VanDyk Mortgage - May 2019

MAY 2019

Letters From the Hart Give us a call! 239-437-4278 Or visit www.TimHartJr.com Corporate NMLS #3035 www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

‘A LAND REMEMBERED’ AND MY FAMILY’S HOMESTEADING HISTORY

S outhwest Florida has a rich history of among these homesteaders. My great-great-grandparents were awarded a 160-acre plot in Northwest Cape Coral by the federal government in 1928, after five years of toiling to improve the land. homesteaders carving out a living from the untamed wilds. Peek at just a handful of previous decades and it becomes clear that many of our local communities are built upon the efforts of early settlers. My family can even be counted It’s hard to imagine what my ancestors went through when air conditioners and running water weren’t common home luxuries. As much as I’m proud of my Florida heritage, I’m not sure if I have an ounce of the grit they must have demonstrated on the daily, between the oppressive mosquitoes and the unpredictable storms. Ever since I was young, I’ve fantasized about what it must’ve been like to be there.

As far as I know, anyone who has ever read “A Land Remembered” loves it. It’s one of those pieces of art that people tend to identify with and rally around, and for good reason. Every 10 years or so, I’ll pick the thing up and read it again, cover to cover, engrossed in the struggles and small victories of the MacIveys. And every time, I get caught up in it again. Despite how challenging it must’ve been for the MacIveys, there’s always a part of me that would have loved to be there, to experience an unsettled Florida.

Classic edition

I’m sure my family’s experience in those early days wasn’t quite as dramatic, but honestly, half the stories my grandaddy told me from his youth would fit right into Smith’s pages. When I watched he and my grandma carefully tend to their citrus trees, I could easily picture them back in the day, weathering storm after storm in southwest Florida. The other day, my buddy Dave Porter mentioned that his kids were reading “A Land Remembered” in school, and I just went off about my love for the book. I actually just found out that my son's fourth-grade class is going to be reading it too. It’s funny to think that a few of those kids will probably make the same connections I did, back to their ancestors making their way to Florida a century back, and the book will stick with them just like it did with me.

This is probably why Patrick D. Smith’s “A Land Remembered,” which I read way back in high school, resonated so much with

me. I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you Floridians have already read it, but if not, here’s a breakdown: The book is a fictional account of the MacIvey family, who put down meager roots in Florida in the mid-1800s and, through sheer hard work and determination, established a successful dynasty over the next century. From generation to generation, they endured the brutality of wild Florida and worked the land, building a small empire based on cattle and oranges.

Student edition

NMLS #354676

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Go Green

Get Out There With These Eco-Tourism Tips

Vacations can come with great expense, and not just for your bank account. According to a 2018 study published in Nature Climate Change, travel accounts for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cut through the greenwashing and do your part to lessen these emissions by traveling sustainably. Travel Green When possible, trains, hybrid buses, and carpooling are great alternatives to larger, more environmentally intrusive travel methods. Large cruise liners are detrimental to oceans, and airplanes emit large amounts of toxins into the air. However, you can cruise and fly with the earth in mind. Some cruise lines are working to reduce their impact by installing more eco-friendly lighting and materials, and flight experts recommend using “green” airports, choosing fuel-efficient airlines, staying longer, and traveling less. If

anything, it’s an excuse to extend your European vacation! Stay Green Where you stay impacts the environment as much as how you get there. Hotels use copious amounts of water for bathing and laundry, and they struggle to reduce energy because guests leave their lights and televisions on. However, many luxury resorts, woodsy cabins, and even entire countries have opted to make eco-tourism easier. If you’re looking for a region of the world committed to preserving nature, look no further than Iceland, Finland, and Sweden, which are ranked the three most environmentally friendly places in the world. Do Green Man-made attractions like the Egyptian pyramids and Machu Picchu are some of the world’s greatest wonders, but Earth itself is

pretty breathtaking. Check out natural attractions while hiking or camping in preserved forests, or soak up all the Caribbean has to offer by snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. When you’re mindful of your surroundings and remain unobtrusive, there are endless outdoor activities you can explore. Some locations even partner with environmentally conscious organizations you can donate to or volunteer with. Opt for a green vacation and know that while you relax, the earth is getting a little relief too.

LEARNING TO BE GRATEFUL

Some Ways to Help Children Appreciate Their Teachers

to maintain the happiness of students, administrators, and parents. Your card could relieve some of the stress of that balancing act and let them know that you acknowledge their efforts. A Homemade Meal Making a homemade meal (or dessert) shows teachers that you went the extra mile to appreciate their hard work. Maybe you could make a favorite dish of yours or try to find a new recipe online. Either way, encourage your child to help you with the process so that the meal is truly a gift from both of you. Donating School Supplies Many teachers use their own money to buy school supplies for their classroom.

Teacher Appreciation Week runs from May 6–10 this year, and there are plenty of ways students of all ages can thank their educators for everything they do. Being a teacher isn’t an easy job, and the people who make it their profession are passionate about helping kids learn. Depending on how old your child is, they may need a parent’s help in showing their appreciation. Here are a few ways parents and children can appreciate teachers together. Thank-You Notes This gesture is simple and sweet and can be very thoughtful. Telling a teacher what makes them outstanding can often be just as valuable as a gift. Help your child write an appreciative note and then write one yourself. Teachers often have

This is just one of the ways teachers go above and beyond on a daily basis, and buying some extra school supplies can help ease that cost. Take your child shopping with you and help them pick out supplies that you know their teacher will appreciate. Your children spend several hours a day with their teachers, so fostering relationships with them is vital. Use this day to help your children understand the importance of teachers, to teach them the power of gratitude, and to encourage them to show respect for everyone who helps them in life.

