I write this blog today to share with you a wonderful experience.

I have recently met a wonderful Realtor in my area who was referred to me by another one of my Realtor partners.  We have just started to get to know one another and I told her that I work much different than most lenders and she will get to see these differences first-hand when we start working together.  I asked her what she feels are her biggest challenges in today's market... her reply, "my buyers are feeling a bit frustrated by always being out bid on properties and especially FHA buyers are having the hardest time".  My reply?  "There are two things I do that WILL help..... When you make an offer, let me customize the buyer's pre-approval letter around that offer, in addition please cc me on the email to the listing agent when you send your offer".  She looked at me a little puzzled as to why I wanted to be cc'd on the offer. 

So here is what happened:

When I got the email that contained the offer, I let 10 minutes pass by and then gave the listing agent a call.  He didn't pick up the phone, so I left a detailed message, "Hello Justin, this is Julie Chroust with Prospect Mortgage in Walnut Creek.  I'm following up on an offer that was sent to you about 10 minutes ago by Joanne Smith @ Keller Williams in Walnut Creek for Owen & Courtney Jones on your Hills Road listing.  I wanted to let you know that I have a complete file with verified assets, income and DU approval, and we are just waiting for an accepted offer.  These buyers are very strong and motivated.  Should there be any questions that you or your seller need answered, please do not hesitate to call me, my number is 925-381-1481.  I will also follow up with an email". 

I followed up with an email letting him know about my team at Prospect Mortgage and my relationship with the buyer's agent.

I received a reply from the listing agent a few hours later and he did have some questions for me, which I quickly responded to.

The next day, Joanne calls me and says, "guess what!!!! Owen & Courtney's offer was accepted!  AND, I have something else to tell you.... the listing agent said that Owen & Courtney's offer was NOT the highest offer, but the seller's accepted their offer because of you as their lender!!!!  The listing agent also said, he has NEVER received a phone call (not to mention a follow up email) from a lender during "this" stage of the process and was very impressed at how involved you are in the process.  He told his clients that the highest offer is not always the best offer, the best offer is one that closes on time with a highly efficient team".

Hooray for the seller to see this wisdom!

Joanne said to me, "YOU ARE MY SECRET WEAPON"!!!

                                                                                                     Names (except mine) have been altered for privacy reasons