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Tampa Bay Mortgage | Can't We Date Before We Get Married?

Tampa Bay, Florida ~ What has happened to the courting process in our mortgage services industry? I receive at least one call a week from a potential home buyer or home owner looking to refinance in Tampa and these consumers are just interested in "finding out their mortgage options".

It's okay! I am happy to discuss options with a consumer without having to pull a credit report or push them into a mortgage with me.

Many times, consumers are just looking to discuss their options with a professional. And they have every right to do so! I believe that our industry has been filled with order-takers who have been trained to pull a credit report and then sell a mortgage program. This is so unfair to the consumer who really needs to be educated and understand all the options available. If a Tampa mortgage professional isn't willing to discuss general options first, they probably aren't a true professional.

As a Tampa Mortgage Expert, I am willing to talk through some different options with my customers before we commit to loan application. After all, shouldn't we date before we commit to a relationship together?

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Leah Ross, Personal Mortgage Consultant

Posted by Leah Ross ~ Tampa, Florida Mortgage on 07/16/2007 06:22 AM

Comments (33)

tampa mortgage, tampa refinance, tampa mortgage consultation, tampa mortgage professional

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33 Comments on Tampa Bay Mortgage | Can't We Date Before We Get Married?

JUL

2007

Ratings and commentary from other real estate professionals welcome! What do you think about this "dating" period?

Leah, the problem with dating before marraige is simple...

If we date too long, the other person will find the 'real' me

AND

consequently, won't want to marry me!

See how it applies to your situation.... :-)

I'm willing to date you :)

Leah - sounds like a great plan to DATE FIRST!!! Well said...and I know you're the BEST MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL in Tampa!! Thank you for your patience with my clients!

You can give your customers scenerios and advice without pulling a credit report and taking an application but the advice you are giving them isn't really good advice until you learn all the facts. I tell my customers that signing an application with me doesn't force you into using me. It's an application, not a contract. It only helps me to give an informed answer to all of their questions.

I try to explain to my customers that it is like going to a Doctor. A Doctor is not able to write you a prescription until he knows your history and what you are wanting to accomplish. Same with mortgage. If we don't know about that late mortgage payment that they forgot about because it was 9 months ago, we cannot give them an accurate picture of what is available to them.

Leah:

In training loan officers over the years, one of my favorite cliche's has been. "Don't be an information desk. Set the appointment". If you don't push the appointment, you won't get it. You will keep answering questions and they will keep telling you they will think about it and call you back.

Louis ~ I believe people have to know you and like you before they trust you. If you are losing people in the "know you" piece, this is no good ;)

Joe ~ LOL...thanks for the comment!

Susie ~ Thank you, I appreciate your support

Michael ~ I agree that you can't give specific product advise without knowing a full situation. However, you prove my point. Who would want to give someone their information if they are dealing with someone they don't feel comfortable with. I have found that most customers are comfortable with me from the time I pick up the phone because they have been referred to me. On the other hand, some people are skeptical and want to "know" the mortgage professional they are working with before they move forward any further. You are right on the application piece when you said "it's an application, not a contract"...Good for you!

Bill~ I am sorry, but I disagree. As I have said before, I believe that the customer has to "know me" and that I feel confident that I am a true professional before they move forward. My philosophy may not be the same as everyone elses, but I am dating my customers just as much as they are dating me. I want to work with people who appreciate what I do and what I have to offer. I know I spend a lot of time (sometimes more than I should) working with customer and answering questions. I just closed on a home for a customer that were first time buyers and I first spoke to them a year ago! I don't mind giving my time to give people information, I think that is what makes me different in this business.

Leah- I have had only one customer reluctant to give me their information over the phone. If they seem like they are worried about giving me there information, I ask them to come into my office. Most people don't want to take the time if it isn't a serious inquiry.

Shaun ~ I completely agree with you. And I am thinking I should be a bit more clear about what I am saying here. I am not saying that if a customer calls and says "What's your rate", that I should just give them an answer, rather I am saying that if a customer calls and says "Leah, I am a first time buyer in Tampa and I am interested in learning more about the homebuying process"...then I am willing to take some time and just talk to them, tell them about different options and explain some of the in's and out's of the loan process. I believe that once a customer feels comfortable that I am the expert, then when we get to their specific options, they are more open to my information and don't feel as skeptical. Agree?

Dr. Wren ~ Agreed, every person is different. If I trip and skin my knee (which I do often because I am clumsy and wear big heels), I am not going to go into the doctor because I have done it so many times before....but everyone's different right!

Leah- I had to take a double take on the Dr. Wren. That was too funny.

I agre with you 100%. What happens is this. A customer starts calling mortgage companies until the get a person like you and I. We take the time to get to know them and their situation. This actually helps the customer to feel like you are genuinely concerned about their situation. They become more relaxed and give you the information that you need to properly assess their options.

I am really glad that you are in Tampa. Less competition here in Lakeland.

Dr. ~ We are on the same page my friend!

Leah,i'm not a mortgage broker (obviously) but i think that connecting and establishing trust with the client is 1st and foremost. After that i would think that one could set the meeting or take an app over the phone.. or however you prefer to do it.

so yes, maybe 'date' a little first. oh, btw, cute note :)

Leah, I think you must have turned my comment around on me, or maybe you just didnt understand it.

