverage your tax refund with these 10 ways to use a tax refund for homeownership.

Purchase a Home

Home buying season varies, but generally, it begins at the end of March (early Spring) and lasts throughout the Summer and sometimes into early Fall. A significant reason for this uptick in home buying is the more favorable weather. Trekking to an open house during Winter’s snowy and cold weather is less desirable than holding an open house in the Spring or Summer.

1. Pay off debt

If you have a chunk of debt holding you back from purchasing a house, a tax refund could help you pay off debt. Paying off that debt will increase your credit score, and in turn, could make you eligible for different loan options to become a home buyer.

2. Down Payment

The down payment is a type of payment, often in cash, made in the early stages of a house purchase. The cost represents a percentage of the total purchase price. The rest of the cost to the seller comes from a home loan that your mortgage lender provides. Use our mortgage calculator to estimate the down payment for your dream home.

3. Home Inspections

A home inspection observes and reports on the condition of a real estate property, usually when it is on the market. A qualified home inspector assesses the condition of the property, including its heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical work, water, and sewage, as well as some fire and safety issues.

4. Earnest Money

Earnest Money is a deposit made to a seller representing a buyer’s “good faith” purchasing a home. The Earnest Money gives the buyer extra time to finance through a lender and conduct the title search, property appraisal, and inspections before completing the property purchase.

5. Closing Costs

Mortgage closing costs run from 2% to 5% of the loan cost, including property taxes, mortgage insurance, and more. Closing costs include the fees for the services and expenses required to finalize a mortgage. You’ll have to pay closing costs whether you buy a home or refinance. Most of the closing costs fall on the buyer, but the seller typically has to pay some too, such as the real estate agent’s commission.

6. Home Maintenance

Owning a home is wonderful, but you have to remember the hidden costs of maintaining a home. You can use your tax refund to help take care of any home maintenance problems that arise.

Boost Home Equity

Homeowners can build wealth by reinvesting in their homes, refinancing their current home loans to increase cash flow, or purchasing a second home. Regardless of which path you choose, make sure it makes sense financially for your particular situation.

7. Refinance your Home

If you’re looking to save thousands a year, then refinancing is the way to go. You can lower your interest rate, pay off high-interest debt, shorten your home loan term, or drop your mortgage insurance. As a reminder, it takes Money to save Money, and there are refinancing costs and requirements.

8. Remodel Your Home

Remodeling your house, if done correctly, can increase its value enormously and make it a desirable place to live. To get the highest return on your investment, look for a home improvement project that will increase your home value the most.

9. Purchase an Investment Property

Whether it’s an investment property or vacation home, financing a second home can be a lucrative investment.

10. Repair your Home

Many repairs on homes are inexpensive and can be DIY’ed, but some can be very expensive and require professionals. It depends on the difficulty of the job and your comfort level. A tax refund can help with these costs.

How you choose to spend your tax return is entirely up to you. With the stress of 2020, even getting a tax return back this year can be considered a win. If you want to create secure long-term wealth, consider using the above 10 Ways to Use a Tax Refund for Homeownership!

Have mortgage questions? Trinity Oaks Mortgage proudly serves the entire DFW Metroplex. Our experienced loan officers can answer any mortgage-related questions you have and guide you through the process.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The post 10 Ways to Use a Tax Refund for Homeownership appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

We are so excited for TOM Talk Episode Seven! Our President, Michael Kuentz interviews our Head of Secondary & Capital Markets – Aaron Bunn. Watch below – transcript added for ADA. We hope you’ll share these videos with your friends and tune in to learn more about our company and employees!

Transcript (Speakers: Michael Kuentz – President, Aaron Bunn – Head of Secondary & Capital Markets)

Words on screen; TOM TALK – POWERED BY TRINITY OAKS MORTGAGE

Aaron Bunn: Man, probably the biggest thing that motivates me is just this company. And one of the biggest things that I love the most is knowing that I’m not just adding to a bottom line. I mean it, and I know it might be cliche, but you really don’t understand how much of this company is helping and reaching other people because of that bottom line.

Words on screen; TOM TALK – Let’s talk with… Aaron Bunn

Michael Kuentz: Hey, TOM family. Welcome to another edition of TOM talk. And we’re very blessed today to be joined by one of our leaders in the company. Aaron Bunn. Aaron is going to tell us all about what he does within the company. But he’s going to tell us certainly a lot about him as an individual. And I kind of think of Aaron as the wizard. You know, and Wizard of Oz because he’s the guy behind the curtain that is probably talking to every single person in the company, but you never get to see him. So, now you get to see his face. Here’s Aaron Bunn. Aaron. Welcome.

Aaron Bunn: Thank you so much. I’m so excited to talk with you and get through this together.

Michael Kuentz: You got it. Well, so tell us, what do you do here at Trinity Oaks Mortgage?

Aaron Bunn: Oh, man, what do I not do? Now I’m the Head of Secondary and Capital Markets. So, and in normal people’s terms, I sell all of our loans to our investors. It’s very, very fun. It’s very exciting. But it also very stressful at times. As we know that that kinda, that role and responsibility adds a little bit of pressure, especially towards the end of each month. But, really what I love about it. It’s just the challenge. It never stops changing. The challenge is great. It’s, I’ve always been a mathematician. Math has always been my favorite and easiest subject. So, working with the market and the numbers and, and hedging, our pipeline is something that when I first got into it and it was first presented to me as an option I naturally gravitated towards it. I got super excited, but it’s one of those things that it keeps me on my toes day in, day out. The market keeps me on my toes. As we know, the market can change in a blink of an eye. So that is something that’s really exciting to me. I enjoy the challenge, but when it comes to pressure, the severity of the role is really just controlling our cash and our margins and preserving the value of each one of our loans. So we can hit our goals, our profitability goals. Month in – month out, quarter in – quarter out, and obviously the end of the year. So, there is a lot of pressure, but I’m very, very humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to be entrusted with it as well. So, thank you for that.

Michael Kuentz: Absolutely. Well, you know it’s like it’s its own additional part of the business, the secondary market, and everybody understands the loan side or for the most part, anyways, you know, there’s loan officers and there’s real estate agents and there’s borrowers and there’s processing and underwriting. But, but when that loan is funded, it takes on a whole new, a whole new angle.

Aaron Bunn: Oh it does.

Michael Kuentz: And that’s an important one. Yeah, for sure.

Aaron Bunn: Yeah. It’s like a whole second side that nobody really sees from the origination and operations side of it. Operation gets a glimpse from helping us clear conditions to get them purchased. But yeah, it’s a, it’s a whole nother manufacturing per se process on the back end to get these things off of our lines so we can fund more loans.

Michael Kuentz:  That’s great. That’s great. So tell me, how long have you been with the company? Cause I’ve heard, you know, back when the company started, it was like a few tables, so I believe you were one of the originals.

