The state of our profession troubles me. I have stewed on this for many, sleepless nights; but I am troubled by our lack of knowledge,caring and compassion. If you add on top of these things the so far out of touch most in this business are; well I am deeply troubled.
Lets start with the out of touch professional. Sort of like a pirate that doesn't understand that the world has changed in the last 10 to 30 years. I received (actually was cc'ed) on an email yesterday that was a forward of a NY Times article from 1999 about the loosening of credit and the Clinton administration's desire to advance home ownership. I asked this person (with 30 years of experience) if they had read what they sent on to the management of the company. I was told yes. I asked do you understand that this is OLD news and even if you didn't read it 8 years ago you should have heard about this at least in the last oh say 2 weeks or so......... I was called, well never mind. The point is how can you claim to be a professional, if you are out of touch and not up to date on what is happening around you.
How about being knowledgeable about your market and product offerings? There are loans available to purchase homes!!!! Mortgage Professionals should make it their duty to help Realtors understand the programs more than enough to speak to the client. After all the Realtor is in many cases the first contact with the home buyer and the home buyer looks to the Realtor to guide them and help them navigate this emotionally charged time. Remember this, one of the 3 most stressful things in life is PURCHASING A HOME. If I as a lender do not help my Realtors understand the loan programs, then how can my Realtors help their buyers and sellers? Also, to the Realtor that may actually read this.... seek out a mortgage pro, you will be surprised that yes I would love to tour homes with you some day when you are previewing homes..... we just might come up with a plan to market it that might help us both!!!!
Seek out a mentor or a sounding board, not just here in the rain;but someone you can see and have coffee with and share stories. Listen to this person's words and advice. Do not just blow them off or they will fire you as an associate.
Seek other ways to grow your business. I have received many calls from across this land from my blog. I have referred a few to other professionals, some I have helped and some I can not;but they found me from this blog and the ones that got referred where from professionals I came to know and respect here.
Seek out different ways to do business. Ways that make you happy and fulfill you. Seek out someone like Jennifer Allan. Learn to enjoy and embrace what we do for a living, besides no one said you can not have fun and make a paycheck.
Caring and compassion...... Well, look times are crap everywhere and we need to keep our negative thoughts to ourselves. We need to be understanding that people are scared and unsure of things, but if we are up to date on the news (not the headlines) and can discuss things with clients and we can assure them that; yes there are loans out there to help them reach their dreams and goals,
then we are good professionals.
Comments (8)Subscribe to CommentsComment