We are Almost Done With the first week of the year! Where Do We Stand? We're basically through the first full week of the year. How’s it looking out there? I have a few new escrows, a couple of refinances, and a few seconds to let clients pay off Christmas debt (no judgment - we’ve all been there). But here’s the real question: What are we doing to plan for tomorrow? Because the people who win in this business aren’t always the ones who start busy… they’re the ones who build a plan that keeps them busy all year. Over the past month, I’ve been sending messages about Business Planning for 2026, and now it’s time to get in a room and actually map out what you want this year to look like… and what you’re willing to do to make it real. Business Planning Meetings: January 27 / 28 / 29 Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Dates: Monday, Jan 27, Tuesday, Jan 28, Wednesday, Jan 29 Goal: Set realistic, measurable goals for 2026 (and build a schedule that supports your goals!) We’ve already got 34 people signed up (those who have already signed up with get a separate email!), and I know real estate agents… some of you think you can walk in at the last second and join. And guess what? You are correct. 😄 I have no rules. I'm not here to control you, I'm here to help you. (Also, my kids grew up in a "no curfew" household because I had zero control, so I’m not pretending I’m about to start controlling grown adults now.) That said, I do want these sessions to be productive, so I’m aiming for 12-15 people per day. Please RSVP for one of the three days so I can balance the room. What to Bring (Don't Overthink It) Bring one piece of paper (or a printed page) with: 1) Your 2025 Numbers How many listings did you take in 2025? How many listings closed? How many buyers did you work with in 2025? How many buyers closed escrow? 2) Your 2026 Goals How many seller deals do you want in 2026? How many buyer deals do you want in 2026? (Just give me a number. We'll reverse-engineer the plan.) 3) Your Weekly Work Schedule Days off are 100% okay. Hours off for kids and family are great. Sleeping until noon on a Thursday after a long night of drinking, so you can survive hump day with your spouse? Completely understandable. I'm not judging your schedule; I want you to know what it is, because it’s either supporting your goals… or silently sabotaging them. Please write it down. Simple. Example Schedule (This Is the Level of Detail I Want) Here’s a sample template using my week as an example, type yours out like this and bring it: Monday 5:30 - 7:30 AM: Gym 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM: Office/calls / follow-up/appointments (phone always on) 11:00-11:45 Podcast Tuesday 5:30 - 7:30 AM: Gym 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM: Office Every other Tuesday: Coaching meeting (8-9AM) Wednesday 7:00 - 8:30 AM: Networking with Business Owners 9:00-9:30 AM Chiropractor 10:00 -11:00 – Real Estate Networking 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM: Office / pipeline work / appointments Thursday 5:30 - 7:30 AM: Gym 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Office 6:30 PM: Singing lessons and dinner with my daughter will work after if needed Friday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Office Saturday 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Golf 1:00 - 5:00 PM: Office Sunday 7:00 - 10:00 AM: Golf Work as needed (phone always on) And yes, exceptions happen clients, last-minute fires, or I go out somewhere and try to have fun. The point isn’t perfection. The fact is awareness + intention. What We’re Doing in the Room In 90 minutes, we're going to: Eat Lunch Get crystal clear on your 2026 goals (buyers + sellers) Break it down into weekly activity targets (so it's actually achievable) Build a schedule that matches your real life (family, health, sanity included) Identify what needs to change starting the following week, not "someday" Because hope is not a strategy, it’s a calendar is. RSVP Now (Pick One Day) Jan 27 or 28 or 29 - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM I'd like 12-15 people per day. If you RSVP, I'll make sure you're on the list. Let's stop "hoping" this is the year and start building the year. A Few Extra Items for extra credit (Quick + Easy if you have time) Also add these: Your top 3 lead sources in 2025 Which lead source produced closings Your database size (how many contacts in your phone/CRM) How many open houses did you host in 2025 (if any) One non-negotiable personal priority for 2026 (health/family/etc.) One thing you’re going to STOP doing that wastes time One skill you want to improve in 2026 (scripts, follow-up, video, listing appt, etc.) If you bring that, we can actually build a plan that makes sense for YOUR life and YOUR goals, and not some fantasy schedule. If the above sounds like your Jam, please shoot me a text, email, or call. I have been in this business for 35 years and closed over 15,000 loans. My experience and drive are unmatched, and I am here to help! Please let me know if you have any questions or if you or any of your clients, friends, or family members need my guidance. I’m just a call, text, or email away. 📞 Direct Line: 661-291-2222 – Text OK 📞 Cell: 661-714-6258 – Text OK 📞 Office: 661-260-2970 ext. 2222 – Text OK 📧 Email: Mike@AugustaFinancial.com But wait, there’s more… Interest Rates Interest rates jumped after the employment report this AM, but they have come back down slightly since then. If you are waiting for a significant immediate rate drop, you will be waiting a while. I am hopeful that 2026 is a slow burn of lower rates. Loan Programs We do loans on Non-warrantable condos! We offer 12-day escrows for pre-approved buyers, including conventional, FHA/Jumbo/Bridge loans. We provide loans in all 50 states, so call me with anything you need. Government loans (FHA/VA/USDA) are in the 5s. Conventional loans up to $832,750 are in the high 5’s and low 6s. High-balance loans from $832,751 to $1,249,125 are also in the 6s. Jumbo loans above $1,249,125 are in the 6’s. ARMS in the 5’s and some in the 6’s Bank statement loans are available with 10% down again, with larger down payments in the 6’s++. Profit and Loss Statement loans require 20% down - no bank statements needed, only a profit and loss statement! 0 down loans are available in the high 6s, with a minimum credit score of 620, up to $1,325,000. Private Money lenders offer Hard Money Loans with 35% down. No-Ratio Loans require a 30% down payment. DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans are available with as little as 15% down. Bridge Loans typically have an interest rate of 7.99% with limited fees, helping you get where you need to go! 3/2/1 Buydowns, 2/1 Buydowns, and 1/0 Buydowns are available at great starting rates! Please note that interest rates are subject to change without notice, and the information above reflects LA County Loan Limits. **Good News for Condos:** None – **Bad News for Condos*** Nothing new here either! CONDO HELP!!! If you have a listing or a buyer interested in a specific condo and are unsure whether it is warrantable or Non-warrantable, please call me, and we can look up Fannie’s list in real-time. We don’t know when something has changed, and it would be impossible to track everything day by day, but we don’t mind looking up a few items each day. The full state of California’s naughty list has been added to: MikeMeena.com! See the link below: https://mikemeena.com/non-warrantable-condos/ Let me know if you hear anything new about condos or townhouses. I am available every day if you need anything. 📞 Direct Line: 661-291-2222 – Text OK 📞 Cell: 661-714-6258 – Text OK 📞 Office: 661-260-2970 ext. 2222 – Text OK 📧 Email: Mike@AugustaFinancial.com Have a great day and an even better tomorrow! Please call me when you have a client who needs to borrow! Mike Meena President | Loan Officer Click to Call or Text: (661) 714-6258 This entry has 0 replies Comments are closed.
