Can't lose sight of our real obligation.

Ever pushed too hard to get something done? To the point where you were forcing a square peg into a round hole? It happens when we get so wrapped up in trying to get something done that you almost lose sight of what you were really trying to do in the first place. It mainly happens when getting a loan closed or a transaction pushed through takes the place of doing what is right for your client or borrower, which is of course the ONLY thing we should be concerned with. I pride myself on doing a good job of that but every now and then I find myself having to step back and say "the best thing to do here is walk away." It's tough because that's how all of us make our living, pay our mortgage, buy our groceries etc., and you don't get paid for walking away or advising a client to "not buy right now" or "not refinance right now" but there is no question that both of those statements have a place in our daily work life. If more Realtors and mortgage lenders had been willing to say that over the last few years, perhaps we wouldn't be where we are today. There are still plenty out there doing things the wrong way which upsets me when I lose a loan to one of them or when I upset a Realtor or other referral partner but in then end, I always know that the loan wasn't one that I should close and the good referral partners never have a problem with it when it is the right course of action. So don't let it upset you if you lose a deal to a "less than reputable competitor" or to standards and practices that aren't 100% above board. Though they are still in business today, rest assured that they won't be much longer.

As the famous coach John Wooden said:

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

Just my two cents worth for today.