I don't know how to word this right, so I'll just word it.

Communication cares.

The biggest gripe I've ever had with Real Estate, Sales, Relationships, or anything for that matter seems a simple concept.  So, why is it so damn complicated to get a answer, let alone a straight one?

It boggles my mind and I haven't touched LSD since 1992.  Now THAT, boggled my freaking mind.

Call me a sailor, call me a sport, but of all our duties in this Industry (running numbers, selling deals, working on commission, kissing babies, and taking blood samples) why is Communication so hard?  No, I mean it.

Many will practice the philosophy of only returning certain calls because they (those calls) afford certain accommodations.  I respect that business philosophy in as much as I won't punch them in the skull when meeting their greed-ridden ass in the back alley behind a fine dining restauraunt.  Or maybe they owe someone money, in which case, I won't go Rocky on them ... cite first Rocky Film.

Call people back folks!  Christ, I'm not one for lectures and I certainly am not Joel Osteen, but that seems to be a no-brainer as defined.

I had a dream a few days ago that everyone was competent, caring, and considerate.  When I awoke in a cold sweat, with a tear driven to my cheek and a smirk delivered dangerously towards my right temple, I looked out the window and saw a bird take a flying dump on my garage.  It reminded me of something... none of us are any different. 

You can wave your financial earnings, fame status, sexual promiscuity, and new set of Cutco knives all you want, but the only thing it really gets you ... is something it won't. 

For the most part, I like people.  I call them back, whether it's good news or bad ... or neither. 

Communication cares.  Of all my faults, that's not one of them.

If you've read this far, you deserve some blues...

A young gentlemen was pre-approved.  While a small loan, it is significant for him since it is the very first house he has ever bought.  The closing date is on the back end of November's Ides...

The supporting documentation was collected and the appraisal was ordered, yet over the weekend, he spoke to the Family Attorney.  Mr. Attorney recommended that he shop around.  Alas, the chap was "approved" at a local bank at an interest rate that was about a half percent lower than we quoted.  So, he went that way.

Days later, meaning today, it so happens that the local bank turned him down.  While getting into specifics may be a bad thing, they low-balled a legitamate rate they could offer him and their debt ratio requirements are tighter than an amateur porn star's balloon knot.  (No, you didn't just write that.  Yup, I did.)  They turned him down.

So, we are starting over to an extent.  The appraisal must be re-ordered and now we can actually send the file to Underwriting.

I'm a champion of folks shopping around, just not so late in the game.

The next time you shop, try the Family Attorney.

Easy answer, 60 days.  But I guess that depends on what kind of Pre-Approval you received or want for that matter.  Actually, the answer to such a question depends upon three factors:

-  You, as the consumer. 

-  The Buyer's Agent who is helping you find a home.

-  And the quality of the Pre-Approval you receive in the first place.

Ten Seconds, GO - You're interested in buying a home.  You even find a few that tickle your family bone.  But you need financing because you probably don't have the cash to buy it outright. Which leads to...

Nine Seconds - You're smart and seek out a Buyer's Agent to represent you. This will provide protection in your favor.  They represent you and only you. 

Eight Seconds - That agent may turn you onto a few folks like me who can help you out from the financing end.  And that doesn't mean you shouldn't shop on your own.  But buying a home isn't just about getting the lowest rate with no fees (an oxymoron if I've ever encountered one), it's about trust.  Interview those who express interest in earning your business and keeping it.  If they have the lowest rate with no fees, I can only hope they are in business when you need to do business again.

Seven Seconds- The Pre-Approval is more than just an application and credit check. There's some serious competency going on. They ask for your most recent pay-stubs, W-2's, bank statements, and the last time you had a wet dream about Richard Gere. 

Six Seconds - You find a house that you want to call home and a Sales Agreement has been signed and accepted by all parties. And there you are.

Five Seconds- You're hopefully just padding the documentation that you've already given to the Mortgage Company you choose.  I recommend Sardi Mortgage Inc, who isn't licensed just yet ... but when you hear Sardi, that should mean something. I'm not sure what, but it means something. Maybe it just means that there is an individual who is all over your particular file like white on puss.

