Given two ways of getting to the same goal, I&39;d be the first one to suggest taking the easy route. No one needs any extra work. But all too often, it seems to me, companies are urging people to "do it the easy way" with one small problem: YOU DON’T GET TO THE SAME PLACE YOU WOULD IF YOU WORKED HARD.

Take investing for example. You have all seen the TV advertisements from one of the online brokerage firms that says, "You can do this!"  They make it sound so easy, that all you have to do is get a bit of research from their advisors, take advantage of their cheap trading fees, and you&39;ll be rich. I&39;d appreciate a note back from anyone who has beaten the market using that strategy. Me?  I have an MBA, but I also have a clever investment advisor.

The same thing is true in mortgage financing.  Quite honestly, getting the very best deal in real estate financing is not easy!  I’ve been helping people for 25 years and I have to work hard.  How can you do it the easy way when you don’t understand the process?

Here&39;s the bottom line:  If you don&39;t know what you&39;re doing, you&39;d better hire someone who can help you.