Great Work!!

I hate to give free advice but I do it, also.  I do it a lot when I counsel people with new homes (loan through captured business partnerships).

You hit the nail on the head when you suggested that the contact can be a good referral source. My suggestion?  Have her write a testimonial letter about you...THAT would be an appropriate gesture of gratitude.. 

Rhonda.... thanks for the compliment.

Brian... thanks for the advice, but way ahead of you. My first thought was having a nice testimonial from someone that I didn't even close their loan. I already sent her an e-mail and will follow up with a letter and a phone call. But I wanted them to enjoy their house.  Thanks for your feedback. 

Your post just shows that there are some great people in this business!  Helping the consumer is a priority that may not have an immediate compensation, but good karma is priceless.  

I think sometimes you have to give free advice. I just limit how much, before I either stop giving it or require some type of compensation.(unless of course it's a friend or family member)

To be honest I have given plenty of advise.  I know that I get to help and thats it.

Jeff, here's how I feel about it. First, you did a very good thing. Second, we sow seeds in the ground and they come up where we don't know from.

 I have always given and I always reap. Not always where I planted but the seed was sown and you will reap a great harvest.

It is a principal of nature set forth in the universe and we can not out give and when we give it will come back to us, a hundred fold.

You rock !!

Sharon....  thank you very much. I hope that this didn't come across all about me. But part of blogging is to give the consumer an idea of who you are and not what you are. I agree about the good karma thing.

Al....  I agree, with giving some free advice. But when do you say enough is enough? I agree, you do have to limit yourself, otherwise, I would need to be a non-profit entity.... lol

Gary..... yes, it does feel good to help. But within a few hours, this person was pushing my buttons. I was trying and it wasn't like I had all day to help on something that wasn't going to turn into a sale at that moment.

Missy......  thank you and thanks for the kind words. I do believe that it does come back to you.... I guess we just can't worry and try to figure out, how much that it will come back to us. ;o)  Thanks again..

Jeff:

I feel that giving advice and suggestions is part of being in the industry. That is part of being a professional, and expecting that every bit of advice you share will result in some sort of compensation or return is short sighted. One never knows who will remember the help you gave them nor how it might be returned. Obviously you do not want to be taken advantage of and one needs to draw the line at times.

Jeff

Part of our job description is to give free advice.  It's the nature of our profession.  I'm a firm believer that those that do will be remembered longer than those that don't.  Nice job Jeff.  You gave her a 2nd opionion (Hey...the physician thing again!), made her comfy and congratulated her.  You'll slept well also :-)

YEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Great work and way to stay with her. It is hard somedays to stay with those who are having problems staying up with themselves and they need us to push them along.

Yes, giving free advice is a part of our jobs....and as was stated....you never know what you may gain later just for that unselfish act.  It might not be from that person, but somewhere along the line we get the rewards of our behavior.

Jeff,

I agree with Missy.

In fact I have built my business around free information.  What? you say.  Yep I promote my business as "a resource" for homeowners and real estate sales professionals.

Everytime they visit my web site to view the resource page or links or blog for links I gain exposure.  I do not make mortgage sales or real estate sales but promote education to the consumer to use trained consumer friendly lenders and real estate sales people.  Strange I know.  But like your business card of the future I think that it is a great marketing tool.

I think that you have a good business view here.  Thanks for the post.

Lawyers give pro-bono advice all the time.....doctors give surgery for those in need........we should do our small par, as we will be paid back far more than we ever expected.

It obviously speaks to your high level of character for doing this!

Keep it real as you always do!

Jeff D. ......   it is...I agree. I didn't want this to be a rant session. But sometimes I wish I could be a lawyer and say that I need a retainer fee up front. lol  Yes, Bill mentioned pro-bono cases. But the lawyers that take those are either looking to make a break into law or it's a highly publicized case, or it will bring them lots of money if they win. This is called a risk at times. 

Overall, yes, one never knows what they might get in return. We all hope that what goes around comes around. Karma.... 

Kris....  yes, we all agree. And yes, some remember, but not everyone is loyal to the "cause" per se. But we shouldn't change ourselves, right?  thanks and yes, I will sleep well.

Susan....  hey stranger..... thanks for the enthusiasm. Yes, it can be hard and tiring, frustrating.... especially knowing that you aren't getting anything for that one. But hey, it seems like many of us are just good natured. thanks

Kathy.....  it's beenback and part of my job since day one. Even countless open houses that didn't bring in any business. And in regards to this story that I wrote about, I was being pushed to the edge, because of just the basic stuff that was taking up my time. example, going back and forth in regards to my e-mail. She just wasn't listening and wasn't even close to my e-mail. But hey, time will tell.

Shane....  I truly think placing information on the net or a web site or web blog is a little different. Some people can knock this out in 45 minutes to an hour. What took place here were countless e-mails and phone calls, which some times can take more out of you. Especially when you are repeating yourself to the client.

But I do agree, our information is free on the net and that part I can except. Especially since I have received business because of this and because she called me because of a blog of mine. thanks for your feedback. 

