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While I awoke startled, dazzled by dreams I had only thoughts of dreaming before....something came to my mind. The cold sweat of consciousness had beaded my garments like the wet rain of a softly woven spring eve. Ok, am I being a tad bit dramatic with my wording? You bet I am! I think I have a point amongst words that may go above & beyond the 5th grade reading level we are accustom to responding too and reading. When dealing with and reading about Real Estate, Mortgages are about as fun to read about as watching Andy Rooney waxing intellectual about the relevance of our currency in comparison to monkeys throwing 'poo' at each-other. If you don't believe me, look up some of the more informative Mortgage Posts and see the lack of tangible feedback. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand. If I wasn't in the field, I would be completely bored and overcome by thoughts that I may just want to be a 'renter' for the rest of my natural born life. I am in the 'field' though, and that's not the best of ideas...
Owning a home is both a privilege and a challenge. It's also good for our economy and personal financial situation, at least in my opinion. I am aware of both, being a owner of a home & land myself. I guess my challenge to myself and others involved in the 'Mortgage Side of Things' is how to make it more readable for the general public and fellow members. While I envy the thought of someone drooling over my blog, I'd rather that be because they just didn't fall asleep reading it. Knowledge is indeed power and we are equipping the members and public with that daily, yet I sense they get very bored reading what may help them now and down the road...
My thought is raising the bar of creativity that is intertwined with the knowledge and information that we convey to the consumer and fellow members. I've been doing this gig for over 7 years now and I realize daily that not all of the explanations I dispense make sense to those around me. Explaining money & mortgages isn't an easy task, especially in speaking to those working class heroes that represent the majority and beauty of our culture. I could surely utilize my marketing efforts and go after the higher echelon of Corporate America alone, yet my fight is for those who don't have enough to call 'money' a luxury. Perhaps I fancy myself the Robin Hood of lending...perhaps they have a need for someone speaking from their side of things. Or maybe, just maybe, we all want to read something we can identify with and understand. This thread is now open, anonymous or not so much, feel free to give your thoughts...
Jason.... If you are looking for a globally appealing topic you might want to touch on the benefits of applying a little extra to your principle payment each month. Over the years I've read both sides of the story and never clearly know which it better.... Leveraging your home with a 30 year low interest mortgage or adding a hundred or two each month to pay it off quicker...
My Jason... This is such a creative post in and of itself. I propose a creative writing contest on the topic of mortgages here on ActiveRain. As a devoted reader of all things mortgage, I would love to see a change in the approach to this topic. The public might bother to become informed if they were just a little more inspired by the presentation. They might also come to appreciate that a great mortgage person NEEDS to be creative in their approach to finding lending solutions in this challenging market.
If I am the judge of this contest, YOU are the winner!
Sardi - This was not the post I was expecting to read this morning. Wish I had the secret code to pass along in how to increase readership. Heck, I would use it myself : -)
Are you really saying sometimes people don't understand you? I find this absolutely shocking!
How about a mortgage for dummies series! everything you ever wanted to ask your lender but thought it was too dumb a question so you won't ask? Like what are points and why would you pay them?
Jason,
Does this mean your post is for all the ladies out there? I feel left out being the only male commenter:)
Hi Jennifer's Jason - hmmm..... I liked Dan's sorta question about paying extra principle/principal.
Neal - take heart and go look at the very first comment.....
Redbull for breakfast? Maybe I'll have to give that a try. I've never had Redbull.
Ann
Interesting.
My buyers have always listened intently when I describe the mortgage process. They appreciate understanding how simple it is when described in easily to understand terms.
Talking about the benefits of home ownership has helped me sell homes and paying for a home rather than renting one is always an interesting discussion for folks who don't own because they don't understand.
I have to disagree with the statement that owning a home is a privilege. Consumers have as much right to buy a home, affordibility considered, as they have to buy a car, a pair of shoes or a vacation package.
I think you are on to something here. I've found when lenders talk to the consumer they often speak in "trade jargon" and the consumer (and my) eyes just glaze over.
Hi Jason,
Just keep being you,straight forward.... consumers want information they can understand. No fluff! :)
Mortgage paperwork is dull, but there are so many topics we agents (and consumers) need help with - things lenders probably deal with every day and don't even realize they're a mystery to us. Just don't make them too long, provide photos and white space, and include some personal stories or examles - then it won't feel like mortgage info. lol.
