Sharing love stories and tips from the mortgage desk, insurance and care-giving industries. Tips to maintain harmony, peace and prosperity. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Host: #Jogarner #MortgageExpert 901 482-0354
Co-host: #Troy McDonald #LynnMcDonald #HomeandAutoInsurance Erin McDonald Insurance Agency 901 849-7101
Co-host: #GenellHolloway #homecare Mid-South Home Helpers 901 414-9696
Subscribe for weekly Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe podcasts and show notes at www.JoGarner.com
#Familyfinances #memphismortgage #memphisinsurance #memphishomecare
#homeowner #nonmedicalassistance
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: Real Estate Love Stories– From the Loan, the Home–Help to Insure a Happy Future. Today is February 15th, 2025. It’s our Valentine’s Day show. Call in to the live show at 901 535-9732
Introducing Troy and Lynn McDonald of Erin McDonald Insurance Agency
Troy and Lynn McDonald of Erin McDonald Insurance Agency are back in the studio. Troy and Lynn, you definitely have a love story about how you met and married through the insurance business. Both of you have enjoyed being top producers with a true love for serving your insurance customers. Take a minute or so and tell our new listeners about yourselves and the types of insurance you offer at Erin McDonald Insurance Agency
(Troy and Lynn have about 1 minute to briefly introduce themselves and share the types of insurance they offer)
Introducing Genell Holloway, part-owner of Mid-South Home Helpers
(Jo) Genell Holloway, one of the owners of Mid-South Home Helpers in Germantown, TN is back in the studio. You are a health benefits expert, but today Genell is sharing love stories from the home health and assistance industry. (Genell has about 1 minute to briefly introduce herself and share about some of the products she offers)
(Jo) It’s all about the love on our Valentine’s Day show. The thing I enjoy most in my day-to-day work as a mortgage loan officer for over 30 years is the invitation from my clients to travel down their homebuying journey with them as their lender. I get to hear from these clients occasionally and get caught up on their lives which has made it clear, time after time, that the owning your home gives you so many ways to love and be loved by your family an friends.
My Mom and Dad’s Love Story-
The best kind of love is when you love someone and they love you back. My parents loved each other and the old home place out in the country and worked hard to get the mortgage paid off. Mother was always cleaning, gardening and decorating the house. My father was always mowing, building something or fixing something. They poured a lot of themselves into making the house a wonderful home for their family.
Many years later after my father had passed away, the day came when my mother needed more care and needed to say goodbye to living in the house she had cared for and loved. But, now it was time for the house to return love and care back to my mother. Due to my mother’s health, she needed care and the type she needed could be expensive.
My sister and I decided to rent Mother’s house to people who could take care of it. The rent money they paid we used to cover the things our mother needed and even a few extras. The house mother loved returned love back to her with rent income for several years. It gave my mother a lot of satisfaction to know that, after her passing, the house would go to her family.
Your home can return some love back to you in so many ways. Do you own your home? Have you set up a system of paying your mortgage off early? I have clients who rent out the bonus room or separate space in their home to traveling nurses or other family members to earn some extra income. Others have used the separate living area for an older family member so they can stay under the same roof instead of paying high rent at care facilities. One family built a tree house and a wooden swing set with slide and structure like the quarter deck of a ship so their grand kids would make wonderful memories staying at their home. The ideas are ENDLESS for how you can build love stories with your family through owning your home.
What do YOU want to accomplish with YOUR mortgage? For a home purchase mortgage or a mortgage to consolidate debt or launch your next dream, let’s explore the mortgage programs that will make you happy. I can help you find the right mortgage and make the mortgage process SIMPLE. Connect with me at 901 482-0354 JoGarner.com
(Jo) Troy and Lynn McDonald, you are in the Home and Auto Insurance business. What are some topics you are going to cover after our 9:15 AM commercial break? Troy and Lynn have about a minute to share some of the topics they will be covering after the break.
(Jo) Genell Holloway, you are part owner of Mid-South Home Helpers where you offer non-medical assistance to people who want to enjoy staying safe and happy in their homes What are some of the topics you would like to cover later in the show?
Genell Holloway has about 1 minute to share some of the topics she will be covering later in the show.)
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 Troy & Lynn McDonald of Erin McDonald Insurance Agency and Genell Holloway of MidSouth Home Helpers. We will see you back in just a moment.
2nd segment 9:18 am – 9:30 am
2nd segment is after 9:15 break from about 9:18Am to 9:30 AM break
TOPICS COVERED BY TROY AND LYNN MCDONALD OF ERIN MCDONALD INSURANCE AGENCY
The types of insurance you buy because you love your family to maintain peace and harmony.
