Special offer
Richard Woodward NMLS#217454, Service Beyond Expectations! Your Texas Lender (Nexa Mortgage, NMLS #1660690)

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Ambassador
2,160,948
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Richard, I refer buyers to lenders who I know I can trust and who I know from experience that they will get the loan done.  Having said that, buyers are always free to use their own lender if they wish. 

Apr 14, 2015 09:19 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't allow lenders to market with me as I don't think it's particularly ethical.  I'm open to all lenders who provide excellent service and results.

Apr 13, 2015 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,282
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You have to develop you own relationships and that takes time an effort. Watch for agents who are changing offices and use that opportunity to become a mentor. 

Are you offering the FHA 203(k) program and reverse mortgages? You may have to offer something the others do not have.

Apr 13, 2015 05:25 AM
Rainer
50,260
James Hoff
Century 21 Award - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Real Agents Work

We have a MSA at my brokerage and I hardly (meaning never) use that lender. I don't co-brand with any lender. My brand is my own and I will only work with different vendors based on performance and ability to close on what you start. I don't need the "co-branding" and the marketing dollars from you ... if you do your job and I do mine, we all get paid and I can focus on branding myself. I'd prefer an organic referral as opposed to one from a MSA every day of the week. Keep doing what you are doing.

There are times to co-brand but I wouldn't base your business on it.

Apr 17, 2015 06:26 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No. Each lender and each buyer situation is different. I don't want to feel obligated to recommend certain lenders.

Apr 15, 2015 09:12 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I know some of this goes on in my market area but I have never subscribed to this way of thinking. I like to refer several trusted lenders and not all are right for every buyer.

Apr 14, 2015 11:57 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,806
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Richard -- no lender contributes to my marketing dollars.

Sometimes it's just a matter of time -- take care of your customers - ask for introductions to others who may need your service, prospecting, ask if you can be in a back-up position should something not work out with lender A or B, be consistent in your efforts and just keep doing what you do.   Over and over and over again.

Apr 13, 2015 02:55 AM
Rainmaker
516,337
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

I have been approached by lenders offering this service - but they are working with other agents.  I would hate to know my business is going to another agent.  I mainly work with lenders who I know will take excellent care of the clients with that being the only thing in return for me.

Apr 13, 2015 01:44 AM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

I would be very careful that is not a RESPA violation.

Apr 19, 2015 10:23 PM
Rainmaker
2,012,678
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

You need to find a way to prove to them how you'll take care of your clients which is unfortunately hard to do when you don't have a loan to do of theirs.

Apr 16, 2015 03:14 PM
Ambassador
5,048,728
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I work with lenders (few) that I know and trust, and have had great experiences with. It has nothing to do with sharing in marketing. If buyers need a referral, I have them. But they, of course, can use whoever they wish

Apr 15, 2015 09:46 AM
Rainer
136,193
Richard Woodward NMLS#217454
Nexa Mortgage, NMLS #1660690 - Plano, TX
Service Beyond Expectations! Your Texas Lender

I totally agree with Craig and Realtors like Silvia Dukes PA, REALTOR, CRS, CIPS, SRES , Brenda J. Andrew ,  and Gabe Sanders  that refuse to pandor to a lender for marketing money. I am currently closing 12-20 loans per month now using "Added Value".  My real point is why would a Realtor enter into a marketing service agreement with a lender with high fees and mediocre service.  Why not work with a lender with great client reviews that would make them look like a superstar for referring them AND hleps them with great tools to attract more clients. www.mortgageprosus.com/REALTORPARTNERS 

Apr 15, 2015 08:14 AM
Ambassador
6,392,899
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

There are much better ways to get business than to pay for it, especially when an ethical situation is involved like this one.

Best to earn the business by being quick and dependable, word will spread and you will have plenty of people calling.

