Loan Think

Be aware that the amount of borrower paid compensation cannot exceed the lender paid compensation.

The end of the first quarter is the time to reevaluate the effectiveness of your marketing plan.

Loan officers should not have to depend on business coming from real estate agents who make just $20,000 per year.

Latest forecasts for 2013 estimate $1 trillion in origination with many concerned it will drift lower over time.

Mortgage originators marketing campaigns and materials should reflect the professional nature of the business if you do not want to be seen as a commodity.

There is growing evidence that Washington is making the same mistake with respect to the housing and mortgage markets.

Farmers have been benefiting from steady increases in commodity prices in recent years, partly driven by extreme weather. But the underpinnings of that growth seem to be on the wane.

The lender is getting huge brand recognition for its offer to pay $1 billion for someone to correctly pick the entire NCAA championship bracket, at very low risk.

On the surface, it seems mortgage firms must explain valuation reports to each new applicant or eliminate the use of lower-cost advanced valuation intelligence. However, there may be another option.

Are you a “Success Superstar?” Success can be defined in many ways. One definition is “the achievement of one’s goals.” Your goal last year might have been to be included in the list of Top 200 Loan Originators for 2013. Did you accomplish that goal? Or maybe it was to lose 10 pounds, gain 10 new referral partners, or even spend more time with your family and read more books.