I am new to the forum....and am getting into real estate for several reasons...

First - I have wanted to do this for a very long time...took the test in 1973 b4 classes were required and missed by 1 question. Never went back to take it...then kids and life came and it wasn't priority...no time or money to do it.

Second - three years ago my husband became ill and we had to move back to our farm...not that we minded!! During that time I was blessed to be able to start a brand new career as a banker, an opportunity that is very unusual for a woman 50+.

As a part of my job, people come in for mortgage loans.... I don't work mortgage loans and refer them to others within our company(I do home equity's tho) and run across many people weekly who are wanting to pre-qual for their first home as well as those who are wanting mortgages for weekend property. They have not talked to realtors when they come to me!

In July I received an unexpected bonus and the timing was perfect! So I finally took the plunge to start what I had wanted to do for 35 yrs!

I have 3 realtors in town who have come to the bank wanting to talk to me....and really I just need their sponsorship because I have my own leads coming in weekly...this forum has opened up a lot to think about when deciding which to go with...

Tj

Welcome to real estate. You will find a lot of trials, but just as many rewards.

I see one potential problem with your plan to get leads from your banking job. You don't want to be seen as a threat to other realtors, so they are hesitant to send their clients to your bank. Make sure the management at the bank is comfortable with how you will handle.

But this looks like a challenge that you will enjoy

[quote=Alabama]Welcome to real estate. You will find a lot of trials, but just as many rewards.

I see one potential problem with your plan to get leads from your banking job. You don't want to be seen as a threat to other realtors, so they are hesitant to send their clients to your bank. Make sure the management at the bank is comfortable with how you will handle.

But this looks like a challenge that you will enjoy [/quote]


Thanks for the heads-up on the way to handle potential clients...We live in a very small community and many of the brokers and salespersons are already asking me to drop by which is exciting...and of course they know I am a banker, their banker in some cases.

Yesterday I had a bank customer who wanted a mortgage application and the first thing I asked was "Do you have a Realtor?". They said no, and I explained where I was in the process (finished classroom, working towards taking test) and asked if they would mind, once licensed, if I could follow-up with them.

I will continue to do that, asking first if they have a realtor or if they are already working with a realtor and if so, back off. To me it's the ethical thing to do.

The branch manager is excited that I am doing this as are the mortgage rep's. There is another banker in another town close by who is also a licensed r.e. agent. I might call him to see how he handles his customers.

Thanks so much for your heads-up!
Tj