I love to help people buy, refinance or get an equity line. As a mortgage planner and branch manager at Benchmark in San Diego, I bring more than 20 years of experience to my role as an adviser who identifies smart mortgage solutions customized for a person or couple’s financial situation. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of people meet their overall financial objectives. I co-authored the book “Borrow Smart, Retire Rich.”
What sets me apart from other mortgage bankers?
> Going the extra mile is a given.
> I use a tried and proven discovery process to learn about one’s financial circumstances, past, present and future. It helps me guide you into the best fit lending product i.e. buying a second home, what are your financial plans for it — investment or retirement?
> My client-centric focus is the reason 90% of our business is repeat or referrals.
> Access to quality financing — whether a purchase loan, a refinance for lower rate, debt consolidation or cash-out for college or investment purposes.
To summarize, I strongly believe that financial literacy paves the way to financial success. I show people all of the financial options available — from the garden variety to unique out-of-the box choices. I figure out what makes dollars and sense and strive to explain it to them in the simplest and clearest terms.
As we age, income often declines—but expenses don’t. Rising healthcare costs, inflation, and longer lifespans can create a serious retirement income gap. The good news? Home equity can be a powerful, underused tool to bridge that gap. Learn how reverse mortgages can strategically boost cash flow, preserve investments, and provide lasting financial security in retirement.
Buying a home isn’t just about where you live. It’s about the legacy you’re building. With the right mortgage strategy, your home can become a financial engine for your children’s future, protecting against inflation, preserving cash flow, and creating multigenerational wealth. In 2025, getting on the ladder isn’t just smart for today — it’s strategic for decades to come.
What if your mortgage could work for you, not against you? Strategic refinancing isn’t just about chasing a lower rate — it’s about unlocking cash flow, increasing liquidity, and using your home equity to build long-term wealth. Learn how to turn your mortgage into a smart financial tool and create more flexibility for your future.
Most people focus on investments to grow wealth, but few consider how managing debt strategically can make just as big an impact. The Borrow Smart, Repay Smart approach turns mortgages into a tool for improving cash flow, protecting liquidity, and even accelerating wealth creation. Here’s how smart liability planning can reshape your financial future.
Rising housing and healthcare costs don’t have to derail retirement. Reverse mortgages give retirees a way to unlock home equity, reduce monthly expenses, and create financial flexibility to keep pace with inflation.
Mortgage rates are showing signs of slipping as Treasury yields decline, and that could mean big savings for homeowners, buyers, and retirees. From refinancing opportunities to improved affordability, even a small drop in rates can put money back in your pocket. Here’s what you need to know about how this shift could affect your next move.
11622 El Camino Real, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92130
Carl Spiteri | NMLS ID 286890
Phone: 619.544.6444
Office: 858.526.3037
eFax: 800.670.0929
Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC NMLS ID 2143
Carl Spiteri | NMLS ID 286890
Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC d/b/a Benchmark Mortgage 5160 Tennyson Pkwy STE 1000, Plano, TX 75024. NMLS ID #2143 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) 972-398-7676. Some products may not be available in all licensed locations. Information, rates, and pricing are subject to change without prior notice at the sole discretion of Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC. All loan programs subject to borrowers meeting appropriate underwriting conditions. This is not a commitment to lend. Other restrictions may apply. (https://benchmark.us)
