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Prove Yourself To Me..."Youngster!"

Being young in the Real Estate/Mortgage Industry is hard...

Being young in the Real Estate/Mortgage Industry is challenging...

I hear it all from associates that are my age...

There is a stigma about being young and having to prove one's worthiness to clients that are older than you...

Why? Everyone knows that older = wiser...Right?

Not always...

I always get a kick out of older "potential clients" that call me up and want to meet face-to-face. More often than not, I find that they are simply trying to "size me up" or "feel me out" to see if the 28 year old kid knows what he is talking about, when looking to purchase or refinance their home. Being a 28 year old California Mortgage Broker has been a blast thus far! It seldom fails that the 50+ year old "potential clients" look at me as though I have something to prove to them. Prove that I know more than them. Prove that I'm knowledgable enough at what I do to represent them in such a large financial decision. Afterall, "what do I know that they don't?!"

Why do I get a kick out of it?

Typically after an hour, the arms go from being crossed and defensive to open and welcoming.

We are engaged in conversation, as I ask questions, seek answers and engage my clients in making decisions that are based on their goals and objectives...not mine.

I find that many of my "potential clients" end up coming back for more. They grasp onto the youthful, optomistic, go getting attitude that I carry on a daily basis. They take in the knowledge, respect the opinions and look forward to giving a young guy a shot.

I closed a refinance on an 82 year old client last week in Los Angeles. I drove up to her house to hand deliver her check from escrow, sat down and we talked for an hour. After a hug, she sent me on my way with homemade jam and a bag of oranges...That was cool!

Yea, that's what being a young Mortgage Broker in California is all about....

Scott Gormley

Broker/Owner

Oak Valley Mortgage

Direct: 530-592-8362

Email: Scott@OakValleyMortgage.com

Website: www.CALoan.com

"You Find the Perfect Home, We'll Find the Perfect Loan!"

Posted by Scott Gormley on 02/18/2008 07:00 PM

Comments (11)

young mortgage professionals, older clients, age gap with clients

This post has been included in California Information

11 Comments on Prove Yourself To Me..."Youngster!"

FEB

2008

I know. I started when I was 26 and am now 37. Unfortunately less and less people comment on my youth. The young have energy, if well directed it is powerful.

Hey! Watch that over 50 stuff! And some of my favorite loan officers are in their 20's.

I love working with the elderly - what a great story

FEB

2008

I started my real estate career when I was only 19 years old! I have always feared and struggled with the age differences. 5 years later, I know what I'm doing and most people after spending some time with me see that and want to work with me- Age goes out the window! However, it still makes first impressions difficult because us "youngsters" always get judged by our outer appearance.

Jennifer Horton

Trin Hong Real Estate Inc.

Marin County, CA

www.JenniferHortonSells.com

www.BeautifulHomesofMarin.com

FEB

2008

There will always be a younger and then, an older. Luckily, the difference is not age, but, knowledge. If you are smart, courteous and knowlegdable, age doesn't matter. You sound like you win people over, so, yes, you've got it, that magic that people love to work with:)

It's a Good Life!

Fran

That was great, I joined the mortgage industry when I was 20 years old. I'm an underwriter now (okay a laid off underwriter: but soon to be contracting again within the next!) and let me tell you: Brokers are tired of that "Old School" Underwriting mentality!

Its always nice to hear others success stories. I am glad you are enjoying your career.

I started at 22....AND...with a mouthful of braces! I think my toughest obstacle was my colleagues and not my borrowers. Of course I was the youngest and only female in the office at the time. Now, ten years later, I am the one everyone comes to for guidance on their loans. Being so young and inexperienced gave me a challenge. I took it head on and beat the odds.