I run a region, run a branch and yes, I originate loans as well.  I spend a lot of time recruiting on top of that.  I'm amazed at what I hear from lenders.  Realtors want loan officers to help them build their business.  They don't want them to create their business.  If lenders could do that they'd be realtors, but we've been called into lending and not real estate sales.

I've interviewed well over 200 lenders since I began recruiting folks a few years ago and am amazed that there is such a disparity in lender capabilities.  As individuals, there are just some people that don't belong in this business.  Not a knock on them.  They're good people, but the DNA that they possess is really geared for some other type of profession.  Some of the lenders have all the skills, but they still can't conquer the business.  In my business, I'm so sick of lenders who buy leads.  I hate that.  I despise it.  For those folks, they can't make a sale unless they buy leads.  In other words, they can't build and establish relatinships with realtors, so they get transactional instead of relational.  Wow....that leads me to this...

Lenders Need to Add Value to their referral partners!

Good lenders know how to do that.  I have to admit when I first got in the business my M.O. was...

"Hey, I'm Larry Bettag, I'm a good guy, I have good rates and I'd like to help your clients.  Call me if you need me." 

 I had a good boss who gave me materials and some good coaching that enabled me to grow.  Plus, fortunately, I had the desire to be the best.  I wanted to lay it all out on the line.  I grew and grew and finally learned a few secrets that have enabled me to work with the top agents in Northern Illinois. 

So, What's the Problem?

Mortgage companies don't teach loan officers how to add value to realtors.  They don't teach loan officers how to add value to realtors.  They don't teach loan officers how to refer contracts, YES CONTRACTS, to realtors.

I'm a substantial part of my realtor partner's income!

• In 2007, I referred 22 contracts to my realtor partners.
• In 2008, I only referred 12 contracts, but they were greatly appreciated.
• YTD in 2009 I've referred 14 contracts.

Pretty huge stuff!  We have our ups and downs.  Client's come with their own set of issues, but I'm adding value to them.  Once I was able to learn how to refer clients to my realtor partners, life became so much more enjoyable for each of us.  It's important to me to have good realtors to refer my clients to. 

Great Mortgage Companies Need to Help Loan Officers Grow!

Mortgage Companies need to invest in their loan officers.  Sure some have better pay plans or some have a great "new" and "niche" product.  Even if a loan officer gets paid some ridiculous commission split, but they don't know how to get business, what's the use?  Seriously....I'd rather get paid some fair commission and close 10-20 loans per month than get paid 100% and just close a deal here and there. 

Until mortgage companies know that they need to invest in the loan officer through coaching, teaching and mentoring, lenders will be all about trinkets, goodies and transactions.  Once a loan officer can refer to a realtor, can coach a realtor and can help a realtor become accountable for the things that are important to the realtor, then that loan officer can be on the road to a great and prosperous relationship with their clients and their referral partners.

Leaving in just a bit.  Have a lot to do and I'm picking up the kids after school.  We're heading to the farm up in Wisconsin this afternoon.  A friend of mine gave me tickets to the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers Game for this Sunday up in Green Bay.  I'm taking my wife and two oldest boys up to the game. 

It'll be a lot of fun.  I love going to a place where I get absolutely zero cell phone reception and I can just be dad and husband.  This will be a great way to start the Thanksgiving week off. 

My kids will have a hard time focusing at school today.  But by 3:00 pm, we'll be well on the road with all 5 of them.  This week we get to leave the dog at home and see him Sunday night. 

Have an awesome Thanksgiving.  I'm starting mine in a few hours. 

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cautious.  The major concern is that individuals don't become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, cre dit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, the Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit http://www.bbb.org/.

Got this from a leader who took notes and observed more ridiculousness from "Campton" bureaucrats (My comments are in parens or italics):

If you were wondering what went on last night at the Planning Commission hearing, the Community Center was full (not standing room only, but a crowd).  After an hour of planning commission business including re-hash regarding Norton Lakes Subdivision the Public hearing was held.

Big thanks to unincorporated La Fox and Elburn residents who showed up and voiced their opposition to the annexation and zoning changes.  The planning commission heard  from 5 different people, all saying the same thing.  We don't want Campton Hills to annex the land.  Drew Frasz stated that .....we had a handshake deal with Preserve Campton not to go further South than Route 38...... first it was Mongerson Park, now this one, what's next?......  He stated that he had heard that there are at least 5 properties talking with the Village that are South of 38.

He was reminding that this hearing is on the zoning change not the annexation.

Another speaker said that they feel like they did with Elgin . . with Campton Hills looking to annex and rezone farmland into PUDs.  The Planning Commission didn't like hearing that. 

