You will Discover This Free New Post is Guaranteed to Make You think 'Mortgage Broker'

There's a lot of things to consider if you are thinking of jumping careers into a completely new field in a futile bid to ward off the specter of our imminent demise which will (unless 'science' gets in the way) claim us all in the next 100 years.

Because apparently, NASA becomes sponsored by the wine industry

I decided to juggle the mind field of mortgage brokering after some recommendations from family. This is on top of my job as a care aide, father, husband, volunteer firefighter and part-time writer for a popular webzine (if you live in the United Kingdom and still have an opinion of Christopher Nolan's Batman). I sometimes get them confused as on top of all these responsibilities, I also need to sleep.

The other day, slightly distracted by thoughts on my various career paths, I came across a minor accident; a few vehicles were pulled over to the side of the road and a few people were attending a middle-aged man with no visible signs of injury. He wore motorbike leathers and seeing as how there was no motorbike visible, only a slight skid mark that went over the side of the road into the bushes, it was pretty self-explanatory.

As all first responders, professional or volunteer should do, I identified myself to offer my trained assistance;
"Hi, I'm a mortgage broker, do you need any help?"

It took me a brief moment for my ears to catch up to my words as the 1/2 dozen assorted strangers looked at me. Too late, I corrected myself;
"I mean, I'm with the fire hall."

But by then it was too late, I lost their business.

"Are you looking for a variable or fixed rate?"

One of the things I am adjusting to in this new field of mortgage brokering is making that good 1st impression on prospective clients. If you are reading this, I feel ethically obligated to state that you (or likely one of your friends) are a prospective client. I'm not writing this for my own amusement but in a slightly subtle attempt to make you think of me. To some I am no more than an anonymous blogger that was referred by a friend who reads blogs on mortgages. That's fine, as long as I have your attention.

Like that accident scene, sometimes a mortgage broker can be the last one to the crash party - you have already done your real estate shopping, you have done the tour, thought about it for a night and have made an offer, which is usually tied to the three main subjects; house inspection, a set closure date and financing.

Then like that motorcycle driver, you head into your bank that you have been loyal to since you first opened a bank account and you hit a curve you weren't expecting; they are not pushing over themselves to give you a mortgage. They might even decline to give you any money, or say something like 'it's just 6% over prime.' which sounds a bit high too you, after all everyone keeps talking about this 1% Prime Rate thing on the radio.

"It appears you need a medic, stepladder and a better credit score."

So you are sitting there, holding a wet cloth to the large bump on your financial self-esteem, surrounded by others that sympathize; your family, friends, perhaps even your real estate agent. You don't know what to do now. If you are lucky, some guy (or girl) like me comes along, sees a bunch of people at the side of the road looking concerned, stops and identifies themselves as being exactly the professional you are looking for. But the chances of that happening are rather slim. People don't tend to stop at accident scenes and proclaim themselves to be mortgage brokers.

I did. But in my defense, I needed more sleep.

I could have tried to explain myself a bit better at that accident, how I could perhaps help refinance that man's probably now useless motorbike loan into his mortgage, saving him thousands in interest payments in the long run. Perhaps I could have told him I could help find him a house that had a detached shop to make motorbike repairs. Perhaps I could have passed my card around the assembled caring citizens before I left but I didn't. A good mortgage broker should know the right time to bring his profession up and the right time not to. It's about reading the situation properly. Maybe I should have just said I have a first aid kit in my car.

This is the near-trifecta of Insurance claims

In a controlled environment, this is what, I, as a mortgage broker can do. I can help you find that right mortgage, can help you refinance your lifestyle to assist you living that lifestyle or at the very least help you learn how to be able to revisit your wishes with slightly better success in six months time. I will keep you informed of new developments that affect your mortgage and when it is coming time to renew.

I can guarantee that I will save you money over the years as you attain a comfortable future.

Maybe I should have said that first, then follow up by informing that accident scene that I was a mortgage broker.

Oh, well, live and learn.

www.jayroyston.ca

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