Bill N. .......   I do believe that it speaks high volumes about someone's character. But my character needs a roof over it's head and to eat.  ;o)  Seriously though, I made a comment to Jeff Dowler in regards to your pro-bono comment. Thanks for the comments.

We are the free advice people aren't we?  In fact, when showing buyers...who's to say they'll follow through and buy something? In the meantime we show property, give information and suggestions and hey...in the end the rewards follow. ...or maybe not.

Jeff,

I love what you did or this woman, we often give "free" advice but in the end we helped someone and that will always come back around. :)

Jeff,

I give free advice all the time. I believe there will be a back-end blessing from the good we do in life. You'll get yours too, wait and see.

Nice job Jeff. Good advice will never hurt you. We all have long careers and the returns will come.

Jeff, I think we all have given free advice.  It goes to what type of person you really are.  You really take pride in what you do and it shows.

Free advice has earned me more than any of my marketing....

Sally...    some good points. I do think it's more of the job description though of a realtor showing a home than a loan officer reviewing good faiths and HUD settlement statements for someone hours before a settlement.  And I am talking about a HUD statement of a closing being done by another lender, not myself. Trust me, I do know what you are saying and technically, you are doing it for free until they actually close on a transaction. 

Overall, yes, we do hope the rewards do follow.... thanks for your input. 

Suzanne.... thank you very much. I guess time will tell.

Andrew....  from reading most of these comments, it seems to be the same theme amongst many of us. And I knew many of us do this, but just wondering how many times is this done.... how often.  thanks for your feedback

Joe.... yes, a very long career. Can't believe that it's been 15 years already.

Matthew..... I truly believe that also, being the type of person that you are and that it shows. Thank you very much for that polite compliment. I feel the same about you... well, that you take pride in what you do. ;o)

Tom....   that's great to hear....  so what advice do you have for me?  lol Seriously.....  that's good. What kind of marketing do you do besides your web site and blogging?

The best advertising in the world!! Nice post.

Jeff,

    My job is to give free advice.  I am the forum administrator of our credit repair company.  I have mortgage brokers and Realtors and the general public come in and ask anything about credit.  I answer them and wish them good luck.  I volunteered to give free advice because I realized that hardly anyone knows about credit laws and need help.  At least I know that I am helping people that are at a serious disadvantage when dealing with the credit bureaus.  They are enormous companies - and enormously clueless - but people are afraid of them.

Jeff.

I'm guilty of giving free advice all of the time. I really need to stop, because they usually just use me.

Tom Weiss

I too am guilty as charged.  Yet, asking for referrals is the perfect way to handle this Jeff.  Nice job, I take referrals by the way:-)

We are in the service industy.  Giving people our professional help is part of our job in my opinion.  Like a Dr. at a golf course who takes the time to look at a guys bee sting...he isn't sending him a bill either...just professionalism.

Hi Jeff,
I believe what goes around comes around -- good and bad.  I try to help people even though I know there will be nothing in it for me--except the satisfaction that I helped someone.  Hey, we all know you are a good guy!

JEFF:  Great story.  I think that we all probably give too much free information in our attempt to help others.  Hopefully, it will come back to you in the end with referrals from this happy homeowner.

Jeff, why doesn't this surprise me...  and you know, you probably will get a referral or 2 or 3 from here.  I've never taken the time to help someone that it hasn't come back to me in the future - sometimes I don't even know it until after the fact. 

'Haven't talked in a while, so I just thought I'd check in and say 'hi'.

Sometimes I give free advice but it depends on a few things. The most important thing is: Can I be held legally liable for anything I say to this CUSTOMER? If so, I tell them that I can only help clients (or if working with another agent I can't interfere with their agency, call your agent and ask them).

So, Jeff, you did a nice thing and gave good advice. Did anything you do expose you legally? If not, then what did it hurt? Answer-nothing but could have future benefits. I'd say you did right.

Jeff - This is what makes you a Great LO!  I have had borrowers call me during their purchase process, not the day before, thank goodness, and have advised them and then told them to stay where they were at.  I would not want a loan "stolen" from me if it was a good loan and I have told them its a good loan.  I do believe in Karma, and what comes around goes around! 

Sometimes we do...sometimes we don't. It depends on the situation and how well we know the people. Kind of a double edged sword sometimes.

It is part of our job to give advice, but it does get annoying.

This past week, a friend told me about her friend who is being "screwed" by her listing agent. She received no Consumer Notice (a law in PA) and also the agent strong armed her into listing lower than she wanted. I listened to the complaints, then told the friend basically, take the complaints to the other agent, not me. I don't represent the sellers or anybody here. I told the friend what I would do, then told her I cannot advise.

2 days later, the friend is on my cell phone--again. Now the seller has a buyer's agent in another area, and has a problem with the buyer's agent. What to do? Help???? I am so annoyed. I am not the listing agent. I am not the buyer's agent, but for some reason I'm supposed to fix this person's problems.

I told her again what I'd do, then told her I cannot be involved. I am not representing anybody here. If the seller (and the buyer) have problems, they are to go to their agents, or their brokers, not me--who has no role in this.  