SAY WHAT????  MORE OF THE SAME.  CAMPTON HAS BECOME THE ENEMY THAT THEY HATED

Unfortunately, the legal annexation case (09 MR 0531) has already quietly had it's public hearing in court early in November, before any of us knew what was going on.

The residents of La Fox/Elburn were basically saying the same thing, . . . we are happy with what we have, we want to be unincorporated, we want the county and the Sheriff. We want our to preserve our rural way of life, we want it to keep farmland not residences.  (This has been my biggest beef all along.  I moved to the country to stay out of the city.  These A-holes said we're better to determine how you should use your property than you, the property owner.  This just pisses me off at their arrogance)

That is except for the petitioner Stephen Ciampi, who wants the services provided by the Campton Hills Police Department, he wants someone to slow down the traffic on Harley, and to be there for him.  He mentioned he pursued the Village not the other way around,  although he did note that when the road was being worked on by Campton Township earlier this year, one of the guys working on the road and culvert told him he should look into becoming part of the Village. (Hey....it's a free country....he may not be smart, but he has his rights).

 Background:  A little over 5 years ago Mr. Ciampi bought this property and requested a zoning change from Kane County from F to F1 so he could build his residence on 3.75 acre parcel.  Now he is looking to Annex into Campton Hills and receive PUD zoning for up to 6 additional lots on 25 acres.  Contrary to Campton Hill's Comp plan, which shows this area as agriculture which is the same classification as Kane County's 2030 plan.  (Oh...wait...he is smart.  He's gone to bed with the enemy and wants to develop land....hmmmmmmm.  I thought that Campton hated developers and developments....it's a little more clear now).

The Planning Commission did not make any recommendations to the Village Board regarding the rezoning of this piece of land, since they had received a 28 page land use opinion report late yesterday, just before the hearing.  What will the Village board do without receiving a recommendation when considering the annexation?

It was mentioned by Village Attorney Braithwaite that the Public Hearing on the annexation will be December 1 at the Village Board meeting.  Please mark your calendars, if you oppose what Campton Hills is trying to do, you need to show up and voice your opinion.  

Please Please Please show up on December 1 and let them know.

A couple of astounding things here happened to me this past weekend on Active Rain.  I write a post this weekend that was action packed.  For the first time ever, the post gets over 158 comments.  Just ridiculous.  It also sets another personal best and gets re-posted 12 times.  My post?  We Received Your Payments On Time but are Foreclosing Anyway!  It's a true, sad story about a consumer totally getting ripped off by a major mortgage company.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a feature (after all the comments started to roll in, I knew that I had found paradise, but no....it was just a just a good post that failed to hit the feature criteria). 

What was so cool is that I had over 6 people e-mail me from realtors to consumers asking for my advice on X, Y and Z.  Six Times on 1 Post saying "You've been contacted by..."

I also got two referrals that should lead into deals from the post as well.  I've never had such success from one post.  To add to the gluttonness pleasures of a successful Active Rain Post, I had over 20 people who I don't know add me as a friend on Facebook. 

What you Talking about Willis? 

Active Rain did What???

Plus....to top it off, I had 13 new add ons from Twitter as well.

What amazes me most, is that the post got me to referral number 49 from Active Rain.  I've closed about one third of the the Active Rain Referrals.  I was able to refer the another referral out today that I received today.   That's Right 49 Referrals from Active Rain!

OK, OK, OK....It was a lesson well learned.  Quite honestly, it had been over two months since my last referral from Active Rain.  I want to be swimming in the rain.  I must say towards the end of the summer I was on the road a lot recruiting as well as taking my last summer flings with the family. 

Active Rain...yes....passion...no!  When Active Rain becomes a burden or a job, it's time for me to take a break or get out.  I can say that when the passion is gone, the writings don't come well either....bottom line is that a post needs to emanate from within. 

So, Thanks to Active Rain!

I've said this before, but I'll say it again to you Active Rain.  You've weaseled your way into becoming a part of my business plan.  49 referrals?  I can't wait for the 50th.  It's my plan to hit the half century for Active Rain Referrals sometime in November.  What makes this so great is that I can start building on completing my century ride in 2010.  Thanks Active Rain! 

Is it too early to say Welcome 2010????

Fannie Mae has issued Announcement 09-34, Confirmation of Conventional Loan Limits for 2010, to provide notification of our 2010 conforming loan limits. As in 2009, both the general loan limits and the high-cost area loan limits are provided by our regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

There will be no changes to the general loan limits or the high-cost area limits for loans originated in 2010.

