Contacts to Contracts

Contacts to Contracts

por VanDyk Mortgage Corporation
EmprendimientoMercadotecniaNoticias de negocios
Temporada 3
3 Things LOs Can Do Right Now to Grow Their Business in a Shifting Market - Part 1
In this week's episode, John and Bryan begin another two-part episode series where they are discussing the three key things that Loan Originators can do right now to grow their business in a shifting market. In part one, the guys touch on the changing market and mortgage rates before bringing us our first tip - "building a fortress." As rates begin rising to levels we haven't seen since 2009, one sign that the market is shifting is that we are starting to see fewer buyers in the market. Bryan suggests that if you are a current seller, you probably missed the top of the market by 4-6 weeks. However, Bryan encourages Loan Originators to remain positive; "it's not all doom and gloom." Building a fortress around what you have is the first thing that you should be doing in the market. It is made up of two pillars. Building a fortress around your existing referral partners, and then the buyers you are pre-approving. "Regardless of the market, you should always be doing this. Come up with a plan of how you plan on connecting with your top realtors Monday through Friday so that you can keep building those relationships, don't wait for them to come to you with a referral," says John. Building a fortress around the borrowers that you are pre-approving is important because it is taking longer for borrowers to find a home. Having a weekly check-in with them over the 6-12 weeks it's taking to find a home will keep them well informed and connected. It shows that you care, which is what this business is all about. Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E25
23 jun 2022
13:29
Elm Street: Marketing Technology That Creates Connection. Featuring Stephanie Alfonso. Pt. 2
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are joined by Stephanie Alfonso of Elm Street Technology, in the second part of our two-part series. In this episode, Stephanie shares how to ensure your social platforms are producing lead-generating content as well as how often you should be posting. One of the main things to look at with your social media content is how are you posting it. Stephanie tells us that it must be done as an optimized post so that your traffic links back to you. Her goal is to ensure agents are receiving a gated marketing experience to keep everyone under the same umbrella of your business. Creating an audience is a job in itself and with the help of Stephanie and Elm Street, they create automation for agents and put them on weekly blog articles posting on their behalf whenever they experience success. Stephanie recommends that an agent's content should be posted 2-3 times a week. "You want to remain consistent, not constant." Bryan asks Stephanie how relative twitter is in terms of a business tool, or as a lead generation tool and she responds by letting us know that the number one demographic on Twitter is a millennial. You need to put your business in front of them and consider the amount of exposure you could be receiving to the first-time homebuyer through that platform. Another platform Stephanie recommends utilizing is LinkedIn. This is the number one agent-to-agent referral platform and can help you grow your business all over the country. Agents in Florida should be connected to agents up north because of how many people move down south. "Work smarter, not harder" suggests Stephanie. You can reach Stephanie at her email here, or at Elmstreet.com Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E24
16 jun 2022
24:21
Elm Street: Marketing Technology That Creates Connection. Featuring Stephanie Alfonso. Pt. 1
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are joined by Stephanie Alfonso of Elm Street Technology, in the first of another 2-part episode series. Stephanie begins by telling us about the company and shares the different marketing techniques that Elm Street offers primarily geared toward social media. Stephanie is a National Business Development Consultant for Elm Street Technology where she travels around the country to different MLSs and associations to train different marketing strategies for agents. She tells us that their focus is to bring solutions to agents, brokers, and lenders to establish relationship-building businesses. They help create websites, social media content, blogs, and much more. Stephanie tells us that Elm Street is 100% educational and when she holds workshops or classes if people realize the information is valuable but don't have the time to put it into practice, that is when you can hire her to leverage your business. Later in the episode, Bryan asks Stephanie to give us a few tips and tricks for social media and the number one tip she gives us is to make sure everything we post is self-branded, she goes on to explain this concept in depth before finally encouraging mortgage professionals to post in the 80/20 rule. 80% of your content should be adding value to your audience, and 20% should be business-related information. Most people that follow you are not interested in real estate right now, but when they are ready, you will be at the top of their minds. You can reach Stephanie at her email here, or at Elmstreet.com Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E23
9 jun 2022
23:35
Marketing Activities Mortgage Loan Officers Can do that Don’t Cost Anything
