Posted by Art_MD on 10/25/05 8:17am
Msg #72139

The little things..

We read many posts about competition, marketing etc. and how to make yourself stand out from the competition.
It can be small things that bring you to the top of the pile - your appearance, the way you greet the borrower, etc.

One action that has gotten good results (borrower --> lender/TC --> me) is shoes. With the rain, mud, and snow coming to many areas, we are going to get our shoes dirty/muddy/wet. I always carry a pair of airline slippers with me. When I enter a borrowers home, I look at what they are wearing and look to see if there are several sets of shoes near the door. In any weather, if there are several sets, I take off my shoes and put on the slippers. If my feet are wet/muddy, I do it automatically. It's amazing how many times i've heard "oh, thank you for taking off you shoes, .......". I've had several TCs mention this wasgiven as feedback by the borrowers when they did a post closing review.

Art

Reply by eXpedNotTX on 10/25/05 9:10am
Msg #72146

That is a wonderful idea. Thank you Art. I too, appreciate it when people remove their shoes at my door. Earlier this year I housed a group of Korean kids that were visiting our Taekwondo school and I have never seen so many shoes in front of the door in my life. It was so funny!!! Anyone that would try to enter would trip over them.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 10/25/05 9:59am
Msg #72160

Common courtesies...

LOL It's bad enough we have to tell them how to get business, and now, how to keep it.
To me, this is all part of the common courtesy lessons I learned from my family growing up.
Apparently you, too, Art!
Personally, I like the Golden Rule:Do unto others as you would have done to you.
Always works, never fails in the end

Reply by Anonymous on 10/25/05 10:35am
Msg #72170

Black slipons.

I always wear black slipon(and off) penny loafers. I almost always take them off expect some borrowers say right away just leave your shoes on and then I do. I see other closers with shoes that ties. Waste of time of energy in my opinion.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 10/25/05 10:51am
Msg #72174

Re: Black slipons.

You will change your mind on that statement when the SNOW gets A** high to a giraffe.

Reply by Tina_MA on 10/25/05 6:18pm
Msg #72280

Re: The little things...

Like I was taught by my mother, I always take the time to wipe my feet carefully before entering the borrowers home -- even if there couldn't possibly be something on the bottom of my shoes. People appreciate that you take the time to do that.

I have always carried a pair of slippers in my briefcase in case of inclement weather and also for those borrowers who do not want anyone wearing shoes in their house ever. I do not like walking barefoot/stockingfoot in anyone's home.

On another note: why is it that borrowers cannot do courteous things for us like:

* shoveling clear path though three feet of snow to their door -- how can I be dressed professionally when I need to wear a snowsuit and snowshoes?

* leaving outside lights on so that one can find their home easier at night, and see when walking up to their door -- I like to embarrass them by using my huge Maglite (it takes 4 D batteries) to make my way to their front door -- it's an unsubtle reminder that they should have lit up the front of the house and walkways