People amaze me. While I'm sure there are certain things about my existence that boggles those that surround me, I'm also quite sure that there are individuals out there whose lives live in graves. And all they choose to carry is a shovel.
I got a call from a gentlemen who had applied for a mortgage a year and a half back. If I were to describe his credit and financial situation at that point, it would be with one word......ATROCIOUS!!! Charge-offs, Delinquencies, and the Mother of all Mothers for first time home-buyers...Two Judgements from Two Separate Apartment Complexes where he had lived prior to deciding he wanted to buy a home. The balances on those judgements were still outstanding. Being the Master of the Obvious, I explained in no uncertain terms, we/HE had some work to do.
Following up with him and trying to guide him the best I could, I called him every 6 weeks to see how things were going. Things weren't changing at a rapid pace, it was a slow & sure process...as it can sometimes be. Then, I didn't hear from him for awhile. I left a few messages and never heard back, I thought perhaps he faded away.
Then I get a call last night, he's on line 2.....I answer and we shoot the manure for a bit. He then goes on to tell me how much he trusts and values the direction I've given him, the No B.S. honesty that I hit him with from day one. I thought, WOW, I appreciate clients like this. I have no problem working with them for years, if necessary, to put them in a position to fulfill one of their dreams, albeit a financial one in this case.
And then comes the good stuff......the 'Curiosity Du Jour' that comes with not getting good news when looking for it. He tells me that he just spoke to a Mortgage Company who can get him a loan to buy a home! All he needs is 5% down!! As far as the judgements from the Apartment Complexes for back-due rent, no worries, they don't show up on credit!!! There are a plethora of other variables that make this an absolute clusterfreak of a scenario to currently work with. He called for my opinion, I gave it to him...and I didn't mince words. Luckily this client, whose curiosity was peeked, figured that they were blowing smoke. He called me to make sure, I validated his concern. We'll see what transpires...
This brought to mind a couple of things about this business that I've been wrestling with:
1) I've wanted, for the longest time, to pick and choose my client base. Yet, I like to be of assistance to people, no matter their situation and status. I figure, that's my job. While it's easy to be the champion to those with perfect credit and money in the bank, there's a large population out there who doesn't fit that mold. They need help and guidance as well. So, as long as they are willing to work with me, have a sense of loyalty and respect for my time...I will continue to champion their cause as well.
2) We LOVE Good News! It's so wonderful to hear. Yet, and I hate to bring this out into the Great Wide Open....sometimes the reality of situations isn't so good. Sometimes, you can't get what you want without working very hard to get to that point. Sometimes, you never do get what you want. For everybody out there who may be reading these words, "If you want somebody to tell you what you want to hear, find another soul. I'm not your guy. I deliver news, Good or Bad, quickly and with guidance."
You've got to work together to make sure things don't fall apart. And throw the lip service out the freaking window!
Hi Jason,
You are correct in saying that sometimes no matter what we do, we still don't get what we want. We recently spent time with a lady who needed a rental because she had been living with her elderly mother who passed and her family was driving her out of the house so they could get their share of an inheritance. Turned out the lady had scores in the 400's. We tried to find her somebody to take her on a month to month basis but she had high standards. What do we do with people like that? This is where we try our best in this business to offer a service but if people don't want to listen to the truth, we must leave them to their own devices. Thanks for another great post!
Jason,
I'n glad this guy called his you back so you could tell it like it is, see you are choosing your clients! :)
Sarah - I think that is exactly what they need.
Lisa & Robert - I believe you have the right thoughts on this. You can offer and try, but in the end...it's up to each individual.
Cyndee - Lol! That's happened to me as well, probably to most of us. I hope to hear your story or just turn it into a post in of itself.
Jason - What a great post. In my past life as a loan originator I had similar situations. It is just so %$@ frustrating when we tell the truth, follow up with continued coaching and voila---they decide to get a second opinion.
Great post. Great work.
All the best from your fan in Cali,
Marlene
Yeah...just like when they say they never read the part in the loan documents that their rate goes to 13% or there was nothing that says prepayment penalties.:)Read and listen.
