Love Where You Live: From the Roof to the Foundation and Financing

 

How will you show YOUR house the love it needs on Valentine’s Day?

Tips for you when you need repairs on your foundation, roof or other parts of your home. 

Ways to best finance those repairs 

 

Host: #JoGarner #MortgageExpert #MortgageLoanOfficer 901 482-0354

Co-Host: #ClintCooper #RedeemersGroup #memphisfoundationrepair Redeemers Group, Inc. redeemersGroup.com 

Special appearance by #EdHill of #MastersRoofing 901 273-6594 #memphisroofing 

Subscribe for weekly Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe podcasts with show notes www.JoGarner.com

 

 

LET’S GET STARTED…(Jo) (Good morning, Memphis!  Welcome to our internet listeners and podcast listeners across the 50 states! . You’re on Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe. I’m your host, Jo Garner, Mortgage Loan Originator.  You can connect with me at www.JoGarner.com. Our topic today February 14th, 2026 (for Valentine’s Day Show)  “Love Where You Live: From the Roof to the Foundation and Financing.” Thank you to attorneys Shelley Rothman and Rob Draughon of Griffin, Clift Everton and Maschmeyer Law Firm for sponsoring this episode.  When you are ready to buy a home or refinance one, call Rob and Shelley for the title work and closing. 901 752-1133. 

 

Introducing Clint Cooper of Redeemers Group

Clint Cooper of Redeemers Group Foundation and Crawlspace Repair is back in the Real Estate

Mortgage Shoppe studio.  Clint, I remember the multiple times your company has appeared on the top 5000 companies for Inc magazine.    You have won a Memphis Most Community Choice Award  multiple years. You have written a book about Mold. You know what you are doing on how to solve problems and correct them before they become bigger problems. Take a moment and tell our new listeners a little bit about yourself and the services Redeemers Group offers your clients.  (Clint has about 1.5 minutes )

 

(Jo)  Finance the Fix Today to Avoid Forking Out More Later

From an article by KJRH

The Tale of the Delayed Roof

A homeowner, prioritizing short-term savings, neglected to fix a small, leaking pipe in their ceiling, assuming it would wait until their finances were better. Within a year, the “minor” leak caused significant mold and structural rotting that required a m ceiling akjind floor replacement. What could have cost less than $500 turned into a $20,000, 20-day repair job that forced them to take out a high-interest loan. Furthermore, when they tried to sell, the neglected exterior painting and sagging gutters caused the home to be valued 10-15% below market price, costing them an additional $30,000+ in potential profit.

Here are some statistics from Angi.com; Better Homes and Gardens and ConsumerAffairs.com that will encourage you to show some love to your home and other real estate. 

     

The Financial Reality Behind the Story

• The 2025-2026 Trend: A 2025 study highlighted that 71% of homeowners postponed repairs because they were financially strapped.  The repairs they delayed making were the kinds that caused further damage over time, costing even more to repair later. 
• The 3 and 5 Rule: Proves that an ounce of prevention can prevent a pound of cure. Homeowners who put off seasonal maintenance on their homes end up paying three to five times more for repairs later. 
• The Deferred Maintenance Results:  Homes that have obvious problems like rotting wood, leaky roofs and leaks in other areas, can lose 10-25% in value because home buyers don’t offer full price for these homes.  Mortgage companies, on traditional loan programs, require repairs to be completed before closing when the repairs are related to  structure, security or sanitation of the property.

Repair Types: 

Structure of the home:  Rotted wood, foundation problems, leaky roof or missing shingle, electrical and plumbing issues or missing components, inefficient or damaged heating and air systems. 

Sanitation in the home:   Drainage problems, MOLD, sewer systems not operating properly.

Security in the home: Doors that do not lock.  Unsecured Access points to the inside of the home from outside.

Solutions from the mortgage officer: Ask me about several methods you can use to either negotiate or using financing to get these repairs completed before you finalize closing on the house you are buying.   Contact me after the show and I can show you other solutions with some restrictions that will allow you to put the repair cost in an escrow account and make these repairs after closing. 

Remember to Make your plan. Work your plan. If the deal works for you today, let’s do it today.  I can help you find the right mortgage program and make the process Easy.   Go to JoGarner.com and let’s get started. 

