Categories

Dale Robyn Siegel, attorney and mortgage broker for over 20 years has finally produced the book all potential homeowners and industry professionals should have on their shelf. She explains The New Rules for Mortgages in an easy readable format that makes sense to beginners while still serving as a handy reference for experienced buyers and industry professionals.

Dale is an adjunct professor at both NYU and Baruch College in New York City. She is a sought after speaker and financial expert quoted hundreds of times in national publications. To learn more about Dale and the mortgage industry updates go to  dalesiegel.com.
 
Thank you Dale for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  To start, please tell us about the latest project you've worked on.
 
I am current writing a textbook, which is very different in style and content from a consumer book. The textbook,  The 20-Hour Mortgage Loan Originator SAFE Comprehensive Course Textbook, is geared towards the now [Federally] required course for all mortgage loan officers. This book is difficult to write because it needs to be constantly updated to cover the new rules and guidelines that are ever-changing in the industry.

I will be teaching the class myself at NYU at least 3 times a year as well as marketing the book to other course providers nationwide. It is a monumental challenge because I have the obligation to revise the book at least 3 times a year. 
 
Have you received any awards for your work?

Other than my mother telling me how wonderful I am, no.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?
 
Yes, I do speaking engagements to the industry and consumers nationwide. The topics I cover are Real Estate for Beginners and The New Rules for Mortgages. I actually did a seminar tour with the WNBA, travelling and speaking to every team about real estate and personal finance. It was a great experience and showed me that young adults really do want the information they need to create a solid financial profile.
 
How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has your writing success helped you in your  profession?
 
I have an MBA with a concentration in Finance and a law degree. That kind of education is not required to be a mortgage broker, however it does help in my style of thinking and adds great credibility to me as a professional. Being an actual working loan officer and a real estate attorney gives me great insight into the industry and ability to actually layout the rules and guidelines in an understandable format.

I believe that without my actually doing the work every day and having the experience of teaching it, I would not have been able to write such a concise book on the subject. Conversely, my clients are impressed.

What kind of other works have you had published? 

I am an passionate blogger, producing hundreds of short articles on mortgages and real estate, over the years. That is sometimes harder than writing a whole book. I have also written several travel articles; as I am an avid traveler and would love to be called a travel writer one day.
 
Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

One thing: I actually do what I write about. This is not always the case with how-to books.  I could write a book on gardening by researching the topic, but wouldn’t you rather get your guidance from someone else’s experience?
 
What will your next project be?
 
I am working on producing a book on real estate towards the 20 something crowd. I think they need, and want to, understand what they have to do about finding a home after college. Hey, who really wants to move back in with your parents?
 
Who inspires you on a personal or business level?
 
I must say, it would have to be my father. He was a very successful salesperson and believed you can accomplish whatever you want to do in life.
 
What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?
 
I enjoy doing seminars and teaching a room full of people that are there because they want to learn. I also get great personal satisfaction with guiding an individual in the right path to personal financial strength.
 
What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?
 
In the how-to genre, you must be an expert on the topic you write about. The only way to be an expert is by doing it. So, if you are an expert, tell people what they do not know already. Blog about it and get your name out there by answering questions for journalists and getting on expert panels. Do it for free and do it often. Write an eBook; that is easy and can go viral if you work it.
 
How did you get started as a writer?
 
I did seminars. Always, someone in the audience would say, you really need to write a book.

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?
 
I have always read books on history, mostly WWII, so I’m not sure if you can really have a favorite. I am currently reading Strides, by Benjamin Cheever. It is a book on the history of running which is autobiographical.
 
What does a typical work day look like for you?
 
I am trying to get into a writing routine, but my day job sometimes gets in the way. I try to fit in my work, one blog entry, answering some journalist queries and writing/editing one short chapter each day. I am beginning to train for a half marathon so I also work out 5 days a week.
 
Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?
 
The person that pushed me to complete my first book is a friend, Ellice Uffer. She works for IBM Publishing and is one of the smartest people I know. She also wrote a small book about her dog Dylan and self published it to be sold on Amazon.
 
Who is your favorite writer/author?
 
I drive one hour each way to my company’s office, about three times a week and love to listen to books on tape during the ride. Sometimes I take a break from history books and listen to fiction. Jodi Picoult is one of my favorites.
 
Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?

I sing a crazy little ditty to my cat sometimes. Kind of like the name game song that rhymes with her name. It makes her tall wag and cracks me up every time. 

Thank you Dale! We're looking forward to your new real estate book for young adults!