Business

How City Creek Mortgage Helps Its Clients Achieve the Lowest Possible Mortgage Rates

Published

4 years ago

March 13, 2021

The housing market has been booming lately, which means a lot of prospective homeowners are looking for mortgage providers. When taking out a mortgage, one of the most crucial things to look at is the interest rate. Most mortgages last either 15 or 30 years, so even small differences in the interest rate can add up.

Mike “Mortgage Mike” Roberts, co-founder and president of City Creek Mortgage, understands the ins and outs of mortgages, including how getting the lowest rate possible is a top priority. He started City Creek Mortgage over 20 years ago, with the goal of creating better options for everyone hoping to buy a home using a loan.

Roberts explained his goals when he said, “I want our clients to know they can trust us to always be looking out for them. We’re going to help get the best interest rates because we know how much that can do to help your family build a stable financial position.”

Through Mike’s efforts to create a better mortgage experience for customers, he’s learned how to get the best rates possible for clients — here’s how he does it:

Cutting Out the Commission

If you’ve ever taken out a home loan before, chances are your loan officer was paid on commission. Chances are if any of your family and friends who’ve purchased a home with a mortgage also worked with a loan officer who was paid on commission.

The mortgage industry has run off of commission-based employees for decades.

This means that loan officers’ compensation is tied to whether or not they can push you forward to close a loan, even if it’s not the best option for you. In some circumstances, commission-based system incentives loan officers to encourage people to take larger loans than needed or to take loans with bad interest rates.

In order to ensure customers are getting good loans with the best rates, City Creek Mortgage pays loan officers on salary. This allows these loan officers to give optimal advice to clients because their incomes aren’t dependent on selling clients on loans with huge amounts of interest.

Said Roberts, “We want to help our customers build a solid financial future. So, no, our loan officers wouldn’t try to upsell a customer on a larger loan because we know it’s not in the customer’s best interest. We don’t want to make money by squeezing every penny out of each customer. We want to make money by earning trust and loyalty from each of our clients.”

Prioritizing Clients Over Profits

Many people don’t understand all the details about loans and interest rates. Interest rates change often. Because of this, it’s easy for lenders to take advantage of people who haven’t taken the time to shop around for different mortgages or researched how to get the lowest possible rate.

It benefits the lenders to offer higher rates because it means you’ll end up paying more in interest, however, this practice ends up causing unnecessary financial strain on clients. City Creek Mortgage believes in prioritizing clients’ needs over earning more money.

Roberts spoke about the way the company functions:

“We’re a client-for-life company. That means we want our clients to be happy with what we offer in the long-term. We want to earn their trust and treat them like family. We believe in walking away from money rather than walking away from good people. We apply this principle to both our employees and to our clients.”

With clients, rather than profit, in mind, City Creek Mortgage may occasionally earn a smaller profit, but they make up for it by retaining clients and building a strong reputation as a company that can be trusted.

Understanding Clients’ Individual Needs

City Creek Mortgage is a close-knit, family-style company.

Roberts explained the nature of the company culture, stating, “We believe in taking care of each other and our clients. In fact, we believe in that principle so strongly, it’s one of our five core values. Because we want to take care of individuals, we look into what types of mortgages will best suit their needs.”

City Creek Mortgage speaks with clients about their unique situations in order to advise on the type of loan that is best for them. Not everyone knows that some aspects of home loans are flexible. Some clients will opt for a no-cost mortgage so they can save money on closing costs. Others will opt for a low-cost mortgage in order to get the lowest possible rate.

There are benefits to both low-cost and no-cost mortgages and each person’s unique situation will determine which is the best fit for them. The emphasis on seeing clients as individuals at City Creek Mortgage helps the team to advise each client on the best option for them.

Sometimes clients will come to City Creek Mortgage looking for a second opinion on the loan they’ve been offered from a different lender. Because the company cares more about helping people find the best possible loan for their situation, sometimes they tell potential clients that their lender is already giving them a great deal.

For City Creek Mortgage, giving the best advice possible is more important than making a sale, especially if that sale is not in the best interest of the client. By doing this, they’re able to build lifelong relationships with clients.

Business

Top 5 Virtual Assistant Companies to Watch in 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

January 23, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Running a successful business in today’s fast-paced world requires a sharp focus on growth, strategy, and efficiency. However, managing the day-to-day operations can often become overwhelming. That’s where virtual assistant (VA) companies come into play. These companies specialize in providing skilled professionals who can handle everything from administrative tasks to customer service, marketing, and beyond, allowing entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus on what they do best.

