Before I even start this blog, I’m sure it’s clear by the title that I have a bias and a preference. Just as everything else is becoming fully automated in our business, many mortgage lenders make significant use of Internet resources to try and penetrate geographic locations where having an office or overhead expenses is not practical. I think real estate is headed that direction as well. There are continuing efforts to “Nationalize” MLS’ access and, there are Transaction platforms in use from coast to coast. My concern is that while we are taking the personal contact out of lending and real estate, we are also minimizing the “value added” intangible that our acquired expertise assists others in making, oftentimes, much better decisions about which home to buy or which type of mortgage will best meet their needs.
My best loan officer makes well over $200K a year and still shows up at most of her purchasers’ closing to assist with any last minute snags or help answer any questions that come during the review of the loan documents. I have been helping individuals and families find homes for 20 years and, I just can’t see a virtual/video tour replacing the knowledge and experience we bring to the process. If and when that happens - that’s when I go fishing…..
What’s your take on the increasing and inevitable automation of our services? Will we become technocratic cyborgs, never leaving the office except to beam home, assuming we left home to go to work?
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