Why a Core7 Realtor is the Best Choice for Your Home Buying Journey

Most real estate agents spend a significant amount of their time prospecting for new business—cold calling, door knocking, advertising, and sending direct mail. A Core7 Realtor, however, takes a different approach. They work by referral, focusing on serving their clients before, during, and after each transaction. Their goal is not just to help you buy a home but to guide you through the entire process while ensuring your real estate decisions align with your overall financial goals.

Asking the Right Questions

A Core7 Realtor begins by asking high-level questions to understand what’s important to you. They don’t just help you buy a home—they help you integrate real estate into your long-term financial strategy. One of the key questions they ask is:

"If I could wave a magic wand and have everything work out perfectly for you, what does that look like?"

Other important questions include:

• How old are your children
...

Is Your Financial House in Order? Ask Yourself These 20 Questions

Getting your finances in order is one of the smartest things you can do for yourself and your family. But managing money can feel overwhelming, and there are many important things to think about. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. A strong financial team can help you make the right choices and protect your future.

If you’re serious about improving your finances, ask yourself these 20 questions. If you answer “no” or “I don’t know” to any of them, it’s time to take action!

Building Your Financial Team

A great financial team includes professionals who specialize in different areas of your financial life. They work together to make sure you’re protected, growing wealth, and making smart money moves. Buying a home is a great time to put your team in place, but really, anyone at any stage of life can benefit.

1. Do I have an advisor for all aspects of my financial plan?
2. Do I have enough time to manage a...

My Family Tragedy That Caused Me to Create Core 7

(From my best-selling book, The Core 7: How to Buy a Home and Secure Your Financial Future at the Same Time)

In 1986, my family had everything. We lived in a beautiful home in Newton, Massachusetts. My parents had a thriving business and even a second home on Cape Cod. Life was good.

Then, everything changed.

My dad was diagnosed with cancer. It was terminal. Just six weeks later, he was gone.

That was when we realized something shocking—he did not have life insurance.

Over the next few years, I watched my mother struggle to keep our family afloat. She worked hard to put my sister and me through college, but her income wasn’t enough. She had to sell our home, her share of the Cape Cod house, and even the business. She cleared over a million dollars, but it was all used to pay off debt.

Here’s the craziest part—my parents sold insurance for a living. They protected other families, but no one made sure they were protected.

Years l...

Blog Post: Embracing Possibility – The Lessons of Mel Robbins and Dr. Jim Doty

Life is full of moments that can either define or destroy us, and it's the voice inside our head—our self-talk—that often decides which path we take. In a profound conversation between Mel Robbins and Dr. Jim Doty, we are reminded of the immense power within us to shape our reality. Their discussion sheds light on how easily we succumb to negative self-talk and how it crafts the limiting beliefs that cage us.

Listening as a Tool for Change

Sometimes, all it takes to change a life is to listen. Dr. Doty's experience in the magic shop was profound not because of grand gestures, but because someone took the time to genuinely listen and care. This simple act of kindness helped him see beyond his immediate chaos and recognize his own potential. It's a powerful reminder that behind every person's struggles are layers of history and pain, often rooted in childhood experiences.

The Burden of Materialism

In our ...

Unlock Savings by Consolidating Your Debt: A Smart Move for HomeownersHello homeowners! Are you looking to streamline your finances and save money? Debt consolidation could be the key to enhancing your financial health, particularly if you own a home. Let's explore how consolidating your higher interest debts into one lower interest payment can lead to significant savings.

Why Consider Debt Consolidation?

1. Reduce Interest Rates: Often, credit cards and personal loans come with high interest rates that keep you paying more over time. By consolidating these into a single debt with a lower interest rate, you reduce the amount of money wasted on interest, keeping more money in your pocket each month.

2. Simplify Monthly Payments: Juggling multiple payments can be stressful and confusing. Consolidation means one payment at one time each month, making it easier to manage your finances and less likely that you'll miss a payment.

3. Improve Your Credit Score

By consolidating and maintai...

Are you looking for a way to find tons of free referrals for your business? Well, you're in luck! I recently came across a super helpful video by Charlie Barber that shows a clever way to use ChatGPT for prospecting. This method can be a game changer for anyone in sales. Let’s break it down into simple steps so you can start getting those referrals right away!

Step 1: Gather Business Information
First, you need to collect some business details. Here's how:

- For Different Businesses: Go to [YellowPages.com](https://www.yellowpages.com/). Choose your business type and location. For example, if you’re looking for plumbers in Dallas, Texas, type that in. You’ll see a list of plumbers.
- For Fitness Coaches or Realtors: You can use Google. Just type something like "fitness coaches @gmail.com" or go to [Realtor.com](https://www.realtor.com/), click on ‘Find Realtors’, and use the search filters.

Once you find the list, press `Ctrl+A` (or `Command+A` on Mac) to select all, then `Ctrl+C` (or...

**Jerry's Take on the Mortgage Market**

"Ever notice how buying a house feels a lot like Vegas, but with more paperwork and less neon? You're basically playing roulette with interest rates. 'Let's see, I'll put my life savings on red, I mean, on a 30-year fixed rate!' And just like in gambling, there's always that hope the market's going to shoot up and you'll hit the jackpot. But instead of chips, you're gambling with your biggest asset. Suddenly, 'let it ride' has you checking the economy like it's a blackjack dealer. The big difference? In Vegas, you might lose your shirt. In the mortgage game? You're playing for the roof over your head. Talk about high stakes!"

First Steps When Buying a Home

When you decide to buy a home, the first step is to meet with a realtor for a buyer meeting. This meeting helps you discuss your goals and what you want in a home. It's important to clearly outline your needs and preferences so your realtor can help you find the best options.

Next, you need to get pre-approved by a lender. A real pre-approval shows sellers you are serious and financially ready to buy a home. It gives you a clear idea of how much you can afford, which helps you focus on homes within your budget.

At our company, we take an extra step to ensure your home purchase fits into your overall financial plan. We incorporate a financial advisor who will work with you and your realtor. This way, your new home aligns with your financial goals and future plans.

Ready to start your home-buying journey? Click the button below to get started!

# My Story: Why I'm Passionate About Preparation and Personal Finance

The year was 1986. I was living in a beautiful home in Newton, Massachusetts, with my mom, my dad, and my sister. My parents had a thriving business and a second home on Cape Cod. They were making plenty of money and were on top of the world.

Then my dad was diagnosed with cancer. It was terminal. Six weeks later, he was gone. He did not have life insurance.

Over the next five to seven years, I watched my mother work tirelessly to put my sister and me through college, but her income was not enough to cover it all. She eventually had to sell our home in Newton for less than full value, her share of the second home in Cape Cod, and then her business. Altogether she cleared over $1,000,000, but it all went to pay off the debt she had accumulated. Because we had no insurance, this unexpected event took all of our money.

Guess what my mom and dad did for a living? They sold insurance. They sold homeowner’s insurance. ...

Why You Need a Full Team for Your Financial and Real Estate Needs

Most people don't have a full team working together for them. Instead, they pick different partners who don’t always work together. This means everyone is fighting over what I call "client share."

Why a Full Team is Important

You need a full real estate and financial team working together. This helps you have a complete financial plan with no risk and good balance. Let’s break it down:

- Accountants: They know taxes best.
- Mortgage Experts: They know about mortgages but might not know much about other areas.
- Realtors: They are experts in real estate but not in other financial areas.
- Financial Advisors: They like to be the go-to person, which is great. But the real person in the middle should be **you**, the client.

Your real estate, mortgage, tax, insurance, and financial professionals should all work together around you for a full plan.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Here are some questions to see if you have a goo...