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are joined by a frequent guest to the podcast, Steve Richman, in the second part of our two-part series. How can you differentiate yourself in this market? John, Bryan, and Steve have some answers. Everyone knows that when Friday rolls around, we sometimes are already mentally checked out for the weekend. Being available on Friday is a big day to differentiate yourself. Bryan suggests that placing triggers in your workday that force you to stay focused and put in a full day is one way to stay on track. Most people don't take calls on the weekends, however, if you place a few calls Friday afternoon telling agents you are available and willing to talk throughout the weekend they will remember that. They might not be calling you right away, but a few weeks down the line, you will be top of mind to them when they need someone on a Saturday. "This isn't the market to not be available on the weekends," says Bryan. Another imperative method of gaining business is social media. You have to stay on top of it and create a plan to stay consistent. Consistency is key. Steve suggests creating a monthly schedule with 5 categories, one for each day of the week, and then filling each of those categories with 4 different stories. You have to make your social media not about you, but about the customer. When it comes to social media you can't expect someone to do it for you, the message has to come from you in order to make it personal. Just like you don't hire someone to represent you at a networking event, you can't hire someone to represent you on social media. Lastly, on the topic of social media, Steve tells listeners that video content is king. By creating content with videos, you are making a difference because people are able to see you instead of just reading about you. It becomes real to them. Lastly, Bryan mentions that whenever you save a deal or figure out a difficult deal, you have to be posting about it on social media, and make sure people see what you are capable of by sharing your accomplishments. Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E22
2 jun 2022
22:06
How Loan Originators and Agents Can Achieve Success in 2022
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are here to talk about what the market looks like for loan officers and realtors in 2022. In this episode, the guys talk about why it is important to compare your business strategies from 2019 to now. What were the good habits that you practiced versus the bad ones that made your business successful? Bryan suggests that loan originators should be looking at the activities that they did prior to Covid-19 that made their business successful. He mentions that you should be reviewing your business plan and whatever metric you are using, should be compared back to pre-pandemic in 2019. This will allow you to have a good gauge of where you are at with business. It's important to notice how your habits have changed as an originator since 2019 says, Bryan. When the pandemic began everyone transitioned to work-from-home situations, which resulted in fewer interpersonal interactions. Bryan suggests that you should think about the last time you meet an agent somewhere or plan a lunch, if it's been a while then it's time to "shake some dust off." Being intentional about when you start your day will help you to maintain a regular schedule that can help change some of your bad habits. John suggests that right now while it is slow, it's a great opportunity to take the time to learn about a new product. There are a lot of loans out there for people so it's important to know what you are selling. Taking on the tough deals, rather than just the cookie-cutter ones will show that you know what you are doing. "You have to know what your competitors are selling if you want to be an expert." Maintaining a good database that you can revisit and see who you have stayed connected with or who you haven't will give you a good indication of who you have lost business from and who to touch base with. You have to stay in front of the agents who are actively sending you business, or they will use someone else. Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E21
2 jun 2022
22:44
How Loan Originators and Agents can Achieve Success in a Shifting Market
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are here to talk about what the market looks like for loan officers and realtors in 2022. In this episode, the guys talk about why it is important to compare your business strategies from 2019 to now. What were the good habits that you practiced versus the bad ones that made your business successful? Bryan suggests that loan originators should be looking at the activities that they did prior to Covid-19 that made their business successful. He mentions that you should be reviewing your business plan and whatever metric you are using, should be compared back to pre-pandemic in 2019. This will allow you to have a good gauge of where you are at with business. It's important to notice how your habits have changed as an originator since 2019 says, Bryan. When the pandemic began everyone transitioned to work-from-home situations, which resulted in fewer interpersonal interactions. Bryan suggests that you should think about the last time you meet an agent somewhere or planned a lunch, if it's been a while then it's time to "shake some dust off" Being intentional about when you start your day will help you to maintain a regular schedule that can help change some of your bad habits. John suggests that right now while it is slow, it's a great opportunity to take the time to learn about a new product. There are a lot of loans out there for people so it's important to know what you are selling. Taking on the tough deals, rather than just the cookie-cutter ones will show that you know what you are doing. "You have to know what your competitors are selling if you want to be an expert." Maintaining a good database that you can revisit and see who you have stayed connected with or who you haven't will give you a good indication of who you have lost business from and who to touch base with. You have to stay in front of the agents who are actively sending you business, or they will use someone else. Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E20
