We love to surprise our customers when they come to sign their documents. The first thing they see is a personalized sign welcoming them to our office. Then the offer of bottled water or coffee. As owner of the company, I love meeting and chatting a little before their signing. Our closers are so good with them.
Signing real estate and mortgage papers can be nerve wracking for most folks and we know if we can relieve some of their tension, they are able to better understand what they are signing.
It is very fulfilling to me when they tell me they have never been treated like this by a company before and they LOVE it!....... So do we!
It's too bad that consumers are not used to being treated as being important to a business. I wish more companies cared about the way their customers felt about them.
We have been treating our customers like this for years. This is probably why we are still in business in these trying times and many others in the title industry have gone out of business.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Trust in Experts
Yesterday, I had eye surgery.Everything went well. Was I nervous in anticipation? Of course I was. As I arrived at the surgery center, I had to turn over the control to the experts who put me through the routine. Now,I admit, I'm kind of a control freak. So I had a long talk with me and let them do their thing. They knew what had to be done and I had to trust. They were professional and friendly. I felt they cared about me. I was totally out of my element but they weren't. I was with the experts on eye surgery. I felt reassured that I had made a good choice to have the surgery done with these experts. From the receptionist who confirmed my information and the nurses who prepped me, to the Surgeon who talked with me before operating and the recovery room nurses who made sure I was comfortable and brought me a great cup of coffee! I know it is important that I make sure that I follow their instructions to complete a successful recovery.
I was thinking that this is what our customers go through when they are involved in a real estate transaction or refinance. They are not the experts in this field and put their trust in us to guide them through it.I know that, usually, the title company that does the closing and insure the title is not that important to most people.
It can make a difference when you have questions and are wondering if anyone cares about your transaction. We strive to be different at Gateway so that you can trust us to be your experts. You can be in control of your choices. Tell your Realtor and Lender you have experts and want Gateway to "title" your mortgage.It really is your choice - take it! WE WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU.
I was thinking that this is what our customers go through when they are involved in a real estate transaction or refinance. They are not the experts in this field and put their trust in us to guide them through it.I know that, usually, the title company that does the closing and insure the title is not that important to most people.
It can make a difference when you have questions and are wondering if anyone cares about your transaction. We strive to be different at Gateway so that you can trust us to be your experts. You can be in control of your choices. Tell your Realtor and Lender you have experts and want Gateway to "title" your mortgage.It really is your choice - take it! WE WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Title Agencies Need Lender's Understanding
A common conversation among title agents is about the dilemma of working with some lenders who order title work for which the title agent never gets paid.
This occurs when:
When the consumer applies for a mortgage, many things have to be checked out before the mortgage becomes a reality.
The credit check,appraisal of the property, a title exam and commitment to insure the title for the lender are some of those procedures that must be done.
A large segment of loan officers order title work BEFORE an appraisal is done and in today's market many homes do not meet the desired value and the mortgage applicant is "turned down".
The title agency is left with paying for title searches that are never used. This cost to the agent is $80 - $100+ and it comes straight out of the title agents pocket. Many lender title order forms state that the lender will not pay for canceled title searches.
Title fees are the least of the costs in obtaining a mortgage.
Most of these orders are never canceled they just "die" in our pipeline and we pay our examiners for those exams with money that should have been income in these trying times.
I think most lenders want the title agent to take good care of their customers and depend on us so the loans close and we all get paid. We take this responsibility very seriously.
I am asking those loan officers out there who order title work too early in the process, to be more diligent about when to start the title work.Your title agent's business will survive when they are not paying out to examiners large sums for exams that are ordered prematurely and never "close".
PS. The fall out rate for some LO's orders is as high as 60%-that money to pay examiners is coming straight out of your title agents pocket.
PS2 Be kind to your title agent.
This occurs when:
When the consumer applies for a mortgage, many things have to be checked out before the mortgage becomes a reality.
The credit check,appraisal of the property, a title exam and commitment to insure the title for the lender are some of those procedures that must be done.
A large segment of loan officers order title work BEFORE an appraisal is done and in today's market many homes do not meet the desired value and the mortgage applicant is "turned down".
The title agency is left with paying for title searches that are never used. This cost to the agent is $80 - $100+ and it comes straight out of the title agents pocket. Many lender title order forms state that the lender will not pay for canceled title searches.
Title fees are the least of the costs in obtaining a mortgage.
