Richard, I refer buyers to lenders who I know I can trust and who I know from experience that they will get the loan done.  Having said that, buyers are always free to use their own lender if they wish. 

I don't allow lenders to market with me as I don't think it's particularly ethical.  I'm open to all lenders who provide excellent service and results.

You have to develop you own relationships and that takes time an effort. Watch for agents who are changing offices and use that opportunity to become a mentor. 

Are you offering the FHA 203(k) program and reverse mortgages? You may have to offer something the others do not have.

We have a MSA at my brokerage and I hardly (meaning never) use that lender. I don't co-brand with any lender. My brand is my own and I will only work with different vendors based on performance and ability to close on what you start. I don't need the "co-branding" and the marketing dollars from you ... if you do your job and I do mine, we all get paid and I can focus on branding myself. I'd prefer an organic referral as opposed to one from a MSA every day of the week. Keep doing what you are doing.

There are times to co-brand but I wouldn't base your business on it.

No. Each lender and each buyer situation is different. I don't want to feel obligated to recommend certain lenders.

I know some of this goes on in my market area but I have never subscribed to this way of thinking. I like to refer several trusted lenders and not all are right for every buyer.

Hi Richard -- no lender contributes to my marketing dollars.

Sometimes it's just a matter of time -- take care of your customers - ask for introductions to others who may need your service, prospecting, ask if you can be in a back-up position should something not work out with lender A or B, be consistent in your efforts and just keep doing what you do.   Over and over and over again.

I have been approached by lenders offering this service - but they are working with other agents.  I would hate to know my business is going to another agent.  I mainly work with lenders who I know will take excellent care of the clients with that being the only thing in return for me.

I would be very careful that is not a RESPA violation.

You need to find a way to prove to them how you'll take care of your clients which is unfortunately hard to do when you don't have a loan to do of theirs.

I work with lenders (few) that I know and trust, and have had great experiences with. It has nothing to do with sharing in marketing. If buyers need a referral, I have them. But they, of course, can use whoever they wish

There are much better ways to get business than to pay for it, especially when an ethical situation is involved like this one.

Best to earn the business by being quick and dependable, word will spread and you will have plenty of people calling.

This is an interesting question.  The CFPB is cracking down on MSAs as they see them as payment for referrals.  Considering the CFPB is funded solely by fines I'm sure it's not just a smoke screen.   I won't enter into marketing agreements with agents.  If I do any co-marketing with an agent the cost is split 50/50 (or whatever is fair for your presence on the material).  If you do enter a marketing agreement make sure what you pay is commensurate with the amount of ADVERTISING (Not Referrals) you are receiving and the cost of said advertising is being shared fairly between you and the agents.  http://www.aaronline.com/2015/01/marketing-services-agreements-what-agents-need-to-know

I receive a dozen of cold calls from new lenders every week, but it is not about marketing together for me. 

One word.  RESPA

We have a lender in our market center paying for the space and they are excellent.  However, I always recommend 3 lenders.  We also recommend 3 home inspecters too.  We do not want to be accused of steering, it is the end users choice to pick their team, we recommend great options.

Richard,

I would use my own lender, and I have never been a fan of vertical integration.  I shy away from companies who have their own title arm and lending arm.  It makes me uncomfortable.  And Roy Kelley made a great suggestion.  Wishing you lots of success.  A

I don't do co-marketing with lenders, or title companies, so it's not an issue for me.

In my humble opinion if you are going into any Realtor and trying to sell them on using you because of your "rates" or "service," you're not going to go very far.  

Imagine how many times they get approached by a lender with that same generic pitch.  

Be creative, be different and you'll get in the door.

I think more than marketing you are better off dealing with a lender who can make loans happen and I dont just mean the vanilla that anyone can do

I have a couple of Mortgage people I work with and we follow the legal guidelines.They all are going to refer clients so why not have a relationship.

Know your local law.

I do not know any lender in the area  who does it. 

