Tooting Our Horn

As a referral-based business, we let others do the bragging for us.  Our reputation has grown over the years through the praises of previous clients.  We are constantly in gratitude for the referrals that fuel our firm’s very existence.  Every now and then, however, we have to toot our own horn, if for no other reason to give you more reason to keep bragging about us to your friends, family & co-workers!

For the ninth year in a row, I have been recognized in February’s issue of Sacramento Magazine as a Five-Star Professional.  Moreover, I am the only person in the entire region who received the award as both a mortgage professional and real estate agent.

To give these awards credence, they are given by a research firm based in Minnesota called Five-Star Professional who conducts annual research on our market’s practitioners.  You can read about their methodology here.   Unlike the many “Best Of” voting contests where customers are encouraged to vote (often repeatedly!) for their favorites, the Five-Star awards are determined by third-party research, peer evaluations, and objective criteria.

For the 2020 Class in Sacramento, 1% of the professionals in each researched category were selected.   It is an esteemed award to receive, as only 135 real estate agents and 27 mortgage professionals were recognized in Sacramento.  To set me apart, I was the only person recognized in both categories.

To compare it to an athletic feat, winning both Five-Star awards is like a baseball player winning both the Triple Crown and Gold Glove awards, suggesting they are equally great at offense and defense (no one has done this since 1967; can you guess who it was?).  The skills needed to hit and field a baseball are distinct, but both are crucial to winning the game. 

The dichotomy yet synergy of my combined careers are similar.  The talents needed to be an effective real estate agent are different than those of a mortgage professional, yet for my business both are essential to helping my clients through successful transactions.  It has been my career’s mission to excel at both disciplines.  I’ve had doubters & “haters” who claimed it couldn’t, or shouldn’t, be done.  Receiving these awards is a gratifying milestone at quieting the skeptics.

Historically, offering both services was a rare model but is now becoming a fad in our industry.  Big real estate firms such as ReMax and Redfin have branched out into offering mortgage services.  I’ve had years of honing our multi-disciplined craft; they have some catching up to do on the little yet mighty Blue Waters Group!

Thank you for your support and validation of our business model.  We look forward to building on these latest accolades, and continuing to be the trusted team you turn to for your mortgage AND real estate needs!

PS – I’m not done bragging!  In next week’s post, I need to tell you about some pretty awesome things about my team.  Until then, GO NINERS!!!