Now, you could get a refinance loan for any term between 15 and 30 years! Get a better rate without "starting over". Benchmark presents: Odd Term Mortgages.
Year: 2019
Celebrating 20 Years Of Mortgage Excellence
In 1999, a couple of friends who worked as loan officers decided that they could do more. The mortgage industry needed something new and better. The time was right to prioritize the client experience. They knew that doing better meant putting the best team together. They wanted to create a company that would set standards; a company that would lead the industry not only in numbers, but most importantly, in their signature first-class home buying experience. In August of the same year, Benchmark Mortgage was born.
Starting the way many great companies have, Benchmark has grown from a single office in Dallas, Texas and a small team to over 100 branches in 47 sates across the nation. We were founded on core values that we have based, and continue to base every business decision on. These values – Success, Excellence, Positive Attitude, Dynamic, and Relationship – have shaped us into the company we are today. We are grateful for our team, their relationships with real estate partners, and the thousands of clients who have trusted Benchmark to finance their first home, their next home, or to refinance their forever home. We couldn’t have made it this far without you, and the tapestry of our story is embedded with the thousands of threads in our progress so far.
At Benchmark, it has never been enough to do things well. We are proud of our commitment of striving to exceed expectations. We are proud of being more than just a mortgage company. Benchmark created an event to give back to, and celebrate, the brave men and women who have served our country. In 2012, the first annual Boot’n & Shoot’n event took place to raise money for veterans. Boot’n & Shoot’n has become a staple for our nationwide family to come, join, and give back to our veteran and first responder heroes. As we reflect on our 20th year, we celebrate that Boot’n & Shoot’n 2019 raised over $1million for the Brain Treatment Foundation.
Benchmark’s love for helping those who serve never wavered, and in 2017 we launched our initiative to change the way VA lending is done. Veterans deserve better. With our history of striving to excel, it was only a matter of time before this same model was applied to help veterans make use of their VA loan benefits. In 2018, Benchmark sponsored the Patriot Tour by Team Never Quit.
If you are a past client, you are part of our story. If you are a current or future client, welcome to the family. We are Benchmark.
Here’s to a bright future!
Benchmark brings you home.
Your Top Google Searches about Buying a Home: We’ve Got the Answers!
With the summer home buying season heating up, we are here to help with some of your top Google searches about buying a home. We looked at the data from Google Trends to find out your top questions about homeownership.
Natural Lawn Maintenance Tips for Safe Summer Fun
A lawn in summer is a wonderful thing! It is the proper location for picnics, barbecues, slip-n-slides, and more. Forget chemical fertilizers and herbicides. You can still enjoy a healthy SAFE lawn by following natural lawn maintenance tips below.
Win The Bidding War With Storytelling
Get your offer accepted without the highest bid. Can't raise the competition with a higher offer? Use storytelling to win the seller over. Read it here.
Boot’n & Shoot’n 2019 Recap: Benchmark Gives Back
Boot’n & Shoot’n 2019 took place on April 18th, and we are pleased to announce that more than 1 million dollars was raised to help veterans this year!
This is Boot’n & Shoot’n’s 8th year, and Benchmark has been behind every single one. Every year, this event is special, and this year’s was no different. The night before the event, the Boot’n & Salute’n Dinner packed in at the Omni Frisco to rally around support for veterans. The keynote address was given by GySgt Brian Meyer. On March 14, 2011, GySgt Meyer lost his right leg above the knee, his right arm below the elbow, and sustained amputations of his thumb and two fingers on his left hand in an IED (improvised explosive device) blast in Sangin, Afghanistan. He spoke on never giving up, and resilience in the face of adversity.
The guests who joined us that night helped raise over $400,000 through the live auction! Jeff Crosby and the Refugees helped cap off one of the most successful dinners Boot’n & Shoot’n has ever seen. This was a positive start for the day that would follow, when we all gathered together for an amazing day of giving back and honoring our veterans at The Dallas Gun Club.
