Did You Ever Wonder....

Thinking is normally a pretty good thing.  It keeps our mind active, occupies time, and might actually lead to something productive every once in a while.  When business is good we are busy with the tasks at hand, writing contracts, taking applications, gathering documents, getting appraisals and titles ordered, scheduling closings and final walk throughs.  So....did you ever wonder what to fill some of that time with when business is a little slower....like, say....now?

While we all try hard to keep up with the continuing education and changes in contracts, laws, rules, regulations, and program guidelines it is not always possible to keep up with everything.  Now is a good time to go back and review and get completely up to date.  Certainly there have been significant changes in loan programs, credit criteria, appraisal rules (and boxes on appraisals- "Declining Markets" and "Over Supply" drive me nuts!), and many other areas.  One of the things I have done is to concentrate on the ins and outs and how to make each and every deal work if there is any way possible.  Being with a privately held bank mortgage group there advantages with portfolio things that might fit that little square or round circle in the deal that puts the finishing touch to it to make it happen.  But beyond that it is ever more important to know what to do and how to do it in this day, age, and market.

Did you ever wonder....about new marketing ideas?  Now is a great time to think outside that normal box.  How do we contact people any more?  How do we get introduced?  What is the best follow up?  I am exploring all of these, including this blog on Active Rain as a way to get to know more people, hopefully have more people recognize that with my knowledge and experience that I might be a good contact to refer business to for successful closings.  Even beyond that though it is also a very important way to keep in better touch with what is going on in the industry.

When I first came to Atlanta 25 years ago from Florida I started by hitting 60 real estate offices a week.  I had a "route".  If nothing else I was able to leave flyers in realtors boxes, introduce myself to the broker, and often more importantly to the "gate keeper" at the front desk.  I gradually reduced the number I visited by building business.  The start was being seen, answering questions, helping agents with tough deals and issues, and building a network.  Not only is this impossible to do today because of affilitations, etc., but the cost of gas almost makes it prohibitive.  So I am figuring out other ways to keep in touch, (though the personal contact is still the most valuable and effective!), make new contacts, and hopefully show what I can do. 

Did you ever wonder....what to do tomorrow to help improve your business?  Wonder a lot!  Think a lot!  Try new things!  It might be fun.....