Can I get advice on becoming a Mortgage broker?

[Kari Hart]

Hi everyone - I would really appreciate some advice since I am considering a career change. I have been a travel agent for 15 years and as everone knows it is a very frustraing, unprofitable business. It has served it's purpose, I have traveled to some awesome places, but it's time to make some money! I really think I want to move into selling mortgages. It seems like a pretty good parallel - consulting clients, finding the right product to fit their needs and budget, I think it really is really quite similar to what I do now in many ways.

I'm wondering how to go about getting my foot in the door of a new industry like this. I understand I need to take the online mortgage lending couse which I will do as soon as the Olympics are over. ;) I would really appreciate advice of what else I can do to get started, what your thoughts are entering this field in the current economic conditions, what advice you would give to newbies, etc. Will I have to start off processing loans to learn the process? If so, how long is it expectied to hold this sort of postion before moving into a selling position?

I had a brief conversation with someone localy who owned her own business and she basically said don't even try to get in until the housing market turns around. I think there are always people buying and refiing needing this services and I see jobs - not a lot but some - in the paper even in this climate.

Sorry for rambling, just looking for direction. Thanks for your time and input.

Kari