1. Please tell us something about yourself.
I am a mortgage specialist with a real estate background of 15 years. I have worked as a real estate agent for 10 years before getting my mortgage license. I have a passion for helping people obtain and use home ownership to build wealth because it’s the best and most accessible way to do it. I am also a passionate fitness junkie and part time group fitness instructor.
2. How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey?
I joined the army 20 years ago which lead me to Texas and that is when I really got into real estate. This was a time of a lot of real estate investing shows and books and I see it as a great way for me build wealth for me and my family. I started buying property and then became a real estate agent to start helping other people do what I was doing. In 2012 I started my own real estate brokerage and had a growing team before relocating to Houston in 2013 which is also when I got licensed as mortgage lender. I found a new passion in the mortgage business and knew from then on this is what I would be doing.
3. Who are your role models?
Besides my mom and dad I would say I have several business, marketing and mindset mentors like Tony Robbins, Ed Mylett, Gary Vee and my current mentor Anthony Lee.
4. What inspires you?
My family first and then it’s people. I love to see people succeed with real estate or when I am teaching a fitness class.
5. Please tell us about your company
My company has been in business 39 years and we have some of the best loan products available and an unbelievable team that really works together to help as many people go through the mortgage process as stress free and quickly as possible.
6. How are you using different social media channels/online marketing to market your work?
I am going full court press in 2020 and beyond with every social media channel I can find to provide as much value to people before they ever get to know me personally. I believe that is the way to build a business in this new decade.
7. What’s your greatest fear?
Having regrets when I am older. I want to try everything I can
8. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
Social media and the power it was going to have. I wish I would started going heavy on social platforms 10 years ago.
9. What do you enjoy most about what you do?
There are so many crazy things that happen behind the scenes to get people into a home and the craziness is stressful but also mentally challenging but I love the opportunities I get to impact people through a real estate transaction.
10. What keeps you going when things get tough?
Family and god and I always know there are people that have serious problems and the things I want to complain about are really not that big of a deal. Gary Vee is so awesome about explaining perspective and he has definitely help me change my perspective on a lot of things.
11. How can people connect with you?
Instagram is @jamesjayveteran, Facebook is jamesjaybarnes and Twitter @jamesjayveteran
12. Any message for our readers…
Because I have been a realtor and now a mortgage expert I believe I have a very unique perspective and I don’t thing there’s anyone better to help with your mortgage needs in Houston better than me. I am an open book and if you just need advice I am more than willing to share everything I know.