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 closing table. It's a fact--purchase loans are far more time consuming and stressful than their refinance counterparts. Borrowers are emotional, erratic, demanding, panicky, unsure, deliriously happy...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 so much to learn as a broker not only with the mechanics of the loan process, but also learning how to deal with difficult customers and balancing the demands of lenders and other outside third...more
During my public speaking and private coaching sessions, I cover many unconventional strategies that have helped me become a top producer in the mortgage industry. I've always been one to think out of the box, and my mind is always focused on how I can improve myself as a loan officer and become more successful.Anyone who has been a reader of this newsletter--even for a short time--can see that the person who succeeds best, is the one who does things differently. I urge you to do the same. Don't fall prey to the negativity in your office. Negativity is all around you. Yes, I know rates are "up", but he who gives up at the first sign of defeat, doesn't get the loan at all. You must constantly follow-up with the prospect. And, even if now isn't the right time for them to move forward perhaps in a month or so, it will be! The mortgage market is extremely volatile, so don't give up on those old leads.One thing I learned early on, is how your vocabulary can dictate your success. How you choose to phrase things can have a dramatic impact on your bottom line. And, if more business is what you wantthen never, ever, use this word: "APPLICATION".In the customer's mind, the...more
When I was a new loan officer, one of the most difficult things I had to learn was that not every loan that walked in the door was a good loan. Some loans were bad. Really bad. And like time bombs waiting to go off, they usually exploded right before closingtaking my hard-earned commission with it! It doesn't take too many loans falling-out...more
Generating Good Faith Estimates (GFE's) can be extremely time consuming, especially if done the wrong way. I remember when I was first starting out in the industry, it seemed like all I was doing all day was filling out GFE's, and getting no where. When talking to a customer, it's easy to say, "Hey, I'll just send you a GFE, and you can look it...more
One of the toughest things as a loan officer to do is to know when to keep or kill a deal. Of course, we all want as much business as we can handle. But, spending time on loans that don't close, wastes more time and leaves you with nothing to show for it. Not to mention, the good deals suffer and you're out your commission!Knowing when to "give-up" on a loan is just as important as knowing how to get the loan to the closing table. Here are some suggestions on how to manage your customers and get more loans closed:1. Keep control of the customer from day one. Set down your expectations for the loan process and what you expect from the customer. Tell them that this is a "team effort", and you are working as diligently as possible to get them the best rate and terms available for their situation. But, in order to do this, you need their cooperation and commitment to move forward. Tell them what you need, and ask them on what day you can expect to receive things by. I like to pin people down to a specific day. They hold me accountable, and I, in-turn, am holding them accountable as well.2. Build rapport early on. Get a sense of the customer's personality and what matters to...more
On every loan, there are a number of hurdles that must be overcome before the loan is "cleared to close" by the underwriter. One of the most important hurdles is the appraised value on the property. A deal can be dead on arrival, if the property...more
Every day I hear from loan officers across the country who are fed-up with low commissions and dwindling paychecks as the reality of the new mortgage economy sets in. They've had it and many can't hold on much longer. Others take a more balanced view...more
Keeping up-to-date on everything going on in the mortgage industry can be a daunting task. With all of the coming changes from HUD and RESPSA, staying aware of rules and regulations is not only a necessityit's an absolute must! You do not want to...more
With the rise of interest rates and the drying-up of the refinance market, it makes sense to transition your business to the purchase money market. After all, home purchase loans will become the bulk of your broker transactions and it is only...more
One of the most frequent questions I get asked from loan officers is, "How can I go out on my own and start my own mortgage company?" Often times, the person is sick and tired of low-commissions, office politics, too restrictive a time-schedule,...more
When I was a branch manager, there were always certain traits and skills I looked for before deciding to hire someone. After years of experience, and learning things the hard way, I know what it takes to be successful. Not everyone is cut out to be...more