Prospect Mortgage
Shaida Tafreshi
Mortgage Loan Officer
NMLS 545194
Sherman Oaks, CA
Good Morning Realtors, Homeowners and Active Rainers alike!
I wanted to create a brief blog regarding the “slowness” of business during the holiday season, and how we can not only avoid that “holidays are slow” excuse, but defy that idea all together.
Instead of jumping on the “holidays are slow” train, why not DO what everyone else is NOT DOING at this time of year… WORK, STAY FOCUSED, and ASK FOR THE BUSINESS.
Here are a few basic ideas to continue the momentum you have created all year, during the last few days of the holiday season (and year!).
1. Refinances are perfect to leverage at this time of year. Not only are interest rates low, but there are PLENTY of people who have purchased last year, or even this year who can refinance by means of a no cost loan to lower their interest rates and monthly payments. The fact is simple- interest rates have come down since the beginning of 2012.
2. If you have ZERO EQUITY in your home, or even owe more than it is worth (are underwater), you still have options! Contact your preferred lender, and should you not have one, myself for a 5 minute consultation to determine if you are eligible to refinance under the guidelines of HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program). HARP is specific to homeowners who are current on their mortgage, but have little to zero equity in their residence, and want to refinance to lower their interest rate and payments.
The added benefit for you realtors is that when you go through your book of closed transactions from 2012, you can call at least 2 or 3 of your buyers who closed from Jan-June and advise them that interest rates have come down and it may be a good idea to consider a refinance, especially if it can be done at no cost. Then as a realtor, you can become their Trusted Advisor by not only advising them to refinance to save money and get a lower interest rate, but you also have the lender who you can refer your past client to for assistance with the refinance process. This also allows for the realtor and loan officer to cross sell each other to the client.
Last, but certainly not least, this gives you, the Realtor a reason to call your past client, touch base, provide assistance /guidance, and most importantly, ASK FOR MORE BUSINESS. As we have all experienced, you never know who your past clients know who are in the market to purchase or sell a home!
If you have any questions regarding the HARP Program or Refinancing a Home with Little to Zero Equity, please feel free to contact me at Shaida.Tafreshi@prospectmtg.com or
818-917-0929
Make it a great year!
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