#39 Referrals That Have Integrity


Remember when you first met your Mortgage Loan Officer?   How did you connect with them?  There are many, many sources for referrals, and the most important factor to consider is the quality of that source, because that connects to the integrity of the referral itself.  If that Mortgage Lender and you had a successful, productive relationship, then the referral source was obviously a good one!

If you are starting from ground zero in terms of where to start looking for the services you need, there are many options – but they all depend on you using good judgment, taking the time it takes, and doing the research!  Yellow Pages? Sure.  A family member, a business associate, a personal friend, a display ad and the Associations and Organizations we affiliate with are all possible sources for referrals.  But how can we measure the “integrity” of referrals that come from any one of those sources?   Particularly when we need assistance with very personal matters, we must have confidence in both the referral and its source.

The simple answer is probably: Know your source!   It’s actually a bit more than that.  If the knowledge you have of your source is supported by good research that further develops trust, that source can probably be depended upon to make referrals that have integrity. 

When the referral source is an organization, an association a company or a membership club, the integrity of their referrals directly reflects upon the reputation of the organization.   Feeling confident about such sources is a good place to begin, but plan to personally check everything from their curriculum vitae and credentials to their hands-on experience.   Where trades services are concerned, check for licensing and their past projects.

Your Mortgage Loan Officer is a premium source for trade or professional referrals for several reasons.   To begin with, by the time you actually get the keys to your new home, you and your Mortgage Loan Officer know quite a lot about each other!  Also, Your Loan Officer knows the kinds of professionals and trades services you are likely to need as your home ownership progresses.   Referrals from your Loan Officer have the integrity you can depend on because they come from an informed and experienced base; you know each other!

Going down that other path – the one that’s a bad referral that unfolds as nothing but trouble from the get-go – can create situations and snarls that can be costly, risky and create more problems than you had to begin with!   What should you do if you begin to notice things that just don’t add up, advice that backfires or obvious incompetence?  Stop everything!  No matter what the stage of affairs, put on the brakes and go back to Square One.

Getting referrals that are sound, dependable, appropriate for the need and that have researchable track records is very important.  Typically, homeowners should have some very specific professionals and service firms already screened and waiting in the wings for any of dozens of situations (and needs) that come up with ownership.  Knowing whom you will want to depend on with confidence – before the need arises – just makes good sense!


Your Mortgage Loan Officer, with whom you have worked, probably for months, can no doubt provide you with referrals for an Attorney, Security System companies, Certified Public Accountants, Landscape & Maintenance Services, Pool experts – the list is long!   Together you can organize a list of the most likely services and professionals you should connect with and have in your files for when a specific need arises.

The most important point is to make sure you know your referral source, and it should follow that their referrals have a good chance of being a good fit!

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