Apr 14, 2015 02:08 AM
Rainer
126,764
Mike Tizzano
Amerifirst Financial, Inc Equal Housing Oppurtinity Lender AZ BK0013635 NMLS 145368 LO:1015837 - Mesa, AZ
Protect Your Transaction Certified Lender

This is an interesting question.  The CFPB is cracking down on MSAs as they see them as payment for referrals.  Considering the CFPB is funded solely by fines I'm sure it's not just a smoke screen.   I won't enter into marketing agreements with agents.  If I do any co-marketing with an agent the cost is split 50/50 (or whatever is fair for your presence on the material).  If you do enter a marketing agreement make sure what you pay is commensurate with the amount of ADVERTISING (Not Referrals) you are receiving and the cost of said advertising is being shared fairly between you and the agents.  http://www.aaronline.com/2015/01/marketing-services-agreements-what-agents-need-to-know

 

Apr 13, 2015 06:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I receive a dozen of cold calls from new lenders every week, but it is not about marketing together for me. 

Sep 11, 2018 09:42 PM
Rainmaker
387,055
Mark Horan
Resident Team Realty, LLC & Toni's Property Management LLC - Saint Cloud, FL
"The Resident Chef" - Resident Team Realty LLC &

One word.  RESPA

Apr 23, 2015 12:08 AM
Rainmaker
359,372
Debra B Albert, PA - Keyes Realty
Keyes Realty Treasure Coast, 34986 - Port St Lucie, FL
Ron and Debbie 772.708.3292

We have a lender in our market center paying for the space and they are excellent.  However, I always recommend 3 lenders.  We also recommend 3 home inspecters too.  We do not want to be accused of steering, it is the end users choice to pick their team, we recommend great options.

Apr 21, 2015 12:03 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Richard,

I would use my own lender, and I have never been a fan of vertical integration.  I shy away from companies who have their own title arm and lending arm.  It makes me uncomfortable.  And Roy Kelley made a great suggestion.  Wishing you lots of success.  A

Apr 20, 2015 06:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,446,751
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

I don't do co-marketing with lenders, or title companies, so it's not an issue for me.

Apr 19, 2015 02:45 AM
Rainer
66,395
Craig Gallegos
Fairway Independent Mortgage - Phoenix, AZ
Your bridge between Contact, Contract & Closing

In my humble opinion if you are going into any Realtor and trying to sell them on using you because of your "rates" or "service," you're not going to go very far.  

Imagine how many times they get approached by a lender with that same generic pitch.  

 

Be creative, be different and you'll get in the door.

Apr 15, 2015 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,144,543
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

I think more than marketing you are better off dealing with a lender who can make loans happen and I dont just mean the vanilla that anyone can do

Apr 15, 2015 02:51 AM
Rainer
215,585
Marla Yost
The Yost Team- Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, TX
The Yost Team

I have a couple of Mortgage people I work with and we follow the legal guidelines.They all are going to refer clients so why not have a relationship.

Know your local law.

Apr 15, 2015 02:02 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do not know any lender in the area  who does it. 

Apr 13, 2015 09:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I don't know of any lenders that help my marketing costs around here.

Apr 13, 2015 01:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Richard Woodward NMLS#217454 - as a Realtor(r), we cannot decide who buyers want to work with as a lender - they do. Yes, we do refer them to preferred lender - however, we cannot stop the buyers from working with anyone else.

Apr 13, 2015 01:19 PM
Ambassador
1,076,531
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

MSA's should not stop you from getting business.  Most real estate offices have 'in house lenders', and many of the best agents don't use them.  They'd rather work with lenders that are interested in helping them grow their business - you don't need an MSA, you need to discover how you can help, and then do it, with zero expectation for a number of referrals or quality of leads.  Have you offerred to sit in on open houses?  Have you offered up creative ways to market listings?  Have you offered to help with post-close marketing to ensure people remember their agent & send them referrals?  Are you yourself providing referrals to the agents you work with or want to work with? 

