residential mortgages Archives - Business RadioX ®

Together in Business as a Married Couple, with Brenda and Geoff Smith, Assurance Financial

March 18, 2025 by John Ray

Family Business Radio

Together in Business as a Married Couple, with Brenda and Geoff Smith, Assurance Financial

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Together in Business as a Married Couple, with Brenda and Geoff Smith, Assurance Financial (Family Business Radio, Episode 62)

In this episode of Family Business Radio, host Anthony Chen interviews Geoff and Brenda Smith from Assurance Financial. The couple shares their journey of building and managing their family business while navigating personal and professional challenges. They discuss their beginnings in construction, the transition to the mortgage industry, and the importance of setting boundaries, clear communication, and defined roles to maintain a successful business and healthy marriage. Highlighting notable milestones, empowering stories, and practical advice for other family businesses, this episode sheds light on the dynamics of working together as spouses and balancing family life.

Anthony concludes the show with thoughts on finding harmony as a couple, in and out of the family business.

Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Geoff and Brenda Smith

Geoff and Brenda Smith are the husband-and-wife team behind the Assurance Financial branch in downtown Roswell, where they help individuals and families navigate the mortgage process with clarity and care.

Geoff began his career in business journalism before moving into construction and later mortgages, becoming a full-time loan officer in 2011 and opening his own branch in 2021. Brenda, with a background in advertising and education, ensures every loan runs smoothly behind the scenes, making their client experience seamless.

Committed to their community, Geoff serves on the boards of STAR House, the Alpharetta Business Association, and Wellstar North Fulton Regional Hospital while also coaching youth football. Brenda brings creativity and organization to both their business and home life.

Married since their college days at the University of Georgia, they’ve raised two sons: Samuel, a freshman at Auburn, and Charlie, a sophomore at Blessed Trinity. When they’re not helping clients secure their dream homes, you’ll find them enjoying an espresso at the office or unwinding at North End Tavern.

LinkedIn | Facebook

Assurance Financial

Assurance Financial is a mortgage lender and refinance company that has been serving homeowners since 2001. The company is known for its customer-centric approach, offering a wide range of loan options tailored to meet the individual needs of homebuyers. They provide various loan types, including VA, FHA, construction, non-qualified, modular home, jumbo, first-time home buyer, conventional, and USDA RD loans.

Assurance Financial emphasizes a seamless and efficient loan application process, utilizing the latest technology to simplify steps such as prequalification, full application, processing, and funding. They pride themselves on outstanding customer satisfaction, with an average rating of 4.98 out of 5 stars based on numerous reviews.

The company is recognized as a Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac seller/servicer-approved and Ginnie Mae issuer-approved lender. Assurance Financial operates across 28 states in the U.S., providing personalized support through their team of experienced loan officers. Their services are designed to assist clients at various stages of life, whether buying a first home, a vacation property, or an investment property.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Family Business Radio
00:51 Meet Geoff and Brenda Smith
01:21 Geoff’s Journey from Journalism to Construction
02:51 The Early Days of Construction
03:52 Building Their First Home Together
05:42 The Taco Stand Connection
09:31 Transitioning to the Mortgage Business
09:51 Navigating the 2008 Financial Crisis
11:32 Starting a Mortgage Branch
16:27 The Mortgage Process Demystified
23:29 Balancing Work and Family Life
27:18 Navigating Communication in Family Business
28:37 Top Tips for Couples Starting a Family Business
31:30 Balancing Family Life and Business
35:17 Memorable Projects and Milestones
41:38 Future Goals and Hiring Plans
46:56 Final Thoughts and Advice

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

Family Business Radio is sponsored and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. Securities and advisory services are offered through OSAIC, member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of OSAIC. The main office address is 575 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, NY 11747. You can reach Anthony at 631-465-9090, ext. 5075, or by email at anthonychen@lfnllc.com.

Anthony Chen started his career in financial services with MetLife in Buffalo, NY, in 2008. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, he considers himself a full-blooded New Yorker while now enjoying his Atlanta, GA, home. Specializing in family businesses and their owners, Anthony works to protect what is most important to them. From preserving to creating wealth, Anthony partners with CPAs and attorneys to help address all of the concerns and help clients achieve their goals. By using a combination of financial products ranging from life, disability, and long-term care insurance to many investment options through Royal Alliance, Anthony looks to be the eyes and ears for his client’s financial foundation. In his spare time, Anthony is an avid long-distance runner.

The complete show archive of Family Business Radio can be found by following this link.