Aaron Bunn: Yeah. So looking back at our old Christmas. I was looking back at photos of my phone and I came across one of the ones from our very first Christmas party. I think it was the second one that we had. So we opened the doors may of 2016 and I didn’t start until August. But yeah, this August 29th will be five years with the company, and I started out as a, we were so small, I started out as a Lock Desk coordinator/Post-Closing coordinator. And then once, obviously we grew to where those departments had to be separated. I was kind of that’s when I was presented with which route do you want to go? And when I didn’t know, a secondary was, all I knew was lock desk. Lock stuff with our investors didn’t know this whole second side of it. I actually turned it down twice. I said I wanted to go to post-closing cause that’s what I had the most experience in. So, I am so grateful that he did not let me go that route because they knew I would one be not really that anybody, he knew that my talent, so it wouldn’t be yeah. So he said your potential is in secondary. I trust you there. I know what your talents are. I need you there. And so I took a shot in the dark and James Hinton came on board and he was really my mentor who got me into secondary. And I think that’s about two and a half, almost three years now. Yeah, that I’ve been in secondary. So, I still dabble in post-closing quite a bit, but just to help out and train and give those pushes at the end of the month. But. Yeah, it has been something that has been very, very exciting to learn.

Michael Kuentz: Well, it’s been fun too. First of all, speaking of somebody, you mentioned James Hinton, I kind of call him the father of mortgage and James, if you listened to this out there, we thank you for all that you’ve done for Trinity Oaks. But he is, he, as they say, he’s forgotten more about mortgage than I’ll ever learn. But I can, I can attribute you know, James’ mentoring of you it’s paid off in spades because you have, you’ve really grown into quite , quite a leader in the company. We lean on you pretty heavily every day, so we appreciate you very much. Yeah. So, so yeah, that’s a work side for a second, but tell us something about you that most people familiar with you may not know.

Aaron Bunn: Oh man, there’s quite a bit, but I would have to say one of my biggest hobbies and things that a lot of people who don’t really know my personal life is playing the guitar. I’ve got this daily reminder, that’s my therapy per se. I’ve got my guitar hanging there and I just sit here and play it and I sing it. And that is something that gets me through. I mean, yeah, I’m definitely guilty as everybody else can probably attest to, to turning your volume up very high and everybody’s in American Idol in their vehicle. I’m pretty sure that both of my neighbors on each side of me can attest that I’m the same way inside my apartment. So, poor things. There’s actually a cool little fun fact. There have actually been some times where the woman who lives right behind my back actually. She’s saying she has a very, very renounced gospel voice. She has started singing on a couple of occasions. I’ve been singing and playing in here and she starts singing the harmony to the songs that she knows. So it’s, it’s just, it’s really cool. Music is one of those things that just brings everybody together. I know you’re familiar with it and it’s a way to really be able to communicate to people through song. And it’s really helped me through. It’s always been the backbone of my life, through all of my ups and downs.

Michael Kuentz: Yeah, I miss our days of being in the office a hundred percent of the time when I had my guitar up there and you and I stress relief together.

Aaron Bunn: Well, I’m looking forward to being in a hotel lobby with you, with a guitar. Maybe I get to relive one of those old stories.

Michael Kuentz: You’ve heard that story. Well, so you know, you’ve learned a lot, you’ve come a long way in your career as an individual contributor as a leader. What motivates you to get up every morning and go to work?

Aaron Bunn: Man, probably the biggest thing that motivates me is just this company in a whole, one of the biggest things that I love the most is knowing that I’m not just adding to a bottom line. I mean it, and I know it might be cliche, but you really don’t understand how much of this company is helping and reaching other people because of that bottom line. And I actually got the pleasure of knowing that at the leadership, I’m sorry, the president’s club trip in Florida to know that number was just outstanding and it was so funny. I was talking to Heather about it and we had a really deep conversation and she said, I just don’t. I can’t believe it. She was like the fact that you have somebody not just from John Houston and the executive team, but it filters down to all the executives and every employee that’s, there is totally on board. Totally understands. It, it brings a whole new meaning because as somebody who has been on that opposite side that has needed that type of help. And to be able to reach people I have just a greater sense of, of gratefulness and admiration for John and this company and everybody that’s a part of it.

Michael Kuentz: Yeah, it’s you know, I’m, I’m constantly reminded because I live in the world of, we need to do our job and execute, but John is such a great reminder to me in my leadership growth. Is that remember, it’s not just about the. You know, the giving to the kingdom. It’s the reaching people too. And you know, we did a great job as a company last year, we’re going to continue to do more. God wants us to be amazing stewards of this gift of being able to guide this ship. I mean, he ultimately guides us, but he gives us the capabilities and the abilities, and we want to reach more people. We’ve got some pretty fun goals as a company over the next three years and the number we’re going to reach, and I’m excited about what, what doors God’s going to continue to open. So, let me ask you kind of a question that I think we’d all try to answer to ourselves sometimes, but if you could go back and talk to your old 16-year-old self, what advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? And what, what would that be?

Aaron Bunn: Man always be kind, always be caring. I would say to always look at the glass half full because I’ve been the negative Nancy before, but through everything that I’ve been through from age 16 to today which I won’t give that number away. But, one of the biggest things is what I always fall back on in terms of what I try to teach my boys what I try to teach people that I’m in contact with. And what I try to teach people who work for me and with me is to always choose love. I mean, quick, quick, the story back when I worked in the financial industry, we would have customers come in all the time that would get so angry and take it out on them. And then it would affect the rest of their day. That’d be talking about that customer all day long. And I finally just got to the point where I’d tell people, just choose love. You love people. It’s one of the greatest commandments. We are called to love people as God has loved us. And I mean, that’s, if you don’t choose love your, your day is going to be ruined. There’s so much joy. There’s so much wasted emotion. The joy that’s stolen from it. I spent a lot of years. It took me a long time to learn that. But I’ll tell you it has helped me not lose moments, not ruin my joy and let it be stolen. So, I’d say be kind, be caring, be positive and always choose love.

Michael Kuentz: Well, Aaron you know, you’re a constant reminder that you’re always telling those stories. You’re, you’re, you’re you live our core values. I appreciate you so much. And you’ve done amazing things. You’re going to continue to do amazing things for our company. I see. I see a lot of runway ahead for you and it’s been a pleasure getting to talk to you today for TOM Talk. And group, I hope you get to know Aaron like I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him and certainly world out there meet Aaron. We love him here at Trinity Oaks Mortgage. Aaron, Thank you, buddy. Appreciate you.

Aaron Bunn: Michael. Thank you seriously for everything you’ve done for me and continue to do for this company. It’s much appreciated.

Michael Kuentz: Take care guys.

Aaron Bunn: Bye.

Words on screen; TOM TALK – Thanks for watching!

Words on screen; TOM TALK – Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

END OF TRANSCRIPT

Here at Trinity Oaks Mortgage we love being your lender! When dealing with your home financing, we are not only working with one of your largest personal financial investments; we also are handling one of your biggest dreams. Since we work with matters so close to the heart, we serve you from ours. Contact one of our loan advisors today – click here.

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube.

The post TOM Talk Episode Seven appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

You might think that leadership is a one-style fit all, but that rarely appears to be the case. Just as technical skills need to be constantly updated to remain relevant, so do motivation strategies and management styles. We have cultivated a team of servant leaders at Trinity Oaks Mortgage focused on bringing out the best in our employees.

How you live and relate with the people you lead indicates what type of leader you are. Leadership entails directing people to work in achieving a common goal for all. Leadership is less about the leader and more about the employees working together with the same purpose, mission, and vision in mind. Let’s talk about how leadership makes Trinity Oaks Mortgage the Best Mortgage Company to Work For.

“There is a vision for the future, and everyone feels like they contribute to that future.” – Valued TOM employee.

We emphasize teamwork.

