Words are fun. But how you use them can be extremely powerful. They can immediately change your image from a rookie loan officer into a top producer instantly. Here's how; the words you use when dealing with a mortgage prospect affect the conversation, and can even be the deciding factor in whether or not you get the loan. Yes, what you choose to say and how you say it, will decide how much money you earn this year.Here are some key phrases I...more
Owners of mortgage companies, please forgive me. I'm about to let your employees in on a little secretthey have to option to leave you at any moment. And, many of them will. New career opportunities are abundant in the mortgage industry. And unless you start treating your top producer's differently, they may look elsewhere. The loan officer not satisfied at your company todaymay be the loan officer working down the block at your...more
One of the most profitable low-cost investments you can make in your business is to have a mortgage website that not only creates your company's online presence, but also up-sells the customer on your products and services. But finding a website provider that does the job effectively is not always easy.To create a mortgage website you have three choices:1. Go it alone and design it yourself.2. Hire a web design firm to custom build a mortgage site for you.3. Use a ready-made instant website from a design company that specializes just in the mortgage industry.There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Yes, you can create a website yourself from scratch and maintain full control over is, but how much time will this really take? How professional will your homemade site look? And, if it takes you 30 to 40 hours to create the website and get it up and running, this is time taken away from your existing business and potentially lost sales. The total cost to design your website, isn't just the site itself, but also the "opportunity cost" of losing your time. Not to mention, the frustration of dealing with unfamiliar technology.If you decide to hire a firm to design your site as...more
With the present downturn in the market and home prices dropping faster than a lead balloon, I thought it best to share with you what I've learned regarding property appraisals.Here is the cold, hard truth on valuations and what appraisers will NEVER tell you. Keep these points in mind on every loan you do.1. Cosmetic stuff such as paint, new...more
The news isn't good. Over 30 subprime lenders closed their doors this year so far, with many more to come in the next few months. And, one of the biggest subprime lenders, New Century is ready to bite the dust. With all this and more, I would consider the subprime market effectively "dead" until this shakeout is finally finished.Many of you have...more
In my last article, I covered some of the reasons why loan officers join net branches and what their motivations are. I also covered some of the personal questions one should ask themselves before they decide to make the jump and join a net branch. Questions such as: Are you financially secure? Have you reviewed all your options? Do you have a support network in place? Etc.In this article, I'll cover some of the key questions to ask the net branches. These are things you absolutely must be aware of before you make any major decision. You must have all the facts and know EXACTLY what you are getting into. Don't just guess use my checklist and be certain. These are questions I've compiled over my career and you are reaping the benefit of years of experience in the industry.Remember, a successful loan officer doesn't leave a company without reason----they leave so that they can BE MORE SUCCESSFUL SOMEWHERE ELSE. Someone who exceeds in sales, won't put up with small commission splits and micro-management for very long. Here are the questions you should be asking when looking for a net branch to join:(You will want to print this out, this list is comprehensive and covers...more
Good as gold. That's what I call a processor that knows how to get the job done, and quickly. I'm met many loan processors in my career, and I can honestly say that many of them were not very good. It's not that they didn't "work hard". They did....more
One of the most common objections a loan officer hears is "Your fees are too high!". All too often, customers become fixated on price and closing costs alone, as the determining factor in making their decision. But price is just one small thing to...more
Every year around this time, my business increases. Loan officers, mortgage brokers, and branch managers--in a flurry to set goals and make resolutions for the New Year-- look for training services to improve their skills. They have high...more
With every year, come new opportunities. And astute loan officers are quick to capitalize on what the new year brings, raising their commission levels and catapulting to top producer status in no time. I ask you one simple question, "Are you doing...more
With interest rates rising rapidly, it is more important than ever to make the most of every loan. As refinances begin to dry up and you begin to deal more with purchases, you will undoubtedly encounter new roadblocks and hurdles on the way to the...more
Let's face facts. The mortgage business isn't for the faint of heart. It takes guts and relentless determination in order to succeed. You won't become a top producer overnight and your early months of being in this industry will be hell. There is...more