From Military Service to Mortgage Mastery: Daghan Hart's Journey to Real Estate Success

Daghan Hart's transition from military service to becoming a mortgage professional is not just a career change; it's a powerful story of perseverance, adaptability, and a passion for helping others achieve homeownership. In a recent interview on the "Dream is Real" podcast, Daghan shared his remarkable journey, his insights into the mortgage world, and why he believes real estate is the key to generational wealth.

A New Mission After the Military

After leaving the military in 2021, Daghan Hart was looking for a place to call home. He had done well with past investments and had recently sold a business. With a goal of combining a personal residence with rental income, Daghan purchased a two-family home in New York. However, the tenants refused to vacate, so he had to purchase another property. This unexpected turn of events ignited his real estate journey.

That second purchase led to another investment, and before long, Daghan was managing a growing portfolio of rental properties. Each deal brought new lessons about debt-to-income ratios, credit management, and leveraging rental income for future purchases. It was during this time that his mortgage broker said, "You're getting really good at this. You should get your license." That casual remark planted the seed for Daghan's new career.

Learning by Doing

Daghan's personal experience as both a buyer and investor gave him a unique advantage in the mortgage business. He had firsthand knowledge of the stresses and surprises that come with buying property. He knew how to communicate clearly, especially with first-time buyers who might feel overwhelmed by the process. He also understood the importance of having a strong support team—realtors, attorneys, and lenders who work together seamlessly.

His early days in the business coincided with a volatile market. Interest rates were low, refinances were booming, and new players were flooding the mortgage industry. But Daghan stayed focused, relying on his deep understanding of real estate and his commitment to doing right by his clients.

Specializing in Investor Loans

Today, Daghan serves a diverse range of clients, but he has a special niche: real estate investors. As an active investor himself, he connects easily with buyers looking to grow their portfolios. He helps clients analyze rental income, consider long-term versus short-term rentals, and find the right loan programs to support their goals.

Daghan believes in buying properties that work as long-term rentals first. AirBNB can be profitable, but only if the property makes sense financially without nightly rates. With new regulations tightening the short-term rental market, especially in cities like New York, investors must plan carefully.

"If you're banking on $400 a night because that's what AirBNB says, and then the laws change, you're in trouble," Daghan explains. "Always make sure the property works as a traditional rental."

Navigating Loan Options

From FHA and conventional loans to commercial and debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans, Daghan walks clients through their options. He emphasizes that personal income always yields the best terms, but there are flexible programs for business owners and self-employed individuals.

For those starting out, Daghan recommends multifamily homes. "You can live in one unit and rent the other. That rental income boosts your buying power and helps offset the mortgage."

He also highlights first-time buyer programs like SONYMA in New York, though he admits these come with income caps that can be limiting in high-cost areas like Long Island.

Breaking Down Misconceptions

One of the biggest myths Daghan encounters is the belief that you need 20% down and perfect credit to buy a home. "So many people disqualify themselves before even talking to a lender. You might only need 3% down. You might qualify for a seller concession."

Daghan's role goes beyond loan approval. He helps clients plan their financial future. He uses credit simulators to show how paying off certain debts can boost scores. He helps people rework student loan payments to lower monthly obligations. And he builds long-term relationships with clients, guiding them from their first purchase to investment properties years down the line.

The Human Side of Homeownership

Daghan shared a powerful story of a woman he had worked with for three years. She was a single mother of a special needs child and relied on social security. Finding the right property was a challenge, but together, they found a multi-family home near Syracuse. It's now under contract, and Daghan expects it to close soon.

"She's never even met me in person," Daghan says. "But we stayed in touch, and now she's about to close on a home where she can raise her daughter with more space and dignity. That makes all the hard work worth it."

Final Thoughts: The Dream Is Real

Daghan's advice to buyers is simple: make a plan, ignore the noise, and find what works for you. There's never going to be a perfect market. Prices are high, rates are high, but waiting for perfection can mean missing out altogether.

"The home is where you make memories. It's where you raise a family. If it makes sense for you, that's the right time to buy."

He reminds us that homeownership is still the cornerstone of generational wealth. Whether it's leveraging equity, passing down rental properties, or simply avoiding rising rents, owning a home creates opportunities that renting cannot.