The Leadership at Trinity Oaks Mortgage is Phenomenal. Our outstanding management has fulfilled the purpose and the vision of the JH Family of Companies by reaching people for Christ and giving to the Kingdom. We emphasize teamwork that helps everyone feel they are part of the process. By cultivating this environment, we can draw our employees together. Our hand-picked leaders are good role models with a healthy work/life balance. They motivate and support our teams to bring out the best version of themselves in their work.

We are investing back in the employees.

We all love to feel appreciated and acknowledged for the excellent work we do. Investing back in the employees gives them a drive, security, and a sense of purpose in the workplace. The JH Family of Companies recognizes the need for personal growth within the workplace and offers numerous opportunities for our employees to help the community through local and global reach with JH Reach. We further support our employees by cultivating servant leaders, offering our employees opportunities to grow in all aspects of their lives. We provide Life groups, marriage retreats, and parenting resources.  

“I feel blessed to work for a company that exemplifies the goodness internally and externally in giving to charities.” – Valued TOM employee.

We have approachable management.

Healthy management practice never includes instilling panic and fear among employees. Trinity Oaks Mortgage’s leadership structure is open and accommodating. Our leaders listen to employees with great ideas because that feedback helps make appropriate decisions in our organization. Making the management approachable helps employees get the courage to communicate their thoughts and ideas. It allows healthy dialogue and growth. Our leadership is approachable, easy to talk to, accessible, and open with employees. 

We encourage a work-life balance.

The Leadership of Trinity Oaks Mortgage cares about their employees’ well-being. You cannot deliver to your workplace 100% if your life outside work is misaligned. Both go hand in hand. Your home life needs to be in sync with your work life as this will reflect in your job performance. As a result, our management ensures that you are growing and thriving outside your work life. We create this atmosphere to ensure our employees know they are helping people find their way Home.

“The management is approachable at all levels and has a genuine and sincere interest in its employees’ support and well-being.” – Valued TOM employee.

Leadership has contributed to our distinction as Best Mortgage Company To Work For in 2021

Our outstanding leadership has contributed to our distinction as the #1 Best Mortgage Company To Work For in 2021. “It is a blessing as the leader of the company to come to work every day and know that each and every employee doesn’t just talk about our core values, but lives them inside and outside of our four walls,” said Michael Kuentz, President of Trinity Oaks. “We want our customers to experience our Generous Love, Honest Communication, Second Mile Service, and Relentless Pursuit of Excellence before, during, and after the loan is closed.”

We’re hiring! Trinity Oaks Mortgage has made tremendous strides in 2021! We have focused our efforts around a “Better Before Bigger” mentality, and it has served us well! We are now ready for the next chapter, which involves aspirational yet achievable growth.

We strive to live out core values: Generous Love, Honest Communication, 2nd Mile Service, and a Relentless Pursuit of Excellence. It is our goal for our borrowers to experience each core value throughout their mortgage process.

If you are interested in joining a culture that puts Faith & Family first, please apply today! APPLY HERE

Have mortgage questions? Trinity Oaks Mortgage proudly serves the entire DFW Metroplex. Our experienced loan officers can answer any mortgage-related questions you have and guide you through the process.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The post What Makes Trinity Oaks Mortgage the Best Mortgage Company to Work For? Leadership. appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

We are so excited for TOM Talk Episode Six! Our President, Michael Kuentz interviews one of our Loan Processors – Ericka Thompson. Watch below – transcript added for ADA. We hope you’ll share these videos with your friends and tune in to learn more about our company and employees!

Transcript (Speakers: Michael Kuentz – President, Ericka Thompson- Loan Processor)

Words on screen; TOM TALK – POWERED BY TRINITY OAKS MORTGAGE

Michael Kuentz: Ultimately what I want to, what I’m, what I want to gain out of all of this is a more transparent, a healthier, you know, we, we were blessed to be named the number one place to work, but that’s a survey, right. I want to continue to see. It in action, not just on paper. I want to continue to see, you know, Ericka growing and developing in her career and, and then telling other people about this cause it’s truly the best game in town type thing.

Words on screen; TOM TALK – Let’s talk with… Ericka Thompson

Michael Kuentz: Hey, TOM family. Welcome yet again to another edition of TOM talk. And as I’m always excited each and every time I get to do this, I’m super excited because I haven’t seen Ericka in far too long. I feel like you know, when Ericka joined us, gosh, last year then COVID hit us. Right. And so it’s great to see her face and just get to talk with her.

But team we’re, we’re blessed to talk with Ericka Thompson today. Ericka is part of our operations team. And I’ve just enjoyed getting to know her, although it was short-lived when, when when we got to talk face-to-face and I learned about she’s like me, coffee is like you know, coffee has to be a certain way for us to drink it just right. Then you have your coffee the way you like it. Tell me about it. Tell us about your coffee.

Ericka Thompson: Well, I’ve changed now to a different. It’s I’m a woman and I’m allowed to change my routine. So, now I am taking it’s called elevate and it helps you with focus and to get started. And I add a little bit of dairy-free hazelnut to it.

And so it’s kind of, it’s really helped me. I’m not a morning person at all. So, it helps me to get going and to have more of a positive outlook.

Michael Kuentz: Good for you. That’s awesome. I know, I know that was a bit of a curveball, but I just recall that story of you and I meeting at the coffee.

Ericka Thompson: Yes. Seems like every morning.

Michael Kuentz: One of your first days, so, well, Hey tell us what you do for us.

Ericka Thompson: I am a loan processor for one of the greatest teams that I’ve ever worked with our leader, Kelly is awesome. And I think we have a great team of mature ladies. It makes a difference and no, not to younger people, but it just really makes a difference to work with more mature staff and you know, more understanding and we’re able to, you know, buckle down and know that we have a job to do so it’s been great.

Michael Kuentz: Yeah. That’s awesome. And you know you’re, you said it best right. Maturity in this industry is important. You know, you’ve got kind of the, been there, done that. You’ve seen it all. There are not many things that. That you haven’t been able to work through before and businesses that are growing need that type of maturity. But at the same time, what I love about it too, Ericka is when we do go and bring in. You know, folks that, you know, don’t understand that mortgage has two G’s in it, you become almost an immediate mentor because you’ve, you’ve been able, to work through all of those hurdles over the course of your career.

But I agree with you. We’ve got a tremendous, tremendous operations team in general and I was talking to Christine this morning about that as I. I feel like, you know, capacity where we’re looking good. Tenure, we’re looking good. Even folks that are growing up in the organization, they’re getting more confident and we’re starting to build some real stability and scalability too.

So. Yeah. So you’ve been with us for a year. And what a year that you joined, right. Had, I mean.

Ericka Thompson: I know.

Michael Kuentz: I mean here one, one minute, we’re in the coffee room and the next minute we’re remote. What have you experienced over the course of this last year?

Ericka Thompson: Well, I think the year has really taught me a lot.  As far as. The unknown and what you can and can’t handle. And then I’ve met a few new boyfriends along the way with the Amazon guy, the FedEx guy. Yeah.

Michael Kuentz: We know him by name don’t we?

Ericka Thompson: Yeah, I know him by name. Hey! The trucks that go down this street and during the beginning, my neighbor. On either side, one of us was getting a visit from one of those three companies every day, maybe from all three in a day. But yeah, it’s just really taught me of the unknown. And I’ve had so many friends who lost their jobs and to know that our business kept going was really a blessing because you think about the things that you were doing before that you could really do without.