 We do give advice, and frequently get in the middle. We aren't supposed to work for free, but unfortunately the public sometimes comes to us for help and doesn't realize that's what we do for a living.

The nice thing is she saw your blog and did contact you. I am sure more will follow.

Free advice is free advertising!! One of my web sites is as much a local directory as it is a web site and we constantly get compliments on the amount of links to other web sites we provide (free) to other local business owners who likley are not even aware we do this.

Jeff you are good man!

All that I can say is that this is one way god test us if we are that selfish. One benefit that comes out of this is that at least we are exposed to what others are doing, and it gives us some experience

Sincerely

Joel Silberstein

You may have just made that person's day. That in and of itself should make you proud.

If it weren't for people like you on sites like this and BrokerOutpost I'd be swallowed by the sea by now.  I value every piece of advice people give out for free.  I'm 25 and new to the biz...without you all I don't know where I'd be.  My mother always taught me to help out others whenever I can without looking for anything in return...it's just being a good person.  Cheers

Keith & Robin....  yes it is.... Anytime you can share past examples that are real. It shows the public and people in the business your personality and how you treat people. Glad that you recognized this. And thanks for the compliment and for stopping by.

Russ....  I agree, not too many people know about credit and how it works, the credit scores, collection accounts, etc etc. Even those that work for credit agencies. Glad that you take the time to help others out. And when I have time, I'll check out this forum. thanks

Tom W. ....  you shouldn't feel guilty and you shouldn't stop. I believe that many of us just need to pick and choose when we do this. But best of all, on how much we help without asking for referrals. It all comes down to time and time is money.

Jason......  so, you take referrals? I hate them... lol  Seriously, they are the best part of any business. Thanks for the compliments.

Jim M. ......  I agree, it's part of our industry and business. The question is, do we do it more than most professions?  Especially with the internet, blogging, and e-mails.

Cynthia.....  I believe for the most part that what goes around comes around. But I think because of my helpful personality, it goes around 3 times as much as it comes around. But that is my choice. I can stop that at anytime. And thanks, I think you are a good person also. 

Jeff, I don't think anybody likes to give "free" advice but it is part of the business.  At least it makes you feel good about yourself when you do help somebody. 

Adam....  I agree. The question is, how much and when should we stop. My problem is that I am very detailed and once I start helping someone, even though it might not go anywhere, it does cut into my other work. And time is money. I do believe that it does come around, that it comes back to you. thanks for the compliment.

Margaret....  no, we haven't taled in a while. I am always around by e-mail and or cell. But in regards to a referral or two. I am sure many of us operate this way and hope for the referrals. 

In regards to not knowing that it was a referral until later?  For the most part, 99% of the times, maybe 100% of the time, I always ask every person how they came to me, if someone hasn't told me that they are sending someone my way. Every time I write down someone's name in my notebook of clients, I list up top how they came to me. This way I always know. 

Brandon....  I totally agree....  if they ask me something outside of mortgages, I sometimes give them my opinion and tell them this. But then say... you must speak to an attorney or a realtor who would know. I have knowledge of both, but I never advise them on such a topic that is outside my norm.  So no, I I didn't expose myself. And even if I thought that they were being taken advantage and I said this, there is nothing that could be legally done to me.  thanks for the comments and input. 

Kim.... karma is not believed by all...  I ageree.  I did steal a loan from a loan officer several months ago. He tried to get them back by telling them the rate that I was offering did not exist. And what's funny, it was 6 1/2 with no points and fees... LOL   It's a longer story, but he stubbed his toe on a few things that he told the clients that I made them aware of and they saw the light. 

So, no, I wouldn't want one stolen from me. And the only way would be to do it almost for free. Or, bait and switch the client, giving them a deal that the loan officer could not honor at closing. 

Beth.... yes, it can be a double edged sword. And sometimes I try to evaluate my time and how much time I might spend on that person. And if it is a lot, I will make them aware of it and still ask for a referral. Hey, you never know unless you ask and or try, right?

Erica....  the bottom line, the public doesn't always realize what we do or how we work... and lastly, how we get paid. That's were we all come into play, educating the consumer any chance that we get.

Jeff--you NOW have a client for life!  As well, she will refer you to her friends who ask if she knows a great lender/broker!  GREAT job and I always believe that good deeds return 10-fold--get ready for those calls!

Debe in Charlotte, NC

I like this Jeff,

.........we do what we do because it is what we do, without it we have nothing to do and no one to do it for.

That sounds goofy but it does round out why people farm away in our business year after year.

I havent' written anythin in years, your written communication skill is top shelf.

Jeff - What you did is simply good business.  While it may not show up on your bottom line right away, who is to say that this woman does not know an investor looking to buy 10 properties or 10 people looking to buy their own homes?  What you did "for free" is more cost effective than any other marketing medium that I can think of.

Jeff- One of my dads favorite sayings has always been "Help enough people get what you want, and you'll get what you want." So keep helping and it'll come back around.