With so many VA companies on the market, choosing the right one can be a challenge. To help you navigate the options, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 virtual assistant companies to watch in 2025. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a startup founder, or a busy professional, these companies offer top-tier solutions to meet your needs.

1. Assist World – The Gold Standard in Virtual Assistance

At the top of our list is Assist World, a U.S.-based company renowned for its personalized approach to matching clients with virtual assistants. Assist World goes beyond the typical “one-size-fits-all” model by taking the time to understand your unique needs and connecting you with highly skilled VAs who align perfectly with your business goals.

What Makes Assist World Stand Out?

Personalized Matching: Assist World matches clients with virtual assistants based on their specific requirements, ensuring the right fit every time.
Comprehensive Onboarding Process: The company’s seamless onboarding process streamlines communication and ensures VAs hit the ground running.
Client Success Management: Dedicated client success managers oversee the relationship, providing ongoing support and ensuring smooth operations.
Flexibility and Scalability: Assist World caters to businesses of all sizes, offering flexible plans that can scale as your business grows.

Who Is It Best For?

Assist World is ideal for entrepreneurs and small-to-medium businesses seeking a reliable, high-quality VA service that delivers consistent results.

Pricing:

Pricing is customized based on your needs, making it accessible for a wide range of budgets. Schedule a free consultation to learn more.

2. Time Etc – Affordable and Efficient

If affordability is your priority, Time Etc is a strong contender. This VA company specializes in administrative tasks and offers services at competitive rates. With a team of experienced professionals, Time Etc focuses on helping clients boost productivity without breaking the bank.

Key Features:

Dedicated VAs with extensive experience.
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Focused primarily on administrative and organizational tasks.

Who Is It Best For?

Time Etc is a great choice for solopreneurs and small businesses looking for cost-effective virtual assistance for basic tasks.

Pricing:

Plans start at $29 per hour, with discounts available for bulk hours.

3. Belay – A Leader in Remote Executive Assistance

For those in need of executive-level support, Belay is a premier option. This company specializes in matching clients with highly skilled remote assistants who can handle complex tasks such as calendar management, bookkeeping, and project coordination.

Key Features:

Focus on executive and specialized assistance.
Rigorous vetting process for VAs.
Excellent client support.

Who Is It Best For?

Belay is ideal for CEOs, executives, and high-level professionals who require top-tier assistance.

Pricing:

Premium services come at a higher price point, starting around $2,000 per month for part-time support (45 hours a month). For 85 hours a month, pricing sits around $3,800.

4. MyOutDesk – Virtual Assistants for Real Estate

Real estate professionals, take note: MyOutDesk is the go-to VA service for your industry. Specializing in real estate operations, MyOutDesk provides skilled VAs who can handle lead generation, transaction coordination, and CRM management.

Key Features:

Expertise in real estate processes.
Comprehensive training programs for VAs.
Proven track record with top real estate agents.

Who Is It Best For?

Realtors, brokers, and real estate teams looking to streamline their operations and focus on closing deals.

Pricing:

Pricing starts at $1,750 per month for full-time assistants.

5. Boldly – Premium Virtual Assistant Services

If you’re looking for high-quality, premium VA services, Boldly is worth considering. This company offers subscription-based plans that provide access to experienced VAs skilled in a variety of disciplines, including marketing, customer service, and project management.

Key Features:

Highly experienced professionals.
Flexible subscription plans.
Focus on long-term client relationships.

Who Is It Best For?

Businesses and individuals willing to invest in premium services for comprehensive support.

Pricing:

Plans start at $39 per hour, with monthly subscriptions available.

How to Choose the Right Virtual Assistant Company

When selecting a VA company, consider the following factors:

Your Business Needs: Identify the tasks you want to delegate and choose a company that specializes in those areas.
Budget: Assess how much you’re willing to invest in virtual assistance and find a provider that aligns with your budget.
Flexibility: Look for companies that offer scalable plans to grow with your business.
Support: Choose a company with excellent client support to ensure smooth communication and problem resolution.

Why Assist World Is the #1 Choice

While all the companies on this list offer excellent services, Assist World stands out for its personalized approach, exceptional client success management, and flexible solutions, and most importantly, their fair pricing. At Assist World, prices generally fall between $1,500 – $2,000 a month for a full-time dedicated executive assistant. With a proven track record of helping businesses thrive, Assist World is the ultimate partner for entrepreneurs and small businesses ready to scale efficiently and effectively.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Schedule a free consultation with Assist World today and discover the difference a high-quality virtual assistant can make.