I don't know of any lenders that help my marketing costs around here.

Richard Woodward NMLS#217454 - as a Realtor(r), we cannot decide who buyers want to work with as a lender - they do. Yes, we do refer them to preferred lender - however, we cannot stop the buyers from working with anyone else.

MSA's should not stop you from getting business.  Most real estate offices have 'in house lenders', and many of the best agents don't use them.  They'd rather work with lenders that are interested in helping them grow their business - you don't need an MSA, you need to discover how you can help, and then do it, with zero expectation for a number of referrals or quality of leads.  Have you offerred to sit in on open houses?  Have you offered up creative ways to market listings?  Have you offered to help with post-close marketing to ensure people remember their agent & send them referrals?  Are you yourself providing referrals to the agents you work with or want to work with? 

Your referral partners need to know you, like you, and trust you, AND you need to have a value proposition that says "I bring _________ to the table and this is how it will help you."  That "_____________" needs to be more than decent rates and providing good service.  The best lenders that work with the best agents are going above & beyond.

I don't want anyone other than us on my marketing.....no one...none...

It's going to be tough to break that wall down, Richard.  I've been researching MSA's provided by the various Lenders, in anticipating of partnering with one of them.

For the most part, what I've heard from the Realtors at my office is ... Real Estate Agents think Loan Officers are a dime a dozen.  I don't agree with them, but that's what I've heard.

Everybody offers reasonable rates and terrific service ... that's expected, so it's the norm, not the exception.  What else could a Lender offer that'd enable Realtors the ability to grow their business, and in turn, grow the Lenders business too?  MSA's are the solution.

I have made deals with two lenders that pay closing cost for my builders. We build in $1500 and they build in up to $3500 depending on the type of loan.

I'll be inquiring soon about this to our local lenders.

Yes.

No

It's hard to let you know what you can do since my leads are from my work efforts and I'll have to tell you . . . they don't happen overnight.  I don't refer lenders out anymore because they want my business -- sure they do -- but not participate in my marketing efforts.  

It makes sense to me, I like to work with lenders who will do their best to get the job done, update me on pertinent information and provide not notch service and rates to buyers. Its a win-win situation. Our advertising dollars go further, when we partner with a good loan officer

Keep working at the relationships - and build as many as possible- find some new energetic young realtor who is going to be a rockstar and become their preferred lender 

Tn states that as steering and that is not allowed.  Approach those new agents that will need your help and grow together.

Want my business then give me some back- not allowed here either.  But suggestions can be made.  I provide my clients with a list of vendors to choose from and tell them which ones are really good at what they do.

 Kiss the UGLY frogs. (suggesting there are not ugly frogs)

What you share in your question is, "Whah, whaaa, whaa waaa."

"Fantastic customer service, whaah, whaa waa....."

"Comparable rates, whaa, whaa waa."

Want to break down the wall....suggest you know what is important to ME!

Tell me you know my real problem.

Then bring me the solution.

Here are some you can run with from reading the contents of your profile.

1. "Assurance of closing!" As a lender you have the ability to convert to a portfolio loan to give the assurance needed.

2. "A bigger fire" ....bring me a lead...that always gets my attention.

Not in your profile

" I see tomorrow" .... do you have a WalkableHome, FirstLook or CIS Score that allows my services to be differentiated from others and is a valid lead generator and gives me something to talk about? A real connection to the sustainability mindset.

"I'm committed to your success..." meaning you with agent participation can create significant financial benefit to submit a purchase offer today.

Stop the 'fantastic service' babble and bring solutions.

Then the walls will come tumbling down....

Oh...you may want to start with those who are not the TOP REALTORS. There are other factors in that TOP REALTOR collaboration you can not break into UNTIL you can get the notice of their greed emotion by what they see happening for others.

Saying "I'm in an exclusive marketing service agreement" makes you stop talking and trying to persuade me. It is a great tool and actually works great. However, offer me a solution and that agreement is revealed to be fictional.