I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. The holiday commemorates those who died in military service to their country.
We think of parades and picnics with family and friends. How are you planning to observe Memorial Day? Do you have family or friends serving our country in the military?
Take a moment to ask your senior clients what they are doing over the long weekend. My guess is you will find that some are attending ceremonies in observance of the holiday.
Perhaps the local senior center is sponsoring an event. Many of our seniors are patriotic and a holiday such as this has special meaning to them. Depending on their generation, a good number of your current reverse mortgage clients either served in the military or had a family member who did.
I am often asked, "What is the best way to get involved in the senior community so that I am 'in touch' with what's important to them."
You might find out what is happening in your community during this holiday weekend. Attend a local function and talk to others who are there. This might also be a good way to meet other professionals in the community who can become referral sources.
Take a good look around. Marketing and even free publicity ideas might present themselves. Strike up a conversation with a senior in attendance. You'll more than likely hear a story about their personal experiences and why they are there. Take the opportunity this important holiday offers and get to know a bit more about the experiences of your clients and prospects.
Sue Haviland is a reverse mortgage consultant in Baltimore and the founder of Reverse Mortgage Success, a leader in the training and education for originators around the country in the rapidly growing reverse mortgage arena. Ms. Haviland has worked in the lending industry since 1981. She has been originating reverse mortgages for the last six years and still originates loans every day. She has helped hundreds of families all over the country in the last several years. She also shares her knowledge of this market in presentations before the Women's Council of Realtors, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Professional Mortgage Women, and SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialists, Brian Sacks' Insider Seminars, as well as the public. She is a Certified Senior Advisor and is active in many professional organizations. Sign up for her free seven-part mini-course at