You know, and it’s just really been a blessing. And so many lives were lost during that time. I’ve had friends in the beginning, it was kind of almost like, eh, it’s not real, it’s not going to happen. But then as time going around on Facebook, it would be, do you really know anybody who’s actually had COVID it took a few months.

I mean by the summer. And then surely by September, everybody knew somebody who had been affected by COVID in one way or another, whether there was a death or just being, you know, having tested positive from it. So it just really was an eye-opener and it taught us a lot of ways that we can do things whoever would have thought that so many things can be done via zoom or via video. There are so many adjustments that have been made.

Michael Kuentz: I agree. I, you know, it was we had to kind of trial by fire, right. Overnight. We go from a place where we liked coming into the office to now we need to make sure that we’re set up we’re secure. We’re able to do our jobs remotely, you know, in some respects.

I mean, I love the human interaction and I miss that on a more consistent basis. But in some respects, I think it forced our hand. To, to be ready for what the mortgage industry you know, is gonna move to, you know, more remote, more technology, more leaning on that, making our people better through the investment of technology.

And so I think in some respects, but you’re right, it was such a blessing to be. And essential business because there are so many folks who still to this day are trying to pick up the pieces. And so we can, we can thank our father for that. No doubt about it. Yeah.

Ericka Thompson: I think if this pandemic had happened 10 years ago, nobody would have been able to survive it. I don’t think technology just was not there. So I think God has his timing and everything. Even with this, you know, 10 years ago. It just would have wiped everything out. So everything is in his perfect time and I believe

Michael Kuentz: That’s good. I love it. So what is the, what’s the one thing that you wish you had known when you began your career?

Ericka Thompson: Oh, my gosh. I think, I mean, I started, I don’t want to date myself, but Kelly and I laugh about old things that we remember back in the beginning, but I think the main thing is to know that you can impact someone’s life either way, whether it’s, you know, getting them in that dream home. Or not being able to where you get, you know, halfway through the process or even at the end of the process.

And then something happens to where you’re not able to do that loan. And that’s happened to me several times, whether it’s a mistake on my end, companies end, or on the borrowers and where they go at the last minute and buy a home full of furniture and you don’t even have the house yet, or you, you know, you have a 30 day late and it just ruins the whole thing.

So, to know that you have someone’s life in balance and to have in the very beginning, I didn’t understand because I was not a homeowner, but having gone through the process yourself, it’s a whole different ball game you have. So your life is in limbo. You’re just waiting. You had your kids here, you got your husband.

You have movers, you have all this stuff, just laying in the balance, depending on this one transaction and you’re, their lives are in your hands and to not to be nonchalant about it is you just can’t be, it just can’t be. You have to put yourself in their shoes.

Michael Kuentz: Yeah, really it couldn’t be once again with our perfect timing of our Lord and savior. It’s you know, we just went through a rebranding, right? Trinity Oaks and, JHH went through a rebranding and our brand vision. Right. What you just talked about. It’s so critical that we’re joyful. We’re a hope-filled, loving guide throughout that because we’re in this business. We know it, we do it every day.

And sometimes, you know, we’re doing hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of these. But that one family on the other end is doing it one time, maybe three times in their life who knows. And we’ve got to remember that and we’ve got to be that joyful, hopeful, loving guide.

Ericka Thompson: And it takes a little bit of learning to get something out of a customer that you need. We want to hit our numbers.

Michael Kuentz: Yeah.

Ericka Thompson: They have their lives that they’re living and it may not be that important to them, but they still want to close. But they don’t realize, we need this, we need this. You know, you “Lady send me, what I need or you will not close,” but you gotta find better words to say it, you know, to get them to know the importance of it.

Because if you send it at the last minute and then we won’t meet your closing, but sometimes it just doesn’t seem that important to them.

Michael Kuentz: Who says you’re not in sales, right. You’re also, you’re making sure to keep the transaction moving and absolutely. And you’ve got to do it with balance and grace, all of that. So that’s good. So, what advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue a career in mortgage similar to what you’re doing?

Ericka Thompson: I think it takes a lot of organization and balance because you have to be able to have so many different things going on in your head. Oh, and one thing for sure, for sure. I learned the hard way you have to be able to turn it off.

At the end of the day, when it’s over, it’s over. I would find myself early on in my career laying in bed in the middle of the night and waking up, going ah! Did I do this? Did I do that? I mean, I would constantly be thinking about it and thinking about and thinking about it, but it took time for me to say, no, I can’t. I have to cut this off and now live my life over here. Not saying that you don’t still think about it.

Michael Kuentz: Yeah.

Ericka Thompson: But you have to, you’ve gotta be able to divide that up. Be organized enough in your day. And when you’re closing out your day, make a list of what you have to do that next morning, but then once you close it up, you’re on with your family.

Yeah. You have to make that time, your family, your, your husband, or your kids, or whomever. And if you don’t have that just for your life, you have to be able to make that separation. So that’s what I would tell somebody. Don’t get too caught up in. You know, the number of files that you’re doing, just so you make a bonus or whatever, you have to still be able to balance your life.

What good is making the money, if you’re not going to be able to enjoy it with your family?

Michael Kuentz: Amen. A hundred percent.

Ericka Thompson: Yeah. Yeah.

Michael Kuentz: So, what, what are some of the best resources that you have found or that helped you along the way while you’ve been in this business?

Ericka Thompson: I think staying in contact with. All the employees or managers that I’ve worked with to see how different companies are doing things, or they may have heard something new that’s coming down the line, or you may have had a scenario at a previous company 10 years ago, but you still have the contacts and you can call them and say, Hey, do you remember when XYZ happened?

How did we handle that? Or what would you do if this situation came about? So, it’s really helpful to keep those good contacts from past companies to fall back on or just to go back and, you know, see how they would handle a situation. Or even if you have a difficult situation with an underwriter on making a decision, it’s good to bounce an idea off of another underwriter with a different company to see how they would look at it. So, a lot of underwriting is based on their opinion of the situation. Anyway.

Michael Kuentz: Yeah, no, that’s, I, I love that because and that’s anything in life right. We want to, we want to learn from experiences. We want to take our history with us and be able to then build networks around that and be able to, I call it my bat phone.

You know, I’ve got five or six people that I, you know, that I can get on speed dial. And my hope is I add value to them, but I know they add value to me. But you got to build that network. It’s so critical, so important because it can help you grow and develop. It can help us get deals across the finish line.

Maybe we didn’t think we could and help that family that we weren’t quite sure or not. So that’s really good, Ericka. That’s good. Well, I have to tell you, I’ve enjoyed this. I really, really have enjoyed seeing you. It’s been too long.

Ericka Thompson: Yes.

Michael Kuentz: And I look forward to the day that we can get at least maybe a few days in the office here again. But it’s a, it’s a real pleasure having you on this team. It really means the world to me to have you guys and you’re doing a great job obviously, and I look forward to just great things, for you and your time here. And great things for Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

Ericka Thompson: Thank you. I really enjoyed my time here and the people that I work with, most of all.

Michael Kuentz: Amen to that.

Words on screen; TOM TALK – Thanks for watching!

Words on screen; TOM TALK – Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

END OF TRANSCRIPT

Here at Trinity Oaks Mortgage we love being your lender! When dealing with your home financing, we are not only working with one of your largest personal financial investments; we also are handling one of your biggest dreams. Since we work with matters so close to the heart, we serve you from ours. Contact one of our loan advisors today – click here.

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube.