Four Seconds - Appraisal is ordered and done. The rest of your file is pretty complete because everyone got along and did what needed to be done.

Three Seconds -  The complete transaction goes into Underwriting, those dastardly folks we think of who hate closing loans.  I'll give you a bit of info here, and I usually don't stick up for Underwriters.  They only get paid when folks close loans.  Without us, there is no them.  So, that's that.  In business, there's more to it than that, but that is a pretty accurate description.

Two Seconds - You are CLEAR TO CLOSE.  If there were three words that were magical in this industry, those are they. 

One Second Left - It's a proclamation of your destination.  You hit home!

And when there's no time left, that's the perfect time to be imperfect.  And that's the perfect way NOT to close.

Jason Sardi

Mortgage Consultant

610-653-0317

jsardi@ihmci.com

Tired of extending Sales Contracts?

Disgruntled because of bait and switch interest rate and fees?

Trepid because of the surprises that pop up like a flaring zit in your teenage years?

Fed up with never getting a phone call or email back in a timely manner?

We hear you here at Sardi Mortgage, Inc.  Now, while Sardi Mortgage, Inc isn't an actual operation... it is an actual human being.  I breathe air.  I breathe smoke (I know should quit, Mom).  And I breathe what's best for anyone who takes a chance on a guy like me.

Let me tell a story and I'll try to make it brief.  I read too many posts bloviating about this and that and never really saying anything.  I don't desire this to be one of them.

About two months ago I had a return customer come to me with a two-fold question.  The first one dealt with wanting to refinance his loan into a shorter term and lower interest rate.  The second was an inquiry about his friend who wanted to buy a home but wasn't quite prepared to do it in the there and now.  I'd like to concentrate on the latter, since the former is now in the books.

His friend has great credit, solid & stable income, and a rental history (with copies of canceled checks - take note renters) that is pure gold.  However, they are paycheck to paycheck kind of people right now.  Now, I know nobody out there reading this can identify with such, but this was their stumbling block.  Because of the area they wanted to buy in, they didn't qualify for the 100% USDA Loan.  Because they never served in the Armed Forces, they didn't qualify for the 100% VA Loan.  So they had to come up with a down payment.

Outside of the two products mentioned in the paragraph above, 3.5% is the lowest downpayment on the streets right now.  It can even be gifted from a relative.  But this guy doesn't have a relative with the capacity to help him with such matters.  So, he had to save it up along his way.  And along his way, he was surrounded by many people who were also dealing with buying a home, refinancing a home, and inquiring about everything between.  He got scared of the process and rightfully so.

I was asked a question that I'd never been asked in eight years of doing this gig.  He asked me, "How can I be sure that my loan will really close?  There seems to be so many horror stories out there, even if the loan does close.  Can you promise me that I won't have to deal with that when I'm dealing with you?"

I had to pause at that point.  Let's face it, I'm only as good as the company I work for and with.  While I can do everything right on the front end, I DO have to rely on others to do the same on the back end... ensuring a smooth sail to the table where ink dries.

I answered his question.  Do you want to take a guess as to how I answered it?  Well, I told him I couldn't promise such things.  I told him I can only promise ME and My Committment to anybody I deal with.  It's a war out there.  And I'm a soldier you can either hire or fire in these battles.  Like a good car salesman, I should mention that I look dapper in fatigues.  Like a bad car salesman, I rarely wear boots or underwear.

And it's reason #142 why I want to obtain the capital to start Sardi Mortgage, Inc.  Common Sense Lending is an oxymoron these days.  Oh, did I mention that the 'Inc.' doesn't stand for Incorporation, but Inclusion into the strange world of Common Sense Lending?  Well, I just did.