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Learning From the Best

My Recent Interview With VanDyk Mortgage CEO, Tom VanDyk

millions of millions of dollars but managed to survive, and then thrive in the following years. Over all those years in business, he’s learned a thing or two about leadership. “Always listen to both sides of the story when there’s an issue,” he says. And steer clear of “short-term relationships” when recruiting your team. “Do everything you can to help everybody reach their goals and be successful … do a lot of listening.” After all, he says, if your team is successful, then the company’s going to be successful too. Wise words from a guy who definitely knows what he’s talking about. To watch or listen to the whole interview, check out my YouTube channel called “Tim Hart,” my Facebook page at “Tim Hart - Loan Officer,” or my podcast, “The HartBeat Show.” Thanks to Tom VanDyk for taking the time — it really means a lot!

It’s not every day that the president of a national company, who is in charge of 93 branches across 40 states, will sit down with you and have a chat. But a few weeks back, that’s exactly what Tom VanDyk, founder and CEO of VanDyk Mortgage at large, did for me. In our interview series on “Ask an Expert,” Tom had a ton of insight for both myself and my readers. Tom’s been in the mortgage business since 1976, beginning his career as a loan originator. After 11 years in that job, he started VanDyk Mortgage in 1987 with two of his associates and never looked back. “We just went out on the street, originating loans, doing pretty much exactly what we’re doing now, calling on real estate agents, attorneys, and financial planners to provide the business,” he says. In '91, they got Fannie Mae approval, granting them underwriting authority, and grew from there.

in 1987 to the brutal financial collapse of '07 and '08. Honestly, the fact that he and VanDyk Mortgage were able to weather the storm of the recession is pretty amazing — and Tom will tell you he’s all the stronger for it, though we wouldn’t ever want to return to those days. Lucky for him, subprime loans weren’t a massive chunk of the business, so when those went up in smoke, they still lost

Tom’s seen it all in the industry, from Black Friday shortly after he started the company

SUDOKU

Tyler McGowan & Savannah Loos with their Realtor Jay LaGace VanDyk Testimonials

Here is what our client had to say about their experience with VanDyk Mortgage.

"My experience with the Tim Hart team is nothing short of amazing. I went from a soft inquiry because I didn't think I would qualify to buy my first home! It's not an easy process, but Tim and his team were there with me the whole way, advising as needed. Pre-approval was super fast and once we found the house we wanted, underwriting started immediately. The sellers had no hiccups on our end and actually ended up using VanDyk Mortgage to buy their new home after seeing how well Tim did." –Gage Zubek TRIVIA QUESTION: Who wrote "A Land Remembered"?

Gage Zubek and Amanda Robinson with their Realtor, Kayla Boyd

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Inside This Issue Tim Hart, NMLS #354676 8280 College Parkway Suite #101 Fort Myers, FL 33919 Tim Hart on His Favorite Book PAGE 1 How to Travel Sustainably Teacher Appreciation Week Is Here! PAGE 2 Tim’s Enlightening Interview With CEO Tom VanDyk Testimonials Sudoku PAGE 3 Ask an Expert: What Is a Title Company? PAGE 4

Give us a call! 239-437-4278 Or visit www.TimHartJr.com

WHAT IS A TITLE COMPANY?

My Recent Interview With Erik Halgrim of Old Florida Title

you from all kinds of shenanigans in the long run. To learn more about the nitty-gritty of title insurance, check out the full interview on my YouTube channel "Tim Hart," my Facebook page "Tim Hart - Loan Officer," or listen to "The HartBeat Show" wherever you get your podcasts. It’s useful info, whether you’re a Realtor or a first-time buyer trying to make sense of the complex world of homeownership.

there’s nobody that’s going to be contesting your property.” That’s what they’re insuring. If someone from, say, 1948 comes out of nowhere and claims you owe them a whole pile of money from the property, they can file a claim against the title policy. Then, the title company’s underwriter defends against that claim, avoiding all associated legal fees, and the title company pays off the funds or interest to resolve the claim if necessary. The title company protects you from unexpected circumstances like old liens from previous owners, unpaid HOA dues, and a million other things you'd never predict as a buyer. And unlike other insurances, the title policy is a one-time fee, good as long as you own that property. Even if you’re a cash buyer, you definitely want to get title insurance. It’s a no-brainer policy that will protect

Over the past few months, I’ve been trying to demystify the mortgage lending process for all my viewers, listeners, and readers, interviewing everyone involved from the underwriter to the loan processor. But one piece that tends to get overlooked is the title company. That’s why I sat down with Erik Halgrim from Old Florida Title to learn all I could about his business. Erik started Old Florida Title with his brother back in 1998, so you could say he knows the field. First off, I wanted him to explain just what title insurance is. “Basically, what we’re doing as a title agency … is making sure the property is fully conveyed to that buyer,” he says, to ensure that “when your buyer gets that property, they’re getting 100 percent ownership of that property.” There’s a lot that goes into it, he says, but the bottom line is that it’s their job to make sure that “when you get it, you own it, and

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