Done Any Farming Lately? |

OK… it’s been a while since I posted. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to, but I just haven’t had the opportunity.

Poor excuse, I know!

This time of year, all the farmers around us are out tilling, fertilizing and planting. When I was much younger, I thought I would like to do that when I was older. Then I figured out that it is a lot of hard work and little recognition, so I changed my mind. With that said, I tip my hat to the local farmers and ask just one thing… Can you move those big tractors over and quit hogging the road when I’m in a hurry?????

But seriously. In the past year or so, I have looked at my mortgage business much like a farmer looks at his fields. Right now we are at about 25% of the loan originators and have many fewer real estate agents than two years ago due to the current economic situation. Much like many farmers who could not afford to continue farming for a living, a great number of my peers have left the business.

The ones who could afford to stay have seen their income cut tremendously and have really needed to cut back to only the basic business necessities. Myself and a few others have taken this time to act much like a farmer in the spring. The farmer will till the soil to stir up and blend in the previous years crop remains. They will then carefully fertilize it and plant the seeds that they hope will grow into big, strong plants and produce a bounty crop. They nurture the soil and protect the crops as best as they can and worry about things such as no rain, too much rain, too much sun, high winds, storm damage and even insects. Many things that are out of their control, but still some things that keeps them up at night.

At the end of the season, as they collect the crops that they tended to, they hope that their knowledge, and a little luck, has allowed them to make enough to start the process again next spring. I hope they have been successful also, as we need what they are growing for our survival also.

Much of the same is true in real estate. My belief is that during the slower times, I can blog more and update my websites frequently. I want to be able to give me clients (and potential clients) a resource to get needed information from someone that they can trust. Not to say that other loan officers are not trustworthy, but some of them believe that the way to grow their number of clients is to spread on the BS real thick. Not exactly my fertilizer of choice!

I, like many others, have been able to use the internet to reach a lot of people. I get a tremendous number of hits on my website for USDA Rural Development loans and the FHA 203(k) Streamline loan. I have presented myself as a Trusted Advisor who is there to answer questions and guide others through the loan process, not just for the commission, but so that I can look myself in the eyes in the mirror at night and know that I have been able to help someone. You can never go wrong by doing the right thing!

If I don’t update this blog as much as I would like, it’s because I am working one-on-one with my clients to help them purchase the home of their dreams or refinance their existing castle. Now that I have access to the full FHA 203(k) loan product, I can help turn that beat-up or foreclosed home into the home of their dreams with just one loan up to the value after repairs or rehab. For a first time homebuyer, this is a great way to buy a home, use the $8000 tax credit (contact your tax advisor for full details) and have equity in a home soon after they move in.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I will always do my best to help you. I can be reached via email at scott@nwiloanguy.com.