Navigating Mortgage Solutions, with Mark Hutchins, Good Friend Mortgage

August 28, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Navigating Mortgage Solutions, with Mark Hutchins, Good Friend Mortgage

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Navigating Mortgage Solutions, with Mark Hutchins, Good Friend Mortgage (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 798)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Mark Hutchins from Good Friend Mortgage. Mark shares insights on Good Friend Mortgage’s history, his extensive experience in the mortgage industry, and the unique approach to client relationships that sets their brokerage apart. Discussion topics include current mortgage trends, construction loans, debt consolidation strategies, jumbo loans, and specialized mortgage programs for self-employed individuals. Mark also explains the benefits of rate buy-downs, fix-and-flip loans, and commercial mortgage options. The episode highlights Mark’s commitment to finding the best mortgage solutions tailored to each client’s needs, supported by a wide network of lending partners.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Mark Hutchins, Good Friend Mortgage

Mark Hutchins is dedicated to educating individuals about the complex financial issues they may encounter, as well as the real estate lending options available to best serve borrowers’ needs. He takes pride in helping clients achieve the life they deserve by providing solutions that result in a “win-win” scenario.

His ideal client is someone who wishes to explore their lending options and learn the best strategies to make informed decisions that align with their overall financial goals and budget. Mark believes that obtaining real estate financing can be a smooth and straightforward process with proper preparation.

With over 20 years of experience in the finance and real estate markets, Mark has consistently prioritized customer service and addressing the needs of his clients above all else throughout his career.

LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Good Friend Mortgage

Good Friend Mortgage is a prominent mortgage brokerage located in Alpharetta, Georgia, dedicated to providing comprehensive mortgage solutions to clients in the North Fulton area and beyond. The company specializes in a variety of mortgage products, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and reverse mortgages, catering to the diverse needs of homebuyers and homeowners looking to refinance.

With a focus on education and client empowerment, Good Friend Mortgage offers free workshops and informational sessions to help clients navigate the complexities of homeownership and mortgage financing. Their commitment to community engagement is evident through sponsorships of local events and partnerships with organizations like the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

The team at Good Friend Mortgage prides itself on delivering personalized service, ensuring that each client receives tailored advice and support throughout the mortgage process. Their mission is to unlock the potential of real estate as a means of building family wealth and creating lasting legacies for future generations.

Website | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:21 Meet Mark Hutchins from Good Friend Mortgage
02:25 Mark’s Journey in the Mortgage Industry
04:09 Current Trends in the Housing Market
06:37 Mortgage Solutions for Self-Employed and Contractors
09:47 Investment and Commercial Mortgage Options
12:07 Debt Consolidation and Equity Access
22:22 Jumbo Loans and High-Value Mortgages
25:12 Success Stories and Client Experiences
26:17 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
27:04 Final Thoughts

Renasant Bank and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant support North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Casa Nuova is a proud family-owned and operated restaurant, serving classic, authentic and traditional Italian cuisine and top tier hospitality since 1998.

Casa Nuova is a cook-to-order kitchen, serving traditional fare including pasta, chicken, seafood, veal, vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus daily specials. They are a farm-to-table establishment, meaning that in the summertime, they cultivate their own vegetables in their garden, steps away from the restaurant, including tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, sunflowers and more!

Celebrating more than 25 years, Casa Nuova has become a true staple in the Alpharetta area, serving more than three generations of families, including friends old and new, visiting near and far from all over the metro Atlanta area and beyond.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 790 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Mark Hutchins, Silverton Mortgage

November 2, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Mark Hutchins, Silverton Mortgage

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Mark Hutchins, Silverton Mortgage (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 406)

The residential real estate market has been moving fast, and Mark Hutchins of Silverton Mortgage provided great guidance on this episode on how to address your mortgage needs. Mark joined host John Ray to discuss renting vs. buying, getting prepared to buy, investment properties, and much more. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Silverton Mortgage

At Silverton, they understand that one size does not fit all. Let them help you find the right loan program for your dream home.

Buying a home can be overwhelming. There are so many financing options, offered by so many different banks, lenders, and brokers. Don’t stress yourself out trying to find the perfect product and perfect rate on your own – that’s what Silverton is here for. Contact them today to start a conversation about which loan option is right for you.

They believe that communication is the key to success, which is why Silverton puts communication at the core of their full-service mortgage lending company. Keeping everything in-house keeps them accountable to you through every step of the transaction.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Mark Hutchins, Mortgage Loan Originator, Silverton Mortgage

Mark is a firm believer that offering compassionate care towards service and providing a win-win result for all parties is the best way to do business. He’s passionate about the portfolio of products that he offers and is happy to discuss which option is best for each of his clients. He is dedicated to educating those that he works with on the complex financial issues that they may be facing as well as the options available to best serve their needs. Nothing beats the personal satisfaction that he gets in helping homeowners enjoy the life they deserve.

