Miami Herald, The (FL)

Danny Felton was barely out of his teens when he bought his first home more than 10 years ago “It was self-gratifying to purchase a home at 22,” Felton said. “I purchased a house and several years later was able to sell it for thousands more.” The experience left Felton with an interest in entering the real estate industry. He got his start more than 10 years ago with a Miami Shores real estate firm.After working with several companies, Felton started The Mortgage Experts of South Florida, 600 NW 183rd St., Miami Gardens, serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties, in early 2001.He soon found being a new business owner was much different from being a real estate agent. Being young and African American, I had trouble getting people to believe me, even with a proven track record,” Felton said. After early growing pains, Mortgage Experts prospered and, in 2004, Felton purchased the buildin! g where the company is presently located. He remodeled the building and has several tenants, including State Rep. Wilbert “Tee” Holloway. He also opened a branch office in Orlando. Felton, 34, has also taken an interest in educating home buyers and helping them avoid hazards such as predatory loans. In July, he and his staff of seven took part in a home buyer’s fair at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 21311 NW 34th Ave.Felton also started Mortgage Experts Academy to offer classes to future mortgage brokers. His desire to educate people about real estate arose from his experience growing up in Liberty City. For too long, we’ve just been signing papers, and people get into situations where they end up losing their homes,” he said. Osborne Knowles, 51, is among those who have benefited from Felton’s approach. Ten years ago, Knowles was looking to buy a second house and getting nowhere until Felton contacted him and offe! red to help him get a loan. Knowles said he was told! he had to sell his home if he wanted the other house, because he did not quality for the loan amount. Felton got him more money and he was able to keep his house and buy another, he said. Knowles said Felton also helped his mother-in-law and several members of his church find homes. The Mortgage Experts was nominated as Business of the Year for the Distinguished Service Awards sponsored by the Miami Gardens Jaycees in June. The award, however, went to Spann’s Grocery & Gas but the nomination was a tribute to Felton’s work. The Mortgage Experts is a leader in our community for educating and providing resources to home buyers,” Miami Gardens Jaycees President André L. Williams said. Felton, he added, “is making an investment in the community.” With a booming real estate market and his expanding business, Felton has his hands full but wouldn’t want it any other way. “I can help you find a house and generate i! ncome to support my family,” Felton said. “It’s the American dream.”

Caption:
CHRIS GUANCHE/FOR THE HERALD TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: Danny Felton works at his computer and answers a phone call at The Mortgage Experts of South Florida in Miami Gardens.photo: Danny Felton (A)
Copyright (c) 2005 The Miami Herald
Record Number: 0509090300

September 8, 2005
FIRM GIVES HOME BUYERS TIPS
Author: CHRIS GUANCHE, cguanche@herald.com
Edition: Final
Section: Neighbors
Page: 11ML
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