Life insurance, Homeowners and Auto that completely cover your assets.
Umbrella policies to cover what other might not cover on liability losses.
The best insurance you never have to pay for as a landlord—Renters Insurance paid by the tenants.
Insurance you buy to protect your home and auto
(Tips to remember)
TOPICS COVERED BY GENELL HOLLOWAY CO-OWNER OF MIDSOUTH HOME HELPERS
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Couple we have had the longest have been married over 50 years. He’s had a stroke and she has dementia. They are looking out for each other continuously. While he can no longer communicate verbally, his nonverbal cues are so sweet. He touches his heart with his hat to indicate his love. She speaks so respectfully to her precious veteran husband. They are aging in place at home because they made provisions to provide for themselves with a long-term care policy.
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Another sweet story is a husband caring for his wife in their home. She has Parkinson’s. And, they wanted to stay in their home. So, they used some of the equity in their home to help make their home safer such as grab bars in the bathroom, higher toilet with safety bar, hand rail down the hallway, and a stair lift for the stairs.
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Caregiving is hard despite any financial preparation one may have or not made. It’s also physically demanding on the caregiver. Having a professional caregiver come into our home to help with activities of daily living can help reduce our stress. Being able to take a break can help more than we realize. We all need a break no matter how much love we have for one another.
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One of the sweetest moments I have witnessed has been observing one of our clients lovingly say to her husband that she loved him and she would be back at 3pm. She gave him a lap blanket to wrap around his arms with her scent and assured him she would be back in time to prepare his favorite dinner – meat loaf and mashed potatoes. Although he constantly asked where she was, he was reassured by the caregiver that his wife would be home at 3pm. She had a special dinner planned just for him. He had spent his whole life taking care of her. He had bought her dream house and worked to pay it off, so their retirement years had a place for them to live. And now, she was caring for him. Isn’t that heartwarming….. She could care for him because he had been able to provide a home of value that could be used to pay for their golden years. They had options because they could choose to refinance and use the money to pay for care in their home or sell their home and use the money to pay for assisted living.
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There are lots of stories. Being able to help someone stay in their home, wherever that is, is truly a blessing. Many prefer to have the privacy and familiarity of home. On the other hand, some prefer to be in an senior facility where they have others close by. They can still live independently just by having a little more help available to them. Wherever they are, MidSouth Home Helpers is prepared to help our seniors find assistance with their daily care. We are home care with a heart.
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3rd SEGMENT 9:35 AM-9:45AM)
TOPICS COVERED BY JO GARNER, LICENSED MORTGAGE OFFICER
Love Stories from the Mortgage Desk:
DARIK DENNISON-SPEND MORE FAMILY TIME BY RECONSTRUCTING HOME DESIGN
Another story about a client who wanted his house to be his castle comes from Darik Dennison, a hard-working professional who was spending way too much time at work and not at home with his wife and younger children. The Dennison’s wanted to make some improvements to their home that would bring them together as a family more often.
They wanted to open up the kitchen area to allow them all to be in the same room while eating and doing other activities. They wanted to put in a nice gunite pool with a deck and extend the patio by building a covered area for grilling outside. With the pool and the deck and extended patio, the Dennison’s could grill out or sit and read the paper while the kids swam in the pool with their friends. It was a brilliant plan to squeeze in more family time and make every moment count.
Their challenge was that they would have to get a variable rate Home Equity Line of Credit for over $75,000 and the variable rates have been forecasted to go up repeatedly for the next couple of years. This would mean their payment on the equity line of credit could continue to go up too, which could be a budget buster for the Dennison’s.
The Dennison’s explored a number of ways to try to get the money to complete the renovations to their home. Some of the investments he had considered using for the improvements was invested and making a good return. But using a variable rate Home Equity Line in a market where variable rates were predicted to go up multiple times was not working with a fixed budget.
Mr. and Ms. Dennison decided to keep all the financing on a stable, fixed rate loan by refinancing their existing first mortgage and getting cash out to pay for the home renovations and repairs. The entire financing package would be on a fixed rate loan with no prepayment penalty. The Dennisons would be able to pay extra on their new first mortgage and get the mortgage paid off early. They had their renovations, giving them quality family time and a payment that would not break their budget.
A TRIUMPHANT ENDING
(Jo) On this show you could say we are beginning the show talking about The END-the end of the home buying and mortgage process that culminates at the real estate closing table. Earlier this week I got to attend the closing with two of my mortgage clients—a married couple who have spent much of their lives serving others overseas. On returning stateside they really wanted to own their first home. Their challenge was not having the funds to close on a home and not having a large income to afford a payment on a house like the one they needed.
