WSN: With your extensive experience, what key advice would you give to first-time homebuyers today?
Jose: My first piece of advice to a first-time homebuyer is to know their budget and consult a lending professional for an initial assessment six months prior to beginning to search for a home. That way, they give themselves enough time to work on their financials prior to committing to a 30-year mortgage. I want to make sure to put that first-time homebuyer in a sustainable mortgage.
WSN: How do you see the future of mortgage lending changing, especially with technological advancements?
Jose: I think if used correctly, it will allow for loan officers to free up more time to spend with their families and produce more.
AI is such an integral part of the future. We are talking about a computer program being able to provide a pre-approval upon completion of the application. It can potentially read the income based on pay stubs and W-2s provided, plus it would run an automated verification of employment. That will free up our time to produce more. We need to learn to embrace technology to our advantage. The fear of robots replacing us might be real, but at the end of the day, a person's expertise and touch cannot be replaced. Customer service is irreplaceable.
WSN: As a NAHREP 10 Certified Trainer of the Month, how do you integrate your commitment to community service into your professional activities?
Jose: Being a NAHREP 10 trainer is always in the back of my mind. Keeping this perspective allows me to share what I do for a living with anyone I come into contact with. My goal this year is to get in front of 800 people and share the NAHREP 10 disciplines with them so they can create wealth. If I can plant a seed about one of our disciplines and that person incorporates them into their daily lives, my job is done. Also, it helps me by becoming a trusted professional because my mission is not selfish; my mission is to inspire so others can do the same. My model is always to give without expecting anything in return. God will lead the way and take care of the rest.
Jose's narrative is not just about achieving personal success; it's about leveraging that success to benefit others. His story is a compelling testament to the power of dedication, education, and the enduring value of giving back.