Twas the week before Christmas,
And despite what the media has said;
Purchase loans and refinance activity,
Are far from dead!
Buyers are still making offers,
On homes both large and small.
Despite their faulty belief,
That all of the shopping is done at the mall!
So don’t pay attention,
To those who would say otherwise.
Mortgage loan volume,
Still continue to set new highs!
While this year has been unlike,
Any other we have seen.
The desire to own and refinance,
Are still picking up steam!
I will leave you with good tidings,
As a coach to some of the best;
Don’t miss out on opportunities available,
While others party and rest!
There are renters wanting to own,
Trade-uppers looking to sell and buy;
And let us not forget those,
Who have yet to Refi!
Enjoy some time with your family,
Make sure to have some well-deserved fun;
But it will serve you well to remember,
To take your momentum with you into 2021!
Cleve Gaddis is a Master Coach, speaker, and trainer with Workman Success Systems who works with some of America's most-profitable teams. He specializes in helping family-owned brokerages and teams navigate the challenges unique to family businesses. Cleve hosts "Your Move Atlanta," a weekly radio show on 640 AM, a Fox News station on iHeartRadio. He learned to sales the hard way, by selling vacuum cleaners door to door. To have Cleve speak live to your company, team, or group, connect with him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
2020 has been a year unlike any other. While we began the year with lower rates, COVID-19 quickly took the spotlight. Despite shutdowns and layoffs, refinances boomed and the purchase market kept everyone moving. We have not been at a loss for opportunities with rates more than 1% lower than this time last year, refinances are almost double what they were and purchase business is up more than 22% nationwide!
All of this activity may have people just struggling to hang on to their sanity because of growing volumes, some have really grown themselves, their systems, and the types of referral partners and opportunities they have sought out.
While there are many that boarded the leads list train, others have made a different choice on how to grow their business. Some have hired production partners that funnel volume up to an individual, others have mastered the business to a point that they are closing 10 to 15 units a month by themselves with plenty of time for their lives as well. These people aren’t “lucky” to have managed these results, they have worked hard to master their craft and build a real practice.
It’s also not “luck” that some originators have developed strong relationships with accountants, financial planners, attorneys, and have large and well nurtured databases of people who not only repeat the process with them; but eagerly refer them friends and family members. When people grow their business by more than double in a year it isn’t luck. When originators make the choice to build a better team, create a better customer experience, and commit to closing loans on time and hassle free, it isn’t luck that generates the improved results!
It’s been a record shattering year for the mortgage industry and there are many people that these numbers will recede once rates start to rise, regulations change the manner in which business is done; or the growth of call center and internet lending remove originators from the street and requires them to answer a phone; A select few will have a relational business model built on value, trust, and service that will allow them to succeed. 2021 will see significant changes. Are you ready, because it’s more than just luck!
Questions or comments: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pamela Banks earned her real estate license in 2000 and immediately immersed herself in the profession. She specializes in residential lifestyle real estate, working with buyers, sellers and investors. Along with her 20 years of experience, Pamela is deeply involved in the profession, serving on local, state and national real estate committees. This year, along with her committee work, she is also serving as a Board of Director for both Florida Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, as well as a RPAC President Circle Sterling R contributor. Pamela joined the Women’s Council of Realtors Greater Palm Beach in 2004, served as the President in 2006 and Florida State President in 2015. This year she is honored to be the Women’s Council of REALTORS National President Elect.
Pamela is addicted to orchids with over 70 plants in her yard. She is married to her high school sweetheart, has three grown sons and three granddaughters.
With a passion for real estate, cutting edge technology and a knowledge of the market, she delivers Excellence You Can Bank On!
Coni Meyers, LMC, CBLC, CDC, Crisis Management Specialist, and Leadership Clarity Strategist has spent over 40 years supporting thousands of individuals and businesses.