2 jun 2022
28:15
Opportune Strategies for Loan Originators in a Shifting Market
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are joined by Stephen Katz. Stephen is a returning guest on the podcast and a branch manager in Atlanta, Georgia. The three begin this week's episode by comparing mortgage interest rates from his previous appearance on the podcast, versus now. Back in January of 2021 interest rates were around 2.75% and today, we are looking at rates around 5%. Stephen has been in the business for 29 years and tells us that he has never seen rates go up this fast. Bryan asks Stephen to share his percentages from the last year on purchases versus refinances which were about 70% refinances and 30% purchases for 2021. Stephen mentions how today it is completely reversed with about 70-75% purchases and it could be up to 80% by the end of the year. Bryan asks Stephen to share with us some of his strategies to keep up with the shifting market. He tells us that it's important to stay in contact with referral partners. Try and go back to re-establish and further commit to those relationships reminding real estate agents that we are here to serve them. Stephen mentions that this year based on where the market is, it's crucial to attribute money and double down on marketing efforts. Stephen encourages loan originators to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and have the mindset that they are essentially running their own business. He looks at his company as a partnership. He has his customers, and the company helps input the loans into the system and fund them by working alongside him, but you build the relationships. Bryan asks, what are some of the things that Stephen is doing in this market regardless of the rate situation. He talks about he is taking time to train new loan originators and help them to develop professionally. His advice is the make sure you are offering value to agents. You want to be smart and helpful which in turn, will lead to appointments and referrals. Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E19
2 jun 2022
35:08
Market & Home Affordability: Tips & Tricks | Contacts to Contracts
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are here to talk about the housing inventory, what it's been doing, and where it is going. John starts us off with some statistics mentioning that we are up nationwide on average with a 30-35% return on your investment. If you have invested in anything other than real estate right now you are watching your money burn. Rates are increasing as fast as Bryan says he can remember, and in the 25 years John has been in the industry, this is the tightest inventory he has ever seen. The guys discuss some strategies to help get deals across the finish line when there are multiple offers, including utilizing services from Ribbon or EasyKnock. Bryan wants to encourage buyers in this market who are tired to keep going and don’t give up. Inventory isn't improving, so waiting will put you in a far worse situation. Later in the episode, John explains that the cost of waiting almost 2 years to buy is almost a double payment. Although you may experience sticker shock now, you will get an opportunity to refinance, and your payment will come down. One great strategy that Bryan suggests is for buyers to stop putting down 20%. "If you are a conventional buyer, put down 5%. if you have great credit, ask about upfront MI and you may be able to buy out the MI for 1.5 or 2 points. You can use the extra cash for the bid over asking." Currently, buyers are always having to bid over the asking price to win the deal. John explains that you need to be aware of misleading information out there. He recently read an article mentioning that we are in a crash, even though property values are going to continue rising. Don't wait to purchase. Pull the trigger today, and you will have a chance eventually to lower your rate. "As loan originators, your job is to help people create the largest debt they will have in their entire life, so it isn't something to take lightly," says Bryan. These are the conversations that originators need to be having with their buyers with full transparency. This adds to your credibility and will benefit you down the road when it's time for them to do a refinance and they remember what you told them. As professionals in the industry, you have to help your borrowers make educated decisions. When it's time for a refinance, you must be able to show your clients what opportunities they have with the wealth in their homes by helping them make the decisions that are right for them. Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E18
5 may 2022
23:20
EasyKnock: Empowering Homebuyers with Cash Solutions in a Competitive Market | Contacts to Contracts
