On-line vs Phone applications, what works best?

I just saw a report that 48% of online mortgage loan applications don’t get completed.

Holy “Losing a bunch of deals” Batman…

I’m often asked, “is it better to send the lead to a website or just take the mortgage loan application over the phone?”

And I get it, we’re in the digital age – online seems like the way to go. But knowing that about 48% of all those online applications, well, they don’t cross the finish line.

Now, I’ve been in the game long enough to know that we can’t ignore numbers like that. So, you gotta ask yourself, why are folks dropping out of the race halfway through?

A lot of it comes down to that good ol’ human connection.

Some folks appreciate a voice on the other end of the line, someone who can answer their questions right then and there, someone who can nudge them towards the ‘submit’ button.

The trust, the rapport, all of that jazz – that’s crucial in this mortgage rodeo.

And look, I’m not blind to the fact that online’s got its perks.

It’s often more efficient when it comes to data entry, but with nearly half of them not getting completed, you gotta ask yourself, is it really more efficient overall?

One big thing I can tell you, from all my years in the business, is that relationships are king.

That phone call, that personal touch, it lets you really dig into what the client needs and give them advice that hits the bullseye.
And listen, I’m not saying to slam the door on online applications. Heck no! There are plenty of tech-savvy cats out there who would rather go online at 2 a.m. than pick up a phone. But given the abandonment rate, maybe it’s time to consider a phone-first approach.

My own personal approach is to get them on the phone, using the phone number the referring agent or past database client gives me, and tell them “…I can take the application one of two ways, I can give you a website to go to so you can fill it out on-line, or what most people do, I can take the application right here over the phone in just a few minutes.  Which is best for you?”

4 Things Loan Officers Should Be Tracking

4 Things Loan Officers Should Be Tracking. Carl shares the 4 top things a loan officer should be tracking. These may seem simple, but they could be the missing links that hold back the growth in your business. Don’t let that happen to you – find out the 4 most important things you should be tracking when you watch this quick hit video. If you need help implementing a tracking system for these 4 things, go to FreedomClubDemo.com and someone from our team will walk you through that.

Leadership Academy | Four-Step Process for Building a Profit-Driven Plan

Here’s a look at our Four-Step Process for building a profit-driven plan and attracting top-performing LOs to grow your business.

Here at Mortgage Marketing Animals loan officer training, we offer a highly sought-after coaching level called Leadership Academy, where we have several members that are managers and business owners and have successfully built their teams of quality loan officers. 

Kirk in San Diego has hired over 10 top-performing loan officers in just the last 45 days, without paying any upfront bonuses or ridiculous compensation plans

And how about Josh in Central Texas who has added enough loan officers in the last year to keep their production at almost current levels.

So, what’s the secret to their success? It’s our simple four-step process that has proven to work for dozens of our leaders.

Step one is all about finding the right candidates that fit your culture. We teach you how to identify ideal candidates and get in front of them so they want to talk to you.

Step two is about discovering if they’re a good fit for your team and how to wow them. We show you how to demonstrate why your team is the best choice for your career.

Step three is all about successfully following up with them, building the relationship, and getting them to want to onboard.

And finally, step four is where the money is – we teach you how to successfully follow up and get them to join your team.

If you want to learn more about how to recruit and build your business, along with other leadership strategies that we teach, then reach out to us today. 

Remember, the only limit to your success is the one you set for yourself. Schedule your call today and let’s create a Profit Driven Plan for your business. 

AI in Lending: Pure Hype or Holy Grail?

Hey there, fellow Loan Slinger,

You’ve seen the noise around this AI thing, right? It’s like a new superhero movie – everywhere. Got me wondering….

“Can this robot stuff really help me seal more loan deals?”

So, I rang up my secret “Nerd Herder” and had a good ol’ chat about it. Felt like I was in a sci-fi movie. So I hit the record button and turned it into a podcast episode.

You can hear it all in this Podcast Episode.

Intriguingly, I’m involved in a beta test group that he’s running, and it’s like being backstage at a magic show. It could be worth a look-see for you too.

Check Out the Artificial Intelligence Insider Information here.

Get the lowdown while you’re sippin’ on your Saturday morning joe.

(No sign-up required, the podcast is right there on the page.)

As always, I’ve got your back and we’re in this together.

Seizing Our Moment Against Online Lending Giants

These may be challenging times, but I firmly believe we’re on the cusp of a golden opportunity to triumph over the online lending behemoths.

Let’s be real: we’re not going to outpace Rocket Mortgage in the tech race. Their budget for technology far outstrips ours, and that’s putting it mildly.

But here’s the kicker: we have the power to outshine them in two crucial areas.

1.  Cultivating strong relationships with our referral partners
(67% of all purchase loans close with the loan officer recommended by their real estate agent).

2.  Connecting personally with our past clients
(hint: this means picking up the phone, not relying on impersonal “drip campaigns”).

As a matter of fact, 27% of all loans close with loan officers referred by friends, family, or coworkers. Be THAT loan officer!

You see, most of our loans from “our past database” isn’t their loans, it’s their friends, family, and co-workers loans.

By focusing our marketing efforts on referral partners and our existing client base, we’ll tap into the majority of loan opportunities, leaving the online giants to chase after the leftovers.

So, instead of striving to out-tech them, let’s concentrate on out-personalizing them.

Remember, slapping lipstick on a robot doesn’t make it human. Similarly, an automated drip campaign pretending to be personal will only look ridiculous to the recipients.

The secret to authenticity? Simply being authentic.

To achieve this, all it takes is a phone call <gasp>.

Every closing puts thousands of dollars in our pockets—a fantastic achievement by any measure.

Let’s dominate the market like never before by harnessing the ultimate business tool: the telephone.

Our Finest Hour Awaits!

Carl “I got your back” White

P.S.: When you’re ready for a call to learn the exact scripts I use in my branch for engaging real estate agents and past clients, click on this link. I’ll provide you with 60 minutes of valuable script sharing and role-playing—completely free!

P.P.S.: Teamwork makes the dream work! If you have a question or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to your fellow loan officers or me.

We’re a family here, and our bond is unbreakable. Let’s keep that spirit alive and continue delivering exceptional service to our clients!

If you have any thoughts or suggestions, my door is always open. I’m all ears!

Remember: action is the first sign of true desire. If we genuinely “want it,” we need to take action. So, let’s take action (if you really want it)!

Loan Officer Freedom