I second the motion made in an earlier comment - an ActiveRain contest for mortgage lenders!
Jason: I overwhelmingly get the most response when I tell a true story about a client and the challenges he faced getting the mortgage. Happy or sad ending, does not matter.
I am still getting calls from reporters about Jake's story....the one that was on good morning america.
Jason, I'm with Jennifer 'a creative writing contest on the topic of mortgages here on ActiveRain' and Sandra's 'mortgage for dummies series.' They both sound great and I do agree--sadly, mortgage is quite important in our financial portfolio but, it is certainly not an exciting topic. Your writing skills, partnered with a variety of mortgage topics that are in the forefront of our client's needs, could be a much-read series of articles! I say GO FOR IT!
OH, and I'm all for that Red Bull--but, not for breakfast since it must go hand-in-hand with Grey Goose!!!
My Sandra... I'm impressed that you even remembered that I have Redbull and toast every morning :)
I do think Ann should give it a try. I know she agrees that I have excellent taste :)) Be sure to have it Debe's way too - it makes the perfect Russian sport drink!
I remember the contest Rich did (the Carnival of Content one) and the entries in that I barely read. I like the idea of CREATIVE mortgage topic contest. Have to have some personal side to it....and by far you'd do very well....
Now...about you all drinking red bull and toast in the am....yuk... I'll just have my Kona coffee with Vanilla creamer haha!
Jason, you should see me when I try to address agency relationships with clients. I always have to take a deep breath. It's complex, and for some reason, I find myself going round and round explaining it. I repeat "procuring cause" about a million times, knowing that the client has no frame of reference for that term...
Our challenge as professionals is to give the customer an understanding of what they are doing. They don't really care all that much about all the stuff we do. They just want to buy or sell a house, and need an understanding of the process, rather than the definition of the term "procuring cause." But at the core, they should understand what's going on - the process, the ramifications, what the end result will be for them.
Jason,
Consumers get bored just reading the facts and statistics. We need to be creative as to how we present the facts to the consumer. If we make it a little more interesting and in a language that they understand, consumers will be more interested in gettings the information they need.
Jason - my "web guy" told me once that internet info needs to be presented at a 5th grade reading level. I think that in general that may be true. However! Once their interest is captured by a topic that they are personally interested in, which gives immediate attention to a benefit to them, they would become engrossed in the content and stay focused. Your conversational writing style flows so that all of a sudden -I am at the end of the article! That is a writing gift that you seem to have.
Dan's suggestion is an exellent one - a post about applying extra to principal and how to do it, by the month or 1 payment a year and how it affects their loan balance. I print out an amortization chart for first-time buyers, especially, which shows these results. They are amazed. Maybe you could do a post with a chart. Maybe I could print it, or at least send a link to my buyers if you do..............write it!
Jason,
This is a good thought provoking post...you laid out a neat scenario...I find it a challenge of blogging to try to communicate my real thoughts to the greatest number of people who may read my posts...
In real business, however, when I have the advantage of dealing face to face with consumers, I'm like water...constantly seeking the best level on which to communicate...I'm not suggesting talking down to people, but rather using communication skills to adapt my style to their present needs to understand whatever it is they're involved with...me knowing the answer, but not being able to communicate it to the consumer, doesn't help anyone! Thanks, Fran
Jason, I think the money part of the transaction is like going to the dentist. No one wants to do, but they know they have to. I wrote a post about lenders and their lingo. I deal with many first time home buyers and I stop the lender and make them translate in English what they are talking about. Tough topic to make interesting, but you have a way about it!!
Jason.... 2 key points that you make.... yes, mortgages are boring.... it can be very hard to spruce up a mortgage blog and what many do is write a post with about 5 sentences, just so they don't bore the consumer. I also struggle with this.... but people will read it, believe me. Maybe not as many from AR.... but the average consumer is looking for information and content, quality content. I am not getting more responses from people that have been reading my stuff and they say..."they truly appreciate all of the content and information".... boring or not, if in need, they will read. And 2 posts ago, I actually added a music video in my mortgage related blog, just to change it up some... it didn't feel like me though and I wonder how the consumer would think about it.... but just to break it up from time to time is my goal.
In regards to being the Robin Hood of mortgages.... funny, because I have always felt that I have been the same... that and superman.... because most of my business in 15 years has been FHA mortgages... about 75% of my business... and even more so than ever, it will be much higher now. My last 10 closings, 9 of them were FHA mortgages....
