I am primarily a loan officer but I help friends and family with every aspect of real estate.  My background is wildly varied.  I have run a large telecommunciations company in my corporate life, owned and operated a matchmaking business (can you believe it?) in Southern California which I sold to one of the Milkens and finally ended up in the real estate market officially after having dabbled in it all of my life.  I owned my own mortgage company for several years before joining up with Connect Financial Services and opening up their Sothern California operations.  I am wildly optimistic about what the future holds for our company.  I really believe that we have the best processing tools in the business, the best marketing support available, and the best compensation plan for our loan officers.  Most people have not really heard of us yet but its only a matter of time.

As for me personally.  I grew up in the midwest but always knew I would end up on a coast somewhere because I have always loved the ocean.  I love the smell, the feeling in the air (even though it is usually brown in LA), and the sound of the crashing waves.  It took me a lot longer than I thought it would to get here but I finally made it here about 6 years ago and now consider it home.  I have an awesome little dog that is a rescue we fell in love with one day.  I have three of the most incredible kids a person could ever have (not that I am bias).  They live in Sacramento, so I am there quite often and love every moment I get to spend with them.

I specialize in the difficult or unusual loan situations.  I can help borrowers in a Cahpter 13 bankruptcy restore their credit and finish their payment plan early.  I help people negotiate mortgage payment and principle reductions (see www.cutyourpaymentnow.com for more info).  I love to help people get back on track again.  Short sales are obviously a big part of the business now and I have helped people through the process quickly.  I find that most of the bad financial situations people face can be quickly put behind them if they get the help needed and if they are really ready to start the next phase of their life.  My biggest focus right now however, is to let people know about the unique opportunity we make available for loan officers in todays market. 

I am a member of the Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors and the Los Angeles branch of the California Association of Mortgage Brokers.

I can't thank you enough for not only helping me with my loan but also with following up with me every step of the way.  I don't know of anyone else that would have helped me find a safe and secure place to park the money I got in my refinance and use it to help build my financial freedom down the road.  Thank you.  Debbie Axelrod

Second from an email received 4/20/08

Just wanting to send out a referral for my friends ...

I have a friend in California (a financial wizard of a guy) who is able to help people with fabulous refinancing or mortgages.  I know there are terrific people here and possibly even on the list but I wanted to mention it... particularly for those of us with alternative lives, self-employment, unusual income sources, etc. who might have challenges with typical mortgages.

There are differences in what a Colorado mortgage person can offer vs. someone in California...  When his sister couldn't do my loan here in Colorado, he was able to pull it off in California.

With the craziness of the market right now and changes occuring EVERY day, he might be great if you need additional help.

You can contact him at scottabenson@gmail.com.... tell him I sent you.

Beryl