(Jo) Clint Cooper of Redeemers Group Foundation and Crawlspace Repair, what are some ways we can continue to love our home and our foundation and crawlspace.  (Clint Cooper starts launching his topics for about 3-4 minutes until the first ad break. To be continued in next segment)

 

OUTRO: You’re on Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe. I’m your host, Jo Garner, Mortgage Loan Originator. What do YOU want to accomplish with YOUR mortgage?  I can make the mortgage process EASY for you with the right mortgage. Connect with me at JoGarner.com   When we come back, we will be hearing more from Clint Cooper of Redeemers Group Foundation and Crawl Space Repair.  Also, joining us when we come back, Ed Hill of Masters Roofing. So, stay tuned. We will see you back after this break. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd segment is after first  break  8 minutes 50 seconds

 

( Waaka Waaka song in background ) COMIC QUERIES (you probably already know the answer, but we will ask anyway 

 

Riddle    What am I? 

I’m a little “tap” you hear when skies turn gray,
a sneaky drop that won’t just go away.
Catch me early and your home stays snug—
what am I, and who do you call to plug?

Answer: A roof leak — call a roofer (and protect the spot with a temporary cover until it’s repaired).

 

 

 

Today on Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe we are talking about “Love Where You Live: From the Roof to the Foundation and Financing”

I’m your host,  Jo Garner, Mortgage Loan Originator . For your home purchase or a mortgage refinance you can brag about,.   We can find the right mortgage product and make the mortgage process EASY on a traditional mortgage, on special programs and outside-of-the-box mortgage programs too.   Connect with me at JoGarner.com

Clint Cooper of Redeemers Group Foundation and Crawl Space Repair www.RedeemersGroup.com 

 

TALKSHOPPE TIP

www.memphishomemaintenanceshow.podbean.com 

(901) 273-6594

 

Talk Shoppe is one of our major sponsors on Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe. Talk Shoppe offers free networking and education to our local business community. If you join the Talk Shoppe Sponsor team, you can get a wide variety of marketing venues at a below-market price. www.TalkShoppe.com 

Thank you, Ed Hill of Masters Roofing for your generous support of our business and real estate communities.   Ed, you and Masters Roofing received one of the Memphis Most Community Choice awards recently.   Masters Roofing is also one of the select companies that shingle companies warranty your work. Ed Hill of Masters Roofing, what is our Talk Shoppe Tip today? 

Ed’s tip:  Show some love to your roof and your roof will love you back.

Have your roof inspected every couple of years. Reseal the pipe boots and metal pipe flashings about every eight to ten years. 

 

 

TOPICS COVERED BY CLINT COOPER OF REDEEMERS GROUP

(Possible topics Clint could cover)

“FIRST DATE OR FOREVER?- prospective buyers decide after looking at a house”

(For buyers looking at homes)

• How to spot foundation issues during a showing

“LOVE YOUR HOME LIKE A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP”

(Maintenance = commitment)

• Annual roof inspections
• Crawl space encapsulation
• Drainage and grading
• Budgeting for home repairs

Homes with conventional foundations. 

Foundation & crawl space expert:

• Top 3 signs of trouble
• What buyers and sellers need to know
• Saturated soil leads to foundation and concrete failure.

What can be done to combat wetness and moisture.

Foundation/Crawl Space Expert

• Warning signs of trouble:
  • Doors sticking
  • Cracks in brick
  • Musty smells
  • Sagging floors
• Moisture = the silent relationship killer of homes
• How foundation problems impact appraisal value

 

 

 

 

 

Importance of getting a foundation professional to inspect and advise on anything that appears to be a problem with the foundation on your home.  If you see cracks forming on the floor or walls, doors or windows that become hard to open and shut are signs that  are signs that you may have a problem with your foundation    Act right away because it could be a lot more expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3^RD SEGMENT 12 minutes

 

 

• For Did You Know  today…(see if you can guess the answer before we do)
• Question:   What historic Memphis hotel has been setting the stage for romantic Valentine’s dinners, weddings, and even a few famous love stories for nearly 100 years?
• (Pause for guesses…)
•  
• Answer: The Peabody Memphis
• Since 1925, couples have celebrated love under its grand lobby ceiling — and let’s not forget, the famous Peabody Ducks have marched past countless proposals and anniversary kisses!

Today on Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe we are talking about “Love Where You Live: From the Roof to the Foundation and Financing”

I’m your host,  Jo Garner, Mortgage Loan Originator . For your home purchase or a mortgage refinance you can brag about,.   We can find the right mortgage product and make the mortgage process EASY on a traditional mortgage, on special programs and outside-of-the-box mortgage programs too.   Connect with me at JoGarner.com

Clint Cooper of Redeemers Group Foundation and Crawl Space Repair www.RedeemersGroup.com 

Ed Hill of Masters Roofing 901 273-6594

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOPICS COVERED BY JO GARNER, LICENSED MORTGAGE OFFICER

 

                         

 

                           Financing the Fix- Smart Ways to Fund Repairs

 

For the Homebuyer: If you are trying to buy a home that needs the type repairs a mortgage company would require to be done before closing:

First, see if you can negotiate the seller to have the repairs done before closing.   If the seller says they don’t have the money to do the repairs, see if the contractor would do the repairs before closing and have you or the seller pay for the repairs after closing. 