She is passionate about helping and creating mindful, visionary leaders that can overcome any crisis and disaster. Her unique background combined with her experience as a FEMA inspector and trainer gives her an all encompassing perspective for creating this certification. She saw a need to educate and prepare as many individuals as possible for all disasters. And so CKM was born!
Coni has helped taken the National Home Inspection Company, now known as WIN Home Inspections, and OnlineEd from the local market to having a national presence. Additionally, she has owned four consulting companies and has earned three prestigious life and leadership coaching credentials.
Coni is the founder of CKM Solutions Group, as well as Crystalline Moment Success Movement and Kickbutt Leadership.
She is an international best-selling author, speaker and trainer. Her current work includes her new books,
When the Unthinkable Happens and
Leadership in Trying Times. Coni is the author in the soon to be released,
Crystalline Voices: Women Leaders in Real Estate.
Michael F. Combs is a literary fiction and non-fiction writer on a mission to help people find hope, build meaningful relationships and live with no regrets through his uplifting books. His life changed in 2003 after dying and coming back, not once but twice. Deprived of oxygen for too long, he lost his memory which provided a full “mental reset” that restored his childlike wonder of life. After nearly two years in recovery, Michael was more determined than ever to live life to the fullest.
With his renewed purpose in life, he went on to defy all odds becoming a prolific fine artist, multi-book author, music and meditation composer and he even achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. Starting with nothing more than a dream, he earned a spot in aviation history with the The Flight for the Human Spirit, setting six world records and reaching 30 million people with his message that ‘It’s never, ever, too late to follow your dreams’. The plane now resides in a prestigious aviation museum in Denver, Colorado.
Combs lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife Michele. They have four grown children, all successful, motivated entrepreneurs whose help made The Flight for the Human Spirit possible.
I hope everyone had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving last week. This week we need to talk about December and the fact that we need to really focus on our people. Our clients, our teams, our support staff, and most of all our families all require our attention. The steps are pretty simple:
• Every current file in process that closes this month needs to be smooth and swift. Take care that any file scheduled to close the last two weeks of the month be clear to close no later than Friday the 18th.
• All pre-approvals need to be contacted this week to determine their intentions. Are we looking every week at homes, are we looking occasionally for homes, or are we waiting until January to resume looking?
• Those with files to close in January need to stay on top of information and timelines so we don’t start 2021 in a train wreck! Timelines make for smooth and happy closings!
• Each of our referral partners needs a conversation week one! Are they working and what are they seeing? Gauge activity levels and be supportive with winning strategies. If they want to take off, support that as well and connect with them next year and move on to those who are working.
• Take the time to listen to your team and their stories about the holiday schedule. It’s been a long year and many are over tired. Be supportive. You can prevent most of their challenges by being engaged and being sure everyone is following the plan.
• Your database of closed clients’ needs a holiday message from you!
• Your other professionals need to be up to speed on the new FNMA limit and how it is a huge benefit! Share the strategies!
• Last but not least is to be available for your friends and families. You have had a great year and have been working really hard. So let’s schedule plenty of uninterrupted fun time with those that are most important to us!
Questions or comments: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Debra Trappen (tray-pen) is a sought-after strategist, best-selling author, podcaster, professional keynote speaker, and respected voice of women’s empowerment movements. She is known for her signature “truth, wrapped in grace, with sides of sass, moxie, and fire” way of communicating and engaging her beloved communities.
When she is not idea-storming her next adventure, reading-writing-recording in her Fire Up! studio, or sprinkling moxie from the stage – you will find her walking Lizzie her JackChi pup along the water’s edge, editing photos, watching Sci-Fi and 80’s flicks, or traveling and wine tasting with her husband and besties!
Her first book, Fire Up! Taking Your Life and Business to 11 and the Fire Up! Podcast are both accessible on her website. When you are ready to live your best life out loud, on purpose, and on your own terms – reach out and connect.
She dares you.
