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realtor: Discovering The Truth Behind Realtor Marketing – The Fabulous versus The Prolific - 09/11/07 02:20 PM
I have been a mortgage lender for 20 years and have learned a healthy skepticism about the personal marketing of Realtors.  In my capacity, I have the back stage pass to view the behind-the-scenes performance and have created categories for Realtors.  (Stick with me on this because an important question follows).
The Fabulous Few:  this elite group excels at both personal marketing and professional execution of the job.The Quiet Performers:  this group doesn't excel at marketing but put their hearts and souls in the professional care of their clients.  The Prolific Pushers: This group is the whole point of my blog.  They … (40 comments)

realtor: First Time Home Buyers Should Take Advantage of the Buyers Market. - 09/10/07 12:09 PM
In the previous mutiple offer market, First Time Home Buyers continually lost in the bidding wars because they didn't have the equivalent (or any) downpayment and weren't in a position to waive property inspections and repair requirements.  With the increase of seller credits toward the buyers mortgage financing, this is the perfect market for First Time Home Buyers. 
Most renters want to own a home but they self-select out of the market for three primary reasons: 
Fear they cannot afford the monthly payment.  The average renter compares their rent payment ($1,500) to the monthly payment on a home purchase ($3,000) and thinks, "Well … (5 comments)

realtor: Realtor for a Day at an Open House - What an Experience! - 09/10/07 10:56 AM
My company had a very good idea that we - as loan officers - should work an Open House, not to conduct a sales call but to "walk in the Realtor's shoes" for a day.  
Since I am not a licensed Realtor, my approach during the Open House had to be different.  I decided it would be a great opportunity to converse with potential home buyers and find out their concerns and challenges in the current market.
My Pollyana picture of the day ahead was abruptly changed with the first person who came through the home.  He absolutely topped the charts of rude behavior.  I was so … (2 comments)

realtor: EVALUATE YOUR BUYER'S LENDER AS A VALUE-ADDED SERVICE - 07/31/07 07:57 PM
There have been a number of blogs about non-performing lenders, incompetent loan officers, bad loan programs (or at least a derth of buyer education regarding the pros and cons of those programs) and useless approval letters with the end result being a call for LEGISLATIVE ACTION.  Are you kidding me? You want the same people who created Truth-In-Lending, - a flawed piece of consumer-protectionism - to fix the problem?
I am going boldly as to suggest a more immediate and proactive approach.  EVALUATE YOUR BUYER'S LENDER AS A VALUE-ADDED SERVICE.  Before I throw out the concept in its entirety, let's review … (8 comments)