We Did It!

Three exhilarating words to hear right? I had the good fortune of hearing these words recently in my professional and personal life. The emphasis is on "We" and not "I".

In my professional life, I was part of a team that collaborated with other professionals to help renters become home buyers! The process to become a homeowner has become a lot more challenging. Renters looking to buy need thorough education on the home buying and mortgage processes. "Go slow to go fast" is a mantra that will serve well.

Enter Rachel and Ian. They met with a real estate agent in mid-October 2023 with the intent to buy a home in the spring or summer of this year. It became clear to them in mid-November that it would be better for them to try to buy sooner and get pre-approved for a loan with me ASAP. Within days they were under contract to buy a home less than the list price AND with seller credit towards closing costs. On a snowy Tuesday recently, they gleefully signed the closing documents. I looked out the window to see the snowy terrain and heard them say "We did it!" Yes you did. The real estate agents, my operations team, the appraiser, the home inspector, the settlement attorney and her team and I all played a part in a fitting conclusion to a home buying journey.

In my personal life, I was asked to see if I would be willing to help an organization that has been near and dear to my heart for over 15 years. When my son was young, he was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. My wife and I resolved to do all we could for his development including speech, occupational and behavior therapies. Sports was the last thing on our mind.

Enter Tom and Natalie Liniak, co-founders of Sports Plus. They too had a son on the spectrum and were determined to create a sports program for children on the spectrum. Sports Plus set out to do sports clinics for soccer, swimming and other sports with high school students acting as the instructors. As the kids have gotten older, so have the events needed to support the now young adults. There are now bowling socials and other community minded events after a long lapse due to the pandemic.

Thanks to many supportive friends, I was asked to organize a fundraiser for Sports Plus. Mix in an outstanding rock cover band, dancing, silent auction items and parents, kids and others looking to enjoy themselves, the night was a huge success. Check out these Eddie Van Halen shoes from one of the patrons!

Many congratulated me for "my" event and the ability to showcase the good being done by Sports Plus. The reality is it was a considerable team effort. The genuine joy in the eyes of the young adults and the smiles on the faces of many was my reward. It was a night to promote acceptance and create awareness for a disorder that's often misinterpreted. At the end of the night, all who helped me could definitively say "we did it!".

Thought for the week and beyond: "We are not human beings, we are human becomings." - John Addison

www.playsportsplus.org

www.chrisryanmortgage.com

"Refinancing or Buying, Contact Chris Ryan!"