Mark is honored to work for Silverton Mortgage, one of the most respected firms of its kind in the country, and appreciates how they care for the needs of their clients. As your loan originator, he is more than happy to guide borrowers through a smooth process that a client deserves. His clients receive the education and knowledge to make the best financial decision for their mortgage. He looks forward to serving and helping you experience a better life.

Questions and Topics Discussed in this Episode

Cost of Waiting
Renting vs Buying
How Student loans are considered in Debt To Income Ratio
Investment Properties and Second Homes
Advantages offered with tools and reports that you can share with Real Agents, Financial Planners and Borrowers

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray, and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked from scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Georgia Sen. Brandon Beach

April 29, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Georgia Sen. Brandon Beach

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**Geoff Smith and GA Sen. Brandon Beach on “ATL Developments with Geoff Smith”**

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: An Interview with Ga. Senator Brandon Beach

Host Geoff Smith speaks with Georgia State Senator Brandon Beach on the process of improving transportation infrastructure in the state, how drivers of economic development has changed in recent years, the importance of transportation in economic development, and creating better coordination across local jurisdictions in Metro Atlanta.

Senator Brandon Beach, Georgia Senate District 21 and Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee

Senator Brandon Beach was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2013. He represents District 21 which includes portions of Cherokee and Fulton counties. Senator Beach is the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. He is also a member of the Economic Development, Higher Education and Science and Technology committees. Sen. Beach served as the Chairman of the Public Private Partnership Committee (P3 Committee). Under his leadership, the P3 Committee was able to acquire key local transportation projects approved for Cherokee and North Fulton.

Sen. Beach was named Executive Director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID) in January 2018. Previously, he was President of the North Fulton CID and President & CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the North Fulton CID has invested more than $20 million to help bring more than $100 million in new infrastructure for the District area.

In 2001, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Sen. Beach to the board of Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA). In 2008, he was selected to chair one of GRTA’s most important committees — The Land Development Committee. In this role, Sen. Beach is responsible for leading a review of every significant development brought before the 16-county area that GRTA serves. Sen. Beach was elected to the Board of the Georgia Department of Transportation by state legislators from the 6th Congressional District in 2008.

Sen. Beach is a member of numerous community boards including the Regional Business Coalition, Grady Hospital Board of Visitors, the Greater Metro Atlanta American Heart Association, the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Encore Park and the Historic Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau. Senator Beach received an undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and a Masters in Business Administration degree from Centenary College. He is also a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute and a former member of the Alpharetta City Council and the Alpharetta Planning and Zoning Commission. He and his wife, Shuntel, have two children and have lived in Alpharetta for the past 24 years.

Geoff Smith, Host of “ATL Developments with Geoff Smith”

Geoff Smith is the host of “ATL Developments with Geoff Smith” and a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial. Possessed with a strong passion for helping his community, Geoff works closely with people and their families so they may live comfortably in fantastic homes and neighborhoods in the booming Atlanta area.

Geoff is an active member of his community serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, as well as holding the position of chairman for the Chamber’s Education Committee. He is also Secretary of the Roswell Youth Baseball Association and coaches his sons in football, baseball and basketball. Geoff enjoys golf, camping and traveling with his wife and two sons. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

Spiritual Life Coach Pastor Chon Pugh Your Computer Lady Pamela Bir and Karen Camblin with Guild Mortgage

April 9, 2019 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Spiritual Life Coach Pastor Chon Pugh Your Computer Lady Pamela Bir and Karen Camblin with Guild Mortgage

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Spiritual Life Coach Pastor Chon Pugh Your Computer Lady Pamela Bir and Karen Camblin with Guild Mortgage

Spirit Led Life Coach is owned and operated by Chon (Shawn) Pugh M. Div.. Pastor Pugh specializes in relationships and grief. Through the use of a Myers Briggs personality inventory she can assist client’s in identifying their unique personality and how they interact in the world.

The client’s unique personality presents to the world through their relationships. At Spirit Led Life Coach each client is treated as an individual and their relationships with their significant other, friends, family, work and God are processed as needed creating a safe environment for the client to process and ask questions.

Pastor Pugh’s office is often referred to as the Kleenex Vortex. It is a safe place for all emotions. It is a place to be who you were created to be. It is a place where you can seek, search, soar and succeed.

Pastor Chon (Shawn) Pugh is a spiritual life coach (10 years) and pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. ( 9 years). She attended Wake Tech as a undergrad and directed and taught preschools for ten years. She attended University of Houston Continuing Education in Substance Abuse Counseling (1989). She was consecrated a Lutheran Deaconess by the Lutheran Deaconess Association (1998).

She completed her Associate in Ministry though the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1998). She received her Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary (2004) and her life coaching certification from Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts (2008).

