Have you ever been in a situation where your expectations didn't quite match reality? Maybe what you thought it would take to accomplish a goal wasn't anything like you had envisioned – and now here you stand looking around saying "what else have I misjudged as being impossible that isn't?"

Well friends, there are millions of Americans walking around right now who have yet to have that "Aha!" experience that they so very much wish they could – and as resources to our community on all matters real estate, it is our responsibility to help.

I'd encourage everyone to try out a little exercise today. When you go out for this morning's coffee run, ask 10 people at random what they think they need to own a $300k home. How much money do they assume they'll need for down payment? How high of a credit score do they think is required?

I think I have some idea for the responses you'd get, because we've tried this little exercise ourselves; essentially the assumptions that the average person makes for what is required to live out the American dream is light-years away from reality. I vividly remember the first time I took part in this exercise and how the responses blew my mind – most of those asked, especially those still renting, believe the bare minimum for becoming a homeowner requires $60,000 and a 780+ credit score for that $300k home.

Now imagine what the reaction of these same individuals polled were when I told them that actually in most cases, they could stop paying someone else's mortgage and become homeowners themselves with as little as $10,500 down, 580 credit score and mortgage payments of less than $2,500/month for that same home that would otherwise rent much higher. Shock is a common reaction, uncomfortably laughing as well, but unfortunately many times anger at the fact that no one has shared this information with them.

The ability for nearly every American to own their own piece of soil is possible. As real estate agents, it is not necessarily your responsibility to know exactly whether a client fits into the box of a qualified homebuyer – but it is your responsibility to help educate them on the fact that their assumptions may be hurting their true ability to accomplish their homeownership goals.

So let's help our friends, family, colleagues and neighbors move past the assumptions of what they think isn't possible and into the world of what really is. The next time a prospective client says "I probably don't even qualify" help remind them that assumptions and the truth dine at totally separate tables, and get them pre-approved to find out their true potential for achieving their dreams of homeownership. Have them call me directly at 561-864-2458, let's see what's really possible.

Ok friends it is that time….who is going to win the raffle from our Heavy Hitters series event to win either two lower level tickets to a Miami Heat game or a day at the Boca Resort and Beach Club. I've got all the surveys handed in to us from the event here in front of me and here we go….

If you're looking to read the names of the winners you are out.of.luck :) Please listen to Matt announce the winners in today's shot!

Congratulations to those that won, please give me a call directly at 561-864-2458 within the next 24 hours to claim your prize!  

Thank you all for listening. We are committed to supporting you. So send us a friend request on Facebook or LinkedIn, and follow us @mattweaverspeaks.   

 I appreciate you joining me today, hopefully you can find a way to apply your shot into today, until tomorrow, have a better day today than yesterday.

The views of this blog, "Your Morning Shot" podcast, and on this site in general are solely those of the authors, Matt Weaver (NMLS-175651) and Zack Lewis, and do not express the views or opinions of Finance of America Mortgage.