• I loathe the HVCC - some prick from New York wanted to throw around his power and make this the rule of law.  I'd take him to Judge Judy, but I'm way too busy watching Jerry Springer.
• 45 days to Settlement?  Okay, that's fine.  But two weeks in Underwriting is not.  Especially if you are a small firm in the big picture.  You either need more Underwriters or a better one.
• Regulate us all you want as to how much money we can make on a loan, just be prepared to do so consistently... and that includes your compensation, at whatever position you hold wielding such legislative powers.
• If you really want to look out for the consumer, protect them by teaching credit and home lending in their early years in High School. 
• Well, there goes short and brief because I could go on for hours. Who knew??

I haven't yet been compensated by this blog.  If you would like to provide such honors, email me and I will be sure to let you know where to send the eventual bounced check.

On that day that they question to hire me, watch out!  Because if they don't, I will.

for the credits, click here:)

I'm going to give you a link.  However, you have to promise to come back and visit after you've clicked on it and read it.

Scout's honor?  Okay, I'll trust you for now.

Here it is.

If you comprehend the written word the way I do, you're screwed.  I'm kidding.  It's pretty evident that there is a more than decent chance that the Tax Credit for folks buying a home is going to be extended.

What does this mean?

I'll tuck away any politics, agendas, opinions, or anything (though theoretically I hate not to expound my own beliefs;) dealing with nothing about YOU right now.  Here's what it may mean:

• The Tax Credit may be extended, which is $8,000 for the good guys (You).
• Legitamate Home Prices continue to be in the buyer's favor (You).
• Interest Rates are still amazingly low, which make payments on such collateral much lower for (You).

And now ends the facts and enters my opinion.  If you can qualify and are ready, buy a freaking home.  In an age where all the above exist, there's not too many better times to do so. 

Scout's honor.

About The Author:  Jason Sardi is human.  He's been in the Mortgage Industry since 2001 and he kind of knows what he speaks about.  He doesn't endorse anything, especially those Velcro Flip-Flops that Jennifer bought for me on the celebration of the day that I was born.  Though they were much appreciated, sweetheart.  The guy is a scout.

A faded bush did appear, thick in foliage to any seer.  It won't quite disappear, that foliage that I no longer fear.

      ~Gunther Moses~

If you think buying a home can be scary, try renting a house.  We hear stories daily on the obstacles present when buying and then closing on a home.  The fact is that once you own it, you freaking own it.  You own its troubles, its grace, its everything... for the most part, it's your place.  But if you are renting it ...

There's a little story I'd like to share.  The participants are Lee & Shannon.  They rented their house for five years.  During that time, their Landlord seemed difficult, if not totally obnoxious.  If something went wrong with the house, phone calls went ignored and any communication from said party seemed obsolete.  However, when the rent was due, that Landlord was always available.  And 'he would get back to them in a few days' concerning any problems with the house.  Of course that 'few days' turned into the next month when rent was due.  Yet again, the rent would be paid and the landlord skated around handling any problem with the living conditions.

Patterns persist.

Leaky facets, clogged drains, faulty electrical outlets, and a lack of hot water were only minor areas of inconvenience.  Luckily, Lee knew how to deal with most of that type of stuff.  But when the basement was flooded by a particularly feeble bout of rain and phone call after email after phone call to the Landlord went unanswered, the floodgates of change called their name.  When they got a letter from the Mortgage Company to start making their payments directly to them, that calling started to scream.

Home-ownership had been a dirty word to Lee & Shannon for quite sometime.  They had been content with renting.  Truth be told, they had owned one over 5 years back and were put into an adjustable rate mortgage at the time.  While a nice option for some people, it didn't turn out that way for them.  It happened to be a treatment for buying over their heads.  Lee & Shannon got out and thankfully suffered no severe credit ramifications from the experience.  But they did suffer a very bad taste of what owning a home is all about.

With their rental situation in limbo, they opened all doors to make sure a roof was above their head.

From this front, they found a Mortgage Guy and I forget his name... though I remember the last name rhymed with 'Party'. ;)  They compared the cost to rent vs. the cost to own in the price range of their particular area and financial ability to afford such.  Not surprisingly, the numbers weren't so different.  In fact, with lower home prices and interest rates to write your Aunt Susie about, it turned out that buying a home would be a cheaper expedition... at least in regards to monthly payment.  Sure, leaky facets, clogged drains, faulty electrical outlets, and a lack of hot water could become an issue down the road, yet a Home Inspection intertwined with Lee's ability to deal with such things left a better taste of what owning a home could become.