For over twenty years she has been spiritually assisting people in becoming the unique persons they are. Pastor Pugh has been married to her high school sweetheart, Danny Pugh, for 42 years. They have four grown married children and seventeen grandchildren. They have resided in the Phoenix area for 17 years.

Prior to that they have lived in Raleigh, NC, Houston, TX., and Little Rock, AR. She loves people, is creative, nurturing and an exceptional preacher. She helps people becoming the best they can be.

Follow Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Facebook.

Pamela Bir is President of Your Computer Lady, which provides marketing support for small businesses. We do the jobs you don’t have the time or know-how to do or we can train you to do the job more effectively if you want to do it yourself.

We minimize frustration and headaches to give you time to do what you do best. In other words, we “Create Marketing Solutions From Chaos!”

Connect with Pamela on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Guild Mortgage Company is a Residential Mortgage Banker offering Conventional, FHA, VA, Down Payment Assistant Grant Programs, Doctor Programs, Bank Statement Programs, 5% down Jumbo, first time homebuyer programs and many others.

Our current spotlight / portfolio program is our Guild 3-2-1 for first time homebuyers – 3% down payment, $2000 home depot gift card at closing and a $1500 lender credit from Guild toward your closing costs.

Guild Mortgage is a mortgage banker that has been in business for almost 60 years. Guild Mortgage services approximately 90% of their loans providing them a high level of customer retention and customer service.

The number one focus for Guild Mortgage is High Tech High Touch and never losing sight of their high level and commitment to Customer Service! As an employer Guild Mortgage strives for their employees to work as a team, continue to grow and do what they can to ensure all their employees have work / life balance.

Karen Camblin is a Senior Loan Officer with Guild Mortgage Company. Karen has been in the mortgage business as a loan officer for 16 years, spending her last 3 1/2 years at Guild. Karen is the wife of a City of Phoenix Police Officer and the mother of 2 beautiful daughters Samantha (19) and Grace (17).

Networking and referral marketing are a huge part of Karen’s career and how she builds her business by building relationships. Karen works with all buyers to set up their home buying plan, educating her borrowers and putting together the puzzle that best fits their situation now and in the future.

Being your lender for life and doing what’s in the best interest of her clients is always at the forefront of Karen’s business.

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Alicia Horne with True Mortgage and Group 46:10 Phoenix

February 19, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Alicia Horne with True Mortgage and Group 46:10 Phoenix

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Alicia Horne with True Mortgage and Group 46:10 Phoenix with Chelsea Peitz

A Successful Mortgage Broker Since 2000, Alicia Horne with True Mortgage offers a unique brokerage that sources out to a multitude of banks. This wide variety of options allows True Mortgage to search and to find the very best interest rate and terms available for that unique borrower.

TrueMortgageLoans.com

602-689-1202

For 3 years in a row Group 46:10 Network has been named one of the Wall Street Journal and Real Trends Top 1,000 Real Estate Agents in the United States. Each year they have made this list because their team placed in the Top 250 Real Estate Teams in the country based on number of homes sold. While Kevin Kauffman and Fred Weaver are the driver’s behind this very successful real estate team, the work is carried out by both them and a team of talented professionals and Realtor specialists. Chelsea Peitz and Alexa Moser are the driving force behind Group 46:10’s Marketing & PR Team.

Group 46:10 Network

602-492-4610

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE UPDATE: Tom Hogan with Embassy National Bank

February 17, 2016 by Mike

On the Money

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE UPDATE: Tom Hogan with Embassy National Bank

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On this episode of “On the Money“, host Joe Moss discusses residential mortgages with Tom Hogan, Senior Vice President of Residential Mortgage Banking at Embassy National Bank.

Tom Hogan/Embassy National Bank

A new building with an old soul, Embassy National Bank was founded in 2007 to meet a need of its community: a truly business-friendly local partner who could make lending and banking accessible, straightforward and grounded. A local group of businessmen with backgrounds in finance, banking and hospitality created that partner for the greater Atlanta area, especially the communities of Lawrenceville, Duluth, Suwanee and Norcross. To support that vision, Embassy National Bank has assembled a team of managers and bankers with both local and nationwide experience to support the bank’s mission: to be the community partner small businesses want, and one their neighbors need.

To watch the video of this show, CLICK HERE.

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“On the Money” focuses on topics and issues allowing small businesses to better navigate the financial services minefield, with analysis and opinions from today’s industry experts on banking and loans. “On the Money” also introduces you to some of the top small business leaders in the Atlanta market.

Hosted by Joe Moss, the president of Embassy National Bank, “On the Money” airs live every Wednesday at 3:00 PM EST from the Business RadioX studio in Gwinnett.