The Secret to Closing More Loans Without Working Harder
Why Most Loan Officers Lose the Agent Before They Even Start
Building authentic realtor relationships isn’t about dominating the conversation—it’s about being genuinely interested in others. The most influential people in any room aren’t the loudest; they’re the ones who ask the best, most thoughtful questions. Start by honoring your realtor partners: do your homework, learn about their achievements, and offer sincere compliments. For example, when you meet a top realtor, you might say, “I noticed you’ve been in the top one percent of your market for the last five years—that’s truly impressive.” This kind of genuine acknowledgment sets the stage for a deeper connection.
Next, shift your focus to asking great questions. Inquire about their goals, experiences, and what excites them about their work. Be curious—ask about their first transaction, their journey into real estate, or even personal interests that show you value them beyond just business. Finally, always validate the conversation with a clear call to action. Whether it’s scheduling a follow-up meeting or discussing ways to collaborate further, having a clear next step reinforces the value of your connection. By being interested rather than simply trying to be interesting, you create relationships that are authentic, deep, and built to last.
Why More Isn’t Always Better
It’s not about how many calls you make—it’s about making the right calls. In the beginning, ramping up your prospecting means focusing on consistent activity: making proactive outbound calls, refining your qualified agent list, and following your daily routines. However, after the initial burst, what truly drives success is velocity—the quality of your conversations. Instead of calling 100 random agents, target a smaller, qualified group that can actually send you business. When every call ends with a clear ask for the business, your efforts become far more efficient.
The key is to shift from mere busy work to intentional, high-value activities. Whether it’s a focused 10-call session to qualified agents or structured, result-driven conversations where you ask for the business on every call, quality over quantity is your best strategy. Remember: it’s not about working harder, but about working smarter. If you want to learn more about creating a system that transforms raw activity into real, measurable results, book a call with our team and discover how to make every call count.
What Would It Feel Like to Count on Business That Never Stops?
Your past clients hold the key to consistent referrals and long-term success. By transforming each transaction into a referral annuity, you can build a predictable income stream without ever feeling pushy. The secret is simple: consistently activate your database. When you stay top of mind—through quarterly calls, monthly mailings, weekly emails, texts, and targeted Facebook ads—you create a pattern that typically yields one closing per 100 past clients.
This approach is all about farming your database. It’s not about hard selling; it’s about genuine thank-you calls and check-ins that remind clients of the great experience they had with you. By laying down these consistent seeds, you ensure a steady harvest of referrals and business over time. Ready to turn one transaction into a lifetime of opportunities? Book a strategy call with our team, and let’s map out an easy, proven plan for your continued success.
Why Calling Realtors Feels Pointless (Until You Do This)
If you’re making the calls but not seeing results, it’s probably because you’re not calling the right agents. Too often, time is wasted on agents who simply don’t have the business to refer. The solution? Focus on qualified agents—those closing eight or more buy-side transactions a year.
Here’s the math: Agents closing fewer than eight transactions a year can only refer you about two clients annually. With a 25% conversion rate, you might close one deal this year or next. It’s simply not worth the time. Instead, use tools like Loan Officer CRM, MMI, or Redder to identify qualified agents who are actively producing in today’s market.
Once you’ve found the right agents, build authentic, deep relationships. Don’t pitch products or programs—focus on becoming a true partner who creates ease and consistency in their business. If an agent relationship isn’t working, it’s likely because they’re no longer qualified. Shift your focus, go deep with the right agents, and watch your business transform.
If you want help building a strategy to connect with qualified agents and grow your business, click the link and schedule a call. Let’s make this your best month ever.
The Secret to Effortless Success
Sporadic bursts of effort might feel productive, but they often lead to burnout—not breakthroughs. Here’s a powerful example: If someone offered you a penny that doubles every day for 30 days or a million dollars upfront, which would you take? Most people grab the million, but here’s the truth: the doubling penny grows to over $5.3 million by day 30.
