With all the negative news being generated by the media regarding the mortgage business, it is time for you to spread the good news! The wonderful thing about today's housing market is that there has truly never been a better time to buy a home! With supply outpacing demand, existing and new homes are a bargain in most markets. As a mortgage professional, it is time to end the year on a high note! There is much you can do as a mortgage professional to help you, your community, and your real estate partners! Let us take a quick assessment of what top loan officers are doing to boost their community and their own production!
Community school classes: Many loan officers have contacted their local school system about conducting classes in home ownership. Schools are obligated to provide community school classes for the people they serve and these classes can be about any topic from yoga to home ownership! This is a great way to educate and at the same time, find perspective buyers."State of the Union" presentations: Most real estate agents do not understand what happened in the mortgage market. Terms like liquidity, secondary investors, and the bond market are foreign concepts. This is a great way to educate the real estate offices and set you apart from the crowd.
Press releases: Send positive releases to the press regarding special programs to help people own homes. Newspapers, radio, and TV are looking at news about the housing market. Why not be proactive in giving them positive information? Bond programs, changes in FHA, and any product or program that can help the public will gain positive press for the community and your company.
Make appointments: There has never been a better time to meet with real estate professionals including builders to help support their sales and marketing efforts. Here is a simple idea! Visit builder model homes and ask for their brochures so you can share the information with not only your personal contacts but also with the general real estate professionals you know. You are offering to promote the builder's subdivision.
Ask to speak at community groups such as Rotary, business associations, the Chamber of Commerce, and real estate functions. Be the advocate for homeownership!
Start a newsletter to all your past clients and real estate relationships to promote ideas about homeownership! The general public is poorly informed about what a great time it is to buy a home right now. Spread the word!
Start picking up the phone and calling all of your past clients! This is a simple courtesy call to update their information and ask key questions such as, "By the way, are you thinking of moving any time soon?" "Are you considering paying off any debt or upgrading your current home?" If you do not have their e-mail address, ask if they would like to be on your mailing list and receive this valuable information!
These are just some ideas but doing only a few of them will influence your business and your production. You can do nothing and take part in the negative or you can do something and be part of the solution! Winner or whiner, it is up to you. I believe you are a winner!
