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As long as you can find your refrigerator, you can find me!

By
Mortgage and Lending with Fifth Third Bank

                    

Magnets as marketing materials! I know it's been said lots of agents see a magnet from another agent on the refrigerator as they are listing a home.  I think this is true and probably because the magnet came blind in the mail.  Perhaps from an agent farming the neighborhood. There was no prior relationship and although the homeowner may have kept the magnet because it was easier to stick on the fridge then throw away, I believe if you have an established relationship with a client this is a fantastic tool.  I recently sent out magnets to my past clients with only my name and cell phone number on them.  I tried to make them attractive as they would hopefully become a part of the kitchen decor.  I got quite a few calls right away and I'm certain those people whom I didn't hear from, if they are the magnet type, will call me when they need a mortgage consultation.

It is probably a waste of money to send them out to folks you don't know but how much easier it is to find your refrigerator then a business card you tucked away 3 or 5 years ago.  Keep yourself in the forefront.  With mailings, with phone calls and yes, with magnets!

The letter accompanying the magnets went something like this:

        Occasionally I receive a call from a client that I have had the pleasure of working with in the past who had trouble finding my number. I've made some changes over the past 20 years in employers.  The changes I've made have been to offer better service and/or a wider range of  mortgage products. I have always worked for lenders who are reputable and deal in the conventional (FNMA), FHA and VA financing loan types with the ability to offer sub-prime loans when necessary.

        The problems in the market now with mortgage lenders is largely because of predatory lending companies that opened up offices offering only the sub-prime type of loans. These  lenders were in the business of making a quick buck without any concern for their client's welfare or for repeat business. By not offering conforming loan products they forced a lot of  people who trusted them into loans that were not good for them.  The State has recently implemented some laws that will help to protect consumers, but it does not cover federally governed lenders i.e. banks, some with outrageous commercials making offers that sound too good to be true, that are, too good to be true.  Many times what they are not telling you is that the loan rate is not fixed and that you may never pay towards the principal of your loan.

          I remain available as a trusted loan consultant with over 20 years of experience in this business. I have been working with Union National Mortgage Company for the past 3 years.  Union National is a good solid company opened in 1970, owned and operated by William Cosgrove who is also the current President of the Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association. If you are thinking of buying or selling, refinancing, consolidating your bills or combining your 1st and 2nd mortgage, please call me first. I can help you sort out your options to make certain you're making the right decisions. I'm always happy to hear from an old  friend. My cell number remains the same as does my commitment to my customers.   Just add my magnet to your collection and as long as you can find the refrigerator, you'll be able to find me! 

 

 

      

Adam Waldman
Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY
Realtor - Long Island
Chris - I didn't know what to expect when I opened this.  I have avoided the magnet idea, but I must say that yours is very good.  I always give out my cell phone now, so it doesn't matter what company I work for.  I also have my e-mail address as adam@adamwaldman.com.  I always want people to be able to find me no matter where I am.  Good post.  Thanks for the idea.
Sep 16, 2007 10:56 PM
Christine Melcher
Fifth Third Bank - Brunswick, OH
The Loan Lady
Thanks for stopping by, glad the title drew you in, "magnet idea" might not have :).  I too have a personal, professional email, emailtheloanlady@gmail.com.  It's good to personalize yourself in this business. People come to us because they trust us, not necessarily the company we represent. Previus customers are a great referral source. Glad I could put a new spin on the magnets for you.
Sep 17, 2007 02:27 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel
I love your letter. I send out calendars every year and people have it on the refrigerator.
Sep 17, 2007 02:43 AM
Christine Melcher
Fifth Third Bank - Brunswick, OH
The Loan Lady
I've heard calendars work great! In fact I have a realtor friend who unfortunately didn't feel like she could afford them this year, she had a few phone call from past clients looking for their new calander! 
Sep 17, 2007 02:48 AM
Edith Wharton
Cottage and Loft Realty - Midlothian, VA
Realtor - Chesterfield VA
That was cute.  "Just add my magnet to your collection and as long as you can find the refrigerator, you'll be able to find me!"
Sep 17, 2007 05:12 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Chris...

We do the magnet thing. They are used to keep our humorous posts cards on the refrigerators in our farm area :)

What's the point in sending them those great post cards if they don't have the great magnets that go with them? :)

TLW...ROAR!

Sep 17, 2007 09:52 AM
Danielle V. Lewis
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
DDR Realty
This is a good point...We still have magnets on the fridge dated from 2005. =)
Sep 18, 2007 07:57 AM