Spreading Gossip,
One Person at a Time
On one of the forums in which I posted this blog, many of those commenting stated that they just didn't think that potential home buyers knew of all the mortgage program options that exist for home buying currently ... especially those mortgage programs that exist that allow for smaller down payments. They assume incorrectly that these options have dried-up.
Well, I'm here to say ... good opportunities for no-or-low down payment DO exist ... and in fairly large numbers. You have options. (And of course, if you want to know about them ... I invite you to contact me.)
But within this blog post, I guess I'm really here to urge ... if YOU are a new home buyer that successfully utilized one of the many mortgage programs available that allows for no-or-smaller down payment ... GOSSIP ABOUT IT! Spread the word!
These days, we talk and yak about lots of things in person, but on public forums and social media too. Both personally and professionally. Many times, what we talk about is simply GOOD beneficial gossip. It exists! The info we provide ends-up educating and helping someone else.
We share all sorts of things together on these forums. We also vent. We tell stories, swap songs, swap pics, commiserate together. And we often times provide valuable info to each other in this way.
So why not share info about your home buying and home financing success too??
If you bought your home successfully, utilizing a mortgage financing program that allowed for no-or-little down payment, spread the word! Gossip about it! You might be educating someone else by doing it. Your info and successes just might motivate them to investigate whether they too can become a home owner.
As a mortgage lender, I provide mortgage and credit information all day, each and every day. The purpose is to educate, in one way or another. I want to help. But it's my responsibility to do so too.
To reach as many as possible, I reach-out in a variety of forums. Here on this blog. Via social medias. Email blasts. Written, snail mail. Texts. Video and audio. Even providing my contact forms upon my website is a way of reaching out, spreading the word. Each and every one, is meant to inform and educate about one portion of financing and credit, or another.
But not one of these methods can even begin to compete with the impact that personal, word-of-mouth experiences have. Friendly, Personal, Good Gossip is what I call it. And it works!
I've always found that a personal story ... a firsthand account, is a much stronger message. It's digested and retained better. Engages the listener more directly. Bears more weight. Motivates more effectively.
And as much as I'd like to, I've come to the conclusion that I'm personally not going to find and educate each and every person that dreams of buying and financing a home, no matter how effective my social media methods are. I need your help to accomplish that. And the truth of it is ... we ALL can be teachers and help educate, in one way or another.
So I ask that you start thinking. Who do you know that might learn from or be interested in hearing your home buying and mortgage success story? In receiving this type of education? Who might you know that is dreaming of buying their new home??
Let's say you tell a handful of people that you sought and found a "no-or-low down payment" and closed your mortgage successfully with it. They in turn, each tell a handful of people they know of your experience ... and those each tell another handful of people?? On and on it goes!
Well ... you've just taken part in educating a whole lot of people. And possibly helped someone else become a new home owner. And you've GOT to feel good about that!
It isn't that hard to do either. Won't take much time or effort. You just spread some good gossip! You just tell your story.
So ... think about it. Who can YOU help educate? Assist into home ownership? Who can you help fulfill a dream?
Try some good gossiping today!
* Simply want to know what home buying and mortgage financing options exist for you? Hoping to get on the right path to buy a home? Contact me today!
Together we will discover what home buying opportunities are available to you now .. or in your future.
I can be found at any of the following:
Office: 815.277.4036
Cell/Text: 708.921.6331
Skype: 630.219.1316
Gene Mundt
Regional Manager - Mortgage Lender
Personal NMLS #216987
NMLS # 175656
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.
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49 Comments on Spreading Gossip ... One Person at a Time
Great blog, Gene! I thought it would be about something unpleasant. I love it that you've turned a typically negative concept into a positive spin!
Absolutely the best advertising anyone can get, Melissa. You're so right about that ...
Christine: It's up to us individually to see that the gossip is positive ... and serving a good cause. I think this is one example where that's true ...
Amen, BLiz! We need a grassroots movement! Let's hope this cause catches on fire soon ...
Gary: You mention a very big roadblock to this happening quickly. GOOD news doesn't sell .. and the media wants to sell badly. Misinformation feeds their fire and is hard to combat. But we need to keep trying ... so thanks for commenting and doing your part!
Sandy: Certainly hoping so ... and I try to keep on learning and finding more. Education is so key to good things happening in the future ...
MaryKay: Why, thank you so much! That compliment made me feel darn good!
M.C.: I must admit, I used the word gossip to catch attention. But all for a good purpose! Glad you liked the post. Please ... come back often ...
