Hello, I'm a new RE agent in South Carolina. My girlfriend, and probably soon to be wife, is looking for a new career. I figured we could one two punch it in the future, with FULL DISCLOSURE and other lo options offered of course. Just wondering:

1. If you or anyone you know has this kinda team, and how it works for them.

2. Are there many companies that hire LO's without being independent contractors, or any combinations of pay and performance.

3. What are some good companies to start looking into for new officers, with good training, if it exists?

I have a cousin in atlanta who sells real estate, and her husband does the LO. They do pretty well themselves so its motivating.

Also, what are some good books for LO's. I'm sure there's a thread somewhere, but since I'm here and now, then I figured I'd ask.

I have been told country wide pays their loan officers a salary to l.o. and they also train them too try them

Thanks

44 views and on reply. Geez marcus, youre a saint.

Well, be aware that your wife's lack of experience will probably cost you a deal or two, at least until she catches up in the learning curve. Focus on training since you will be providing the deals for her and that should minimize losses. I don't think I would recommend Countrywide, the idiots I have talked with are completely inept. I would recommend interviewing a couple brokers just like you did when you were looking for a real estate brokerage. Countrywide offers a salary, but will usually only hire experienced LOs. Good luck, bye the way what part of the country are you in?

Prodigy: I'm studying to get my CA DRE to become a LO. How is the RE market holding up in SoCal? I hope to move to the Carlsbad/Oceanside/Vista area. I hear refi's are gone but are home sales holding or is the market dead? I hear different things on TV but I have no way of knowing how SoCal is doing since I currently live in VA. Thanks!

"I hope to move to the Carlsbad/Oceanside/Vista area." Big fish in that tank, I like Riverside County, you have easy access to San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles Counties. Especially Lake Elsinore, talk about location, plus cheap real estate. Everyone in the area swears if you drive through here you will get shanked, you don't even have to get out of your car, but thats not true. It is a tight nit community that looks trashy from an outside perspective.

As far as the market goes, I am currently working on five re-fi's and 1 purchase, and I am the preferred lender for two of the top agents in my area. So I am not sure what channel you have been watching, but the purchase market is slow, at least in my opinion.

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping the purchase market isn't too slow near Carlsbad.

Maybe you can give me a tip, what is the dress code around Carlsbad/Riverside for LO's? Is it suit and tie or biz casual?

drm7, I am in San Bernardino...not too far from Riverside. The LO's I have seen from out here mostly wear dress shirts, slacks and ties. I have seen maybe one or two who will wear a polo shirt and nice slacks.

I like the polo/slacks combo personally. San Diego county just seems to be more image conscious though. I would say button up no tie and slacks. Be who you are though, not everyone will work with someone in a polo and not everyone will work with someone in a long sleeve shirt. You can't please all the people all the time so wear what you like.

If you don't have a broker picked out yet I can give you a recommendation.

Prodigy: If you are talking to me I would love to hear some recommendations. Since I'm not from that area (Carlsbad) I really don't have any way to judge the good from the bad or even where to start.

Prodigy: bump and thanks for any information you can provide.

Well, I myself may be looking for a broker soon. My boss, the owner told me today that we are in "Barely Survival Mode". That's good news. I worked for a company call Emerald Mortgage that was based out of Northern San Diego County. Look them up, they have a good set-up and if you are looking a little more north, give me a ring and I might be able to help out a little bit more.

Sorry about your company. It is always tough having to look for a new place. How many LO does your company have now? That is actually my fear, how many LO are on the street looking for new employers.

Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to look into Emerald. Will they provide training and mentoring?

I don't even want to say how many LO's we have because I am not even sure. I do well, but I guess one good LO can't keep the doors open. Emerald does offer mentoring and training so check them out.