Sometimes I fancy myself a consumer. Aren't we all? In those moments, I try not to think of things from a professional standpoint, nor a purely logical one. Instead, I attempt to understand what I would think of things if I wasn't in this industry and wanted to buy a home... or already owned one and/or wanted to dabble into refinancing it.
I won't mention names because I'm not a fan of lawsuits. Yet, I've seen subtlety directed commercials from Mortgage Companies "tied" to Government Programs. I've seen rate sheets in the Sunday Paper that made me spit up blood. I've seen sales at its worst, marketing at its absolute most desperate. Creative, yes. Misleading, damn right.
Shopping for a home loan isn't pixie sticks. This is damn real. Not that pixie sticks isn't real, but I'm trying to make an analogy over here:) I believe it's about time we buy the product based upon little things called communication & trust.
I tend to reference my man over at All-State. That's who holds my Car & Homeowner's Insurance. When I was shopping around, he was on the list but wasn't the cheapest and didn't bring me donuts upon my arrival. I was referred to him through a friend. I went with him, cause he sat down and explained it all... warts and everything of insurance. To this day, if I have a question or problem... he's on it and gets back to me like an ex-girlfriend who just saw a naked picture of me on youtube.
These days, with the folks that have survived the proverbial mess that is the mortgage business... most I know are pretty damn good people. They will take care of you. That typed, there are always exceptions.
My point in all this is pretty simple. Be cynical, be careful, and make sure the guy or gal you are dealing with is genuine. They should not only know what they are doing, but really care. If they are churning and burning, you may want to move on. While sales is an institution based upon volume, rarely immediate glory, I'd much rather play the part of Sam Walton (though I don't think Walmart really represents his true vision) than a fictitious character based upon reality named Gordon Gekko.
Advertising can be a short-cut to thinking. I understand the concept, especially when it goes National, yet I loathe the directions it can & will take.
I don't need someone to sell me; I just want someone to tell me the truth of the matter. It's that simple. That's sales.
About The Author : Jason Sardi is somewhat illiterate, somewhat intense, and does mortgages for a living. He/We also has two cats and another stray that seems to like this abode, which he's thinking he/we should adopt. Jennifer is a better mother than I am a father, for sure. They will be in very good hands. Jason Sardi also hates fine print. Jason Sardi doesn't like B.S. Obviously, Mr. Sardi doesn't have a degree in Marketing or direct ties to National Mortgage Companies that pad his wallet. That's a shame, Mr. Sardi likes a padded wallet. Hmmm, maybe Mr. Sardi will just run for Political Office. A suit & tie can make angels of us all.
Oh, forgot the contact info.... jsardi@ihmci.com or on my cell at 610-653-0317. And remember, no prank calls... unless they are really innovative, original, & witty.
[ringing]
Jason Sardi speaking
Is your refigerator running? [giggling]
You call that creative?
[click]
Great post, Right on the money. There is more misleading and false stuff going on it is truly amazing.
Adopt the cat. What's one more when you stop and really think about it? He needs a home, a place to invite other cats over to, to celebrate Christmas, the other holidays right?
Alan - ~Returning phone call~
Hey Alan, Sardi here.
Oh yeah, what's up?
What's up? I just saw a video of you with three spider monkeys and it baffled even the most taboo parts of my soul.
What are you talking about?
Procreation, Dad:)
Terry - True that. In an age where we must be smarter consumers, we do have the info at our fingertips. We just need to use it.
Keep the kitty, it will be the easiest practice for having real kids. Good luck and keep us all in stitches with your creative and twisted posts!
;)
Moore - The chap was run over by a car back in the day, so he is a tad hesitant about us humans. I don't blame him. I'm just as hesitant when I see some of those advertisements...
I'm quite hesitant when I hear those advertisements myself. They seem to be everywhere. Even in my own home. Wouldn't it be nice if we could believe everything promised to us??
Betina - I don't have a creative or twisted bone in my body... with the exception of the creative & twisted bone in my body. I think they call it a brain:) Now that, is twisted... and maybe even creative, at times.