Second, there are so many instances when the mortgage company will allow the repair costs to go into an escrow account at the loan closing, to be paid out later when the repairs are completed.  This is especially true for weather dependent repairs like outside painting, concrete work, roofing.  Also, this method can work if it is clear new windows and other parts or equipment will be delayed in being delivered. 

 

Here is another example of how a homebuyer used a creative solution to deal with repairs. 

Martin and Maria Miller–Call on resources to repair and get the second home they need

Martin and Maria moved more than a thousand miles from the place where they had lived and built a life with their children. After the kids were older, the couple had an opportunity to take over a business on the other side of the country, and they took it. Later, their children got jobs in different areas of the country. The Martins yearned to have a central rallying place where their family could get together for the holidays and gatherings.

A close family friend from their hometown knew of their desire for a second home in the old neighborhood. This close friend set them up with a realtor who found them a house close to where they once lived. It was beaten up and needed a good cleaning, some carpentry, and a bit of new sheetrock.

Halfway through the loan process, the appraisal came in with a mile-long list of items that could affect the structure, safety, and sanitation on the house. Due to the types of repairs needed, the lender required these repairs to be completed BEFORE closing. 

 

The Millers realized with a sinking feeling that they had just spent hundreds of dollars on an appraisal and now seemed to be in a catch-22. They could not close on the home until repairs were done, but the seller did not have the money for repairs until after the closing. In so many cases, this is where the bargain deal dies. 

Nevertheless, good friends can be valuable, especially when their trade is fixing and building houses. Their hometown friend got the list of needed repairs and whistled up his construction buddies. Everyone agreed to work for just about free just to help the Millers.  

They put together an itemized agreement to start work when the loan was approved for all but the repairs. The seller signed the agreement that he would pay the hometown friend and his pals on closing day when he got the funds. Once the loan was preapproved by the lender’s underwriter, hometown friend and his pals went to work. The appraiser went back to the house to verify the completed repairs so the Millers could quickly close on their home, where they and the rest of their family could gather together in their former hometown … all thanks to their good-hearted hometown friend … whom they now looked forward to having over for their celebratory dinner!

Other Ways to Finance Home Repairs

Real Estate Investor Loans- You can use a private or hard money lender with one first mortgage loan to cover the purchase and the repairs.    When you buy the home and finish the repairs, we can explore some affordable DSCR low-documentation loans to refinance the temporary private loan and end up with the affordable, fixed rate DSCR financing.  You can do those in your name or the name of your LLC. 

Renovation and Repair Loans

If you are buying a home or refinancing a home with big dollar repairs needed, we can us a special home purchase or refinance renovation and repair mortgage.  These are fixed rate mortgages that allow you to take money in draws from an escrow account as the repairs are being completed 

Cash-out Refinance Mortgage 

If you are needing some money to invest to fix your primary residence, a vacation home or investment property, let’s check out a cash out refinance. These are cheaper over time with lower, fixed rate interest rates.   Over time, a cash-out refinance is cheaper than paying really high interest on credit cards. 

(Note to my clients:  If you are okay closing on a home that needs a repair and you are willing to fix it after closing, I can submit your mortgage application through an automated underwriting system to see if we can get the appraisal waived. You can then do the repairs when and how quickly you choose to do them after closing.)

Home Equity Line of Credit 

These are fast and easy to get and can be tacked on as a 2^nd mortgage lien behind your existing first mortgage.  

Contractor Loans from the company doing the repairs

Some companies have their own financing ready for you to use.    Hint to the wise, these loans usually carry much higher interest rates and payments than a cash out refinance or equity line would offer you. 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAKE YOUR PLAN. LET’S WORK YOUR PLAN. IF THE DEAL WORKS FOR YOU TODAY, LET’S DO IT TODAY.  I can make the mortgage process easy. Connect with me at www.JoGarner.com   You can email me at Jo@JoGarner.com or call me at (901) 482-0354 

 

 

4^th Segment  8 minutes and 50 seconds

 

 

(THE SONG UpBeat Inspirations  PLAYING IN BACKGROUND )    INSIGHTS & INSPIRATIONS

For twenty-five years, their marriage had been steady and strong — the kind friends admired. They laughed easily, worked hard, and built a beautiful life together.

