I'd recommend teaming up with a mentor with far more experience in the purchase business.  Purchases have so many more parties involved, moving parts, and potential pitfalls than refinances, and while you never want to mess up someone's refinance application, messing up a purchase because of inexperience can have devastating impacts on people --- you don't want to advertise yourself as a purchase LO if you're inexperienced --- your reputation will get destroyed quickly that way.

If you have someone that can help you make sure your purchase applications are great, then figure out what specific value your company offers to home buyers or real estate agents, and promote the heck out of those value adds.  It shouldn't be about what business people can give you, but how you can help their business.  When that's the focus, the business comes in naturally.

Robert I would join a local chamber of commerce and begin building relationships. And if there is a  referral network or two I would also get involved in that too.  All it takes is a few people to trust you and want to send you business.

By being physically present everywhere possible. Every chamber mixer, every community event. Pitch in and help but don't oversell yourself. There's a local attorney that I refer everybody to. I met him at a Christmas party at a title company and thought he was so genuine and so nice. I didn't know what he did for a living until we exchanged business cards.

Make sure that you refer buyers and sellers to the agents you want business from.

You have to become a valuable asset. Try not to work with every agent in your county--find a few that have similar personalities (basically you have to be able to stand each other).

How to become a valuable asset? There are many ways, but you should start with generating your own leads and become the referral source. Don't ask for anything until you've given...If you're cold calling asking for handouts, you're a nuisance--don't be a nuisance. If your manager is slamming you to call on realtors, it's time for new digs.

You take care of other people, some may take care of you as time goes on...

John Meussner summed ity up nicely.

You have to network, you have to be a giver.

I'd ask Jason E. Gordon for advice, he'd share some valuable info with you.

Robert,

What John Meussner said.

Be with a company with a great reputation.

I'd follow John Meussner 's advice.... good guidance for you....

Provide stellar service.  Keep the buyer and their agent informed.  Be cognizant of closing dates.

Robert Maxwell - the best way to go is working by referrals - Buffini & Company style...

Robert - Of course networking and getting in front of as many agents as possible is the key to finding the right partners. Join your local association, chamber, and start offering your services and expertise.

GREAT answer by John Meussner!

Start calling brokers and ask them to lunch. Be prepared to tell them what benefit you will provide that others can't. Schmooze them a little, get to know them, and then continue to follow up with them regularly.

Join the local Realtor Association as an affiliate member and network and get to know agents. We do business with those we know.

Do open house for realtor to meet buyers.  I expect no refi or PMI removal. Just new purchase with the interest rate changes.

You can also go to realtor office offering your service at sales meetings.

Start with a mentor who has built an excellent reputation and business.

Lenders have a connection to buyers and are of aide to sellers agents too. Keep up the "seeding" process. You will have a good crop soon enough

The new kid on the block. It is and will be an uphill slug.

The 'old timers' have their corral full and are not receptive to using THEIR client for your OJT.

So, focus you energies on the not so skeptical bunch, those with less that 3 years in the business. They too are looking for a clue and are more likely to collaborate and grow your businesses together.

How do you get a list of real estate agents with the date license was issued? You buy it.

So, what do you have to offer that an agent has any interest in?

Outstanding service? You are wasting your time. That is a given, not a feature.

What do you have to offer that an agent has any interest in?

Can you staff an open house for safety as well as implement the purpose?

Do you have suggestions for maximizing the outcome of the open house?

Do you have LEADS for the agent?

Do you have resources to help the agent generate leads. (sorry, a home search app doesn't get it any more)

How about offering a subscription to a client loyalty plan like BellaRuby.

Better still high quality leads YOU assign through CIS Score.

Agents, with all their marketing education and skill are bought and sold goods and services in exactly the same way as every one else. Experienced agents are interested in Faster, Cheaper, Better and Easier.

Newbies are receptive of messages containing transformation and opportunity. They are not so skeptical, and willing and able to be taught.

Get your tool kit together and target the receptive agents with your helping resources.

Go to local networking events for the local realtor boards, become an affiliate and sponsor things, take real estate agents out to coffee - don't hard sell them just get to know them and their business. One of my preferred escrow officers and one of my preferred lenders took us out to coffee. We were brand new agents and the escrow officer took the time to treat us like valuable additions to the real estate community. That was back in 2004 and we still work with him regularly. The lender (who has now done 4 of our personal loans as well) took me out to coffee and I told her that we already had preferred lenders and weren't looking for more so she shouldnt expect business from us. She was kind, not pushy, kept in touch and then when things changed with other lenders we worked with about 3 years later and one moved out of the area we gave her a shot. She is excellent and we have been working with her for 9-10 years now. Both started with a simple cup of coffee and getting to know us without overselling themselves.-Kasey

May want to build a reputation for excellence with your blog.

Write plenty of informative posts.

Network with local Active Rain members by commenting on their blog posts.

Eventually they will start to notice you send clients to you.

You've got plenty of great answers here and I have never looked and building a lender business so I will read.

Join your local board, get to know new agents that are joinging, they do not have lenders yet.

I have had some lenders attend open houses with me, as it is useful to have someone on hand when a buyer starts asking financial questions.

SHAKE HANDS AND CLOSE DEAL$ MAKE IT HAPPEN AND PEOPLE WILL COME

Open houses is a good way, especially if you are willing to work the open house and talk with buyers looking for loans.

Other ways: get involved in your local real estate association.  Go to their mixers, sponsor events, give a class on some mortgage topic, etc.  That's where I've met most of the lenders I work with and many of my service providers.

Build your referral network.

Don't expect referrals if you are not sending out referrals.

The relationship between lenders and agents is a one-way street for agents. I do not expect any business to come to me from a lender.  I expect exceptional service and that the lender knows their business.  I have a great lending partner who gets all of my business.  He deserves it. They are damn good at what they do. They don't do certain kinds of loans as they do not wish to dilute their expertise.  I respect that beyond words!!!!

Engage one-on-one with agents and then seek their endorsements with their peers.

John Meussner has your answer

Get involved as an affiliate member with the local board so people know who you are! Takes time but can be very beneficial!

Having never been a lender, I'll have to read and learn...

True story of how to get business...

About 20 years ago I owned a RE office and a large mortgage company (42 loan officers).  My sister was also a loan officer.

A new loan officer from another company started calling me and coming by my RE office.  I had no interest in him.  He was persistent, likable and he always had a tidbit for me of what  was going on in the mortgage industry. 

I still had no interest in him. He was still persistent.

Then one day I threw him a crumb.  He did such a brilliant job that I took notice.

Today, I no longer have a mortgage company but he has become my number one mortgage guy.  He is still the smartest and most creative guy around.  He knows everything about everything financing related.

John Meussner gave you great advice.

Top agents like to work with the best...learn everything that you can.

Eve

Network.

Not a lender, so don't have a good understanding of how you build your business. But you don't need me, as John Meussner seems to have covered it well.