Today we’d like to introduce you to Amit and Nikki Vaghela.
Amit and Nikki, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My wife introduced me to the home loan business in 2004, long before they were even dating.
“We met just after college and became best friends. I met some people she knew at a major home loan corporation and started working there. After four years there, I hadn’t found career happiness, even though I had found the love of my life. My team was ranked #1 in the country for units at the largest lender in the nation, but it was unfulfilling. The turning point came unexpectedly on April 1, 2008, when I left the company and decided to start working for a broker and originating loans on my own.
God was nudging me to go out on my own and I never looked back! I knew it would take 3-5 years of struggling to get the steady income back and there were very tough times in between and many lessons and heartache but eventually it has always been worth the fight. 2012 was my 4th year trying to get my feet off the ground and was the turning point of a break out year for me and my wife and in 2013 we started to build a team.
We have had our ups and downs since but now that we are at Highlands Mortgage we have a great platform where we have got back to doing what we do best and doing it better than ever.
We close everything in 15 days or less when necessary without any stress or time crunches you would experience at other mortgage companies,
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. Some of the struggles are listed below:
Opening my own office in 2009 and shortly after in 2010 having new licensing requirements for my loan officers and compensation plan changes due to Frank Dodd really revamped our industry. We lost 70% of originators – but the ones who stuck with it came out ahead and we never considered leaving.
Leaving a company in an effort to grow the team proved trying as we moved to a 4 star bank who sold their operations to a 1 bank within 90 days. Then a transition to another company which failed as they merged with a company that eventually would shut their doors 90 days later. Turn times were disastrous and service levels were compromised.
We strive to be the best and when there are things that roadblocks out of our control to allow us to do what we need to do for our clients- it’s necessary to halt production and cease acquiring new referral partners until you have found a place you are confident in that can deliver- which we eventually did with Highlands Mortgage
Persistence, never quitting, and always forging ahead with a relentless pursuit is the main factor for success.
Some awards we have accumulated along the way:
Voted 2017 & 2016 Top Agent by Top Agent Magazine
2017, 2016 & 2015 Texas Five Star Professional Award Winner awarded by Texas Monthly Publication
Voted 2013 ‘D-Best’-Most Professional Mortgage Banker Awarded by D Magazine
2012 Presidents Club
Please tell us about The Vaghela Team with Highlands Mortgage.
We specialize in Self Employed clients with Tax Returns that are difficult to analyze. My wife Nikki and myself have a team concept along with our assistant so we have 3 sets of eyes on each loan file before it goes into processing. All the T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted. Combined Nikki and I have 27 years of experience.
AV Vaghela is a Sr. Loan Officer and Team Lead for The Vaghela Team w/ Highlands Residential Mortgage in Dallas, TX. AV joined the mortgage industry in 2004. Prior to that he studied Business at University of North Texas receiving his BBA in 2002. He has been recognized by Top Agent Magazine, Texas Monthly, and D Magazine as a top producer along with being awarded President’s Council. AV has developed his team to exceed client expectations allowing him to brand his promise to close on time, accurately, and with plenty of communication. He has a strong belief in mentorship and coaching and is involved in his community having served on the Board for the Parks and Rec Dep’t along with volunteering with Texas Scholars and Communities in Schools. He enjoys painting, photography, and playing Frisbee with his family.
AV is a proud father of his ‘mini me’ Emerson Austin and he enjoys coaching him and his teammates t-ball team. He is also a very lucky and loving husband to his wife and business partner Nikki who has been in the industry 13 years.
The Vaghela Team w/ Highlands is a full-service loan origination service, committed to providing innovative mortgage solutions and real estate strategies in today’s highly competitive market. With over 25 years of combined experience The Vaghela Team has been recognized consistently for their commitment to excellence. We’re blessed with the long lasting relationships we have forged with our clients, their friends and their families!
TEAM MISSION
The Vaghela Team provides an unparalleled home loan experience for home owners in the Greater Dallas areas and throughout the great state of Texas. Our knowledgeable team creates raving fans by exceeding customers’ expectations with passion, attention to detail, and the highest standard of customer service!
OUR PLEDGE
To have a 21 day on time closing guarantee.
Close accurately.
Proactive communication with Tuesday updates.
Most proud of our service and turn times- 15 day closings- on time, every time.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is when my dad came home one day with a new car.
My sisters and I who were all grade school age had been bugging him to get a new car for years.
He had a brown Caprice Classic – the old boxy body style from the 80’s and we absolutely hated the color. We were the only kids whose family had a brown car- which you can imagine what we associated it with as children! Well, one day my dad comes home and the year is 1991. He comes in the front door instead of from the garage which was unusual. Even more unusual he had a grin on his face. Now usually when he was coming home from work I tried to stay clear- but that day he was a in great mood, almost giggling.
We all looked at him and said “what are you up too?”
He said “I bought a new car!”
Me and my sisters were overjoyed screaming “Yesssss! finally!!!!” and ran as fast as our little legs could take us out the front door to see what our new wheels were.
Much to our disappointment and not to mention shock- we see a newer version of the Caprice Classic- same boxy body style, but even more dark brown! We were mortified.
When we looked up and were like “NO!!!! For the love of God, tell us you didn’t dad!?!- say it aint so?!?”
He was standing there- laughing hysterically getting great pleasure from our perceived pain.
This is one of my favorite childhood memories because it is one of the distinct moments as a child I realized my dad had a sense of humor- and a really good one at that.
Later on in life, I read an article that said if you want to go buy a car- take someone who owns a brown car- because they will get the best deal. This proved to be true when I saw my father time and time again go with friends, relatives, and his kids to purchase cars- he always got the best deals as he was never emotionally attached to a vehicle, it was always logical. I remember when we went to get my 2nd car- the car salesman offered to show them the invoice as he was asking for a price lower than the invoice and my dad refused and said don’t waste your time printing it because he didn’t care what they said they owned it for. The next day- he got the car for his initial asking price. I was shocked once again when we got that call- but shocked in a good way this time.
Contact Info:
- Address: AV Vaghela –NMLS ID# 220899
Sr. Loan Officer – The Vaghela Team
12001 N. Central Expressway #750 Dallas 75243 - Website: www.TheVaghelaTeam.com | www.HighlandsMortgage.com
- Phone: 469-619-7334 | Fax 469-640-9463
- Email: avaghela@highlandsmortgage.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TVThomeloans/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/homeloansintx?lang=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-vaghela-team-highlands-residential-mortgage-dallas
- Other: https://www.zillow.com/lender-profile/HomeLoansInTX/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
