TAKE CHARGE..... should be everyone's motto in the mortgage and real estate industry. Not only educating consumers, but those that we work with. Many of you, as myself, have become fed up with people in our perspective roles. These individuals either use 'trust' as a weapon against a potential client and or 'seduce them' with false promises.
Another concern in the last year has been those individuals that are either not knowledgeable in their profession or those that purposely withhold the solution to a problem just so they can make a quick buck. Please read this post by Bryant Tatus,BAM! The sound of a closing blowing up!, to get a good idea of what I meant by my previous comment.
False hopes or lack of knowledge as opposed to what programs are available and because of a changing market, you need to have a few back-ups. If not, people will fall through the cracks and we end up with a black eye per se. That statement alone constitutes those of us that are truly dedicated to our respective services offered to the real estate communities. What hurts our typical business practices in today's real estate transactions? Any loan officer can promise a certain rate and or a loan program. Any realtor can promise to get you what you want for your house.
We need to educate our borrowers, buyers, and sellers. The old proverbial word best, doesn't always mean better. It's called SERVICE. We can't put blame on the client for wanting the best possible deal, but we can certainly educate them and the people around them. I have seen many people shop themselves out of the market. Please read : You are begging me to lie to you!!!!
Solution???? ......... Consumers out there reading this.....Please read below.
- Stay true & loyal to those that you trusted once before & don't stray to the best deal on paper or promises that sound better than any other offer.
- Ask for advice from those that you trust around you and not just because they might be your best friend and or family member.
- Don't be afraid to do business with a friend and or family member. If you respect them and truly trust them and not give them your business just because they are a friend.
- Trust that gut feeling at times. 'If you can't reach someone as easily as you did before they had your business.' Should this be a strong indicator? Yes, most of the time.
- Those in the real estate & mortgage industry that tend to ask more questions than the average professional or spend more time with you, usually bring more to the table than just figures or promises to rope you in..... They bring knowledge, years of experience (but not always the case, they needed to start some where), a caring heart, and a dedication not only to their client, but to themselves. Wanting to be the best and providing not only great service, but delivering as promised and not what you want to hear. Remember this.
- Last, as co-workers to each other, we should extend our hand in helping them if not sure. Helping our co-workers through possible mistakes that we made in the past. Understanding that their goal should be a client for life, as a friend and not just a pay check.
Here are some excellent articles written by a few Active Rain members that also gave me reason to write this post. These blogs also contain some great insight and discussion for not only the realtor and or loan officer, but for those consumers looking to buy a new home, selling, and or refinancing their home.
How should Real Estate Agents respond to the recent tightening of Subprime loan programs? by : Tom Burris
Subprime lenders are dropping like flies by : Ken Horst
Surprise! People With Bad Credit Don't Pay Their Mortgage Payments! by : Ken Cook
What inspired me to write this post came after reading Escrow 911: Subprime Fallout and the Potential Impact on the Las Vegas Valley Rebound by : Renee Burrows. And even though this is a professional real estate site, I also got some great energy on my thoughts from my current girlfriend for being there for me tonight and just having a great conversation with her. Thanks Michele.
UPDATE : Adding this post, Is GREAT service still enough to grow your business??? , by : Olan Carder This post is important because it stresses the fact that this person loses business even though his service is superior. The comments lend a good ear to as why and gives good answers in respect to this gentleman's concern.
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