The post TOM Talk Episode Six appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

We have some BIG news to share!

Trinity Oaks Mortgage has undergone a re-brand, and we are so excited to be able to show our new Trinity Oaks Mortgage logo!

There was so much thought and time put into our new logo and we are happy to go in depth on what the various elements of our new logo signify.

KEY BIBLE VERSE

[Tweet “Trinity Oaks Mortgage was founded on this verse as it leads to our core values of Generous Love, Honest Communication, 2nd Mile Service, Relentless Pursuit of Excellence.”]

TREE TRUNK

[Tweet “The reimagined Trinity Oaks tree trunk visually represents the Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) and points upwards to our heavenly Home.”]

It also symbolizes the pathway that we guide our customers through during the financing part of their homeownership journey.

GREEN LEAVES

The TOM logo retains its visual connection to the scripture on which the company is based with the vibrant green leaves.

HOUSES AND FENCE

The home and fence illustrations feature the TOM tree to signify that we are a part of the neighborhoods and communities in which we work and serve.

YELLOW FRUIT

The yellow dots represent the yielding of abundant fruit so that we may find sustenance and refreshment.

Have mortgage questions? Trinity Oaks Mortgage proudly serves the entire DFW Metroplex. Our experienced loan officers can answer any mortgage-related questions you have and guide you through the process. We look forward to hearing from you!

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube.

The post Reimagining the Trinity Oaks Mortgage Brand appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

We are so excited for TOM Talk Episode Four! Our President, Michael Kuentz interviews our NRH Client Concierge – Kharis Hagen. Watch below – transcript added for ADA. We hope you’ll share these videos with your friends and tune in to learn more about our company and employees!

Transcript (Speakers: Michael Kuentz – President, Kharis Hagen – NRH Client Concierge)

(00:00-00:05): Words on screen; TOM TALK – POWERED BY TRINITY OAKS MORTGAGE

Michael Kuentz: [00:00:05] What I want every employee to know is what you get to do every day. We should always be looking for an opportunity. To meet somebody where they’re at, you know, what’s happening on the other end of the phone can be stressful. It can be overwhelming, you know, they’re, they don’t understand this process as well as we all understand it. And so to have that calming voice that you bring, but then also to, to be looking for opportunities to just make that experience better. I just love what we’re doing here.

[00:00:38]: Words on screen; TOM TALK – Let’s Talk With… Kharis Hagen

Michael Kuentz: [00:00:43]Welcome to another edition of a, of TOM talk, where we get to meet some of the folks that are within our organization. And I’m really, really excited today. I have the pleasure of interviewing Kharis Hagan and Kharis is relatively new to the organization and someone that I haven’t had the pleasure of getting to know well enough. So. As you’re getting to know her out there in, in in the field. I’m going to get to know her a little bit today too. So Kharis, welcome to TOM Talk.

Kharis Hagen: [00:01:15] Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Michael Kuentz: [00:01:18] Of course. We’re glad to have you, so you got to, got to tell me a little bit about yourself. So let’s start with, you’ve been with us for how long now?

Kharis Hagen: [00:01:26] Five months.

Michael Kuentz: [00:01:28] Okay

Kharis Hagen: [00:01:28] Yeah, since September.

Michael Kuentz: [00:01:30] And you were out of the North Richland Hills location, is that correct? Yes.  It’s crazy. Todd just keeps hiring all these great people. So I love seeing Matt tell us about what you do for us here at Trinity Oak.

Kharis Hagen: [00:01:45] So my title is Client Concierge. And so really I think the heart of the position is to be that middleman, I think for the clients, at least when it comes to like little questions that they may have or if they don’t know exactly who to get in touch with, or, you know I just. Really reach out to them and see how they’re doing, how their experience has been how we can improve on things. If something didn’t go well or, you know so that’s been kind of a, a fun and interesting position. So yeah, I mean, we’re kind of just building on it as we go and figuring out what works and what doesn’t and it’s been fun.

Michael Kuentz: [00:02:25] I love it. No, I think it’s whenever I talked to Todd about this role, cause as soon as he shared just kind of the framework of it, I went, this is brilliant. This is a great idea. Because it just makes us better. It makes us better through the process. And I love concierge because to me, when I think of concierge, I think of a great experience at a great hotel walk in and it’s like, what can I do for you? And so it’s just so encouraging, and I will tell you you know, you were the first of our client concierge roles, and then we’ve taken that and expanded it even to our corporate location and other branches. We’ve got, we’ve got one of our folks out in Frisco now doing it. And I will tell you, I’m hearing nothing but positive from this. And I think we’re just going to continue to build on it. I’m a big white glove, you know, red carpet, customer service type person.

Kharis Hagen: [00:03:23] Totally.

Michael Kuentz: [00:03:24] And I think, you know, in this day and age, customer service is more of a cliché than a practice. And so I love, love, love to see and hear this from you.

Kharis Hagen: [00:03:35] Mhmm.

Michael Kuentz: [00:03:35] So that’s awesome. So have you, so have you Are there any stories that you’d come away with just experiences and customers you’ve dealt with? Good news, bad news, a little bit of everything.

Kharis Hagen: [00:03:45] Yeah. I thankfully have not had really any negative experiences so far. But I will say, and this was actually when I was out of town a few weeks ago. Amber had reached out and asked me to send a client something. I think his wife was having surgery and we try to find, and little things like that to just, you know, get in touch with the client it’s and stuff. And so I just ordered Tiff’s treats and had it delivered to their place. And I gave him a call ahead of time when I was like, Hey, just letting you know, expect something at your door. And I got a text maybe an hour later and he was like, How did you know that this was her favorite thing? It made her day all the better, like, Oh my gosh, thank you so much. And so sometimes it’s hard. Like when you’re reaching out to a customer you’ve never talked to you before. Like you never really know how it’s going to go and getting interactions. Like that was just, Oh my gosh. Like

Michael Kuentz: [00:04:41] It’s pretty rewarding. Yeah, no, I, I just, yeah. This is. Yeah, I think back about my time here at Trinity Oaks and you know, what I want every employee to know is what you get to do every day. We should always be looking for an opportunity. To meet somebody where they’re at, you know, what’s happening on the other end of the phone can be stressful.

Kharis Hagen: [00:05:07] Mhmm.

Michael Kuentz: [00:05:07] It can be overwhelming, you know, they’re, they don’t understand this process as well as we all understand it. And so to have that calming voice that you bring, but then also to, to be looking for opportunities to just make that experience better I just love what we’re doing here. So that’s great to hear. So Tell me about something that you do better than most people?

Kharis Hagen: [00:05:36] You know, I, I don’t know if I necessarily do it better than most people, but over the last few years in the different jobs that I’ve had, like. When things get really, really stressful, which, you know, it happens. I just feel like that is kind of my time to shine. I don’t know what it is, but it just, like, I put my nose to the grindstone and I like hunker down and I try to stay as level-headed, as I can. And I feel like that really works in my favor. You know, it’s inevitable and but yeah, I feel like I’m more motivated to work harder when things aren’t maybe going as great.

Michael Kuentz: [00:06:16] Wow. That’s, that’s a great attribute. And in the role you’re in, obviously you haven’t, you haven’t seen the other side of the coin yet. You’ve seen a lot of positive things, but as we always know, there’s. There’s going to you can’t please, everybody, even though our goal is to try to do that. So when those times come, you’re going to be very well equipped to to handle them. So that’s, that’s great to hear. I think it takes that kind of mentality to be in the service world. So that’s, that’s terrific. As, as my mentor said, when everybody else goes high, you go low with your voice. Calming, you go more under control. That’s great. So. What is the last goal that you achieved?