They closed on their home on November 30th, 2009. 

Oh the glory, the romance of that day.  A fear arrived and was dead upon display.  It didn't take a smile, nor new-born tear, yet for the rest of the story... you may want to click here.

      ~Gunther Moses~

Very important, folks.  Get involved!  Via TheDallasLoanGuy

In case you don't recognize the relatively blooming bald (yet still somewhat subtle) patch on that young gent standing in front of the sign, it's me.  The place where I spent twenty-two years of my existence here on Planet Earth is a place called Clarion, Pennsylvania.  One of my best memories is that of a business that is still thriving and somewhat of a legend in many circles.  "Eddie's Dogs" is what we call it.  Bar-none, the best hot-dogs on earth, and I've attended a Harlem Globetrotter game in my life.

Eddie is the owner and should be proud.  In college, we probably gave him more crap than your local plumber can handle.  But damn if he doesn't make the most fantastic hot-dogs around.  And he has a pretty good sense of humor for a guy who looks like the Crypt Keeper never heard of moisturizer.

When attending back-to-back family reunions in my first visit to Clarion in years, we stopped by this legendary institution.  It really wasn't churning in my head that we'd be stopping at Eddie's.  I was there to help celebrate a monumental moment in my Aunt's Life and introduce the family to something other than a blow-up doll. 

And then we passed Eddie's.  At one point, he had two locations... one in Clarion (right across from a bar that was very popular among the college folks) and one that is shown in these pictures, which is the only operating one right now.  My only assumption is that he shut the other one down because it isn't exactly easy for a 195 year old gent to deal with a bunch of dumb smucks like me... let alone the Frat Boys.

All stupid analogies and restless attempts at humor aside, the guy took what he did and does for a living and made it into something pretty special.  If you want the best hot dogs in the land, visit him. 

As far as the sunsets and other memories, well, some things you just keep to yourself.  But they are good ones, none the less.

The most articulate version of the author's reaction to his first Taco Dog...

I was going to make this a rather technical piece of blogging information.  I printed out page upon page of data to support my stance.  I read through each page of data to compare it to what I really wanted to say about the subject of credit.  Then, as typical, I ripped up the pages because they were quite boring... even though, informative.

My goal is to be less boring (I rarely have lofty expectations;) and just as informative.

To this day, I don't get why people wear shades.  Okay, if the Sun hurts their eyes, I get that.  But I'm convinced that many wear shades because they are under some grand illusion that they actually look cool.  In reality, most just look like tourists.  I bring this up because of the Title of this post.  When you owe folks money, the easiest way to make it seemingly disappear is to hide.  Hide from phone calls, certified letters, emails, and from your neighbor who just got information on your behalf.

Let's be Frank.  You can be Susie.  If you make enough money and handle it correctly... this stuff isn't an issue.  However, if your credit score looks like Ted William's batting average from 1941, there is some serious 'issues' going on.  While you can ignore creditors all you want, it will end up costing more than the comfort your so-called pride could ever allow.

Much has been written about this issue, even by yours truly.  Instead of bombarding you, the reader, with facts, figures, and a brand new way to make money if you spend $19.95 on my 'Secret System', I will give you three Philosophical Facts (oxymoron, I know) about Credit.  By the way, if you are interested in my 'Secret System' and are willing to spend almost twenty dollars for the privilege of implementing such, I'm also thinking about starting a cult in Waco.

Commercial Moment:)

When I read the word 'Dunning', I wondered what it meant.  I'm no language genius and rarely study, as my college GPA can prove.  Dunning is the process of methodically communicating with customers to ensure the collection of accounts receivable.  Interesting.  This would happen to be addressed by the first of three philosophies I have on credit.  Be pro-active!  Call them before they even think of calling you.  Nobody knows your financial situation better than you.  Calling the specific creditor and opening the lines of communication can go a long way in keeping things copacetic.  If you are pro-active enough, it will ensure that you are more methodical than the counterpart you owe, which can help buy time to earn the time to appease your financial crime.