The Johanssons (not their real names) put a good realtor on their team who listened to what they really wanted and needed in their home. The realtor watched the market daily for months until she found a home that the Johanssons knew was meant to be their home.
But the challenge was that the price of the house with a normal down payment would wreck their budget and leave them no emergency funds. The Johanssons laid out their boundaries on payments and move-in costs. Because of their income level and the location of the home they wanted to buy, they qualified for a special down payment assistance product that offered $15,000 down payment assistance and a lower than market interest rate. Using this product, the house was well within their grasp. The payment was comfortable and they had emergency funds left over too.
When we all arrived at the title office to complete the closing of the loan and transfer of title to the Johanssons, it was a celebration time. While Mr. Johansson signed the papers, Ms. Johansson talked excitedly about how she planned to decorate the home and make it a happy place for their family and friends to come visit. When the last paper was signed and notarized, Mr. and Ms. Johansson rushed into each other’s arms in celebration of achieving he their dream of owning their own home. We were all laughing and cheering. It was a long won victory.
As we took pictures and shared more stories of the Johansson’s journey to homeownership, I felt that rush of happiness and fulfillment, knowing I had a part in making a lifelong dream come true for this very deserving couple. I reminded myself, “This is why get up, get ready and get to work each day. This is why I do what I do as a mortgage loan officer.”
Tips for Couples Qualifying for a Mortgage and Buying a Home
(from google-not from my own experience)
To manage finances effectively in a marriage, openly communicate about your individual financial situations, set shared goals, create a budget together, designate a bill-paying system, consider splitting expenses based on income, and regularly review your financial plan; ensuring both partners are involved in decision-making and transparent about spending habits is crucial.
(So many couples experience disagreements about money. What would happen if you and your potential partner or future spouse could review each other’s credit report and tax returns before making a life-long commitment? From the mortgage desk, I can say that the priorities and habits of a person become evident when you see tax returns and credit reports and bank accounts. The more you know about each other’s financial habits and expectations, I would hope that the more you know, the easier it would be to set expectations and work through solutions.
4th segment following 9:45 am break about 9:48 to 9:56 am
REAL ESTATE TIP OF THE WEEK
Troy and Lynn McDonalds’ tip: (about a minute)
Genell Holloway’s tip- (about a minute) Thanks about options to finance in-home –Home Equity Lines, Cash out Refiances,
Jo Garner’s tip (about 1 minute)
What do YOU want to accomplish with YOUR mortgage? I have the knowledge and experience. Let’s look at traditional mortgage products, alternative mortgage products and even combinations of products. I can help you get you what you need and make the mortgage process EASY. Jo Garner, Mortgage Loan Officer 901 482-0354 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 1st floor Memphis, TN
(Thank you Manny Corless and Ben Hunter (615-601-0568) outstanding Financial Professionals at Independent Planning Group for being Talk Shoppe’s location sponsor)
Talk Shoppe on Wednesday February 19, 2025 “Staying Safe at Home” presented by Kelsey DeFreece, OTD, OTR/L, Owner of 901 Home Health Care. This is a Health Talk powered by Mary Lou Nowak of Resource4Care.com, Sponsored by Tim Flesner and Genell Holloway of Mid-South Home Helpers 901 414-9696 and Hosted by Talk Shoppe.
Join in person or online by clicking www.TalkShoppe.com and click the Events tab for the link to get into the event online.
Talk Shoppe could not offer the free educational networking events free to our community without some very giving sponsors.
Thank you to Talk Shoppe sponsor Taylor Morse of Cartridge World of Collierville. Taylor has helped so many people save 30% or more on their printing cost.
Taylor can help you find the best fit for a printer to give you the most service and the least costs on ink. Call Taylor Morse at 901 489-
Talk Shoppe is free to you because of the generosity of people like Chuck Bohannon, booking agent for Santa Claus in the Mid-South region. For your Christmas in Spring or Christmas in July, make your event ABSOLUTELY original and memorable by inviting Santa as your guest Contact Chuck Bohannon at 901 619-6436
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND! This is a perfect weekend to step out and say something nice or do something special for someone you love. Let them know how much you appreciate them.
6. Subscribe today for weekly podcasts with show notes at www.JoGarner.com
Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe reminds you to MAKE YOUR PLAN. LET’S WORK YOUR PLAN. IF THE DEAL WORKS FOR YOU TODAY, DO IT TODAY.
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:
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Happy Valentine’s Day! I was going to get you something amazing, but then I remembered…. you already have ME!
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Happy Valentine’s Day! You make my heart race…mostly when you drive
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Happy Valentine’s Day! I love you more than coffee… but please don’t make me prove it.