Jason you crack me up!!!
You are truly a man holding the heart strings of America. I would vote for you because I can tell your a sincere, no holds bared and ginuine likable guy. America needs the truth with a twist of humor even in the mortgage business.
Anytime an advertisement is too good to be true, it usually isn't. I remember a local car dealership that had commercials proclaiming that they sold cars at "dead cost" and it was illegal to say dead cost unless they meant it. The problem is that since they made up the phrase dead cost, no one knew what it meant.
Jason,
"When Banks Compete You Win"
(Lending Tree)
I wish this was the case when we competed on fair playing fields using tools such as Trust, Honesty, Integrity and Customer Service. But it is just not true. I recently lost a client who had a 2nd quote from some loan hack from Lending Tree who probably could not even spell Mortgage. The customer went in another direction because this guy quoted him an interest rate that did not exist and mortgage pricing that did not make sense. I do not know the final outcome for this customer who went with this guys service, but I feel the old bait and switch will happen before the transaction is complete.
Folks, Jason is making valid points in this post and take it to heart. The "True Mortgage Professionals" will have the qualities he listed in this blog.
Great Post.
ohhhh... triplets! :-/
1) Adopt the cat. He will recognize your kindness and become 'family'
2) Have you seen the burger commercial that says "hypetastic" yet? That's what the mortgage industry has become in the mainstream media - hypetastic. And full of BS.
Sad part is ... that clouds the view of all the truly good brokers that have kept their integrity intact through all this mess. And that is truly, IMO, sad.
There are too many people that sucked into a company and then get played... and of course when it gets to the closing table it is really hard to fix.
Sardi...
BB is churning and burning. However, it's only because he had lima beans with his lunch :)
Where's the beef? :)
TLW...ROAR!
Finding people who are genuine and care it seems are getting rarer and rarer in the world Jason. Put me in that book of yours. But it is critically important I agree.
Jason, it was a treat to see you on my blog today. ;-) Thank you. XXOO from a Big Fan.
Jennifer - Amen. It would be nice, but utopia only exists in books and imagination.
Shannon - And I'm glad for that:)
Charles - Wow, man. That's quite the comment. That's also a dose of good to my ego. Thank you. If I ever run, the press will have a field day, I'm sure. With that written, they may also have someone who isn't the classic politician by any stretch. And I think that's what we always have wanted in the first place.
JL - Interesting. Now I have fodder for my next newsletter:)
Gary - You already probably know I fully am aware of what you mean. Competing against ghosts is rather difficult, especially when you can see them for what they truly are.
May - Badda Bing!
Carol - He already is family to an extent. Baxter, Sirius, Jennifer, Little Buster, and yours truly. I smell a sitcom:) And I haven't saw that commercial but will be looking out for it. As I mentioned above, I think the majority of folks still doing this gig are good people and will take care of any consumer that crosses their path.
Lane - True that. I try not to play the fiddle for my company or anybody's company for that matter. It isn't about that. It never will be/should be about that.
The closing table should be a peaceful & comfortable gathering, not a keg party gone bad.
TLW - In my shorts? Actually, I never wear shorts. Bad legs. I've actually heard BB churn & burn, but I also hear that Lima Beans are good for the soul;)
Gary - That's a cynical view, Gary. But you may be correct. Actually, I kind of fear you are very correct. Then again, something tells me that this conversation has been had once before, long ago. We'll be fine.
~See, I can be a motivational and optimistic chap. Anthony Robbins has nothing on me. I'll die like Poe, though;)~
Susie - My pleasure. It was nice to see the fruits behind the effort come full circle. Congrats!
All I can say is pitaful...pitaful.
Neal - Don't talk about my posts like that, even if it is true;)
Good god...just when I think you can't get any funnier...right...I would call you, but you would hang up. I love your honesty, straight-forward shit. Are you like all the other mortgage guys who call me? Can you do loans in Minnesota? I worry that my clients won't get service like the AllState guy gives you......