I have now read/reviewed some of the posts within the AR mortgage community. There are like any environment, some great ideas and thinkers, and some less than stellar ones. The fact that people are reading and participating in AR is a good start.
Locally, I see and hear many people, realtors, lenders, attorneys, etc whine that business isn't what they'd like it to be, or what they think it should be. I have a couple of quick points.
1) Take some action. Try actually working for a change. Here's a hint...waiting for the phone to ring so you can take another mortgage order...that's not working. This industry is not well suited to lazy people anymore. A few years ago, anyone who could answer the phone could make 6 figures in this biz. Now, people have to EARN 6 figure incomes. There's still plenty of business out there, but you have to go get it now.
2) Network with other ambitious professionals. There are people always looking for an opportunity to collaborate. Find them, and build fruitful, profitable relationships. Try divorce attorneys. Most divorces involve between 1 (sell) and 3 (sell, buy, buy) real estate transactions. Maybe you could get the referral from the attorney who trusts you.
3) Ask someone better than you for help. I have gotten some of my best, most helpful advice from other lenders. I realized a few months ago that one of my competitors closed 420+ units himself last year. More than $100M in production. When I found that out, I called him, invited to buy him lunch, and asked him HOW he got so much business.
He was completely willing to share his "systems". Truthfully, that 2 hours meeting has caused a revolutionary look at my own business, and my production and profit have gone up as a result. I have found that the best of the best are happy to share their thoughts. They are not threatened by another originator asking, they are flattered. The great among us know that there is plenty to go around. All you have to do is suck up your pride, admit that someone else may know more than you, or at least exectue it better than you, and ask for help.
We don't need to re-create systems to be better than most. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Copy the best, and you'll get better. Study the best and you'll be great. Ask the best for help, and you will end up among them!
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