REJOINDERS:
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Leah Anne Morse of All Things New Organizing and Moving Company) 901 488-9733
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Ed Hill, Masters Roofing of Memphis 901 273-6594
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Eve Sotiriou, Waterville, MAINE
Transitional Music: “Silly Love Songs” Paul McCartney; If My Nose Was Running Money” Aaron Wilburn; “These Are Things You Don’t Say to Your Wife” song by Tim Hawkins
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 TROY AND LYNN MCDONALD- ERIN MCDONALD INSURANCE AGENCY:
LYNN- I have worked for the same insurance company for 22 years and very much enjoy helping people manage risk through proper insurance coverage. We have a large agency and are well staff to take care of our clients need.
Specialties:Working with Landlords and Investors (901) 849-7101
ABOUT MID-SOUTH HOME HELPERS
901 414-9696
About Our In-Home Supportive Services
Providing In-Home Supportive Services for Seniors, Individuals with Disabilities or Illness, or Those Recovering from Injury or Surgery
Home Helpers® Home Care is a in-home care service that provides top quality in-home care and in-home supportive services. Our Cared-4℠ program is a holistic approach to meet the four primary areas of need, helping your loved one stay safe and independent at home.
To learn more about us, call (901) 414-9696 or schedule your free In-Home Care Assessment.
Comprehensive In-Home Supportive Services for Enhanced Quality of Life
At Home Helpers® Home Care, we are dedicated to providing exceptional in-home supportive services that prioritize the well-being and independence of your loved ones.
Our team of experienced caregivers is committed to understanding and addressing the unique needs of each client, ensuring that they receive the best possible care tailored to their individual circumstances. As one of the nation’s leading providers of senior care, we deliver a broad range of services designed to support clients facing various conditions and challenges.
THE HOME HELPERS HOME CARE MISSION IS TO:
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Care for your loved ones like a part of our extended family, keeping them safe and independent at home
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Provide peace of mind to both you and your loved one
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Allow your loved ones to retain an independent and comfortable lifestyle in their homes or wherever they lay their head at night
Our Mission and Core Values
The mission of Home Helpers Home Care is to treat your loved ones with the same care and compassion as if they were part of our extended family. We focus on keeping them safe, independent, and comfortable in their own homes. Our in-home supportive services are designed to provide peace of mind for both clients and their families, allowing your loved ones to enjoy a high quality of life while remaining in a familiar and secure environment.
What We Offer
Since our founding in 1997, Home Helpers Home Care has been at the forefront of providing professional in-home supportive services. For over 25 years, we have been dedicated to offering one-on-one compassionate care that allows clients to stay where they belong—at home.
We understand that every situation is unique, and our goal is to provide the right level of care to ensure comfort and independence for each client.
WHO WE CARE FOR:
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Seniors: Helping older adults with daily activities, personal care, and companionship to ensure they remain safe and comfortable at home
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New mothers: Providing assistance with newborn care and household tasks to support new mothers during the postpartum period.
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Working parents: Offering respite care and support for working parents who need help managing household responsibilities and childcare.
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Individuals who require recuperative care or continuing care: Assisting those recovering from surgery, injury, or managing chronic conditions with personalized care to aid in recovery and daily living
Our services and schedules are customizable, so whether you or your loved one are looking for assistance for just a few hours a day or around-the-clock, we can accommodate your needs. During your free In-Home Care Assessment, we’ll discuss these needs and further discuss the services we provide.
Personalized Care Plans
At Home Helpers, we take a personalized approach to in-home supportive services. During a free In-Home Care Assessment, we will thoroughly evaluate the needs of your loved one and discuss how our services can be customized to meet those needs. This assessment helps us create a Care Plan that is specifically designed to enhance the quality of life for your loved one while providing the necessary support to maintain their independence.
Our Commitment
We are committed to delivering in-home supportive services that enhance the quality of life for our clients while providing peace of mind for their families. Our caregivers are trained to offer compassionate, reliable care that meets the highest standards. By focusing on personalized care and maintaining open communication, we ensure that every client receives the attention and support they need to thrive in their home environment.
Resources are also available even when our Caregivers aren’t there through 24 Hour Monitoring. To learn more about our specific services, check out our Services page.
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.
In addition to her work in the mortgage field, Jo Garner is the primary sponsor and founder of Talk Shoppe in Memphis. www.TalkShoppe.com Jo Garner also host the radio show Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe airing on News Radio AM 600 WREC and iHeart Radio with podcasts and show notes published on www.JoGarner.com Pick up Jo Garner’s book on Amazon or Barnes Noble “Choosing the Best Mortgage-The Quickest Way to the Life You Want”