Putting your Clients Best Interest First

Yesterday I had a conversation that reminded me exactly why I've been doing this for 35 years.

A client was referred to me who was going through a divorce. She has been married for more than 15 years. Four minor children at home. Stay-at-home mom. Homeschools three of the four kids. No income of her own.

Her husband earns between $250,000 - $300,000 per year, and he told her she would receive about $5,000 per month in combined support for a short period, and maybe 25% of a retirement account. She also believed she couldn’t afford an attorney because she had no money.

At that moment, I stopped being a lender and put my "Dad hat" on. I slowed the conversation down and explained something very important: she is absolutely entitled to legal representation. And in situations like this, attorneys’ fees are often addressed as part of the process. She likely deserved to understand what fair support really looks like, and not just accept what someone told her she would get.

Instead of pushing forward to qualify her for a $300,000 home, I referred her to a divorce attorney I trust and told her to rent temporarily until everything is properly settled.

My conversation may have delayed her purchase, but I slept great last night.

This Is a People Business
We are in the people business.
It would have been easy to run numbers and bury my head in the sand.
It would have been easy to say, "Let's see what we can qualify you for.”
It would have been easy to ignore the bigger picture.
But what kind of professional helps someone buy a house if they might struggle to feed their family because they didn’t fully understand their rights?
Internet lenders won’t ask these questions.
They won’t say, "Wait, let’s make sure you’re protected first."
That’s the difference between transactional and relational business.

Why the Personal Touch Matters

When we ask deeper questions, we protect our clients.
When we explain tax deductions, we empower them.
When we break down the true cost of ownership, we educate them.
When we explain that property values have historically increased approximately 5.6% annually over the past 75 years, we give them a long-term perspective.
When we map out the path from renting → first home → move-up home → final destination, we give them vision.
That only happens when someone cares enough to slow down and have the conversation.
Sometimes Doing the Right Thing Delays the Deal
Yes, we are here to do business.
And yes, I consulted with the referring agent so everyone was aligned.
But our job is not to "get a deal."
Our job is to guide people into decisions they can live with.
Sometimes that means:

• Telling a client to wait.
• Telling a client to rent temporarily.
• Referring them to an attorney.
• Having uncomfortable conversations.

Doing the right thing always pays off! 

I'm Not Too Big. I'm Not Too Busy. I'm Not Scary.

Some agents think:

• "I am too busy for my clients."
• "I am too big to handle a small condo."
• "I might intimidate my first-time buyer."

Let me be clear.
I am not too big for a $200,000 condo.
I am not too busy for your first-time buyer.
And I am not scary.
I'm still the same kid who grew up timid and unsure, just someone who worked hard to learn this business inside and out so I could help people make smart real estate decisions.
For 35 years, my goal has been simple:
Help people, protect people, and educate people.
The business has been good to me. I've been blessed, and I never want to steer a client wrong to close a loan.

The Takeaway for Agents 

When you partner with professionals who:

• Ask deeper questions
• Look beyond the transaction
• Educate instead of sell
• Protect instead of push
• But at the end of the day, they know how to sell and help you get escrows

Your clients feel it.
And they remember it.

This business rewards competence.
But it multiplies character.
If you ever need someone to help your clients, think through the full picture, not just the pre-approval, I'm here as a resource.
Not too big.
Not too busy.
Just committed to doing the right thing. 

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

Monday was the best day of the week for rates. We have fluctuated up and down since then, but the rates still look great! We are getting to a good place and hoping things will get better!  

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 mid to high 5’s.
• High-balance loans from $832,751 to $1,249,125 are also in the high 5 and 6s.
• Jumbo loans above $1,249,125 are in the high 5’s and 6’s.
• ARMS in the 5’s and some in the 6’s
• Bank statement loans are available again with 10% down, 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:**   

Nada today!   

**Bad News for Condos***     

Diamond Head: We have some concerns over there. Per Fannie Mae, certain parts of the complex are approved, while other parts have outstanding critical repairs.  

Buenaventura Gardens: Restriction 22 – Portions of the project have outstanding critical repairs. Lender to review the CPM comments for more details.   

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!

Sincerely,