Successful Online Mortgage Shopping- Do You "Dress For Success?"

I can see where you're coming from on this.  It's becoming a more competitive world and we all need to put our best foot forward...guess I'm going to have to do something about that unprofessional profile photo of mine!

we aren't hurting for business in the mortgage industry; we're hurting for good, clean business.

Yep. That about sums it up. Be the stand out applicant and you have a VERY good chance of being on top of the stack of files. 

Love this train of thought Brian.

Thank god at my office we have a suit/tie requirement. great boss too.

Brian, when we quit judging a book by it's cover, then people can quit thinking that how they present themselves matters.

Hi Brian - There's a cool tool out there that can help us all track and manage our online presence (or reputation).  It's called steprep and of course, it's free and you can sign in with your google account. It shows you where you pop up on line and allows you to mark each instance as good, bad, not relevant, etc.. It's fun and intutive and could help someone gain that edge for a job or loan app!

I think you are walking on egg shells here.  I've received emails with poor grammer that turn out to be good clients and professional emails from people who turn out to be flakes.  I see your point, but "judging a book by it's cover" is not practical over the internet or in person for that matter.  From a lending perspective I wouldn't judge anyone until I've seen their credit report.  You can always make yourself look good, but your credit score is the key to your responsibility.

I never judge a book by it's cover, as they either qualify, or they don't.  Communication skills are not optional, nor is someone being honest and open.

Rumor has it that Bill Gates once went into a remote island, his expensive yacht moored offshore, and came in Bermuda shorts and a t-shirt.  He got the cold shoulder based on how we was dressed.  He went to the next realty company, and he ended up buying a multi-million dollar property.

Not the norm, yes, but one never knows.  My mom has a friend who dresses in very old, dated clothes, is pretty thrifty, but not cheap, drives an old car, and is worth millions.

Brian, The only concern I would have is about attaching family photos...Fair Housing Laws would prevent us from doing that with an Offer to Purchase Contract...just a thought.

Hey Brian - I can't think of a single reason why anyone wouldn't want to make the very best impression when submitting a loan application.  And, for that matter disclose as much information as possible.  There's more to a loan application than a 1003.  There's the personal side.  The way I see it, people tend go out of their way for people they like.  The human element can make a big difference.

I see your point here, and I like it. ;-)

I never really thought too much about it on an individual basis.

But... it does remind me of a time when I witnessed a developer with a long history of flaking out on their obligations get a $10 Million dollar construction loan with a handshake on the golf course because he looked good.

Needless to say... he was defaulted on for ordering up furniture for his home on the construction draws among other things... and flaked on a lot of people he owed money to.

Regardless... your original blog post just suggests to "Dress for Success" that was put in one of your real life experiences.

"Beware of Good Looking men in Armani Suits trying to sell you something"... Some Norwegian Mayor said that when it came to her town being bankrupted after investing in Credit Default swaps.

You are right... it's amazing what you can get done when you dress the part...

I've gotta go and clean up my Facebook profile... LOL!!

Too many people taking you literally!

Hi Brain, When I went to comment , the image of Kaye Thomas popped in my mind again and would exclaim "who'd a thunk it" referring to the change in our lives that is evolving in the housing markets and all this different in the ways we need to respond to it. 

Brian, I think this is good advice, and I'm going to link to your post from one I have in draft for my FocusOnCrofton.com blog. 

A little hot potato here...I see that in a perfect world it would be nice to have such thoughtful clients that go the extra mile to inform us of their situation and needs.  I think you make some great points for me to think about but I also know that you really never know somebody by the way the talk, dress or communicate.  Thank you for your ideas