My point was that, most of your clients dont want to date, because they dont want you to discover who they really are. If you, find out too much about them, then they may not get the loan or maybe they wil get a higher interest rate.

Sorry, for thinking faster than I type....

Leah,

I've loved reading this post and the dialogue among lenders as opposed to Realtors like myself. Sounds to me like those who are considering their "mortgage options" as you stated are consumers who are shoppers looking at rates, etc. As Realtors we have similar situation when potential sellers call who are shopping commissions.

If we're not able to really connect on some level of service, knowledge/competence, integrity, etc. consumers usually see us as all the same. Some think it's just a matter of price, that's it.

Leah - you know we agree with you and even approach our relationship with other professionals the same way - learn about each other to see if you are like minded and will work well together. Great post

Nick ~ Thanks for the comment...I love the note too, reminds me of grammer school ;)

Louis ~ I apologize for the misunderstanding. My fingers move fast too!

Lynda ~ I agree...we have to set ourselves apart from everyone else. We each offer something special to a consumer, but they have to be able to see that value too! Thanks for the comment!

Jack ~ Of course we agree...go figure! Great minds think alike!

Leah, Lets face facts the Majority of the poeple in our business take the easy way. I don't mean this in a rude way but sadly its true. If you do a proper interview with the client first you should just about know where the scores are. If the person won't speak to them without pulling credit I would wonder just about the L/O and his/her experience level.

GOOD POST THOUGH!

Hey Leah,

You better clarify that this post is not a dating post or you will most certainly have your hands full:)like you need it anyway LOL!

I agree...how many times do us Realtors have to show property and then they buyer walks and never buyers. Same situation. I'll take anyone out and show them around but they will have to give me some evidence they are really looking to buy..same goes for your industry...you should not be an order taker although we always want to make a good first impression and at least build some sort of relationship hoping they will stay with us when the going gets tough..I do that and if they walk they walk. I mostly list property so I could spend 2 hours trying to get the listing but might end up walking out with nothing. I guess if you give them your time first they might keep your trust and use your services when they do need them.

Leah, As a realtor I hate dating for a long, long time and not even having an engagement ring on. It is frustrating for both of us, realtors and mortgage brokers.

JUL

2007

I love the way you put this... it is a great comparison

I couldn't agree with you more. Far too many order takers. The thing is now order takers are falling by the way side and are probably 1 foot in the mortgage business and 1 foot out.

What a great way to put it! You're right, there seems to be a lack of mortgage professionals that are willing to really and truly guide consumers rather than choosing a program and pushing people in the direction that is best for them. Do you want to move to Syracuse? We could use you, if Tampa can spare you!

Leah,

You are so right about the role of order takers. They are not helpful at all to the customer, just the opposite. Loans they originate are usually plagued by delays and confusion because there is very little direction to the process. I like Bill's idea,"Don't be an information desk. Set the appointment".

Leah..... you make some great points. I myself hate order takers. But part of the problem is that trying to get a credit pull sometimes eliminates those that will just shop and shop and shop. Not that there is anything wrong with shopping. Just that so many lenders don't compare apples to apples. And as a client, how do you know what is better?

In regards to giving the consumer options, I think that is great. But I see so many get swindled because they use the good faith estimate as a toy..... and they entice the consumer to come on board. Basically what we call bait and switch.

Overall, people that speak to you will get honesty and professionalism. Good post...

jeff belonger

JUL

2007

remember COMPEL the client to meet with you... BRO principals and philosophy's

Matt ~ Great comments, I agree that with the proper interview in the beginning, you will eliminate a lot more issues down the road. Thank you!

Neal ~ Yeah, I gave up trying to pick up dates on A/R...kidding! You bring up a great point when it comes to time. I have found that if I build a relationship with a customer in the beginning and for some reason (which is rare), they decide not to move forward, I am more likely to get a referral from them anyway because they know me and like me...it's great!

Mana ~ Nice one with the ring! I think an engagement ring is all in the heart ;) Unless of course, its a couple carats, that means business!

Thesa ~ Thanks so much for the comment!

Chris ~ Let's push them out and post a sign "Professionals Only" !

Christina ~ Thanks for the comment! Lack of professionalism is rare...see above comment on the new sign..;) I don't know about moving up north, I appreciate the offer, but I don't do winter! You can move on down here to Florida...come on!

Esko ~ Great points. Thanks for the comment!

Jeff ~ I completely agree! I am in no way saying you should quote rates and options without knowing the full story, that is wrong. I am just talking about person to person, just getting to know the person you are entrusting your mortgage with...I believe this is the key to starting off on the right foot with a customer. Like I said before...know me first, like me second, trust me third... When it comes then to the GFE's, and the person they trust gives them the numbers and explains it...much less confusion, must more trust. Thanks so much for your comments, you are so right!

Katrina ~ Great philosophy, thanks for the comment!

Leah..... you hit the nail on the head when you said..... Like I said before...know me first, like me second, trust me third... And usually this is easier when the client is referred to you. Not as easy when they are just calling around. thanks

jeff belonger

I couldn't agree with you more, I like the idea of can we date before we marry? very good..

Tom Weiss

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