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She is a formerly trained classical & opera singer, who for many years hid her healing and spiritual gifts for fear of being seem, being heard and fear of her own light. Back in March 2018 she felt stuck ,weighed down by the feelings that she wasn’t fulfilled and that there was more she should be doing with her life. She knew things had to change and she made the brave decision to stop hiding and really step into her power and capabilities as a healer. She now uses her powerful singing voice for what it was meant for - helping others to heal.
Rachel uses sound, energy & intuition to help purpose-driven women get unstuck so they can fulfil their deepest desires & make a lasting impact She works with clients from across the globe to help them free themselves from their past, release heavy emotions & deep pains so they too can find the strength to step into their truth & power.
Rachel lives in the Manchester UK with her composer husband Gavin and their 8 year old daughter Annie.
Whilst being a mom is one of the most fantastic jobs in the world, it is also one of the most challenging. Being organised, making time for activities, cleaning and feeding everyone can be extremely difficult, especially when you are trying to juggle it with your career. Finding time to keep everything in order and be on time can be testing, however there are a few things you can do to help get ahead as a mom and in your career!
Share Roles With Other Parents
Every parent will understand the pressure you feel when you can’t quite get on top of things, so speaking to other parents and sharing roles is a great option to make your life easier. Organise for your children to go to the same after school sports club or weekend dance class and take it in turns to take them and pick them up. This will save you a good few hours a week to help you take back some control and get organised.
Another great idea is to speak to family or friends and see if they’d be happy to take your kids for one afternoon a week for a play date. This will give you time to clean up where you need to, batch cook a few meals or have a well deserved break with a cup of tea and a book. You can return the favour on another day in the week to give other parents the same space. Sometimes all you need is a few hours to yourself to regroup and your kids will benefit from having a more energised and happy parent when they get home!
Speed Up Meal Times
Something that takes up a lot of time as a parent is meal times. Deciding what to eat, going shopping, cooking and clearing up can take up hours of the day. So, here are a few things you can do to speed up the process.
Firstly, plan your meals, get home food deliveries and cook in advance where possible. Over the weekend, decide exactly what you’ll be making for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the week and only buy the things you need for those dishes. See which days will be busiest and plan to have meals that can be cooked in bulk and frozen in advance, such as spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, soups or curries. This will save you so much time each day.
Next, reduce the clean up time as much as possible by covering yourself and your little one! How many times have you had to try and find a new outfit after your child has been sick or thrown a bit of food at you by accident? When it comes to breakfast, get yourself a specific towel or sheet that you can quickly pop over your clothes to protect them before work. Also, avoid needing to do another clothes change for your kids by investing in some weaning bibs or sleeved bibs that protect your child’s clothes. These simple things should save you lots of time and effort.
Be Present In Your Role
In order to be successful as a mom and in your career, it is important to be present and focus in both of your roles separately. Rather than trying to juggle emails with getting your kids ready, focus on getting them up, dressed, fed and dropped off at school/nursery. Now, you can focus on your job role for the day, whatever that might be. Then, after you’ve finished work and you’re home with your kids, leave your work worries in the office and enjoy your valuable time with your children.
You won’t be able to thrive in either environment if you let them cross over. As a professional, you will get so much more out of the day if you wait until you’re in the office or at your desk to focus on your tasks in hand, rather than starting them in the morning and not knowing where you are up to. When you’re at home, focus on being a mom, and when you’re in the office, focus on your career. Your children and your company will benefit greatly if you effectively separate your home and work life.
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Karyn Buxman is a TEDx speaker, successful author, brain-based high-performance coach—and a neurohumorist (she lives at the intersection of humor and the brain.) As The Global Expert in Strategic Humor for Business Karyn helps high performers go from great to world class. From the Mayo Clinic to the Million Dollar Round Table, organizations around the world hire Karyn to educate, inspire, and entertain their audiences again and again. She’s one of 254 people (and only 53 women) in the world to be inducted into the National Speakers Association's Speaker Hall of Fame. Her latest book, Funny Means Money: Strategic Humor for Influence & World Domination will be published by ForbesBooks in 2021. Karyn is serious about humor!
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