Tom Barker

How I Work:

When we work together you can expect your client's home buying experience to elevate to a new level. You'll hear them express gratitude and tell their friends and family about you breeding future referrals. Additionally, we'll define a clear marketing strategy based on collaborative efforts so you build a business based on relationships and become immune to existing market conditions. Over a period of time you'll realize higher sales, higher profit margins and less work.

Working together should be fun . I am passionate about serving the needs of clients, but I don't take myself too seriously and remember to have fun. Too often the home finance process is stressful and my job is to remove the anxiety and help clients feel comfortable and humor is something I use to do it.

I believe in life balance . There's more to life than just my work. Weekends are spent with my family, and although I'm occasionally available and can return calls, I maintain a schedule that balances my lifestyle.

My job is to make my partner - the real estate agent - look good in the eyes of the client. It's also the job of the real estate agent to make the lender look good too. It's symbiotic and if the client feels dissension or one party blames the other openly in front of the client, it only deteriorates the client relationship and hurts future referrals.

Relationships are built on collaboration . We'll discuss ideas and form a strategy on paper. Based on the different tactics decided, we'll assign each other responsibility and hold one another accountable. Each week we'll review our plans and every 120 days, we'll revise our strategy to stay on track.

Service is my signature trademark. When you refer a client, my first act of service is holding a strategic loan planning session with the client. Due diligence performed early eliminates surprises at the closing table. Additionally, unlike many loan officers, I attend my signings. It demonstrates my commitment to the client and the loan program I recommended.

In today's competitive marketplace you cannot afford the smallest margin of error. Lapses in service, especially from your affiliates (i.e. loan officers, inspectors, title & escrow) cost you future referrals. As your preferred mortgage lender my job goes beyond delivering red carpet service to clients. It includes helping you build client loyalty so you benefit from a lifetime of referrals, reduce your advertising expenses and enjoy the lifestyle you deserve.

Who I Work With:

I primarily work with agents who are career-oriented, focus on residential re-sales, and deliver superior service. However, they know service alone isn't enough to produce steady referrals and work in conjunction with their affiliates (i.e. loan officer, inspector, title & escrow) because they know it produces more business.

Typically, these following statements suit real estate agents seeking my help. Which ones describe you?

I'm struggling to acquire clients because of the housing slow-down. I'm diligent but work for a broker that offers limited support and I'm frustrated because my advertising efforts have led to dismal results. What do I need to do to get a new client?

I'm relatively new to real estate but have a vast network of contacts. I want to position myself as an expert but am unsure where to begin. I've toiled with technology but find it intimidating or too confusing. Who understands what I'm trying to do and can help me achieve it?

I've been successful and found clients relatively easy until the market came to a halt. Now I find myself going different directions and not having a clear plan. I want to continue my career in real estate but need to identify a strategy that moves my business forward. How do I develop relationships and get more referrals without the huge expense of advertising?

Real estate agents are successful working with me if...

You are committed to excellence . You don't believe in always cutting your commission or asking the lender to cut their commission to make a sale. Instead, you believe in creating added value and delivering superior service so clients promote your service to their friends and family.

You believe in a symbiotic relationship . You place high emphasis on the importance of trustworthy relationships. You believe in meeting regularly and sharing your goals and marketing plans so we can help each other. On the other hand, if you feel compelled to always give 3 business cards to buyers, then I'm not the lender for you. I want to work with agents where I can develop fierce loyalty between each other.

You adhere to the highest standards of integrity. If you want to get ahead by taking unethical shortcuts; I'm not the lender for you. If you believe in playing the game at the highest level, I want to help you succeed at it.

Testimonials

"You helped me with my financial problems when other lenders could not or would not. I was about to give up. With your help I paid off $34,109. 77 worth of credit card debt and lowered my monthly payments by $452.22. All that AND you handed me a check for $12,522.61 at closing to finish the repairs my house needed.

Patricia P., Columbia, MD

"I was about to throw your letter in the trash when my wife suggested I at least hear what you had to say. We had already been denied by two other companies. I don't know who to thank more, you or my wife. I have my finances back in control and can sleep at night once more. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Greg & Kristen K., Westminster, MD

"The previous loan officer that I had worked with had put me in a dangerous adjustable rate mortgage. Everything was fine until my rate went up to 9.75%!!! Of course, I never heard from the loan officer that put me into this mortgage again. Thank goodness I found Tom. Tom took the time to listen to my situation and what I wanted and found a SECURE FIXED RATE mortgage for me! I was ecstatic! The rate was actually less then what my old rate was before it adjusted. Tom saved me over $355.00 a month and gave me two months off from paying my mortgage! Tom has been a blessing to me. I don't know what I would have done without him. He kept in constant contact with me and let me know what was going on at all times.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!"

Cheryl H., Bowie, MD

"The broker who had done our first mortgage had talked us into a 1-year adjustable rate mortgage. It wasn't long before the rate adjusted and we fell behind and were going to file chapter 13 bankruptcy. You were able to get us a loan to pay off our credit card debt, fixed up our credit, and got us over $25,000 cash out to finish our home improvements. We've already called everyone we know and insisted they call you and ignore everyone else. If only we'd met you first, we'd have saved ourselves a lot of heartache."

T.J. & Robin B., Cockeysville, MD

"I hope you know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. I know how hard you have worked form me and I am truly grateful for the long hours, your sage advice and above all patience, patience, patience! I actually do not know anyone as patient as you.

With the economy as it is and the world going to hell in a hand basket, I have never felt in better than I have with you.."

Ann B., McLean, VA