Would you participate?
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| Thu, 10-21-2004 - 10:26am |
I haven't really gone much into my home business because I haven't actually decided if I'm staying with it or not.
I'm hitting a brick wall. I'm doing home loans and right now, I need business. The company is established now for 13 years and has offices all over the states, but I'm one many that does this at home until/unless an office is a good option for this area. Right now, it isn't.
I'm having to visit realtors, banks, etc. to get business and I'm getting nowhere. The realtors seem to think I'm asking for their big business, which I'm not. I'm asking for their sub-prime (not so great credit) clients that banks have turned down for some reason. People that I can try to get approved thru one of our programs since we work with lower credit scores. I know these agencies have clients like this. It's overwhelming the amount of people you can't approve due to poor credit, so why am I not getting that thru to them? Especially since I say it several times.
So here is another option I've been given. Call homeowners that are selling their houses themselves. Offer them the chance to have only people that are pre-approved come view their house. They'd give the potential buyer my number when they call for an appointment and I would take their info and run their credit/income information to see how much they qualify for. If they do income/credit qualify, they are referred back to the owners for an appointment. If not, I refer them to an agent to view homes in their range. That way, no one wastes their time. The homeowner only shows to SERIOUS buyers that CAN buy the home and the others will still get to view homes, but in their price range so they don't fall for a home and find out they can't qualify. See? Not a bad deal.
But I'm hesitant to call. I hate cold calling. I feel so intrusive. Also, I'm afraid that the owner will feel like they are insulting people if they ask for a pre-qualification before viewing their home. It's not an insult at all if people just think of it this way...you know for sure what price range you can afford and that helps you to look at the homes that fit your needs, not the ones you just think are pretty. And people all the time, myself included, are surprised at what they can actually qualify for.
My question is....would you participate if someone like me called and offered you the chance to only show homes to those that are pre-qualified? Would you feel insulted by someone asking you to pre-qualify before getting an appointment?
I'm just trying to build this thing and need honest feedback so I know if I am the one to do this or to move onto something else.
Mel

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Mel I have a trick I learned in college that may help you with your eye contact issues.
If looking at them straight in the eye is hard for you, don't. Look at the bridge of their nose instead. They will not be able to tell the difference and it will save you from that feeling that they're looking into you.
I have told several job seekers about this trick. People who didn't get the job because they didn't interview well, often due to poor eye contact or nervousness and they tell me it has helped them a lot.
It always works for me when I'm interviewing someone who is distracting. I hope it helps you! :)
Gabriella
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