But over time, little misunderstandings began to stack up. A comment taken the wrong way. An assumption left unclarified. Busy schedules replacing meaningful talks. Nothing explosive — just small cracks forming quietly.

One evening, after a tense exchange over something trivial, they both paused. Instead of defending their positions, they asked a different question:

“Help me understand what you felt.”

That simple shift changed everything.

They didn’t need grand gestures. They needed curiosity, patience, and the humility to admit when they’d misunderstood each other.

Over the next few weeks, they made small repairs — regular check-ins, clearer communication, more grace. The cracks didn’t define their marriage. The repairs strengthened it.

Years later, they would say that season didn’t weaken their relationship — it deepened it.

Moral: Even wonderful marriages, just like roofs, foundations and finances need maintenance. When love is paired with understanding, small misunderstandings can become stepping stones to a stronger bond.

Let’s explore the right mortgage to help you get quicker to the life you want.  For your home purchase mortgage or refinance, let me help make the process EASY for you.

Call or text me today at 901 482-0354.  I can assist you to pushing through to your win with your mortgage  www.JoGarner.com 

 

Today on Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe we are talking about “Love Where You Live: From the Roof to the Foundation and Financing”

I’m your host,  Jo Garner, Mortgage Loan Originator . For your home purchase or a mortgage refinance you can brag about,.   We can find the right mortgage product and make the mortgage process EASY on a traditional mortgage, on special programs and outside-of-the-box mortgage programs too.   Connect with me at JoGarner.com

Clint Cooper of Redeemers Group Foundation and Crawl Space Repair www.RedeemersGroup.com  

Ed Hill of Masters Roofing (901) 273-6594

 

REAL ESTATE TIP OF THE WEEK

Ed Hill of Masters Roofing gives another tip  (about 1 minute)

You need to have a professional inspection of the roof before you buy a home.  A simple fix could save you thousands of dollars later on.  

Clint Cooper of Redeemers Group offers a tip from his industry

Pay attention how the water gets away from the house.   If water is standing around the house foundation and not draining away from the home, this is an indicator that there are other problems with the foundation. 

Jo Garner’s tip :   

 

What is the best way to show yourself and your finances some love this Valentine’s Day? 

Give yourself a free credit checkup at www.annualcreditreport.com     Make sure the credit entries are correct and any past due accounts are cleared up.  Restrict your use of credit card lines of credit to show you use less than 25% of the credit limits on each credit card. Your CREDIT SCORE will love you back.   For your home purchase or refinance mortgage, connect with me at    www.JoGarner.com 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:   

Talk Shoppe equips with education, engages by offering connection opportunities between business people and empowers businesses in a supportive community. Talk Shoppe meets every Wednesday 9A-10A CT at Independent Planning Group’s conference room 110 at Clark Tower 5100 Poplar Ave 1^st floor Memphis, TN

(Thank you Ben Hunter 901 660-2912 outstanding Financial Professional at Independent Planning Group for being Talk Shoppe’s location sponsor)

Talk Shoppe on Wednesday February 18^th , 2026 9AM “What’s Driving Rehab Assessment?” by Nikki Simmons, OTL, CDRS from Driving Independence Companyull A senior care topic. A Health Talk hosted by Talk Shoppe and powered by Resource4Care.com, Sponsored by  MidSouth Home Helpers (non-medical assistance to help with daily routines of life aging loved ones who need help to remain safe and independent.) Call Tim Flesner and Genell Holloway at 901 414-9696.

Thank you  to Chuck Bohannon, booking agent for Santa Claus in the MidSouth. Due to juggling holiday plans and the epic ice storm, some families are just now getting to celebrate Christmas with other family members coming in from out of town.   If YOU would like to have Santa Claus make an appearance at YOUR event, call Chuck Bohannon, Santa’s booking agent at 901 617-6436.

It’s Valentine’s Day today.  Do something nice for someone you love. And, don’t just love the idea of homeownership… love your home enough to protect it from the roof to the  foundation and financing.”