But what happens if I get someone on the line and can't pay them a dime?  Here comes Philosophy Numero two.  I'll use credit cards as an example.  This one is a personal story.  I had a credit card with an available balance of a mere $500.00.   Because of finance charges and an overly high balance, I had incurred their over the balance fee just one month prior.  The first time in seven years.  I called to discuss and get rid of the issue.  That wasn't much of a problem.  Yet, the next month I ran into the same dilemma and their finance charges put me over my balance and I was once again confronted with a pretty staunch fee.   I got on the horn and spoke to a young lady whose English wasn't akin to Shakespeare.  She was passionate in her script in saying that the particular fee I was charged was only able to be waived once ever twelve months.  After about twenty minutes, I asked her four times to let me talk to someone higher-up, a manager per se.  According to her, they would say the same thing.  On the fifth time, she put me on hold.  Magically, she was actually able to waive the fee all by herself.  Before your panties get wet as a reader, I had been a customer with them for quite sometime and had never been late on even one payment.  But Philosophy Numero Two says that you be persistent in all dealings with those you owe money too.  If you can't pay them a dime, they'll often accept a penny or two in the meantime.

Read up on this stuff.  Information is extremely available, and as long as it's the accurate material, you should be quite fine.  When I got my first collection call, I had more anxiety than O.J. after the whole Bronco Chase.  Okay, bad analogy.  But, I got through it.  I learned to deal with it and keep my head about me.  The majority of folks you talk to when dealing with any debts you have are hourly employees who probably are in the same boat.  You'd be surprised about the credit profiles of collectors, doctors, lawyers, and what I do for a living.  Never be intimidated, yet always be gracious.  Don't kill them with kindness, confront them with Professionalism.

Pro-active, persistent, & professional.  Tsk, I should have been a Social Worker.  Then again, :)

The one thing I find missing from our Capitalistic Climate lies within the very title of this post.  I deal with the lack of grace all the time and am damn sure I'm not the only one.  Too many instances arise when you help folks, guide folks, try and point them in the right direction, and all of the sudden they disappear.  Without notice, without a word.

Click here.

Perhaps they found a better deal. Can't win them all.  I'm cool with that.  That's competition and I don't fancy myself Rocky Marciano just yet. 

It puzzles me and makes me understand the "churn & burn" attitude so many sales folks have.  Get them in, get them out.  It's more of a one night stand than a relationship. Maybe that's the way it should be done?

But I disagree, especially when it comes to something like, I don't know, your house for example.  Do you really want to be sharing the sheets with Bill Maher when you can dance with Jon Stewart?  Mysterious analogies aside, I want to be advised by someone who holds some semblance of trust and credibility with me. 

I ran into a 'Rate Shopper' a few months ago and we've been in constant contact since.  His decision on which Lending Entity to choose came down to three. I was one of them. When he made his decision, it was based upon my fees being higher than the competitor and that competitor happened to be the Mortgage Company he had already dealt with. He sent me a pleasant email articulating his decision. I was quite shocked!  Not because of his decision per se, but because he took the time to let me know.  My response back was a grateful message thanking him for doing what so few do. His response verbatim is as follows:

"You're very welcome, Jason.  I felt that I owed you that in light of your helpfulness.  As someone who's essentially a missionary (financially), I raise all my support, and get frustrated when people don't have the thoughtfulness and/or courage to let me know they're not going to support us (or stop doing that). 

In any event, thanks for your kind words.  That means a lot to me, too.

Grace to you,
Bryan"

I'll take Bryan as a prospective client any day of the week, even though I didn't earn a dime in my communications with him.  He earned a reputation with me.  I think I did the same with him.  Reputation turns into relationships.  And while almost every relationship I've heard of has rocky roads to travel, that's the way to do business the right way.  At least until I find a goldmine under those covers with Bill Maher.

Smart Sales translate into closed deals.  Smart Sales is also ensuring it's a long term gig and not a short-term (and often perceived) fortune.