Public admission: I just had another birthday and I am rapidly approaching the qualifying age for a reverse mortgage.
On my birthday, I set aside time to reflect on my year. What happened that moved me? What did I learn about myself and the world around me? And most importantly, did I become wiser?
I was most moved by two events in my life this year. I witnessed the passing of my dearest friend and mentor, Bob Yeary, the co-founder of RMS, and I became a grandfather to Ryan, the most adorable and spectacular child ever born. (OK, maybe I am biased.)
This year, the two events that moved me the most involved the two people who have changed me the most.
Bob Yeary was my mentor in the mortgage business for 30 years. He was also a dear friend and my surrogate father. He taught me to always give my best effort, look for what others miss and care about the people around you. Bob is a major reason I enjoy any kind of success in the mortgage business.
The birth of my granddaughter reminded me of what is truly important in life: family and our love for one another. She has reminded me just how connected we all are and how important that is for us all. Her birth was also a reminder of how quickly time flies.
So, what did I learn about myself and the world around me this year and did I in some way become wiser?
I learned that life, in almost all situations and circumstances, is about the people we love, those we choose to associate with and those we serve.
This year, I learned a lesson in love, again. It’s a lesson I learned with the birth of my children, but it has come back to me at this age more pronounced and poignant than ever. I was reminded that wealth and material things do not come close to that all-encompassing jolt of love and complete contentment I felt when I first laid eyes on Ryan. Just barely 5 pounds and worth more than all I own.
In April 2015, I joined the team at Liberty Home Equity Solutions as president. I inherited an incredible management team and one of the finest staffs I have ever been associated with. Being new in any position is always a challenge. Joining a team that has historically had great leaders and trying to fill that role myself has been a bit intimidating. However, I quickly learned to lean on those who have made this company so great. It really is all about the people.
Our industry has had a very challenging year full of change. However, my belief is that we may have an opportunity to become much wiser as an industry as a result of these changes. Financial Assessment will require significantly more time and conversation with our customers. Maybe we will get to know them better. Maybe we can and will take more time to help them determine if a reverse mortgage is right for them. Maybe we will educate, inform and truly serve as opposed to sell.
Changes to NBS guidelines, MOE process and default reporting requirements mean all of us must be better educated about our product so we can better educate and serve our customers. Maybe significantly greater participation in a more robust CRMP program is called for.
When it comes down to it, the personal lesson I learned this year is reflected in my professional life: It is all about the people: those we love, those we associate with and those we serve. Am I wiser after this revelation? I’d like to think so. Has our industry become wiser? Let’s hope so. Let’s pledge to do all we can to better serve our senior customers and better educate ourselves.
In the spirit of celebrating those you love and serve, I’m wishing all of you a joyous and peace-filled holiday season.