On the morning of April 18th, clay shooting commenced, and shooting teams of four were paired with a veteran to take the course. More than 90 shooting teams took aim, interrupted only by a brief, albeit heavy, rain shower, catching some off guard. While the rain fell, the sound of shooters calling for their clays still echoed from the course, their gunshots ringing under the sound of the falling water.
Lt. Col. Allen West delivered a speech on teaching our children history to foster a sense of patriotism and appreciation for the brave men and women who have served our nation at any cost.
Every year, Boot’n & Shoot’n honors a veteran and their family, and this year, we honored John “JT” Tumilson and those killed in action on Extortion 17. On August 6, 2017, insurgents shot down a Chinook transport helicopter in Afghanistan. All 30 service members were killed, including fifteen Navy SEALS from Tea Six’s Gold Squadron.
Fallen officer Corporal Garrett Hull of the Fort Worth Police Department was also honored. Corporal Hull dedicated his career to the Fort Worth Police Department, having served in specialized tactical units, including the Special Response Team, the Narcotics Division, and the Tactical Intelligence Division. He was also loaned to the DEA, and worked closely with the FBI. He served the FWPD for 17 years.
Both of these heroes were added to Boot’n & Shoot’n’s “Remembrance Row”, a stretch of road leading to the site, with banners proudly displaying those fallen heroes who have been remembered and honored at the Dallas Gun Club during the event.
Babe’s Chicken sponsored and served lunch, after having set up the event with us the day before. Everyone enjoyed the spread, dessert included. Then came the donations. Giant checks were presented to The Brain Treatment Foundation, 22Kill, and The Third Option. We are proud to have helped raise more than $1 million, hosting over 1,000 guests and 500 veterans through Boot’n & Shoot’n.
At Benchmark, we do more than bring you home. We give back.
May 4th is International Firefighters’ Day
Firefighters put their own lives at risk to save the lives of others. From fighting fires, to providing emergency medical attention, and rescuing people from physical danger, firefighters deserve more praise than they often receive. Below are some of the tasks firefighters perform for you and your community.
Responding To Fire Emergencies
Contain and Extinguish Fires
Firefighters work in a range of contexts, from urban settings to wild. Their objective to to save people from dangerous situations, and to protect property from fire damage when possible. They use a variety of tools for their job, which they use expertly.
Investigate Causes of Fire
They may return to the scene of a fire to investigate the cause. This is helpful in future prevention of wildfires, as well as proving a suspicion of arson.
They Live At the Fire Station
The on-duty firefighters in urban settings will often live at the fire station. Emergencies can happen at any time of day, and a firefighter is always at the ready to provide life-saving assistance. They perform regular training and drills, as well as maintain excellent fitness, so they can perform their jobs with speed and efficiency.
They Do More Than Put Out Fires
Did you know that firefighters are also trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s)?
Firefighters are sometimes referred to as “first responders” because they are often the first ones on the scene when medical attention may be required. In many cities, Fire and Ambulance are in the same department! If you are ever injured or sick in a vulnerable public situation, it can be a relief to see a firefighter arrive to help.
They Rescue You (hence, “Fire and Rescue”)
Beyond rescuing you from burning buildings, they are also the team called to rescue you if you are ever trapped, whether in a vehicle, boat, or tree. Their job is to help preserve the lives of those in their community!
They Check and Regulate Fire Safety
Buildings have occupancy standards set in place by your local fire marshal for safety in the event of a fire. This extends to regulations for the locations and number of exits, exit visibility, sprinklers, fire escapes, smoke detectors, and other variables like fire extinguishers. Some departments may even offer free smoke detectors!
They May (or may not) Install and Inspect Car Seats
Years ago, it was common for people to head to their local fire station to have their car seat installed, or to have their installation inspected. Today, not every fire department has a car seat technician, and even when they do, they are first responders first, and they may not be available. You CAN search for a local car seat tech near you by using this handy search tool from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#installation-help-inspection
Firefighters Serve Their Community
At Benchmark, we understand community. That’s why we take supporting community heroes seriously. If you are looking to buy or refinance, we would be honored to help.
