For those of us working in the mortgage industry, we have accepted that month-to-month unpredictability comes with the territory. However, it’s fair to state that the housing market has not seen this level of uncertainty since the Great Recession of 2007–2009. In the latest Volly Insights post, we explore the recent developments and changes that are impacting our industry.

In our industry, it seems there is never a perfect time for a vacation. There are always relationships to nurture, loan transactions to manage, and marketing strategies to implement. But the truth is, everyone needs time away. Regularly taking vacations and fully understanding their benefits is essential. Whether you lounge by a pool sipping a fruity cocktail, do activities that are a bit more active or adventurous, or hang at home for a “staycation,” taking time off benefits the body and the mind.

There is no shortage of buyer advice from our industry’s leading publications and trade organizations. And all of it is extremely helpful. But what if we went straight to the source—the very buyers themselves? A recent thread on Reddit, titled “If you could go back in time and start your homebuying process again,” asked recent buyers to detail what they would have done differently.

As you are certainly aware, the “summer slow season” does not exist in the real estate industry. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, 40% of the nation’s home sales take place between May and August. To help you make the most of the traditionally busy summer season, we compiled a list of essential marketing strategies. Check it out!

Spiral-bound daily planners, wall calendars, high-tech smartphone apps, good ol’ fashioned sticky notes—whatever your preferred format may be, keeping a daily to-do list is essential for staying organized and focused as you work towards achieving professional and personal goals. A daily loan officer to-do list is the life raft that will keep you from drowning in work-related tasks. Our sample list will help you craft a successful to-do list of your own!

Looking to better position your business for success in today’s ever-challenging housing market? One impactful strategy is to target a specific homebuying demographic. The more clearly this demographic is defined, the better you can understand how and where to reach these potential customers. Here is information on what we believe are the top five homebuying demographics for 2024. Check it out!

“Customers for life. “Lifelong borrowers.” “Clients that are eternally yours.” We all have different terms for them—some are a bit more lighthearted than others—but the meaning is always the same: A customer who turns to you no matter what their needs may be, whether it’s another home purchase, a mortgage refinance, or an additional service that you provide. Put simply, loyal and returning customers are the lifeblood of a loan officer’s business.

According to First American, less homeowners feel “locked-in” to their current interest rates—which means increases in both home sales and housing inventory could be on the way. Keeping your brand in front of your existing customer base is more important than ever—that way when buyers and sellers do enter the market, they are ready to work with you. We share strategies for staying connected with the individuals who mean the most to your business.

Before your workload becomes too heavy this summer, why don’t you take a moment to calculate your marketing return on investment (or MROI). MROI is exactly what it sounds like: a formula for measuring the return on investment from the amount you spend on marketing, whether it’s for a specific marketing program or your entire marketing plan. In the latest Volly Insights post, we share strategies to help you boost your MROI.

The rapidly shrinking share of first-time homebuyers means finding and converting leads from this important segment of the market is more essential than ever. The latest post on the Volly Insights blog provides content tips and ideas for your first-time buyer campaigns—whether they are done through social media, over email, or with direct mail.

Check out Volly CEO Katharine Loveland’s guest column for HousingWire. Katharine discusses the leaderships lessons she learned from her days playing college and professional basketball. She also delves into the connections between a competitive edge, a strong marketing approach, and a good customer experience.

Rising mortgage interest rates have forced many would-be homebuyers to put their purchase plans on hold. Meanwhile, prospective sellers feel trapped in their current residences due to being “locked in” with low mortgage rates. As you know, a shrinking potential customer pool means your job of connecting with and converting leads will become increasingly difficult. So, we compiled a list of marketing strategies for loan officers looking to gain an edge in the housing market.

Our industry is continually changing. New technologies, new policies, and new market conditions force us to endlessly adapt. But change delivers the opportunity to start exciting, new journeys.

Today’s housing market is as competitive as ever for loan officers. So, how do you gain an advantage in a crowded market? One impactful way is to find a niche! Simply put, finding the right niche can mean the difference between success and failure. Read on to learn how!

Marketing experts have created dozens of analogies to explain the importance of customer retention, but the one we feel is most accurate is this: Building a successful mortgage business with a poor retention program is like trying to fill a bucket with a hole. You can keep the water running, but the bucket will never be full. With this mind, we compiled a list of the retention strategies that will plug the hole in your bucket and ensure it overflows with repeat customers.