Kharis Hagen: [00:06:57] So over like the last few years, especially after college I just, you know, when you’re left on your own to kind of fend for yourself and figure things out I just kind of got on this path of really trying to improve on myself and take care of myself. And so over the last year, really, like I have. Falling in love with fitness. And so that has been a really fun journey. I’ve seen a lot of improvement, not just like physically, but mentally, like I’m just, yeah, it makes all the difference. So obviously it’s still a journey forever a goal really, but yeah, that’s kinda my bigger thing.

Michael Kuentz: [00:07:39] That’s great. Well you know, they say it’s 30 days, I think to break a habit, good, bad or indifferent, but that is really something I think we can all take stock and inventory, especially in a year where, you know, a virus that’s come through, like it has, and you start to think about the people it impacts the most. So health and wellness is so critical and I encourage just myself, our team, everybody to take inventory of that because. Yeah. Are we, are we going out to try to look like, you know, Adonis? No, but what we are trying to do is have a better internal feeling and a better, better mental experience because you’re right it sharpens your saw. And I think that is one of the greatest attributes of, of staying in shape. I did my Peloton this morning as a matter of fact.

Kharis Hagen: [00:08:25] Oh, very nice!

Michael Kuentz: [00:08:26] Very proud of myself. So, yeah.

Kharis Hagen: [00:08:29] That’s awesome!

Michael Kuentz: [00:08:30] So what was the last thing you were really excited about?

Kharis Hagen: [00:08:34] Well recently as of just a few weeks ago, I actually got to go skiing in Colorado.

Michael Kuentz: [00:08:41] Oh, nice.

Kharis Hagen: [00:08:42] And it’s been about 10 years since I’ve skied and I was not great back then, but I actually was pretty impressed at how well I could remember a few things. But yeah, I mean a blast of a trip. So it was. It was loads of fun.

Michael Kuentz: [00:08:56] Where about Colorado?

Kharis Hagen: [00:08:57] Pagosa Springs.

Michael Kuentz: [00:08:59] Oh yeah. Mr. Reynolds just got back from that general area. So that’s great. I gotta, I gotta take the family out there. I keep hearing good things. So that’s awesome.

Kharis Hagen: [00:09:10] Yeah.

Michael Kuentz: [00:09:10] So kind of moving back into the everyday realm of, of the client concierge role. What are some common misconceptions about your job?

Kharis Hagen: [00:09:22] I think, and I, it’s probably due to the fact that it is so new, so people really don’t know. I mean, you hear the name and you could probably think of a few things, but I think a lot of people kind of see me as more of a personal assistant.

Michael Kuentz: [00:09:38] Ok.

Kharis Hagen: [00:09:39] And that, you know, like I said, I think just comes with a lot of newness and not really knowing, but the, I mean, as we’ve talked about, the goal is really to like, love and reach out to clients and make sure that they’re doing well. And that’s really what it’s focused around, you know, just the client experience. And I may do a few things on the side. That’s not.

Michael Kuentz: [00:10:00] Yeah for sure.

Kharis Hagen: [00:10:01] That’s not, you know, The whole job.

Michael Kuentz: [00:10:04] That’s not the entirety. Yeah. Well, Hey, and, and that’s, you know, as I think about the service world, and I think about the business that we’re in, we compete against other independent mortgage bankers. We compete against big banks. We compete against big lenders. Is that our goal to try to. To, to beat or or, you know, win against them. Not necessarily our goal is to provide a great customer experience

Kharis Hagen: [00:10:31] Yep.

Michael Kuentz: [00:10:31] And something that differentiates us from everybody else. And whether it’s how we brand a product in the marketplace or it’s how we just hold their hand throughout the process and love on them because that’s it. We want from the first phone call, whether they come to us or we go to them or it’s through KLTY or, it’s through other lead sources that we’re able to pick that opportunity up and that customer relationship up. We want it to be a good one. And so what I believe you provide. Is you provide certainly the white glove service, but you provide where we can improve too, because you’re able to hear the things that maybe the customers are experiencing, identify that, bring it to Todd, bring it to me and go, Hey, this is a trend that we’re seeing. Let’s do better here or let’s expand on this because it’s really. Doing great things for the customer. So I, I think that that’s right. You were, you were more than a personal assistant. I can certainly speak to that. So that’s great.

Kharis Hagen: [00:11:32] And I, I have a friend who recently bought a house and I was telling her a little bit about what I was doing. And she’s like, man, I just wish so badly that we had somebody like you going through the process. Cause they have tons of questions and they, you know, so. Yeah.

Michael Kuentz: [00:11:49] And if I, if I, my assumption’s, correct. You’re not a mortgage banker, right. You didn’t come from the mortgage industry.

Kharis Hagen: [00:11:56] Right. Yeah.

Michael Kuentz: [00:11:58] And I think there’s some good in that too. And my mentor always talks about there’s no learning in knowing. And so sometimes because you don’t necessarily have 25 years of mortgage banking experience, but you have just a good heart and a willingness to help people being able to take that information in and say, I’ll go find an answer for you.

Kharis Hagen: [00:12:18] Mhmm.

Michael Kuentz: [00:12:20] That means the world to people in a lot of cases. So that’s great to hear.

Kharis Hagen: [00:12:23] Yeah.

Michael Kuentz: [00:12:24] So what’s something you’re looking forward to?

Kharis Hagen: [00:12:28] Something I’m looking forward to spring weather, certainly, which I think we’ve had a little bit of a taste of the last few days, Snowmageddon. So yeah, that’s been, that’s been awesome. And the same time I’ve, I’ve got a couple of weekend getaways. I’m planning with some college friends later on in the year, which is really exciting. And I’m excited about this year, so.

Michael Kuentz: [00:12:52] Good. Well, we’re we’re sure, excited about you and what you’re bringing to the team, what you’re bringing in North Richland Hills and. You know, we, we want to help you continue to grow and develop in your career here and and look forward to that growth and development too. So Kharis, thank you for being a part of TOM Talk today and we’ll we’ll talk soon.

Kharis Hagen: [00:13:11] Sounds good. Thanks for having me.

Michael Kuentz: [00:13:22] You bet. Take care.

[00:14:10]: Words on screen; TOM TALK – Thanks for watching!

[00:14:15] Words on screen; TOM TALK – Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

END OF TRANSCRIPT

Here at Trinity Oaks Mortgage we love being your lender! When dealing with your home financing, we are not only working with one of your largest personal financial investments; we also are handling one of your biggest dreams. Since we work with matters so close to the heart, we serve you from ours. Contact one of our loan advisors today – click here.

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube.

The post TOM Talk Episode Four appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

Trinity Oaks Mortgage is honored to be recognized as this year’s #1 Best Mortgage Company to Work For by the National Mortgage News. This program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in the U.S. mortgage industry.

[Tweet “Trinity Oaks Mortgage is honored to be recognized as this year’s #1 Best Mortgage Company to Work For by the National Mortgage News.”]

Companies from across the United States entered a two-part survey process facilitated by the Best Companies Group to determine the Best Mortgage Companies to Work for. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey which covered eight topics: Leadership and Planning; Corporate Culture and Communications; Role Satisfaction; Work Environment; Relationship with Supervisor; Training, Development and Resources; Pay and Benefits; and Overall Engagement.

