Tag: Loan Officer Coaching

We know that referred leads close at a rate of around 25%, while social media leads close at just 1%. That’s 1 in 4 versus 1 in 100—no contest. Referred leads win every time. 

So why don’t all LOs focus on the higher-converting, easier-to-close “referred leads”? 

Because most haven’t learned the “never milk a squirrel” lesson. 
(There’s a mental image that’s hard to forget, right?) 

If you need milk for breakfast, you’re not chasing squirrels. You go for the cow with plenty to give. The same goes for referrals—you want to target real estate agents with enough buyer-side deals to make a difference. 

Let’s break it down: 

The average real estate agent closes just 4 buyer-side transactions per year. Of those, 1 buyer is paying cash, and 1 is using their bank’s loan officer or a family connection. That leaves only 2 potential buyers per year for you to work with. 

Since referred leads close at around 25%, it would take 2 full years with that agent to close 1 loan. 

Bottom line: You can’t afford to spend time prospecting agents who aren’t producing enough deals. 

Instead, focus on agents closing 12 to 24 per year—that’s always been my personal sweet spot. 

Agents at this level will help you close deals consistently, ideally 1 every month. But here’s the key: Only 4% to 5% of agents fall into this category—about 1 in 20. 

The reason most LOs give up on prospecting isn’t because they’re doing something wrong—it’s because they aren’t qualifying agents before meeting them… or they are trying to milk squirrels… 

Showing up at random open houses or cold-calling agents without qualifying them is like walking up to a palm tree and expecting apples. Or, worse yet, trying to milk a squirrel. 

Sure, it might work, but not enough to matter. 

Let’s focus on closing more loans, not chasing squirrels. 

 When you’re ready to stop wasting time on low-producing agents, let’s talk on how you can get a list of over 1,000 qualified agents in your area with just a click, along with other epic ways to build these solid relationships.

I had just come off stage at one of the state mortgage association conferences when a loan officer asked me a great question: 

“Carl, should I market to renters of apartment complexes?” 

Here’s what I shared with her… 

The biggest challenge when targeting renters is this: You have no idea when they’re ready to buy. 

It’s a 2-step uphill battle: 

1. Convince them that buying a home is the right move. 

2. Convince them that you’re the lender to help them do it. 

I’m not a fan of that approach. 

Here’s why: 

I’d rather spend my time finding people who are already looking for me—prospects who’ve already made the decision to buy. 

Look for people who are looking for you. 

And the best way to find those buyers? Through referral sources who are already talking to them: real estate agents, financial planners, property managers, insurance agents, and more. 

Otherwise, while I’m busy convincing a renter that buying is the right move, I’m missing out on the prospects who’ve already made that decision and are just waiting to be connected to me. 

Now, I’m not saying renters should be ignored entirely. The idea of befriending property managers who can alert you when someone is ready to buy—that’s a great strategy. 

But doing general marketing to renters without knowing their intentions is like digging dry wells: labor-intensive and unpredictable. 

I prefer to dig wells that produce an ongoing stream of business. 

Real estate agents, financial planners, and others already have access to motivated buyers and can keep sending deals your way consistently. 

Why chase when you can attract? 

Ready to dig wells that actually flow with business?
Set up a quick chat here, and I’ll show you how.