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are joined by Julie Raisch from EasyKnock.. Julie explains what EasyKnock is and how they can empower homeowners with cash to reach their goals. EasyKnock offers a few different sale lease-back programs where they will purchase your home while you remain as the renter. With EasyKnock, they help you convert your home equity into cash giving you the power and ability to remain put, while you search for your next home. EasyKnock started business in 2016 and has been offering its products for 3-4 years now. Julie mentioned that it took them about 2 years to figure out the reality of what they are doing. In the last year, their business has tripled having done thousands of transactions nationally. The high traffic states for EasyKnock are FL, GA, and TX. Julie mentions that Texas holds a large chunk of its portfolio. Being in an inventory crisis, this program is extremely beneficial for move-up buyers. The market is currently disproportionally affecting people who need to sell their homes before they buy the next one. EasyKnock partners with lenders and agents to help homeowners access the equity in their current home by selling their home to EasyKnock. They will then clear the mortgage on the existing home, and then in turn have cash in hand. Julie explains that borrowers don't have a specific time frame they are bounded by. "We are more flexible than a month to month. Whenever their home sells on the open market, their lease ends." With their longer terms product, clients are allowed to keep the option to repurchase their home. Bryan asks Julie to share what it costs to them as well as the customer. Julie explains that they will buy the home at the appraised value and then charge a percentage of that purchase price of the home. If someone is renting a home back for 4 months, as they are renting, they are getting that appreciation. All incremental goes into the customer's pockets. Julie mentions that there is not a scenario where if home value dips, the customer owes them money. The two types of clients that can benefit from EasyKnock are ones that need to sell before they buy, and those who need to access home equity while remaining in the home. You can find more information about their products on their website here.. Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E17
28 abr 2022
27:58
Helping Buyers Get Their Offer Accepted in a Multiple Offer Environment | Contacts to Contracts
In this week's episode, John and Bryan are joined by David Spencer from Ribbon. David explains Ribbon's process and how they empower buyers, sellers, lenders, and agents with cash. Their goal is to help put families into homes and have less of Wall Street. David explains that Ribbon is not a mortgage company and that they are simply here to help empower and educate borrowers and sellers. With Ribbon, first-time homebuyers can elevate their offer into a cash deal, making them more likely to have their offer accepted. Bryan asks David, "Are most people going into Ribbon before making an offer on the property or because they are having some hiccups on financing at the 9th hour?" David explains that their business comes mostly from first-time homebuyers who are having difficulties getting their offer accepted. To use Ribbon, you must be synced up with an agent or lender. You can't come to utilize Ribbons services just as a consumer. Bryan asks what the process looks like for borrowers to guarantee that they even qualify. David explains that Ribbon relies on the borrower's pre-approval letter from mortgage lenders to then issue buying power. Once the borrower's offer is accepted, and the appraisal comes back equaling the same as the contract price, they will close with their mortgage lender and pay a 1% fee to Ribbon. However, if Ribbon needs to purchase the property, the borrower has 6 months to buy the property back for the same price that Ribbon purchased it for. David explains that they offer buyers what they need for their offer to be a cash offer, but most of the time they end up closing with financing. Ribbon also offers appraisal protection that could allow the buyer to purchase the home at a lower cost at Ribbon's expense if there is a gap between the appraisal and contract price. Ribbon is currently licensed in about 15 states and is rapidly growing! You can find David on LinkedIn and to find out more about Ribbon, you can check out their website here. Your co-hosts are Bryan Lovell, National Director of Business Growth at VanDyk Mortgage, and John Jones, Florida Regional Manager at VanDyk Mortgage. Bringing you the latest insights into the home industry! This Podcast is for Brokers, Lenders, Realtors, Clients, and those who want to create homebuying success. Check us out on social media: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Contacts2Contracts • Website: ctcpodcast.co Bryan Lovell: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/bryan.lovell.56 • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanlovellteam John Jones: • Personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnjonescb • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjonesvandykmortgage/ Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by VanDyk Mortgage Corporation NMLS# 3035 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender | VanDykMortgage.com | 2449 Camelot Ct. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 888-482-6395
T3 · E16
21 abr 2022
25:15
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