I am sure you will lead him down the road that is best for him - you rock Jason
Just because they don't like what you have to say doesn't mean it's not true.
Hey Marlene, I've missed you. I was a tad surprised he even talked to anybody else but it is what it is.
Neal - I have a prospect who took out a loan 2 years back which I didn't make. Their current rate and mortgage holder (along with their credit situation, a BK 2 years prior to taking out the loan) has me convinced that it's a variable rate coming up in a month. They insist it is a fixed rate, we shall see.
Thesa - Thanks! Those are certainly my intentions.
Chris - That's a fact.
Sardi - I like this post. I can tell that you handle your business the same way that I do - with integrity. I don't even understand what companies hope to accomplish by blowing smoke at a guy like this. Do they just have some strange blanket approach that manages to hook a few good ones (i.e. everyone is pre-qualified, then they later tell the truth to the unfortunate ones who don't have decent credit)?
Keep up the good work! I was also surprised that he talked to someone else, but I am guessing that you will close his loan in the future.
Way to tell it, Jason....I agree with you completely.
Sometimes potential clients don't like what we have to tell them, and they end up going elsewhere (where someone paints a prettier picture for them), in the end however, they realize that we were telling them the truth and the other person was just leading them up a garden path.
Like you, I'm always willing to work with someone who's willing to work with me, however if they're not going to work with me and respect what I have to say, I'd just as soon they go elsewhere.
good post,
Jo
Jason,
I may call you for my next loan :)
Be back...tripping....
just wanted you to know I was here.
Have to admit I have the same attitude...and think that's probably why we are in this business still. If you are just trying to please people and not tell them like it is...you'll probably end up failing. Good blog.
And love your MEEZ :)
Sis - It's cool, relax. No need to trip but I hear what you are saying and understand.
Beth - Thanks. I think that attitude is the one we need to have in this biz.
Diane - That's our industry, it fails when we fail to do our job...and that doesn't always mean, "Congrats, you are Pre-approved to buy a $200,000 home!" Integrity is a must, and those with it, will continue to make this work. My guess, you Diane have integrity out the ...
New day...morning with giant cup of coffee.....and
Yes, working together is what's the deal maker or breaker. I too am one to not tell people what they want to hear....I tell it like it is... And when you move here ........:)
I have run into the " work to help get the credit scores better" then find out that someone that hasn't even looked at their credit say"I can get you 100% financing. The grass always looks better on the other side. It is sad that a customer has to second guess what an honest person is doing for them. I try to assure them that i am not looking for a quick deal. i am looking for the best program for my customers needs and I want to earn that customers business for life. Keep up the good work Jason. It seem that FL. has started to level off and maybe pick up a bit.
Shaun
I can attest that you operate with honesty and integrity every day.
Why did he ever talk to another loan officer?
Sis - I gotcha my dear, loud and clear.
Shaun - Nice to hear FLA is starting to level off, I hope it continues to do so. I've heard there has been some rough times down there.
Ann - Thank you, I learn from some of the best:-)
Kaye - My initial guess is the latter.
Faina - Thank you Faina and you are right, that wouldn't be a bad position to be in at all.
Jason,
I just hate that, but in the end we are going to still be here, and you know that :0) the bad will be doing dishes.
Tom Weiss
Jason,
Since your graphics are sheep....can you clone yourself and come to Southern California.....more "Buyers," and their Agents, could use a Jason Sardi :) :) You could be "Dolly the Lender" :) :)
Ok now I am picturing Jason in the Hello Dolly attire and I was all serious when I got here to comment!
Jason I love what you said about delivering bad news quickly - which to me is modeling good behavior! And saying no to lip service. Good stuff !
LMAO!
Kathy - I would love to 'party' with you!
Carole - That's the way I operate, for better or worse. Thank you!
Jason-It's best to be up front and honest. I'm sure the Realtors you work with appreciate that as well. It's a pain in the rear to be working your tail off for somebody, only to find out there is no way possible the outcome is going to result in a happy client in the end.
DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE I CAN GET VA REFINANCE WITH 100% CASH OUT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?