First-Time Buyers Seminars ...

Through the years I have offered many First-Time Buyer Seminars. I love doing them, as the excitement level of the attendees is high, infectious, and makes the seminar more fun. Normally, the age of the buyer is that of someone younger as well, and as the dad of two sons in there 20's, I really enjoy working with someone around that age.

I served as a coach for my sons basketball and baseball teams when they were younger, and hosting these seminars feels pretty much the same. The participants share the same energy level and eagerness to learn, only now it's about buying a home.

Now I want to expand upon that excitement and energy level and have some fun while doing it too. That is why I'm writing this post. I've honed a pretty good seminar after doing so many, (if I say so myself), but it doesn't mean that I can't improve upon my seminars and become even more successful at hosting one.

I am constantly reminded when reading the posts submitted here that ActiveRain readers and members are a wealth of information and expertise. So, what better place to go to than ActiveRain when I need to ask for help and new ideas? I just hope I can handle the volume!

I ask that if you have hosted a successful First-Time Home Buyer Seminar - or - attended a seminar that you thought exemplary, that you please let me know what made it so successful for the participants and host.

If you were a host ... what preparations did you make towards hosting the event? If you had particular success with your marketing ideas, what were they? How did you increase the number of your attendees? Did you co-host with other professionals? And, if so, whom?

If you were an attendee ... how was the seminar different from most seminars? What did the host do that kept your attention, excited and motivated you to learn more about purchasing a home? What did they do that made you trust their abilities and want to use their services? And so on ... and so on ... and so on.

This may sound selfish on my part, but I'm tired of hosting the same ol' same ol' seminar. After 30 years in the business, I'm looking to host a seminar that is fresh and novel in its concept and approach. I want to make my next seminar something different and fun for the participants and myself. No more typical!! No more mundane!! I'm ready to hear and consider some really exciting brainstorming ideas!! New ways to present the valuable information a first-timer needs. A new seminar for a new market! No ideas will be overlooked or wasted!!

I'm not saying that the "tried and true" ways or methods of other seminars are wrong. They are not. I'm just ready to mix it up a bit and try something different. I'm hoping that all of us can gain from the exchange of ideas presented here, whether host or participant. And ... that seminar participants will come to understand that there is truly a difference in lending and real estate service professionals. That the true professionals never stop learning and searching for better ways to advise and serve their customers.

I thank all of my fellow "Rainers" that submit ideas ahead of time ... as I'm hoping there are so many great responses that I won't be able to write thank-yous fast enough to keep up! As always, please let me know if I can ever be of service to you.

Looking forward to reading your comments and ideas soon!

Gene Mundt, Professional Mortgage Banker www.genemundt.com Chicago Bancorp