Van Dyk Mortgage June 2017

Van Dyk Mortgage June 2017

June 2017

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

11 YEARS How I Met the Love of My Life

My wife, Stefanie, often jokes that while I can remember every fishing spot I’ve ever been to, which tackle and bait I used there, and the size of each fish that I caught that day, I can’t recall what I did 10 minutes ago. It’s true, I’m a forgetful person, but I’ll never forget when I met my wife. Stefanie and I met in the early 2000s in downtown Fort Myers outside of the Beat Club on New Year’s Eve with a big group of mutual friends. She was friends with several of my friends, and we briefly hung out that night. At the time, she was going to school in Atlanta, but, luckily for me, was back in town visiting her family for winter break. She immediately caught my eye before we even spoke; I was attracted to her from the moment I met her. I was so attracted to her that I never asked her out. In my defense, it was New Year’s Eve, and I had more than a few drinks. Maybe a year later, completely without further contact, she was in town for the holidays, and I bumped into her at the Indigo Room (I’m realizing there are several bars in this story). “Stefanie!” I said, “How have you been?” I asked about chiropractor school and other things I remembered from our brief time together a year ago. She had made a powerful impression on me, and I was thrilled to see her again. Honestly, I

Our 10 year anniversary.

was clear that she couldn’t remember my name. Years later, she confirmed my suspicions that she could not remember my name. Once again, I blew it and did not ask her out. Again, probably the drinks. Another couple of years passed, and then I heard some welcome news from a friend of mine: Stefanie had moved back to Fort Myers. It was late March, and all of us were getting together at a bar (yes, another bar) for the final game of March Madness. I asked if she’d invite Stefanie along. Then, I showed up fashionably late and sort of pretended to be surprised to see her again — smooth, right? We started talking and joking around and this June 17 we will have been married for 11 years. Every once in a while, I’m stunned that this gorgeous woman, who’s equipped with a doctorate and is the greatest mother imaginable, ended up with somebody like me. But I’m grateful. On top of everything else she’s done for me, her levelheadedness is what got our family through the housing market crash of ’08, which, you might guess, was not a fun time for those in the mortgage business. Raising our children alongside her has been an eye-opening experience — I never imagined a person could show such tenderness and sternness at the same time. She pushes our kids to be the best people they can be. Certainly, she’s shaped me into a better man. I know without her, I would not be the man and dad I am today. I count myself among the lucky and blessed, and she is a huge part of it. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

thought about her often from that time we met. In my mind, she had done the same; but that was not the case. She responded with that thing people do where they pretend to remember you, warmly greeting me, but it

– Tim Hart NMLS #354676

Me and Stefanie dressed up as Dave Thomas and Wendy.

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Watch our show “Rates and Reels” now on YouTube and Facebook!

Rates and Reels Gets Real On the Boat With Rob Whan, CEO of Caleb’s Crusade Against Childhood Cancer

My fishing show, “Rates and Reels,” has definitely evolved since I started it back in September. I’m proud of the show — it’s fulfilling to be able to spotlight my fellow southwest Florida peers’ accomplishments and goals, gain a little useful insight for the audience and myself, and, of course, rustle up some dinner along the way. Production quality has skyrocketed as the show gradually found its footing, and I have to say that looking back, my interviewing skills have improved, as well. That said, one of the most impactful episodes for me happened when the show was brand-new, on the day I went out on the boat with my friend Rob Whan, CEO of the charity Caleb’s Crusade Against Childhood Cancer. We started the day in a killer spot, just off the edge of the mangroves in the Caloosahatchee River. Captain Conway assured us there were a lot of great snook beneath the clear water, and lo and behold, almost immediately, Rob reeled in a snook. It wasn’t big enough to keep, but it sure fought like it was. Soon after, he reeled in a toothy Spanish mackerel — a big, silver fish that can really give you a chomp with their serrated gnashers if you’re not careful. These guys in particular gave us a run for our money that day, cutting the line from at least two monster fish. Meanwhile, I snagged a good-sized mangrove snapper; and, as we all know, those are one of the tastiest fish of all. They’re natural, organic, and fresh — and best of all, my kids love every bite. We moved on from there to float between two mangrove islands. That is where we caught two huge redfish. They put up an amazing fight, and Rob worked them silly. If I’m being honest, I was getting a little jealous of Rob’s fishing prowess. But then I caught one of the most bizarre fish I’ve ever seen: an alligator gar, with a long, sharp-toothed snout. It was rare, because they are usually in more fresh water than what we were fishing. The thing really battled me, almost slipping out of my hands more than once, but I got a good picture with it. I’m pretty sure I won that fight, but I came close to losing.

