The topic regarding lender/real estate agent gridlock that I hear from mortgage colleagues across the nation has been lingering on for years and I cannot help but write about it this month. It’s not an everyday occurrence, but worth discussing. In prior years and primarily during the housing boom, I feel that the mortgage industry painted a bad picture regarding who we are and what it is we do. During that time, there were unqualified, and at times, unethical people, in the industry which most are aware of from the sub-prime meltdown, etc.Click to continue

The holidays are among us and this is the time of year when we slow down and spend quality time with our friends and family. It’s very important not to take advantage of the limited time we are able to spend with those who are close to us and to build memories that will last a lifetime. Balancing the demands of work and prioritizing time with family and friends is vital to our well being and the well being of those we love. It’s important that we live each day with purpose, both personally and professionally.Click to continue

It’s no surprise that many of us are feeling a little overwhelmed with the current state of the industry. Market share opportunities have never been better and interest rates have never been lower. While the volume and business is something to celebrate, the regulatory restraints and demands can become overwhelming. Everything takes longer and requires more education for those who were accustomed to old times.Click to continue

They say that the quality of life is enhanced by improving the range of motion in the joints of your body. Stretching and maintaining flexibility increases physical and mental relaxation, and also helps prevent stiffness and injury. If stretching our “physical” muscles can provide these benefits, than what benefits can come from stretching our “work” muscles and being more flexible in business? Would a more open environment allow for more opportunities?Click to continue

With the news of Wells Fargo departing wholesale and the likelihood of an annoying media response, I could not help but again voice some reason into the industry with another sequel into part three of this series. Net branch recruiters, branch managers, and wholesale naysayers, wipe that drool off your mustache for just a moment and let’s discuss the important facts that so many tend to misunderstand or not fully comprehend.Click to continue

With the state of the current economy and unemployment numbers high, many are asking themselves, “Is this my job or my career?” in various professions. In the mortgage industry, we’ve faced the largest financial reform we’ll ever see and government-sponsored red tape that many are losing patience with. The question above is an important one, but many times needs to be understood.Click to continue

I still find it amusing when people complain or hold grudges toward competitors in the marketplace. While those who violate rules and regulations or act unethically do warrant complaints, ethical and compliant competitors should not. Competition in the market is not only good for your clients, but it is also what drives you to refine your skills, innovate and perform. Without competition, there is no doubt that our product would be more expensive and the service level in our industry would depress.Click to continue

Have you ever tried to balance a triangle upside-down? You’ll find that it’s not only difficult, but impossible because there is no foundation to support it. Many of us find ourselves trying to balance upside-down triangles in our business. Instead of always trying to temporarily make up for a weak foundation, we need to take time in our planning to slow down and realize that some things simply won’t work without a strong footing. How do we turn these “upside-down triangles” around?Click to continue

A laser is defined as a unit that emits light through a process of optical amplification. Could you imagine thinking of your brain through your eyes as being “optically amplified” during any given task? We always talk about time and self-management, but we never talk about how focused we are during these tasks we work so hard to find time for. How productive could we be if we learned how to “laser in” on our schedule each and every day to accomplish everything quickly and efficiently?Click to continue

Over the last decade I’ve spent in this industry, I’ve found that the greatest reward and growth for my business has been from the feedback of clients and testimonials. Being in an industry which offers a service rather than just a product means we must always strive to make our level of service excellent. After all, we have control over our actions and reactions, and how we handle our clients during the loan process ... do we not? We also have the ability to create systems and adapt to the needs of our clients under any lending climate, don’t we?Click to continue