Michelle: You're so right! And thankfully, many local governments, etc. have stepped-up to the plate and are trying to add assistance for new buyers in their area. It may take a bit of investigating, but often times ... assistance IS available ... or will be shortly ...
THANKS TO ALL FOR COMMENTING! Your doing so is really appreciated ...
Gene
I did like a testimonial about a single mom who took advantage of $150 down HUD foreclosure & then also got a down payment grant that must be repaid in 5 years. This helped this buyer immensely & she is paying $250 less than rent because of this move. She did the best she could, researched the best she could & then I helped her a little bit too!
Worthwhile news instead of just nonsense that I see so much of.
I agree. People lead such busy lives, they hear the bad news and don't hear about programs designed to help them. It's the same in Canada. The government announces that there will be no more zero down mortgages. A few weeks later, one of my bank reps tells me that while zero down is gone, the bank will lend you the 5% down payment.
This is a great program and people are very surprised to hear that it exists. Good job spreading the word.
Keep up the gossiping, Gene
Whether a formal testimonial like you mention .. or something less formal ... spreading the word, IMO, is the best way to educate and inform. I'll take concrete info over meaningless dribble and droning on anytime ... you're right!
Dominion Lending: Glad to hear that our good friends to the north found a way to "get it done". Typically that's the way it goes. We just reinvent or discover new ways to move ahead. Unfortunately it also takes awhile for the good news to get out. We'll keep working at it, right??
Thanks for writing,
Gene
So true and great post Gene! We need to "gossip" more, about the good stuff ; ) I find that so many people are unaware of Home Path and how awesome that program is.
I hope you're having a fantastic week!
Gina
Love this reminder that there IS such a thing as good gossip! It's amazing that there are so many great programs out there (and those incredible rates!) - so we need to gossip about them!
Great post!
Gina: Thanks for stopping by and reading my post! You name just one good program that many people remain unaware of. We have to gear-up and educate all that want to hear! And I return the good wishes for a fantastic week back your way ...
Debbe: Yep .. can you believe those rates??? I keep looking at these kids and thinking ... "do you KNOW how much of an advantage these rates can be to your financial future"?? I would have loved to had these rates when I was just starting out! Keep up the good gossip, Debbe ...
Gene
I really agree with you that most people do not understand all the options they have for buying a home.
Unfortunately, consumers are over leveraged and many aren't qualified, especially if no or low money down opportunities exist. A comprehensive financial analysis is essential before any consideration to purchase any real estate, so education and planning is essential before getting started, isn't it?
Hi Gene, great post. The media is "selling" tough bank lending/ Not from what I have seen.
Good gossip, we like. I always cringe when I hear a client say "they told me"... I wonder who "they" is. Now if we educate everyone (including ourselves) to share the good news regarding mortgages as well, "they" will become a good source.
Gene: We'll keep trying to educate, right? There's an un-tapped market of buyers out there ...
Kimo: Definitely! And that is one thing that is easily found in good supply ... and for FREE. Agents and Lenders alike are always offering FREE educational seminars regarding various real estate topics ... but perhaps no more in greater numbers than for first-time buyers. I tell everyone I know that if they EVER hope to buy a home .. they need to talk to a lender and get on track. Even a year to two years out ... why not do it? Who can't improve their credit?? GREAT comment ...
Bob: The media needs to talk to mortgage lenders with "boots on the ground" experience and quit talking to the guys on Wall Street for their info. It's the average mortgage lender that's got the valid, timely pulse of the market and transaction ...
Ed: Ohhhh I hate hearing that too! It's always some shirt-tail relative or guy in the bar that told them a horror story of some kind or meted-out the advice they now follow. And you're right. We need to get those that successfully closed their loans to start talking! Good testimony carries weight ...
Gene
When buyers or sellers are going through a transaction, friends always ask them 'how's it going?'. Positive word of mouth helps everyone involved and improves the perception of our business!
Mary: I'll take all the improvement of the perception of our business that we can get! Some friendly, positive feedback is very welcomed ..
Gene
Mahalo Gene, great suggestion! When there is good information, it should be shared.. That's what we call "spreading the Aloha", around here!
Monique: Thank you so much! And "spreading the Aloha" sounds so much better than my terminology of gossip! Moving forward ... we'll use YOUR more beautiful words ...
Thanks for commenting. Hope to see you again in the future ...
Gene
This is a great 'call to action.' We try hard to get the word out, but it can be even more effective when our clients do so.
Totally agree, Lottie. Nothing is more powerful than client testimony done on our behalf ...
Gene