There was a time when all you needed to get the job done was a rolodex of contacts, a handshake, and a fax machine that worked half the time if you were lucky. 
(I know, I just seriously aged myself, lol)
Back then, the game was all about pounding the pavement, cold calling, and building relationships face-to-face…
And while all that definitely still rings true for today in some aspects, we can all hold hands and admit:
The tools were simpler, competition was manageable, and the overall pace was a bit more forgiving. 
But I’m not here to get nostalgic about the past, I want to talk about what it’s like to be a modern Loan Advisor right now. 
Today, if you’re not leveraging the latest tech, automating your processes, and staying ahead of market trends in real-time…
You’re playing a losing game. 
The industry has evolved, and today’s Loan Officers need to be part data scientist, part marketer, and part financial advisor—all while keeping up with a rapidly changing digital landscape.
You need the right tools to handle the grind, cut through the noise, and close deals like a pro. 
And let’s be real—if you’re still trying to run your business the way they did in the 90s, you’re just giving your competition a head start.
That’s why today I want to share my Modern Loan Advisor ech Stack. 
This is the stuff that actually makes a difference in my day-to-day, tools that keep me productive, informed, and ready to pounce on the next opportunity. 
[Drumroll please…]
Content Creation:
- Typshare.co: My go-to for structured written content frameworks. It’s like having a blueprint for your thoughts, keeping everything crisp and on-point (this thing is a cheat code for my short form content copywriting). 
 - ChatGPT 4.0: When I need fresh ideas faster than I can brew my coffee. It’s the AI buddy that never runs out of creative juice (this is basically Google on steroids)
 
Education & Market Insights:
- MBS Highway: This is where I get my market insights. If you’re not using it, you might as well be guessing (big shout out to Uncle Barry and Dan Habib). 
 - Mortgage Currentcy: Keeps me sharp on the latest rules and guidelines so I’m always in the know (AND, they have incredible homebuyer presentation slide decks!)
 
Lead-to-Closing Workflow:
- Calendly: Remember the endless back-and-forths to schedule a call? This tool put an end to that madness.
 - Big Purple Dot: CRM that’s more than just a place to store contacts—it’s where deals get organized and relationships are built.
 - Encompass: The engine of the loan process, turning applications into approved deals (but, I hate it, my company Lower.com is investing millions in creating our own). 
 - Mortgage Coach: For loan presentations that don’t just inform—they impress (shout out to Dave Savage). 
 - Lender Marketing Platform: Keeps those offers and marketing pitches looking sharp (shout out to Scott Nicholson)
 - Optimal Blue: Loan pricing that’s always accurate with killer rate alert features (the rate alert feature alone earns me an extra $100k+ during every mini refi boom)
 
Lead-to-Loyalty (Post-Closing) Care:
- MonitorBase: Alerts that predict what your clients are up to before they even pick up the phone (and credit inquiry alerts).
 - Testimonial.to: Captures video and text reviews that make your social proof do the heavy lifting.
 - myHomeIQ: Keeps the conversation going with your database long after the deal is done, so you stay top-of-mind.
 
Team Coordination:
- Dashlane: Because losing a password is not an option.
 - Loom: Makes training the team as easy as hitting ‘record.’
 - Slack: Instant messaging that’s faster than email and keeps the whole crew on point.
 - Trello: Keeps our to-do lists from becoming a mess of sticky notes and missed deadlines.
 - Notion: The knowledge base that stores everything we know, all in one place.
 
Email Mastery:
- Boomerang: Auto follow-ups that make sure your important emails don’t fall into the abyss.
 - Ablebits: My secret weapon for email templates that I can fire off in seconds.
 
I turned the question to you guys on a Facebook post the other day, and here’s what someone else had to say:
- Google Sheets for team collaboration—sometimes color-coded chaos is the best kind.
 - Total Expert and Bonzo for automated database campaigns that do the heavy lifting.
 - Send Out Cards for personalized touches that actually make people feel special.
 - Homebot/Bonzo for post-closing care that keeps you top of mind long after the deal is done.
 
Not a bad stack, but definitely can use some more bolstering. 
I encourage you to take a thorough audit of what yours looks like and adjust as needed.
Feel free to copy mine entirely and let me know in a few weeks how much easier your life is. 
Talk to you next week!
Amir