The Private Capital Group

Piedmont Review Article

The Private Capital Group: Serving a Special Market

By Jennye E. Guy
As seen in the Piedmont Review, April 2002

Here's the scenario: You are a successful self-employed business person. You know your net worth qualifies you for the six- or seven-figure home you want. But given the nature of how your income is reported, you can't easily show that your income will indeed cover the purchase you are contemplating. Who do you call? Mark B. Dodson, president of The Private Capital Group. The company does private mortgage banking, working with loans starting at $250,000. Their average loan size is $841,000.

Since 1998, Dodson's firm has specialized in helping self-employed borrowers obtain the homes of their dreams with financial products tailored to their needs. His clients range from entertainment luminaries like Elton John to professionals, including attorneys, physicians and business owners. "Most times, self-employed borrowers will not declare all the income they need to get qualified for a loan. They have to use a stated-income loan. I saw a niche that was not being fulfilled with those types of borrowers because banks usually could not place those loans," Dodson says. Along with private bankers, financial planners and accountants, The Private Capital Group sees itself as a partner in the array of professions that provide financial services to the wealthy.
,br> Creative financing is the company's theme. "Self-employed people need a good product for a mortgage," Dodson continues. "What we have to do is take them from the traditional sources and put them into another type of product where they can get a very attractive rate and not be punished for being self-employed."

Dodson understands his niche well. For years, he has offered products to his clients who are just now beginning to grow in popularity. One example is the LIBOR, an interest-only payment vehicle that is based on the London Interbank Offering Rate (a one-month interest index that is published daily in the Wall Street Journal). Dodson is proud of the fact that through the LIBOR and other interest-only products, he also saves money for his clients. If creative financing is The Private Capital Group's theme, then personalized service is the company's motto. Dodson listens to his clients to learn what their goals are. Their responses help him determine the financial product that will meet those goals. Another aspect of the company's personalized service is Dodson's timely attention to details and his practice of informing clients as to what will happen and when. "My clients don't have time to call me everyday and get an update on what's happening. They want to know that they will close on March 25th and that everything is taken care of," he says. The Private Capital Group's emphasis on customer service also drives plans for its growth. Licensed in Florida as well as in Georgia, Dodson plans to expand into North and South Carolina within six months. "I'm not all that interested in those markets for themselves. I'm doing this to serve my clients who have second homes in those locations."

Dodson's eyes light up when he talks about his business and the products he can offer his clients. They also light up when he speaks about his two other loves: Auburn football (he attended Auburn University) and Peachtree Presbyterian Church, where he is an elder. "It keeps me grounded," he says. Dodson credits his success to the advice and guidance of the late Rev. W. Frank Harrington. At one point, he was prepared to leave Atlanta because he wasn't satisfied in the mortgage business. He was packed and ready to go with the moving van scheduled, when Rev. Harrington persuaded him to stay by assuring him that things would work out. Dodson cancelled his moving plans and within two weeks received his largest commission. Shortly thereafter, he discovered his gift for and pleasure in working with the self-employed borrower, and changed from the market in which he was then working to this special niche.

Despite the economy's downturn, Dodson says that Atlanta's real estate market remains strong. While the volume of business may not be the same as that of previous years, real estate activity continues. Given current low interest rates, many of The Private Capital Group's clients are investing in second homes rather than the stock market or are upgrading from $300,000 homes to $600,000 homes. He doesn't worry about trying to predict interest rates or the economy's direction. "We just continue to do what we do and do it well."

The Private Capital Group is located at 3060 Peachtree Road. They can be reached at (404) 240-4067.


Piedmont Review Article The Private Capital Group: Serving a Special Market By Jennye E. Guy As seen in the Piedmont Review, April 2002 Here's the scenario: You are a successful self-employed business person. You know your net worth qualifies you for the six- or seven-figure home you want. But given the nature of how your income is reported, you can't easily show that your income will indeed cover the purchase you are contemplating. Who do you call? Mark B. Dodson, president of The Private Capital Group. The company does private mortgage banking, working with loans starting at $250,000. Their average loan size is $841,000. Since 1998, Dodson's firm has specialized in helping self-employed borrowers obtain the homes of their dreams with financial products tailored to their needs. His clients range from entertainment luminaries like Elton John to professionals, including attorneys, physicians and business owners. "Most times, self-employed borrowers will not declare all the income they need to get qualified for a loan. They have to use a stated-income loan. I saw a niche that was not being fulfilled with those types of borrowers because banks usually could not place those loans," Dodson says. Along with private bankers, financial planners and accountants, The Private Capital Group sees itself as a partner in the array of professions that provide financial services to the wealthy. ,br> Creative financing is the company's theme. "Self-employed people need a good product for a mortgage," Dodson continues. "What we have to do is take them from the traditional sources and put them into another type of product where they can get a very attractive rate and not be punished for being self-employed." Dodson understands his niche well. For years, he has offered products to his clients who are just now beginning to grow in popularity. One example is the LIBOR, an interest-only payment vehicle that is based on the London Interbank Offering Rate (a one-month interest index that is published daily in the Wall Street Journal). Dodson is proud of the fact that through the LIBOR and other interest-only products, he also saves money for his clients. If creative financing is The Private Capital Group's theme, then personalized service is the company's motto. Dodson listens to his clients to learn what their goals are. Their responses help him determine the financial product that will meet those goals. Another aspect of the company's personalized service is Dodson's timely attention to details and his practice of informing clients as to what will happen and when. "My clients don't have time to call me everyday and get an update on what's happening. They want to know that they will close on March 25th and that everything is taken care of," he says. The Private Capital Group's emphasis on customer service also drives plans for its growth. Licensed in Florida as well as in Georgia, Dodson plans to expand into North and South Carolina within six months. "I'm not all that interested in those markets for themselves. I'm doing this to serve my clients who have second homes in those locations." Dodson's eyes light up when he talks about his business and the products he can offer his clients. They also light up when he speaks about his two other loves: Auburn football (he attended Auburn University) and Peachtree Presbyterian Church, where he is an elder. "It keeps me grounded," he says. Dodson credits his success to the advice and guidance of the late Rev. W. Frank Harrington. At one point, he was prepared to leave Atlanta because he wasn't satisfied in the mortgage business. He was packed and ready to go with the moving van scheduled, when Rev. Harrington persuaded him to stay by assuring him that things would work out. Dodson cancelled his moving plans and within two weeks received his largest commission. Shortly thereafter, he discovered his gift for and pleasure in working with the self-employed borrower, and changed from the market in which he was then working to this special niche. Despite the economy's downturn, Dodson says that Atlanta's real estate market remains strong. While the volume of business may not be the same as that of previous years, real estate activity continues. Given current low interest rates, many of The Private Capital Group's clients are investing in second homes rather than the stock market or are upgrading from $300,000 homes to $600,000 homes. He doesn't worry about trying to predict interest rates or the economy's direction. "We just continue to do what we do and do it well." The Private Capital Group is located at 3060 Peachtree Road. They can be reached at (404) 240-4067.		The Private Capital Group One Buckhead Plaza 3060 Peachtree Road NW, Suite 1020 Atlanta, GA 30305 Office: (404) 240 4067 Toll Free: (866) 301 0918 Fax: (404) 240 4073 Email: information@theprivatecapitalgroup.com Florida and Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, #244472 and #13499