Oktay Demirdal – New Life as a Home Mortgage Officer

We are always looking for Europeans – as well as European businesses – to feature at our website.  We have featured for example Gabi Vitui, who was as a realtor here in Austin.  Gabi is originally from Romania.

Well, one of the issues you face when you buy a home in the USA is the lovely mortgage process.  It occured to us we could feature another EuroCircle member who works in mortgage business so we asked Oktay.  Oktay will tell in his own words how he started as a home mortgage officer.  Oktay is a true mix of multiple cultures and speaks multiple languages fluently,

Reason for starting (and how did you get started)

After working about 18 years in IT, I decided to make a change in my professional life. I wanted a work place that offered a more flexible schedule. The timing seemed right when my good friend Michael Landers who is a 20+ experienced finance professional in the home mortgage industry asked me if I would consider becoming a home mortgage officer. The concept of finance is very familiar to me as an MBA from Leuphana University in Lueneburg Germany.

How do you define success?

To me being professionally successful means having a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day and socially it means having a great circle of friends who support each other. I believe also in continuous improvement and always want to learn new things.

What is/are the best skill/s you have for business/relationships

Successful relationships whether socially or in business are about trust, transparency and excellent communication. Throughout my career, I have been known for bringing people together and make a name for myself as a trusted adviser.

Biggest Success

Raising my daughter Mia who is now 14 years old.

Who is your most important role model?

I do not have one role model who outshines everyone. No matter how accomplished and successful a person is he/she will have strength and weaknesses. I have great admiration for Steve Jobs for his passion to succeed and turn things around with his endless energy and great vision. Politically I think Barack Obama was a great leader and inspiration for many people in the US.

How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?

I was born in Turkey, grew up in Hamburg/Germany when my parents moved there when I was little and now I call Austin, TX home since about 18 years. To make things even more multi-cultural my grandparents were from the island of Krete. I lived in different cultural settings on three continents, learned the culture and the languages. I can relate to individuals and understand them because I know their culture and their upbringing.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career to date?

The biggest lesson I learned is that you will not be successful in any career unless you have a passion for it and you must believe in yourself. Approach projects as challenges that you will master with creativity and by working as a team.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

Maintaining a work/life balance is a big challenge in the US because we do not have the governmentally regulated vacation days like in many European countries. I found myself doing yoga in my lunch breaks instead of grabbing food or waking up early in the am and getting a nice bike ride or swim in.

What do you want COMPANY to accomplish in the next year?

We are local mortgage lender here in Austin that has a great track record for customer service and helping clients with the biggest investment of their lifetime. Due to our size we can be much more personable, responsive and available to our clients. We have our in-house underwriting and closing team that never missed a closing date. Looking ahead, we would like to see ourselves helping clients to accomplish their goal of a home/condo purchase.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH OKTAY DEMIRDAL:

Need any advice…here is where you find Oktay.

Business Name: Assurance Financial Home Mortgage Loans – NMLS 70876

Type of Business: Home Financing and Re-Financing & Foreign National Mortgage Loans

Business Location: 7600 Burnet Road Suite 515 – Austin, TX 787575

Website:  https://www.lendtheway.com/directory/oktay-demirdal/

 

Oktay Demirdal at Facebook

Atlanta – Sep 05 2018

EUROCIRCLE SEPTEMBER MIXER @ LITTLE ALLEY STEAKHOUSE

everyone:

Looking forward to seeing everyone next Wednesday for our monthly Eurocircle gathering.

We will meet on the outside patio of the newly opened Little  Alley Steakhouse located in Buckhead. If the weather does not cooperate, we will meet in the inside bar area so this is a rain or shine event. If you have not yet made it to this venue, I recommend you come out next Wednesday and check it out as it is the new hot spot, especially on weekends. Valet parking and garage parking is available.

Please note we WILL NOT have complimentary appetizers this time around as the venue is still very new and they are not offering this to any groups so please come with a full belly or make other arrangements. Last but not least, please be sure to share this event with all your friends as FB is making it harder to send group messages out so many people are not getting the invites…

See you next week!!!

Salutations,
David
Atlanta Eurocircle

San Francisco – Sep 09 2018

San Francisco Chronicle Presents Opera in the Park

Join us for arias al fresco as we celebrate the opening of San Francisco Opera’s 96th Season and other operatic favorites. Featuring the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and stars from the fall season. Bring friends and family for a fantastic afternoon of opera.

MEETING PLACE:  We will meet at Kezar Pub it is the closest at noon and leave there at 12:20 to walk over

WHO IT’S FOR

Open to the public

WHEN
Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 1:30pm

WHERE
Robin Williams Meadow, Golden Gate Park

COST
FREE

An accessible seating section and restrooms are provided at the Opera in the Park performance. Pedestrian drop-off area is on Bowling Green Drive and there is limited accessible parking.

Houston – Aug 22 2018

EuroCircle Houston’s White Party at Simone on Sunset

Rummage through your closet, go shopping if you have to but come dressed to impress. Every shade is ok as long as it’s white – or has some white. However, it is more important you show up so don’t worry if your outfit is not white.

The more the merrier, so please be sweet and do your good deed of the day by spreading the word amongst your friends.

Venere, Michelle and Shahla
www.EuroCircle.com

Austin – Sep 07 2018

Joint International Mixer at W Austin Living Room

Every year we like to organize a couple of joint international mixers with other local international groups.
This time the photos were taken by Ezio Ambrosetti


Extended happy hour until 8pm, DJ.

Valet parking is $10 with a ticket for 3 hours. They should provide our team the tickets to hand out

This event is hosted by multiple European groups and a couple of more international groups such as:

  • Consulate General of Ireland, Paul Breen, Vice Consul
  • Global Austin, Christina A. Ceballos, Executive Director
  • International Multicultural Community – Theo Andrew
  • French in Austin
  • Italy-America Chamber of Commerce of Texas,  Martin M. Morales – Austin Chairman
  • Danish Club of Austin
  • AIN – Austin Intercultural network – Shalini Komarla
  • SACC – Swedish American Chamber of Commerce of Texas, SACC Austin
  • APS – Austin Polish Society and of course
  • EuroCircle Austin

Orange County – Aug 08 2018

Meeting Point: GG’s Mediterranean Express
 “Sawdust Art Festival will feature the fine art and craft of over 200 Laguna Beach artists. Come enjoy live entertainment, art demonstrations, and outdoor cafes set in our cool eucalyptus grove, it’s sure to be the highlight of your summer adventures!

Art enthusiasts, collectors, and novice artists have come to the Sawdust since our beginning in 1966 for our mix of fine art and craft. Medias include hand-blown and fused glass, painting, jewelry, surf art, ceramics, clothing and textiles, wood and metal sculpture, scrimshaw, photography, and so much more.

MORE INFO

We look forward to seeing you there!


Happy Mixing & Mingling!
Hosts: Carmen Gundelach and Antje Grieche-Breden from GermanMixer