Responses from employee surveys accounted for 75% of the final company score and the company-provided information on benefits and policies were weighed at 25%. Best Companies Group ranks the top 50 employers in the country by their composite score. Trinity Oaks is honored to have received the highest score in 2021!

“The entire team at Trinity Oaks Mortgage is thrilled to be named as the top mortgage company to work for by National Mortgage News,” Said Michael Kuentz, President of Trinity Oaks. “It is blessing as the leader of the company to come to work every day and know that each and every employee doesn’t just talk about our core values, but lives them inside and outside of our four walls. We want our customers to experience our Generous Love, Honest Communication, Second Mile Service, and Relentless Pursuit of Excellence before, during and after the loan is closed.”

[Tweet “”Each and every employee doesn’t just talk about our core values, but lives them inside and outside of our four walls.” said Michael Kuentz, President of Trinity Oaks Mortgage.”]

Heidi Patalano, editor-in-chief of National Mortgage News at Arizent added, “The companies that are a part of this year’s ranking have demonstrated exemplary support for their teams during an unprecedented year of upheaval. They’ve been nimble in adapting to circumstances surrounding the pandemic while origination demand has exploded. Each of this year’s honorees should be proud of the company culture they have fostered at such a challenging time.”

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We’re hiring! Trinity Oaks Mortgage has made tremendous strides in 2021! We have focused our efforts around a “Better Before Bigger” mentality and it has served us well! We are now ready for the next chapter which involves aspirational, yet achievable growth.

We strive to live out core values: Generous Love, Honest Communication, 2^nd Mile Service and a Relentless Pursuit of Excellence. It is our goal for our borrowers to experience each core value throughout their mortgage process.

If you are interested in joining a culture that puts Faith & Family first, please apply today! APPLY HERE

The post Trinity Oaks Mortgage Named 2021 Best Mortgage Company to Work For in the Country appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.

We are so excited for TOM Talk Episode Three! Our President, Michael Kuentz interviews our Crowley Branch Manager – Amanda Benton. Watch below – transcript added for ADA. We hope you’ll share these videos with your friends and tune in to learn more about our company and employees!

Transcript (Speakers: [MK] Michael Kuentz, [AB] Amanda Benton)

(00:00-00:05): Words on screen; TOM TALK – POWERED BY TRINITY OAKS MORTGAGE

(00:05-00:23): AB – For me, it’s, you know, it’s the crowns. It is the legacy. What am I leaving behind? With you know, you know, every morning I pray that the Lord leads me to his people and he aligns me for his assignment.

(00:23-00:28): Words on screen; TOM TALK – Let’s Talk with… Amanda Benton

(00:28-01:05): MK – Hey, TOM family, happy Friday to all! I’m excited today because I get the opportunity to speak with Amanda Benton. For some of you who have not had the privilege of meeting Amanda, she is our branch manager in Crowley, and, just a few short miles away from me over here in Aledo. And unfortunately, we don’t get to see each other as much as we’d like, but, she continues to just do wonderful things out in the Crowley community and serving that community and her and her husband serving the Lord. And we’re just blessed to have Amanda. Amanda. Welcome.

(01:04-01:07): AB – Woo! Thank you for having me!

(01:07-01:13): MK – You’re welcome. You’re welcome. So how long have you been with, Trinity Oaks Mortgage?

(01:13-01:19): Almost three years. My anniversary is actually coming up on the 26th.

(01:20-01:27): MK – Good. I’ll make sure, and, I’ll make sure and send out a great, a great big celebration.

(01:27-01:27): AB – Thank you.

(01:27-01:44): MK – You’re welcome. So, let’s kind of bounce around a little bit. I want to learn all about you, but most importantly, I want the Tom family and the community to learn about Amanda. So, what is your greatest career accomplishment?

(01:46-03:18): AB – And that that’s a really hard question. Because there are so many that it’s like, what’s the greatest, it, it’s really hard to pick just one. I feel like it for me, like, probably it’s coming here. It was really, that was when my world changed. I’ve been, I’ve done this for 21 years, maybe 22. And everywhere I’ve been, you know, I’ve always worked for all the big banks. You know, I’ve worked for Wells Fargo, Chase Bank, Bank of America, Capital One, Citi Bank. But I was never able to, it was like living a double life. You know, compare, you know, when you went to work, you know, it was almost politically correct. And then you go home and then you have a home life. And since I’ve been here, my world is just, it is like night and day. It is like family here, within my own space, but also with the company as well, you know, it’s just, it was really starting TOM. And I used to actually pray every time I would pass the John Houston sign that is at the end of my street of my house. Every time I would pass it, I was like, man, I’m going to work with that guy one day. And the Lord literally brought me right here.

(03:18-04:20): MK – Yeah. I always, I try to. Every chance I get, because people ask the same thing is, you know, what brought you there? And obviously God brought me here, but for the first time in my life where, cause I worked for some of those big places, right. Those big brand names and, you know, having an equally yoked personal and business life is so unheard of, for a Christian walk and, you know, John and Tracy afford that opportunity for us to be safe in our walk with Christ. And, so it’s just an honor. I agree with you. This is a, an amazing place both professionally and personally. So, so tell me about. So that’s, that’s how you got here. That’s, that’s you being a part of this family, but tell me about a big mistake. That you know, has occurred in your life, how you dealt with it and really what you learned from that experience?

(04:20-07:08): AB – Well, I’ve made a lot of them and I think I’ve learned. I think I’ve learned more from my mistakes than I do from, you know, from not, probably one of the big ones that stands out was last year. We have a lot of people that are always coming in and trying to bring cookies or lunch or whatever. Right. You know, cause I got a big real estate team around me also.  and our title company brought in lunch one day and. I was like the last one to get in there and eat. So, they were already eaten. We had a room full of people and, and I ran in there, hurried up and grabbed me a plate. And then my phone rang as soon as, and I’ve been waiting for this call and expecting this call, but it rang like as soon as I put some food in my mouth. Right. And, I tried to hurry up and swallow and get the call. Cause I didn’t want to miss this guy. And I like choked so bad. Like they had to do Heimlich maneuver on me. Like I turned blue, like it, it was like a scary experience too. And, and you know, that was the scary part with it. But, you know, obviously I’ve made it through or whatever. And then, I called my husband, like as soon as it happened and I’m like, babe, I almost died today. I just want to tell you, I love you. He does like kind of thing. And he’s like, you know, he’s not like, how are you? Are you okay? You know, I didn’t get any of that kind of response. You know, his initial response was – who prayed over the food? And I was like, I was the last one in to eat. I, I really, it hadn’t crossed my mind yet. You know, I’m still getting over with the experience of choking. Right. And he’s like, who prayed over the food. And then he literally makes me put him on speaker and like do a video call and he makes me go around and ask who prayed over the food. And. Everybody, you know, like we just had the rah rah, the title company introduced them. No one had actually prayed over the food and he immediately went into prayer. And rebuked, you know, the experience and all this stuff, and thank you for our meal. And, and I was like, I was just repenting right then. And then, you know, my husband, “I have an irritating way of being right.” And I’m like, of course you do?

(07:08-07:13): MK – So, I love your husband. He’s a good man of God.

(07:13-07:15): AB – I pray now, for sure.

