Phantom Planet sang, California here we come, right back where we started from.” Many here at the Western Secondary have spent their entire career in California, which makes sense given that, over the decades, 20-25 percent of the nation’s home loans come from here. Overheard in the hallway yesterday: “I’ve been in this business so long, I remember when the big sleeping area in the house was called a ‘master bedroom’ and not a ‘primary sanctuary.’ That aside, there are more serious topics about staying afloat, and further staffing and overhead reductions are coming. Rember that from 2021 to 2023 the number of units (not the volume) is down 2/3. How about your staff? Loans have gotten harder to do: interest rates are higher, short contract times, affordability, quality standards, borrower’s variable income, LOs not doing their homework in submitting files, borrowers having multiple jobs or quitting before the loan funds. The list goes on. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by PHH Mortgage. For over 30 years, PHH Mortgage has provided industry-leading mortgage services and helped countless homebuyers and homeowners find financing solutions to meet their needs. Hear an interview with Arrive Home’s Matt Pettit on down payment assistance programs and the push for more affordable housing.) Lender and Broker Software and Services The Beverly Hillbillies discovered oil by accident after an errant bullet caused oil to bubble up from the ground, but not everyone can strike it rich by taking shots in the dark. Sales Boomerang by TrustEngine illuminates lenders’ CRMs with alerts that take the guesswork out of prospecting by letting lenders know which contacts are ready for a loan and when. Mortgage Coach by TrustEngine helps mortgage advisors earn borrower trust and seal deals with advice that puts borrowers on the path to achieving their homeownership and financial goals. Learn how TrustEngine’s winning combination of Mortgage Coach and Sales Boomerang can help you strike it rich.