Well friends, it's nearly the end of October. The leaves are falling; the weather has begun to change. This signals an important time of the year for me, planning for 2010.
This is the time of year to take stock of what your have accomplished so far in your reverse business. C'mon, be honest! If you are adjusting your plan each quarter, as I usually recommend, you have probably met or exceeded your goals. If not, or even worse, if you are working without a plan, or as I like to call it flying without a net, you are most likely looking back on the year wondering where the time went.
Are you looking for new ways to market next year? Committing to joining that senior networking group in your area? Vowing that in 2010 you will get those seminars and workshops on the calendar? Do yourself a favor. Close your office door, turn off the phone and take the time to put your plans in writing.
Be specific and give yourself time lines for each project. Start with the overall plan for the year. Know your numbers: what is your average maximum claim amount? What is your fall through percentage? This number may be different than in past years.
What are your best sources of referrals and leads? Which sources need more attention in the coming year? Which activities need to be scratched and replaced with a fresh new idea? I have a pretty simple form that I use when I make my plan. If I make it too complicated, I find I will not stick with it, but that's just me.
Due to the overwhelming number of requests from coaching members, I have decided to start a mastermind group. Many of you who know me by now will appreciate the fact that I have very definite ideas about how this group will work. We will hold each other accountable, and it will not be for the faint of heart. I think the time is right, though, as I look toward 2010 I am committed to doing whatever I can to help keep the top-notch quality people in the reverse mortgage business. Is this the type of thing you'd like to see as part of your plan in 2010? Let me know, your feedback is important.
And let me know how the 2010 planning goes, it's too important to put off. Start it today.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. Sue 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. Sue is a Certified Senior Advisor and is active in many professional organizations. Sign up for her free 7-part mini-course at