As fun as fishing is, though, at some point, it came time to get down to interviewing my guest. Rob and his family have a tragic, moving story. He started his charity after the loss of his son, Caleb, to hypodiploid leukemia in 2008. Following Caleb’s diagnosis at just 3 and a half years old, Rob and his wife, Monique, went to Duke University to get a bone transplant for their son. The transplant appeared to go well, with minimal side effects, but 100 days later, doctors told the family Caleb had relapsed, and there was basically nothing they could do. Tragically, Caleb passed away about a month after being put in hospice, just 11 days after his fourth birthday. Rob founded the organization in order to help families going through what his family experienced in that tragic, trying time, and to give these poor kids a fighting chance. Their funds go primarily to local southwest Florida families to aid with mortgage payments, treatment costs, rent payments, and any of the other costs that become nearly impossible to manage under the huge cost of cancer treatment. “The unique thing about our foundation is the relationship we have with the families; and we can dial in exactly what their needs are and help them the best we can,” Rob says. It’s always a pleasure to highlight local businesspeople and community leaders, while having a bit of fun in on the side. If you’re interested in volunteering or donating to Rob’s organization, visit

calebscrusade. org. Or, if you’re

looking for a fishing show that puts our community at the forefront, check out the Rates and Reels channel on YouTube.

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Move Over, Man Cave! The Added Value a She Shed Can Bring to Your Property

dedicated to sports, video games, or other “manly” pursuits, man caves have become a homebuyer’s must-have. So it’s no wonder the lady of the house has decided to create her own space. Introducing the she shed. Much like the man cave, a she shed is a space, usually a backyard shed, transformed into a hobby oasis. Gardening and sewing are common themes, but, as with the man cave, the purpose of a she shed is limited only by its creator’s passions. Many she sheds serve as reading nooks, home offices, art studios, or just general sanctuaries of solitude. Sellers looking to use their she shed to increase property value are in luck! As Stephanie Rauterkus, Ph.D., professor of accounting and finance at the University

of Alabama School of Business, points out, homebuyers appreciate extra space. She sheds are becoming ever more popular as designers replace drafty interiors with cozy nooks where buyers will actually want to spend time.

Just remember that too much personalization is the enemy.

Homebuyers want to picture themselves in a home, and they might say no thanks to your lavender and fuchsia color scheme. Find a balance between useful and endearing without getting too artistic. When in doubt, stick with neutral colors and avoid adding anything that would be considered permanent. That being said, this new addition to the home is only growing in popularity, offering possibilities and additional storage spaces, which can really help your property stand out from the rest.

In 2012, the Merriam-Webster dictionary added the word “man cave” to its hallowed pages. Traditionally a room

SUDOKU

VanDyk Testimonials “Compared to other mortgage brokers I’ve dealt with in the past, this was the best experience thus far.”

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– NATALEE WILSON

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“Thank you, Tim Hart, for everything. You are a blessing, and you always make this process the easiest when others make it the hardest! You’re caring, and it shows with every deal that we do together. After 13 years working together, you have always been and will always be my go-to mortgage guy! Thank you for everything. My career has flourished because of you!” – ERIK LEITZES CornerStone Coastal Properties

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VanDyk Mortgage | www.TimHartJr.com | 239-437-4278

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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

Inside this Issue 8280 College Parkway Suite #101 Fort Myers, FL 33919

11 Years: How I Met the Love of My Life PAGE 1 Rates and Reels PAGE 2 Move Over, Man Cave! Introducing the She Shed Testimonials Sudoku PAGE 3 Yellowstone: Where the Wild Things Are PAGE 4

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE The Unspoiled Natural Majesty of Yellowstone National Park

This summer, skip the expensive hustle and bustle of an overcrowded theme park. After a vacation like that, you’ll feel like you need another. As far as getaway destinations go, Yellowstone National Park, sprawling across Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, is a little more expansive. More than 3 million visitors flock to its astonishing peaks, multicolored pools, and dramatic geothermal geysers each year, but as you travel across Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, it’s unlikely you’ll see much of them. And the sheer variety of unparalleled activities to explore means fun for the whole family. Make sure to check out Old Faithful, the most famous geothermal geyser in the world, with eruptions averaging a whopping 130 vertical feet. Or if it’s majesty and exploration you’re itching

for, hike one of the many trails along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The views, with clay cliff faces and tree-covered mountains in every direction, are unlike any other. Also, be sure to investigate the Grand Prismatic Spring, which, besides its otherworldly rainbow waters, is known for being the largest hot spring in the U.S. For many, though, the biggest draw of the park is the wildlife. Yellowstone is home to the largest bison population on public land. It houses more mammals than anywhere else in the lower 48 states, 150 species of birds, and huge populations of native fish, to name a few. Just driving around the park, you’re apt to see moose, deer, elk, mountain goats, and, if you’re lucky, grizzly bears, mountain lions, or wolves.

Go boating, catch a fish, scale a mountain, ride a horse — the things to do vary as much as the breathtaking landscape. If you’re looking for an affordable, relaxed, and wide- open family vacation this summer, Yellowstone is a no-brainer.

VanDyk Mortgage | www.TimHartJr.com | 239-437-4278

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