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Do You Work for a ‘Class' Organization? How Can You Tell?

By
Mortgage and Lending with NMLS# 335055 335055

Leave!! That's right, leave your company and see the attitudes change.

 Whether you have been terminated for violating company policy or you found greener pastures with the competition and transitioned out of your company, you should expect the same ‘Class' from your bosses and support staff as was shown to you when you started. Anything less shows not only the ‘Class' of the people you once worked with but it is also a reflection of the entire organization from top to bottom.

 In the Mortgage industry we experience a long sales cycle. Roughly 30 days from contract to close!! And this is an even longer process if you include the time from pre-approval.... And it is even longer for the Realtor. It is impossible to close out all of your business with one company and start with another. Therefore, it is imperative that you ‘transition' from the old company to the new one. This sometimes means that your old company will be closing out your current pipeline while you are starting new applications at the new one (you cannot work for two companies at the same time in this industry).

How your business is handled and how well you are communicated with by management regarding your clients closing and your commissions is very telling. Will they keep you in the loop? Will they share your commission reports when asked? Will your phone calls and emails regarding transitional business be returned in a timely manner? I am willing to bet that there are a few companies out there who do this in the same upstanding manner as they did while you were employed there..... But I am here to tell you that there are plenty of Prime Companies out there who DO NOT!!

 Anyone in this business knows that referrals are what we live on. And anyone in this business would be crazy if they weren't keeping their personal relationship data ‘offsite'. That is... Don't count on being able to slip a floppy disk in the company computer to download your database!! Make sure that you have a duplicate copy of all data on your own computer/PDA/ect. It would be quite a shock to announce your departure and then be ‘walked out' of the office and off premise. Don't get caught unorganized and act as if everyday is your last day. Backup EVERYTHING!!

 If you haven't guessed by now.... My next point is that you should interview a couple of ex-employees of any organization that you may consider. It could be a very eye opening experience. And, yes, this is a GREAT benefit of social marketing on sites like ActiveRain. You have made friends with folks from all kinds of companies and can leverage your knowledge to benefit yourself.

Tom Burris
DallasLoanGuy.com
Dallas, TX

"A Home Loan For Every Texan"

http://www.dallasloanguy.com/

Texas Home Loans

 I write about Texas Home Loans , live in the Dallas, TX area and lend across the entire Great State of Texas!! Subscribe to my blog and stay informed about current lending changes!!

 

John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

The one you leave tends to get upset.  Especially if you are a big producer.

Aug 16, 2008 06:16 AM
Bill Ladewig
LoanOfficerSchool.com - Escondido, CA
Experience Is Your Advantage

Good advice Tom,  I haven't had much experience changing companies in the past 38 years having only been with three companies other than my own during that period.

There are two sides to this discussion.  You provided good info about someone making a change.  I strongly urge employers to throughly check their applicants because one "bad apple" can spoil a company.  And, allowing associates full access to computer data bases may result in them having full access to your client base when they leave.

Aug 16, 2008 06:19 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Well.  I haven't left many brokers.  I believe I left a grand total of 4 before getting my brokers license. 

It was not a good experience. 

 

Aug 16, 2008 06:28 AM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Tom,

So true, you must keep your own database intact.  Even when I have called offices where a real estate agent is still currently at a company I have gotten, "No so and so is not in yet, but can I help you"...even worse when the agent isn't with the company.

Aug 16, 2008 06:31 AM
Tom Burris
NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA
Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

John: Yes, yes they do!!

Bill: Yes, there are 2 sides. And I am sure that if I were on the 'employer' side, I would walk them out too!! Except, I would very transparent with commissions and keep them 100% in the loop with respect to their clients.

Lenn: I have had mostly great experiences. Just 1 bad one.

Rebecca: If I leave anything behind.... it isn't worth lugging out. LOL. I always duplicate everything.

Aug 16, 2008 07:03 AM
Fred Chamberlin
Guild Mortgage Co - Oak Harbor WA - Oak Harbor, WA
Oak Harbor/Whidbeynulls, #1 Experienced FHA Mortgage Consultant

Tom, interesting discussion. I agree, the class places I left differred significantly from the "no" class.

Aug 16, 2008 12:35 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Tom.... did you leave the mortgage business and became a consultant now?  lol  Seriously, it's been about 75% for me, in good experiences. You mentioned some good advice...

jeff belonger

Aug 16, 2008 02:25 PM
Tom Burris
NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA
Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

Jeff, I have never had a problem.... except the one who went BK.

I just thought that I would be treated as professionally going out as I almost was going in....

I say almost, because some things discussed in the interview didn't materialize.

Aug 26, 2008 02:07 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Tom, I just saw this... I would like more details... you know where I am!

Sep 09, 2008 09:07 AM
Brian Foxworth SC, GA, FL, & TN Mortgage Loans
Palmetto South Mortgage - Columbia, SC

They treat it like you are breaking up with them when it's just business. If they could get away with it they would probably throw a lamp at your head on your way out.

Sep 18, 2008 07:54 AM