Posted by Mike_NJ on 1/24/06 3:48pm
Msg #90741

Very disappointing month for sure

I know this is my slowest month of the year but YIKES. I compared my last 3 years and the slowing trend has increased every year. I do a good size volume, I know many out there do more and some do less.

Sales of 01/06 compared to the following years

2004 - v 37%
2005 - v 28%

I have not marketed my company in over 1.5 years guess I need to get out and bang on doors again. The phones are not as busy as I would hope they would be for 2006.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/24/06 3:55pm
Msg #90744

That's a bummer... marketing is key, though. Obviously you did a good job 1.5 years ago to not have to continuously do it... how did you market before?

Sallie/PA

Reply by Mike_NJ on 1/24/06 4:06pm
Msg #90750

Sallie,

I won't give away how I market my company, I'm seeing a trend in the industry and I think 2006 will slow down alot compared to the last 2 years. (Housing market in my area has peaked and is declining) Factor in the a ton of people maybe out of a job in 2006 and if they refi within the last year they have tapped out the home equity.

On a normal month I close between 75-100 loans, I do this full time and I'm just wondering if other FT folks are seeing the same trend.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/24/06 4:15pm
Msg #90752

Big time! I cannot believe the slow down. It is tremendous! I have NEVER been this slow. Never have I had a January or any other month like this. Every company I call say's they are slow too. I agree this is going to be a bad year. Don't quit your day job! JMHO

Reply by Mike_IA on 1/24/06 4:54pm
Msg #90763

Re: Very disappointing month for sure - Business great here

I have been full time for over 5-1/2 years. 2003 with the re-fi frenzy was the best year but 2005 was within a few hundred dollars of 2003's record income. January has been good to date.

Reply by NM_CO on 1/24/06 5:00pm
Msg #90769

Re: Very disappointing month for sure - Business great here

Oprah and I have become very close this month and my house is tired of smelling Pine Sol.

Reply by Beth/MD on 1/24/06 7:15pm
Msg #90795

Re: Very disappointing month for sure - Business great here

I was on snooze mode all month with only 10 and then yesterday and today have been better. I did 3 yesterday and 4 today. It had been so slow, I think I got winded. Only have 1 scheduled for tomorrow but I sure hope that changes too. And NM, I was beginning to feel really close to Dr. Phil and Oprah, too.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/24/06 7:31pm
Msg #90807

Re: Very disappointing month for sure - Business great here

On the heels of a record month in December, have had a surprisingly good January here in Ohio; have done almost 50 so far this month, and about a third of those have been purchases.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/24/06 10:11pm
Msg #90871

Re:- Business great here

If you have time to watch Dr. Phil and Opra, then you are not utilizing your time wisely, and your business will not expand. You can not sit on the couch and expect the business to fall into your lap. You have to go looking for it.

Proper time management and consistent/productive marketing are two very important keys to success in this business.

Remember, do not work harder, work smarter.