2010 Conforming Loan Limits (maximum original principal balance for first liens)

*The chart indicates the maximum loan limit for high-cost areas - note that each geographic area has its own specific high-cost area loan limit (refer to FHFA's News Release for details).

Loan Limit Resources

Fannie Mae provides two resources to assist in determining the loan limit for a specific area or address:

1.       The Loan Limit Lookup Table shows the loan limits by state, county, and ZIP code.

2.       The Loan Limit Geocoder^TM provides loan limit information for specific addresses; the user can enter a single address or a batch file.

Note: These tools will be updated for 2010 by year end.

For more details, read Announcement 09-34: Confirmation of Conventional Loan Limits for 2010 or FHFA's News Release.

A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to have a one on one session with Brian Buffini....not with a Buffini coach, but with Brian Buffini himself.  He was pointed, kind, humble, gracious and knowledgable.  How I was blessed to recieve this is another story itself for another post.  We talked about this, spoke about that, but he gave me some great guidance.....Specifically, he said one thing that resonates with me to this date.  He said to me:

"I am only the hammer, when the hammer starts acting like its the carpenter, the carpenter will put the hammer down and pick up a new hammer.  He continued...I've been humbled twice before.  There won't be a third time."

I've since heard this in Christian cirlces.  Basically when the hammer becomes the carpenter, the carpenter moves on.  When you think that you can do it alone or on your own power....God moves to another tool.  Pretty rough, but a good call to humility. 

There's a great analogy that I see all too frequently in real estate, with lenders as well as realtors.  In truth, All Real Estate Professionals are Supposed to be the Hammer that's being utilized by the consumer.  

Often times, that isn't what's happening. I had a client today askiing for a new realtor referral because they felt that the realtor was trying to get them in House #1 when the buyers liked House #1 a lot, but weren't ready to commit to that house.  No they wanted to see more.  Invariably, the buyer asks me for a referral to a different realtor.  Nothing better than I enjoy than referring a client to a realtor.  In fact I've given a lot of contracts out to my referral partner.  But I like giving someone who isn't attached to a realtor.  I don't like saying OK...fine....

When you dump Your Realtor I'll get you a good one!!!!

I always try to encourage the clients to go back to your realtor and tell them what the issue is.  Sometimes they do.  Often times they say, "we have, but I'm tired of fighting.  I thought that she'd want to earn commission.  So.....it seems that the client is out.  The client says, I don't want the the realtor and I don't want my realtor to earn a dime off of me.  I've been so clear, but the realtor won't listen.  

The Carpenter Put the Hammer down and is now off to pick up another!!!!!!  Really sad.  I see the same thing with Loan Officers.  I pick up deals because other loan officers won't listen or they push their own agenda.  Much to my own shame, in my early years, I never pushed a client, but I didn't listen to a client.  Pretty harsh to hear that my borrowers are now gong to closing, but with a different lender.

Your real estate professional  should help you reach your goals!!!

Let's be honest.  If you help one person across the finish line, then everyone will know it and you'll get paid to help others across the finish line. 

If you push your client across the finish line....EVERYONE WILL KNOW IT.....but your referrals will be few and far between. 

I want to be a hammer that gets passed from one carpenter to the next.

I'm sure VCH hopes no one notices this Public hearing set for:

TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 16TH, 2009 AT 6:30 at the COMMUNITY CENTER.

 Pay Attention to the Actions of the Campton Officials (I can't use the word "leaders" becase they're anything but that)!!!!

There's a zoning change request from a current land owner regarding annexation into the village.

The property is located at 2N190 Harley Road. (what it doesn't say is that for it to be contiguous to the Village, the property must start at 38 and extend down the west side of Harley to that address and maybe even further down Harley)

The Agenda also does not state the original zoning and what the change is being requested.   Maybe they don't want the citizens of Campton What the F____ Hills to know.   There are assumptions that it's to change the zoning from Farming to some type of PUD/ Residential.  HOW COOL IS THAT?  Gotta love the Campton leaders here.

This may be your only chance to speak about this change before it happens!!!

 This appears to conflict with Campton's own Comprehensive Plan for the Area.  Check out... http://www.villageofcamptonhills.org/images/Campton%20Hills%20Comp%20Plan%20HR%201.pdf

 The village is looking to grow (this time south of 38) and needs to agree to  change zoning to meet with the owners request for annexation.  ISN'T THIS WHAT ELGIN DID?    Annexed unincorporated land and changed the zoning to residential?  Look out LaFox big bad Campton is coming.

Please get the word out, don't be fooled again.