Why The Mortgage Ship Sank and The Realtor Ship Sailed On - 07/17/08 12:42 PM
A few years ago, the sun was bright and the wind was strong. And while we were never the perfect partners, we still understood that both the Reator Ship (the SS CrazyMarket) and the mortgage ship (the SS LooseLending) needed to make it to shore for a real estate transaction to close.
Passengers were plentiful in those days. Some  lost their focus with the sun so bright, and became sunburned in their quest to get out there. Realtor sailors were way too busy to think of handing out sunglasses or sunscreen.
Besides, that wasn't their job.
Any old mortgage broker on … (75 comments)

How To Get Business From Localism, Even If No One EVER Reads Your Blog! - 07/10/08 12:39 PM
When we post to Localism, we are the neighborhood reporter covering a beat.  In exchange, we get to cast our line out to the Internet in hopes our blog will attract those that are interested in buying real estate LOCALLY.
But I say, why wait for Google to get business? You can be out and about LOCALLY, making connections with LOCALS, all in the name of your LOCALISM post.
Sure beats cold calling.
As a hopeless Barbara Walters wannabe and journalist, I have worked on various newspapers and newsletters my entire life in the role of reporter. And here is something you may not know: Calling up prominent members of the community … (93 comments)

Aborting the California Dream: An American Corporate Hero Goes Home - 07/10/08 11:42 AM
As the vice president of a major corporation, he had been thrilled when he was transferred from St. Louis to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Yesterday, after nearly a year of cross country commuting, his St. Louis house still not sold, and his California mortgage still not solidified, he threw in the towel.
He will be taking a position in Kansas City, and abandoning the plan of moving to California.
This is the story of how difficult it is to move down in lifestyle for the sake of owning California real estate. It is a story that every California Realtor understands.
… (10 comments)

PASS vs PLAY: Why This Mortgage Broker Would Rather Be RUTHLESS Than PERSISTENT - 07/02/08 10:50 AM
 
IS BEING PERISTENT REALLY A GOOD THING?
Yesterday, when I FINALLY got approval for a silly little loan that had been sent to no less than 3 banks in 3 months, I got a compliment of the highest kind from the head processor in our office. "WOW. I would like to have you as my loan officer because you are so PERSISTENT."
Or was it a compliment? Maybe not.
Our owner had asked me to move on and stop trying to get this loan placed. Because he is the boss (and a brilliant mortgage broker by all accounts) I listen … (18 comments)

Realtor Roulette: How Should A Mortgage Broker React When Client Ditches Realtor? - 07/01/08 10:22 AM
Early in my career, I was fortunate enough that a well-established local Realtor referred me a teacher, who was also a single mom, seeking to buy her first home. To say I was thrilled and flattered would be an understatement. Realtor knew I was somewhat new to the business, could have chosen one of the proven horses in her stable, but took a chance on ME.
Seriously, I wanted to send her flowers, but tried to contain my enthusiasm at having the opportunity to impress one of the top producing Realtors in our area.
Luck continued to smile on me as … (29 comments)