Jason- So many thoughts from reading so many things. OK, I would love the Mortgage for Dummies....I would like the contest......(maybe, as Sally's comment makes me wonder), and definitely I would love to know why anyone would drink Redbull with toast.....I sure hope the toast doesn't have any jam on it LOL :)
I do think people want to understand what they read.....and putting examples in there, everyday ones helps......
Dan - I've done a post or two about that subject but it never hurts to reiterate it and possibly reach out to others who aren't familiar with the concept. Good idea!
Jennifer - I think that is a stellar idea Jennifer, what a great way to give consumers a boat-load of info that can be easily read and understood.
Sandra - Mortgage for Dummies? I could easily head up that series:-)
Jennifer - I love when your bossy;-)
Sandra - Toast & Redbull? Ewwwww.....
Neal - I hear you, Dan doesn't count:-))
Ann - I'm not a huge Redbull guy myself, I'm hyper enough.
Lenn - Yes, they do have every right to own a home. I guess what I getting at is that I use the analogy to getting a Driver's License. It's more of a priviledge than a right...though I would love to see more and more people be educated and be able to get into a homeownership situation.
Cynthia - I know the look:-)
Marc - Now there's a concept. Perhaps I will write a post on boiling water, lol.
Suzanne - I agree, I really believe customers are tired of 'fluff.'
Lisa - Yes, Sandra's thoughts could be a cool concept to implement.
Joe - Mortgage Jargo is something I try to stray away from...it can be intimidating if people don't understand the meanings.
Margaret - Photos & White Space. Got it! You are right, info we take for granted is often times alien to others.
Janet - Real life stories do translate into some provacative reading. I will always remember the piece you wrote about 'Jake.'
Debe - LOL. I will be working on it...
Rich - I think you will be very, very, good at it.
Jennifer - You are so bad:-)
Sis - I hope you didn't 'glaze' over my entry. I tried to make it 'readable'.
Heather - Great concept. Most people don't care what I'm doing as long as it helps their bottom line...because that's my job.
Brigita - True that, I hope to get better and better at just that.
Dan - Who in the world would ever be a thorn in your side?
Virginia - I will certainly do my best!
Virginia- I smell a blog my dear.
Fran - Communication may be the single biggest factor of success in this industry. I've learned from my successes and mistakes.
Why thank you Melissa!
Greg - My guess is your side of things is even harder!
Audrey - Oddly enough, I wanted to be a Dentist at a very early age. Ironic, don't ya think?
Jeff - Can there be two Robin Hood's?
Jeff - There is absolutely no substitute for quality content, which you have pointed out.
Kathy - Examples are among my favorite ways to dispense information.
Matthew - Oh, you know that I know;-)
Jason... I would allow two in my neck of the woods.... ;o) But I am not wearing any green tights, so that part is all you.
Jason, I actually think you look good in tights..... I found this in your high school yearbook.....
Jeff - I should of known not to give you access to my freaking yearbook. I got an 'A' in my drama class....for the record:-)
Virginia - Give me some time my dear, and I like and will use the disclaimer:-)
Sandra - He's your friend.
Jason.... I made it very easy early in my life... I basically don't have friends now, so you can throw Sandra over into my group.... my group just consists of me, myself, and me.... and my little green friends that will be hanging out with me next weekend... ;o)
Hey!
First off....thanks alot Sardi, and he is your father!
Jeff...what does that mean "so you can throw Sandra over into my group" boy, I'm feeling the love here...green friends? You hanging out with leprechauns now?
Jason,
Great music.
I could see where some a lot of the posts for mortgage may be a little boring. But, there is a lot of useful information posted. Keep up the originality.
Belonger - You've got a friend in Pennsylvania:-)
Sandra - Leprechauns are cool!
Shaun - Long time, no see man. You're right, lots of useful information. I just want to make it more digestible....
Jason... I know I do... lol Thanks bud.
Hey Sandra... I was just teasing.... lol Meant nothing ;o)
Jason- well, so far so good. You do make it easy to tackle a dry, dull and dreaded topic. The deadly triple D's.
Jeff - Anytime man.
Robin - Funny, I've fallen asleep writing my blogs:-)
Douglas - I guess that's a part of my charm:-)