Gene's Bit of Blogging
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender - Direct: 815.277.4036    Cell/Text: 708.921.6331
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Recent Posts

Opening Night Coming for Joliet Slammers Baseball!
Multiple Offers and Appraisals ... Learning to Co-Exist Successfully
Buyers Decide Within 8 Seconds Whether They Are Interested In A Home
Students from Naperville, IL to Appear on "Late Show with David Letterman", Thursday, May 10th
I May Not Be Yoda, but I'm Darn Close!

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Gene's Bit of Blogging

Marketing

"If I Were a Carpenter" ...



"If I Were a Carpenter" ...



     I know by referring to the song, "If I were a Carpenter", I'm doing two things.  First, I'm probably dating myself.  (Yep .. I remember the song when first released.)

Construct a Successful Deal!  Contact Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender     And secondly, I may be stretching the real meaning of the message the songwriter, Tim Hardin, was hoping to convey through his writing of the song.  Still, I'm forging ahead.  As I think the name of this song conveys a message to everyone, especially at this time of the year ... and for those of us in business for ourselves.

    I live in the Midwest (Chicagoland), where weather typically dictates a more defined building and outdoor home improvement season.  With our winter weather this year being so mild, and spring weather having arrived (at least temporarily) the last couple of weeks ... I've already been seeing many homeowners out doing yard chores.  Preparing for summer and good weather's larger home improvement tasks. 

     You can hear them while they're working.  Saws.  Hammering ... the laughter, talk, buzz of activity.  It sounds great.  Alot like hope to me.  It sounds positive. Alive .. refreshed.


    Hearing all this while out putzing in my own yard this last weekend, it occured to me, that we're ALL trying to build or improve on something ... whether in actuality or metaphorically speaking.  What "that" is differs from person to person, but still ... we're all busy adding and expanding on our homes, properties ... prior experiences, defeats, and successes in some form or manner.  Hoping to eliminate or carve out the bad and create, hammer in something better.

    And like all tradesman or carpenters, there are differences in our abilities.  Some of us have better skills or are handier at accomplishing different tasks than others. 
Do Your Clients Measure Up?  Contact Gene Mundt for a NO Cost NO Obligation Mortgage Consultation
    Some of our success depends on the "tools" we have and how we utilize them.  Our success is also dependant on just how open and willing we are to learning new skills, watching, and listening to others that are a bit more educated, advanced, or skilled than we are. 

     I personally think that may be the key.  I certainly see that with myself, my clients, and co-workers.  We all do far better and more successfully in the end with that attitude.

     Having a clear idea of what it is your building is important too.  A vision of a finished product is needed.   So I go back to the tune mentioned above ... "If I were a Carpenter" ...

     Do you know what you are trying to build through all your hard efforts?  What does your finished product look like?  Can you picture it in your mind?

     Is it:

  •      A strong, large Database?
  •      Windows of Opportunities?
  •      A concrete, solid Foundation for your Business?
  •      A path to Success?
  •      Improved Finances, Credit-positioning?
  •      A network of beneficial referral Relationships?
  •      A network of new Technology?
  •      A cornerstone Reputation?
  •      An expanded Education or Expertise?
  •      Financial Security?
  •      Etc. ... Etc. ... Etc. ....

    This year's building season is here.  The weather and conditions are perfect to perform improvements ... to build.  Have you thought about what you're going to build or improve upon in your business this year??  Have you envisioned your goal ... your end result?  
  
 

    *  Hoping to build and expand your opportunities? Your services?  Secure successful outcomes? Contact me today.  I'd love to hear from you and put my 35 years of experience and expertise to work on your personal and client's behalf.
    I can be contacted through any of the following:
Direct:  815.277.4036   Cell/Text:  708.921.6331
Website: www.genemundt.com  
Skype:  630.219.1316
Click Here 4 a: NO Cost NO Obligation

"Tooting Your Own Horn Through Your Marketing". Is it the beautiful music of confidence or noise of conceit?


    

     It was with some irony that I read Scott Hayes', Austin Real Estate Agency,  recent blog entitled, "Are You a Bargain"?  My wife and I had just had a discussion a couple of days ago regarding a theme very similar to Scott's post.

    Now as a background for those that might be new to my blog, my wife Marilyn is my marketing assistant.  Well okay, in actuality, she's my promoter.  (A rather unusual set-up maybe, but one that seems to work very well for us.)  In my dear wife's eyes, I'm a shining star of the lending profession.  Simply put, the woman believes in me and my abilities.  A husband could have worse problems in life than his wife liking him that much, you know??

     But sometimes there's a bit of a rub between my wife's and my outlook on how to market me.  Marilyn wants me to "toot my own horn" more.  I say there's a fine line between looking confident and providing information and conceit.  I come from a family where that was just looked-upon as a very poor habit.  Others could speak of your talents and accomplishments, but you just didn't.  

     These days, it seems you have to market yourself in a multitude of ways, 24/7, creatively, both visually and in word, and sometimes in 140 characters or less.  I do understand that.  That seems like alot of tooting to me. 

     The crux of Marilyn's and my recent conversation centered around my "unique" blend of talents and education.  She pointed out that I should be making my more of my ... for lack of better words ... specific  "unique-ness".  That it was makes me unique and capable of a bit more than your average bear.  

     Hmmmm ... my uniqueness.  Starting with my Savings and Loan days, I often pondered just why my life had taken the unique path that it did.  Why were certain people placed in my life later?  Why were opportunities presented to me?   I think I now know why.  And Marilyn agrees ...

     It was in preparation for the present unique market and industry challenges.

  •      My background IS very helpful in addressing and correcting problems that arise when working with home buyers/those  refinancing, especially during the present challenging times. 
  •      It IS particularly helpful now that appraisals play such a huge part in the home buying/lending equation. 
  •      My background and education IS playing an ever-increasing and active role for my clients when they are trying to make sound financial decisions concerning their home mortgage. 
  •      It IS providing a more long-term, broad view from which they can consider their decisions.

     Our discussion.  Scott's blog.  It got me thinking.  When kids are little, we try to instill within them a solid core belief in themselves and their abilities.  A belief that they are special and unique to this world.  I know we're certainly trying to instill that in our little grand-daughter right now. 

     So if it's good for our children, why not for us adults too?  Forging forward with that thought, I wrote down what I believe are my "unique" talents and education credentials.  Lo and behold, they weren't that different from my wife's!  Oh man, I'll never hear the end of it ...

     But here's what I believe I bring to the table that contributes so uniquely and greatly to the successes of my clients and my referral partners:

    35+ years of mortgage lending/industry experience
     * 20+ years of licensed Appraising experience & education
     * 10+ years of certified IL Financial Planner education &  experience

     So when Scott Hayes  asked in his recent blog,  "Are You a Bargain?",  I was ready to answer confidently ... yes,  I do.  I was comfortable with doing that much tooting ...



     *  If you're wanting to work with a lender that offers 35 years of unique experience and expertise while buying or refinancing a home, please contact me.  I can be reached at any of the following:
Direct:  815.277.4036      Cell/Text:  708.921.6331
Skype:  630.219.1316     Email: gene@chicagobancorp.com