SPECIAL NOTE: REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE SHOPPE DOES NOT ENDORSE 100% OF THE CONTENT ON THIS EPISODE.  REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE SHOPPE  RECOMMENDS THAT YOU CONSULT WITH A FINANCIAL, LEGAL OR OTHER CERTIFIED, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL BEFORE ACTING OR INVESTING ON ANYTHING YOU HEAR OR SEE FROM THE CONTENT ON THIS SHOW OR BLOG POSTS. THE INFORMATION WE SHARE ON REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE SHOPPE IS GENERAL IN NATURE MEANT FOR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND NOT AN OFFER TO LEND.  EXAMPLES GIVEN FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ON REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE SHOPPE AND MOST ARE BASED ON TRUE STORIES BUT WE USE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS AND DO NOT DIRECTLY REFLECT REAL PEOPLE OR EXACT DETAILS IN ANY OF THE SITUATIONS. JO GARNER IS A LICENSED MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR. (EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY)

 

• QUOTE CORNER:  “People are living longer than ever before, a phenomenon undoubtedly made necessary by the 30-year mortgage.” — Anonymous 
• “I love you more than coffee, but please don’t make me prove it.” — Unknown

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND CREDITS

REJOINDERS:  

1. Mark McLaurine of Refrigeration Unlimited  901 216-7782
2. Silvana Piadade EXP Realtor in TN and MS   901 647-6661
3. Rob Draughon and Shelley Rothman of Griffin Clift Everton and Maschmeyer 901 752-1133

 

Transitional Music: First Segment    “WAAKA WAAKA” (PD) for Comic Queries;    “Brighter Tomorrows” by Stocktunes for Did You Know segment;  “Upbeat Inspiration” by Ikoliksaj for Insights and Inspiration segment.

INTRO AND OUTRO THEME MUSIC   “Country Roads” by Sergie Pavkin

 

PICK UP YOUR COPY OF “CHOOSING THE BEST MORTGAGE-THE QUICKEST WAY TO THE LIFE YOU WANT” by: JO GARNER

 

An essential guide for real estate professionals and their customers.

 

On Amazon and Barnes and Noble

 

 

ABOUT CLINT COOPER, owner of REDEEMERS GROUP

www.RedeemersGroup.com

 

• Clint was born and raised outside of Nashville, TN and is a graduate of MTSU. 
• He served in Iraq with the Marine Corps Infantry before returning home to Tennessee to live and work in Memphis. 
• In Nov 2007 he started Redeemers Group.  

 

During his time with Redeemers Group, Clint has published several articles on his areas of expertise. Most recently his first book entitled “Mold Prevention Science” was published and is used by entire the Basement Systems and Foundation Supportworks’ network of dealers to help them communicate with their clients about mold and mold prevention. He teaches CE classes for Memphis Areas Association of Realtors several times per year. 

 

He has also earned the following certifications and licenses:

• Basement Systems Waterproofing Certification
• Basement Systems Crawl Space Repair Certification
• Foundation Supportworks Diagnostics School Certification
• National Association of Mold Remediators and Inspectors License
• Blue Institute- LEED Training Certification, Member ID#:
• Green Building Council, Certification
• TN State Board for Realtors CE Authorized Instructor

 

ABOUT JO GARNER-MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER:

www.JoGarner.com     (901) 482 0354  jo@jogarner.com  X     @jogarner   NMLS# 757308 

(currently working with Everitt Financial dba Supreme Lending)

ONLINE LOAN APPLICATION : https://jogarner.supremelendingLO.com 

 “Whatever YOUR  personal priorities are, my job is to help you get the mortgage terms that will give you bragging rights when you talk about it and help you score on  hitting your goals .”

As a mortgage loan officer, my job is to help you get to the  benefits you want from your financing terms.  What is most important to you? I can help you find the financing terms that will help you get to what you want.   What is your comfort level on a house payment? How much are you comfortable paying down,? What type of financing do you need to get the house you want to buy or refinance?

 Different clients have different priorities in life—some are buying their first home with very little down payment funds.  Some are recovering from medical challenges, divorces or preparing to send children to college and some are embarking on a long term goal of buying properties to build rental income.”

 Jo Garner is a mortgage officer with extensive knowledge in helping her clients find the right mortgage program and making the refinance or home purchase mortgage process EASY.  She offers conventional, FHA, VA or other loan programs for primary residences, second homes and investment properties.  

Jo can help you look at rent vs buy, when it makes sense to refinance, how to get the best deal on your home  purchase financing.   

Jo Garner  has been in the real estate/financing business for over 30 years.  She grew up in West Tennessee and got her start in real estate in Portland, Maine where she first began her real estate career. She received her real estate education from the University of Southern Maine  and was personally mentored in San Diego, California  by Robert G. Allen, author of Nothing Down, Creating *Wealth and The Challenge.

On moving back to West Tennessee in 1987, she went into business buying and selling discounted owner-financed notes secured on real estate.  In 1990 Jo went to work for a residential mortgage company and has been a mortgage loan officer for over 30 years.