The same principle applies to your business. Consistency compounds. While one-time victories, like making 50 calls in a day, might feel like a win, the real power lies in small, daily actions done over time.
- Make proactive calls every day.
- Stick to Tuesday updates.
- Call two letters of your database alphabet every Wednesday.
- Build two to five strategic relationships weekly.
These consistent actions may feel small in the moment, but over time, they create predictable growth and massive results. Short bursts aren’t sustainable, but consistency always wins.
What are you doing consistently every week? If you need help building a plan, schedule a call with us. Let’s map out a strategy that compounds your success like that penny.
The Coffee Meeting Framework That Closes More Deals
Stop wasting time on coffee meetings with agents that lead nowhere. With a simple, repeatable framework, you can turn every meeting into a productive opportunity to build relationships and close business. Here’s the SWEAT process (Same Way Every Time):
- Set Expectations – Start every meeting by setting clear expectations. For example: “Hey, we’ve got 30 minutes, and I’m excited to hear about your success and explore ways we can collaborate.” This removes anxiety and shows you respect their time.
- Honor Them – Be sincere and specific when recognizing their achievements. For example: “I noticed you closed 35 buy-side transactions last year. That’s incredible—it puts you in the top 4% of agents nationwide!” Honor builds rapport and opens doors for meaningful conversations.
- Be Curious – Use the F.R.O.G. framework (Family, Recreation, Occupation, Goals) to ask thoughtful questions and listen. Start with: “Tell me about how you got started in real estate” or “What are your goals for the next five years?” The goal is to find alignment, not just talk about yourself.
- Close – End the meeting with one of three closes:
- “Who do you have today that I could help get preapproved?”
- “Would you mind if I follow up from time to time?”
- “If I could show you how we’re helping agents close more deals, would you give me 30 minutes for a deeper conversation?”
This simple four-step framework ensures every meeting is intentional, effective, and geared toward building real partnerships. Try it, and watch how your coffee meetings transform into opportunities to grow your business.
Will Your Clients Remember You?
Your clients may love you today, but will they remember you tomorrow? A staggering 78% of mortgage and real estate clients forget their loan officer or realtor after the transaction is over. That’s money being left on the table—but here’s how to fix it.
The solution? Consistently reconnect with your past client database. Every Wednesday, dedicate time from 9–11 AM to call two letters of the alphabet. Start with A and B this week, then move to C and D next week, and so on. By following this process, you’ll reach every client in your database four times a year.
Not sure what to say? Keep it simple:
- Reintroduce yourself and thank them for being a client.
- Chitchat briefly about life or how things are going.
- Let them know you want to be their mortgage or real estate professional for life.
- Ask for the business: “Can I count on you to refer friends, family, or coworkers who are looking to buy, sell, or refinance?”
This strategy keeps you top of mind and builds stronger relationships. On average, actively working your database can result in one closing for every 100 past clients. That’s business waiting for you—don’t let it slip away.
Start calling your database this week, stick to the process, and watch how this small but powerful habit transforms your business.
Still Struggling with Updates? Here’s How to Fix it Fast
Feeling overwhelmed by all the updates you need to give clients and agents? Let’s simplify it. I’ve learned that turning routine updates into “Just Ask Updates” not only streamlines the process but also helps you generate relational referrals along the way.
The key is to deliver clear communication that assures both clients and agents that everything is on track. Here’s the magic phrase:
“We’re on track for a smooth and flawless closing.”
This phrase addresses what everyone really wants to hear and keeps the call short—just three minutes instead of ten. If questions arise, you can delegate the details to your team while keeping the conversation focused. Then, at the end of the call, ask for the business. For agents, try: “Who have you run into recently that I can help get preapproved?” For clients, use the 3×3 ask: “Could I count on you to refer friends, family, or coworkers looking to buy, sell, or refinance?”
When you combine effective updates with a simple ask, you’ll not only reduce overwhelm but see up to a 20% increase in fundings. Ready to take your updates to the next level? Let’s make it happen.