Your referral partners need to know you, like you, and trust you, AND you need to have a value proposition that says "I bring _________ to the table and this is how it will help you."  That "_____________" needs to be more than decent rates and providing good service.  The best lenders that work with the best agents are going above & beyond.

Apr 13, 2015 09:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I don't want anyone other than us on my marketing.....no one...none...

Apr 13, 2015 06:11 AM
Rainer
480,243
Raymond Denton
Homesmart / Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
Irvine Realtor®

It's going to be tough to break that wall down, Richard.  I've been researching MSA's provided by the various Lenders, in anticipating of partnering with one of them.

For the most part, what I've heard from the Realtors at my office is ... Real Estate Agents think Loan Officers are a dime a dozen.  I don't agree with them, but that's what I've heard.

Everybody offers reasonable rates and terrific service ... that's expected, so it's the norm, not the exception.  What else could a Lender offer that'd enable Realtors the ability to grow their business, and in turn, grow the Lenders business too?  MSA's are the solution.

Apr 13, 2015 03:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I have made deals with two lenders that pay closing cost for my builders. We build in $1500 and they build in up to $3500 depending on the type of loan.

Apr 13, 2015 03:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,836
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I'll be inquiring soon about this to our local lenders.

Apr 13, 2015 01:43 AM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

Yes.

Apr 16, 2018 10:10 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

No

Sep 13, 2017 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,562,386
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

It's hard to let you know what you can do since my leads are from my work efforts and I'll have to tell you . . . they don't happen overnight.  I don't refer lenders out anymore because they want my business -- sure they do -- but not participate in my marketing efforts.  

Apr 16, 2015 11:31 AM
Rainer
26,764
Beatrice Briseno
RE/MAX Unlimited - San Antonio, TX
Beatrice M. Briseno, GRI, CDPE, San Antonio, TX

It makes sense to me, I like to work with lenders who will do their best to get the job done, update me on pertinent information and provide not notch service and rates to buyers. Its a win-win situation. Our advertising dollars go further, when we partner with a good loan officer

Apr 14, 2015 07:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,584
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Keep working at the relationships - and build as many as possible- find some new energetic young realtor who is going to be a rockstar and become their preferred lender 

Apr 13, 2015 09:07 PM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

Tn states that as steering and that is not allowed.  Approach those new agents that will need your help and grow together.

Want my business then give me some back- not allowed here either.  But suggestions can be made.  I provide my clients with a list of vendors to choose from and tell them which ones are really good at what they do.

Apr 13, 2015 06:33 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

 Kiss the UGLY frogs. (suggesting there are not ugly frogs)

What you share in your question is, "Whah, whaaa, whaa waaa."

"Fantastic customer service, whaah, whaa waa....."

"Comparable rates, whaa, whaa waa."

Want to break down the wall....suggest you know what is important to ME!

Tell me you know my real problem.

Then bring me the solution.

Here are some you can run with from reading the contents of your profile.

1. "Assurance of closing!" As a lender you have the ability to convert to a portfolio loan to give the assurance needed.

2. "A bigger fire" ....bring me a lead...that always gets my attention.

Not in your profile

" I see tomorrow" .... do you have a WalkableHome, FirstLook or CIS Score that allows my services to be differentiated from others and is a valid lead generator and gives me something to talk about? A real connection to the sustainability mindset.

"I'm committed to your success..." meaning you with agent participation can create significant financial benefit to submit a purchase offer today.

Stop the 'fantastic service' babble and bring solutions.

Then the walls will come tumbling down....

Oh...you may want to start with those who are not the TOP REALTORS. There are other factors in that TOP REALTOR collaboration you can not break into UNTIL you can get the notice of their greed emotion by what they see happening for others.

Saying "I'm in an exclusive marketing service agreement" makes you stop talking and trying to persuade me. It is a great tool and actually works great. However, offer me a solution and that agreement is revealed to be fictional.

 

Apr 13, 2015 02:01 AM