Find your Benchmark branch and call or email today to get started.Give us a call or contact us today. At Benchmark, we’ve got your back.Give me a call, send me an email, or request a call today. My team and I will take good care of you.
Benchmark Brings You Home
Should You Buy A Home This Spring?
Should you buy a home in the spring, or should you wait? Here are four good reasons to buy now.
Rent or Buy? A Fool, Do Not Be
Rent or Buy? Don't be a fool. Whichever you choose, go in with your eyes wide open. We briefly explore the difference.
This Spring, Enhance Your 🏠 Curb Appeal!
Do you suffer from curb envy? Do you want bragging rights for the most inviting home on the block? Have you just moved in, and want to dress the entrance with your own personal style? Or, are you looking to sell, and want to make your home more appealing to potential buyers?
No matter your reason, improving the appearance of your home when viewed from the street level, also known as curb appeal, can be done without breaking the bank.
It can be tempting to look through home improvement websites or Better Homes and Gardens for ideas. However, before making big plans, start with the easy things. You may be surprised at how much difference it makes!
Before Upgrading, Restore
Before spending any money, focus on maintaining the features your home already has. Even a manicured front landscape can go a long way.
- Be sure that your lawn is mowed, trimmed, and edged.
- Make sure landscape bushes or trees have been properly pruned, and
- Remove weeds from walkways and mulched areas. Even a manicured front landscape can go a long way.
- If needed (and it probably is, even if you can’t tell right away), power wash the walkway, sidewalk, and front porch leading up to your home. If you do not own a power washer, paying to have this done is not very expensive, and is absolutely worth paying for.
- How does your brick or siding look? Simply cleaning it can do a lot to improve its appearance.
- A fresh coat of paint on the siding can go a long way towards updating a home’s exterior.
- If your siding is in need of repair or replacement, It’s a good idea to consider getting it done.
- If the roof is a dominant feature of your home’s facade, you might want to consider giving it some love, too. If you plan to sell, a replacement roof may be in order.
Inexpensive Home Updates
Once everything is in great shape again, it’s time to start making some striking visual changes!
- You can really make a statement by painting the front door. Use a contrasting color to draw attention to the home’s entrance, making it feel more inviting.
- Change your address numbers with a new updated font, or bold tones. Get creative!
- Paint or replace your mailbox. This is the first thing visible from the road, so don’t leave it out!
- Update the hardware on your front door. If you’re painting the front door, why not reward the attention it draws with an updated hardware set?
- If your home has shutters, consider painting them, or adding hardware to increase interest. If your home does not have any, you can easily make your own, if cost is a concern. Shutters add character and increase visual interest.
- Plant a tree! A tree in the front yard adds charm, a splash of color, and a sense of permanence. It makes a home feel more homey. Please avoid known invasive species in your region when selecting a tree to plant, and consider what is known to do well where you live. With larger trees, not only does this save you from the burden of excessive maintenance, a healthier tree is a safer tree.
- Is the entry to your home feeling a little sterile, even with the painting door? Consider adding decorative outdoor furniture or planter boxes. These can help extend the “living space” to the outside of the front door, enhancing the welcoming warmth extended to visitors.
- Last, but not least, your porch light fixture may be in need of an update. While you’re at it, consider adding lighting to the yard to enhanced safety and ambience from the road as twilight fades into starlight.
Your Home’s Curb Appeal Is Its First Impression
Making a good first impression is important for forging new relationships, and for others taking you seriously. Your home’s curb appeal the the first impression for visitors, guests, neighbors, and potential buyers (if you’re selling). Your choices for dressing up your home’s curb appeal will ultimately reflect your own personality and outlook.
You don’t have to spend a lot to get a great look, so get started, be mindful of your choices, and have fun! Who knows, you may even make a few friends in the process.
Benchmark Brings You Home.