Most of these orders are never canceled they just "die" in our pipeline and we pay our examiners for those exams with money that should have been income in these trying times.
I think most lenders want the title agent to take good care of their customers and depend on us so the loans close and we all get paid. We take this responsibility very seriously.
I am asking those loan officers out there who order title work too early in the process, to be more diligent about when to start the title work.Your title agent's business will survive when they are not paying out to examiners large sums for exams that are ordered prematurely and never "close".
PS. The fall out rate for some LO's orders is as high as 60%-that money to pay examiners is coming straight out of your title agents pocket.
PS2 Be kind to your title agent.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Time Flies By So Quickly When Busy!
A lot of meetings and appointments this week. A favorite- speaking at the Brecksville 2For Tues. Luncheon.Some days Mike and I are on the go from 7AM to 7PM!
I'd like to believe that staying so busy keeps us from getting too old! I'd much rather be busy than the days of the past 21/2 years as business trickled in as the real estate market pretty much died.Every day this week sellers/buyers brought their deals to us or we got calls from real estate agents who's clients picked Gateway for their title work and closing! Some agents have a difficult time understanding the relationship we have with buyers and sellers.Those agents get pretty nasty with us. Thank God all are not like that and we work together to a happy ending for our mutual customers!
I am very excited that we now have a video on our web site www.gatewaytitle.com.
Please take a look at it.Pass it on!
I'd like to believe that staying so busy keeps us from getting too old! I'd much rather be busy than the days of the past 21/2 years as business trickled in as the real estate market pretty much died.Every day this week sellers/buyers brought their deals to us or we got calls from real estate agents who's clients picked Gateway for their title work and closing! Some agents have a difficult time understanding the relationship we have with buyers and sellers.Those agents get pretty nasty with us. Thank God all are not like that and we work together to a happy ending for our mutual customers!
I am very excited that we now have a video on our web site www.gatewaytitle.com.
Please take a look at it.Pass it on!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Reality of Real Estate Refis
It seems like the whole world is refinancing. If you are in a position to do so - it starts with a good credit score, call your favorite lender now and find out if you qualify for a lower rate that you have now.
Many folks are checking on line for rates and that's okay to get information - But, from what I'm seeing on costs you are probably better off dealing with a local mortgage representative. They really do seem to have the best rates and fees and customer service.
PS. Don't forget to tell them you want to have Gateway Title for your mortgage title insurance and settlement.
(you'll make this Gateway Title agency owner VERY happy - Thanks)
Many folks are checking on line for rates and that's okay to get information - But, from what I'm seeing on costs you are probably better off dealing with a local mortgage representative. They really do seem to have the best rates and fees and customer service.
PS. Don't forget to tell them you want to have Gateway Title for your mortgage title insurance and settlement.
(you'll make this Gateway Title agency owner VERY happy - Thanks)
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
speaking real estate
Yesterday was a blur..SO MUCH TO CATCH UP ON -I was only gone for a day!
I had an interesting appointment at Cleveland City hall to be re certified FBE. It was refreshing to talk with someone who is aware that small businesses are seldom awarded contracts to increase real estate title business because they make it next to impossible to make any money. I learned a long time ago that loosing on each transaction is something that can't be made up in volume.This is a wait and see if they mean it. They have been awarding business to basically the same title company underwriter for years and the small business can't compete.
I am speaking in Brecksville Human Service Center's "2 for Tuesday" lunch.I enjoy doing this and am looking forward to a fun time!
I had an interesting appointment at Cleveland City hall to be re certified FBE. It was refreshing to talk with someone who is aware that small businesses are seldom awarded contracts to increase real estate title business because they make it next to impossible to make any money. I learned a long time ago that loosing on each transaction is something that can't be made up in volume.This is a wait and see if they mean it. They have been awarding business to basically the same title company underwriter for years and the small business can't compete.
I am speaking in Brecksville Human Service Center's "2 for Tuesday" lunch.I enjoy doing this and am looking forward to a fun time!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Ohio Land Title Associates meeting
Just got back from Columbus meeting. Information overload for sure. So many government officials who don't understand the title business trying to over regulate our industry to the point that many struggling agents are wondering if it is worth the struggle.We are not big businesses just small business owners who strive to do an honest job that so many others want a piece of. They introduce new bills that just don't make sense.
Enough said.
In spite of all of them.....
WE will survive!
Enough said.
In spite of all of them.....
WE will survive!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)