(07:16-07:40): MK – That was good stuff. So, Yeah, I believe we can all learn something there. God is good to us, not just for a few minutes in the morning and a few minutes before we go to bed. He’s good throughout the day and we need to be thanking him, especially when it comes to sitting down and having a meal. So that’s great. How do you evaluate success in your life?

(01:27-09:05): AB – Man. For me, it’s, you know, it’s the crowns. It is the legacy. What am I leaving behind with? You know, you know, every morning I pray that the Lord leads me to his people, and he aligns me for his assignment. And. You know, every day, you know, like I walked into this office two days ago and I had so many things planned for my day. And I had three people in the waiting room that I was not expecting. It was the whole day like that. I had people come in to see me that were not planned from nine o’clock in the morning until 9:30 that night, I was all day long. And it’s just. You know, what kind of legacy am I leaving with every person, you know, for me success, you know, the money with this career, you know, a lot of people measure their success by money. And I just feel like that is, like a bonus. It’s a side effect to what we get to do, and we get to bless others, you know, through our walk. But for me it truly is, It’s it. What kind of impact am I making?

(09:05-09:44): MK – Yeah. You know, that’s a good reminder because, you know, I, I know we never liked to have to go to funerals and, and, and, but when you start to hear about the legacy that people left, I always take inventory at that point, start to see, okay, how am I making a difference in people’s lives? What value am I injecting into their lives? Versus, you know, life giving versus life taking. And so, it’s good, Amanda, that’s a good way to, to think about it. So, tell me about a time where you went over and above the call of duty to get the job done.

(09:44-01:44): AB – Well, I, I, I do it every day. I would have to say.

(09:52-09:52): MK – That’s right.

(09:52-01:44): AB – Probably the one, you know, one that sticks out. His last month at month end, which feels like it was yesterday. Cause our time goes by so fast in this career. Last month, like the day before closing. I always call him pre-close all my buyers and make sure that they know all the important stuff that. They should know before they ever walk in the door, called pre closer, you know, pump her up, get her excited, you know, never know if the title company is going to let you go to a closing anymore. So, you know, I get ’em all cheered up and ready to go, get off the phone. Everything’s good. And she’s an executive at a large company. Hour later, this is the day before the last day of the month to close later, we get a hit that they opened up a new account.

(10:48-10:48): MK – Yep.

(01:27-11:22): AB – And I’m like, Oh, that’s nice. Okay. And I call and ask about it and she did not know anything about it. And she calls her husband on three-way and puts him into the call. And he was like, I only called to, to. Be ready to buy the fridge for after the closing, but not, I didn’t do anything wrong, Amanda. I was like, Oh, I wish it was that easy. Hahaha. So.

(11:22-011:22): MK – Yep.

(11:22-11:32): AB – You know, we go, we actually, you know, this is the beautiful part of our, our job here in our career here that we, we went into prayer immediately.

(11:32-11:32): MK – Good for you.

(11:32-11:40): AB – Lord make a way, you know, it. You know, her house was already going to be rented. Like she was already in temporary housing.

(11:40-01:44): MK – Wheels were in motion. Yep.

(01:27-12:18): AB – A U-Haul. The whole bit. And, she, three hours later, she’s on the phone trying to get an account number so we can get a credit supplement to get her credit updated and no bueno. And you know, she calls me back in tears. Doesn’t know what she’s going to do. You know, it’s, it’s, it’s working on one, two o’clock in the afternoon at this point. And I’m like, this is not looking so good. And I just, the Lord hit me. I used to work for that bank. And I know a guy.

(12:18-12:22): MK – Wow. Not what you know, not what you know.

(12:22-13:14): AB – Okay. But she could not get her own account number. I was like, I just need the account number. And so, I called my friend and I got what I needed and we were able to get her credit updated with all three agencies. Get it back, get it signed off on, you know, our. Our underwriting team and my processor. I mean, Laura Glenn and Erica. I mean, it, it just couldn’t have worked out any better. It, we didn’t skip a beat. We didn’t change our closing time. I mean, we all looked like rock stars and. It was showing up and showing off is exactly what just happened. It was just, I think it was one of the moments where the Lord winks at you and says, yeah, I still got it.

(13:14-13:31): MK – I love those moments, those are some of the best. So, that’s, that’s actually a really good segue to my final question for you. You could write a book about your life.  what would the title be and why?

(13:31-14:18): AB – Hmm. You know, it’s funny that, you’re asking that we, you know, did my office, and even at my church, we always do, kind of goals for the year. And that was one of the things that we had said this year is like, if you had a book, what would it be? And I’ve actually added a little bit to mind since then.  but I started this year with, treat them with honor. And you know, as the years went on, it’s in, don’t give up, never give up. Because sometimes you do have to keep treating them with honor. Even whenever your mind, your flesh tells you, you know, even when you have to fight it.

(14:19-14:19): MK – That’s good.

(14:20-14:41): AB – But, you know, everything we go through is, is our, you know, our history is really his story. And it’s, you know, treating them with honor. Like, I remember that every day, because it’s every day, it’s just a, what do you got in store for me today? Lord.

(14:42-14:50): MK – That’s a good way to live life right there. I would love for that to spread like wildfire and.

(14:50-14:52): AB – It’s actually my shirt. You see?

(14:52-14:55): MK – Love it! Yes. Not on my watch.

(14:55-14:56): AB – Not on my watch buddy.

(14:56-14:58): MK – That’s great. Well.

(14:58-14:59): AB – It’s actually a ministry.

(15:00-15:01): MK – Is it really? That’s awesome.

(15:01-15:16): AB – Yeah. That’s, that’s what we do. We, we give with every loan that I do, we give to The Answer International.  And it’s, you know, we are the answer.

(15:16-15:17): MK – The hands and feet.

(15:18-15:20): AB – Mhmm. Yeah. Good stuff.

(15:21-15:29): MK – Well, I see that you have, a little Valentine’s Day there. It looks like so happy early Valentine’s day.

(15:29-15:29): AB – Yeah.

(15:30-15:50): MK – At least that’s what it looks like. So, you and John enjoy that time together and Amanda, thank you. Thank you for doing this with me, but also just thank you for loving the Lord. Thank you for loving the TOM family, the JH Family of Companies, and I’m just excited for what God has in store for you and what God has in store for this company.

(15:50-15:50): AB – Yeah.

(15:50-15:55): MK – Yeah, we just need to keep trusting in everything He’s got in store and everything will just be fine.

(15:55-15:56): AB – Everyday, man.

(15:56-15:58): MK – All right. Thank you, Amanda. Take care.

(01:27-01:44): AB – Happy Valentines to you too. And the team.

(16:03-16:03): MK – Thank you.

(16:03-16:06): AB – Y’all come out to Crowley. Anytime.

(16:06-16:08): MK – Come on. Come West.

(16:08-16:08): AB – Yes.

(16:09-16:09): MK – Take care.

(16:10-16:13): Words on screen; TOM TALK – POWERED BY TRINITY OAKS MORTGAGE

(16:13-16:17): Words on screen; Thanks for watching! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

END OF TRANSCRIPT

Here at Trinity Oaks Mortgage we love being your lender! When dealing with your home financing, we are not only working with one of your largest personal financial investments; we also are handling one of your biggest dreams. Since we work with matters so close to the heart, we serve you from ours. Contact one of our loan advisors today – click here.

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube.

The post TOM Talk Episode Three appeared first on Trinity Oaks Mortgage.