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To be or not to be an EXPERT, that is the question - Such as an FHA Expert

UPDATE : 4/16/09 @ 12:59 pm - I just wanted to add this because of a few comments about the term "Expert". In my opinion, an Expert doesn't know everything... I would find that almost impossible, about any expert in any industry. But to me, it would be someone that knows more than 85% to 90% of that industry or that topic. One that is on top of their game, on top of the industry changes, can explain things well, and... a biggie here... if they don't know something, they don't give a questionable answer until they have the correct answer. This goes back to researching and actually knowing where and how to find the correct answers, from reliable sources. I just want to add my definition to this before you read this. Here is Expert defined by Wikipedia. EXPERT

fha expert & fha specialist

I am a FHA Specialist – FHA Expert

I am a Real Estate Expert

A question to the general public out there. When searching for an expert in a specific field in the papers, online, or on tv.... do you look for the word Expert or Specialist? Does this comfort you? This can be very dangerous and I will explain why.

Even though I have been doing this for over 16 years, it seems that this problem is worse this year than ever before. What problem is that? Those calling themselves Experts and or Specialists in their respected fields, yet they give tons of misinformation or broken promises. A true Expert is very knowledgeable and if they don't know the answer, they will try and get the correct answer before assuming their answer is correct. But our society doesn't dictate this kind of thought process in many cases. As a sales person, it's obvious that the average consumer will see that you call yourself an expert and as long as your answers are followed by such phrases as, "I guarantee", "I promise", "don't worry", "no problem", "I don't lie", etc, etc.... that the consumers comfort level rises. Let me share a few quick examples with you.

Example 1 : A few months ago a borrower contacted me from the internet and wanted to deal with an FHA Expert. He felt very comfortable with me because of the information that I supplied online. After speaking to him, I realized that he wasn't an easy case, because he was self-employed with a few tradelines on his credit. I needed to see his tax returns, which took him 5 days. A day after giving me his returns, he asked if I had an answer. I said give me until tomorrow morning. That next morning I sent him an e-mail with what I could do. His response was that he found another FHA Expert the day before who was able to approve him in 2 hours, that I took too long. His approval was based on no income with 25% down and a very low rate. I told him I didn't believe this could happen with 25% down, especially with a rate in the low 5's. The best I had was 30% down and the rates in the 7's. I decided to follow up with him a month later. Imagine this, he stopped the process later on because the other "expert" ended up giving him a 30% down loan with a much higher rate, so he backed out of the deal.

Example 2 : Just yesterday, a borrower called me from California trying to buy a new home with an FHA mortgage. But the kicker is that she has an FHA loan already and can't sell her home. It can be done, but there are some rules by HUD. She spoke with 5 other lenders in California, in which 4 of them told her that it's not a problem, as long as she rents out the other property. This is partially true, but there are some major obstacles. The long and short of it is that it couldn't be done. If she didn't find someone that knew the full guidelines, she would have wasted time and money.

asking FHA questions

Let me explain something. I am not god, I don't know everything, nor am I perfect. But I do take lots of pride in what I do and I do consider myself very knowledgeable. And as mentioned, if I am not sure of an answer, I will find out first from reliable sources such as my underwriters. But here is the underlining question..... How do you choose that so-called Expert? Who do you seek and how do you seek them.

That question is a tough one. My advice is to seek a referral from a friend or family member. But I have seen that get people in trouble also. You can research that specific person and the company by Googling their names and by other searches online. You can search key words or phrases online and if they write blogs, this is a great place to start. Just don't always believe what you read if it sounds good. Read other like minded blogs. It doesn't hurt to ask a few others in that same industry to see if their information is correct. The only problem is that you could possibly get 3 or 4 people that would give your the wrong information. And this does happen. Please read : Two Wrongs don't make a right.

Conclusion : In my opinion, it's a bad epidemic, those that are now claiming to be experts and or specialists, just to make you think that you are dealing with an expert. Sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling,and in many cases, maybe research that topic with more than one source. Just because it sounds good in a blog or online, doesn't mean it's always correct or spot on.

Just recently, I have come across a few loan officers on Active Rain that call themselves FHA Specialists. It scares me, because they claim you need 5% down or 2% down on FHA loans. It's written in stone that the downpayment is 3.5%. I have even come across a few loan officers that are popular on AR, who claim to be FHA Specialists or FHA Experts who haven't written one post about FHA loans, but just the basics of mortgages. This scares me also, because if you are a Specialist or Expert in that field or industry, you should be able to write about what you specialize in.

Overall, I am not trying to be harsh or throw some under the bus. But let's be realistic. Many of us swarm to the internet for information. Many of us have a lot of faith in those that post blogs on AR, just because they are well written. Anyone can write something that sounds good or make promises. Sometimes you won't know until the end if it will happen or not. Sometimes the proof is after the fact. and sometimes you have to be patient for a day. But my whole point to this is that you just can't believe everything that you read, especially online. Do your research !!!!

For more insight on professionals & experts, please read : As professionals, we need to raise the bar and educate consumers

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!

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- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- FHA Home Loans - Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!

HUD

For information about FHA myths & FHA rumors, please read : FHA Myths & Rumors

Posted by Jeff Belonger-The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans on 04/15/2009 03:16 PM

Comments (47)

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Originally posted at: FHA Mortgage Expert - Tri-State Area - New Jersey/PA/Delaware: To be or not to be an EXPERT, that is the question - Such as an FHA Expert

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47 Comments on To be or not to be an EXPERT, that is the question - Such as an FHA Expert

APR

2009

So glad you finally penned this one Jeff, you know my feelings.

and I'd like to tag on by urging consumers to read the content here on Active Rain. There are enough truly knowledgeable FHA experts on this site committed to try to keep the information posted here accurate. If someone does post erroneous info, you will know that from the comments they receive.

It's a shame we are forced to police ourselves, but that is the case. I'm glad we can have pros like you to carry that torch Jeff.

Gerry Suarez, Jr.

Your FHA Loan Pro!

Jeff, Great job on this blog! I have found MORE and MORE where people are posting such bad information, it is actually SCARING some people away from looking to refinance, or even BUY a home! In fact, I am VERY aware of ONE REALTOR who actually swayed a customer away from an FHA loan because they didnt have the down payment necessary, based on the information given by one of your people you "didnt mention by name" in your blog!

This is the kind of stuff that absolutely SICKENS ME! Recently, I sent a complaint to AR about one person as well...because as you say, as SEASONED and EXPERIENCED people in this line of work...we do have a RIGHT to demand excellence from our peers! I am CONSTANTLY reminded that some of the people that leave comments on blogs for example, wait all day to pick on someone, or ONE particular word or sentence! I know that I am not that picky!

It is the facts, and the content that we should be concerned about! Just YESTERDAY i had to answer 7 phone calls and spent over 2hours answering questions from borrowers, becuz of a mis print in the newspaper! THEY have the ability to "retract" the statement! I think some people ON AR should take note of this, and do the same!

It is one thing to know what you are talking about, and to believe in your product or service very passionately! It is another to bash bash bash, for no reason or benefit! Believe me when I tell you, I have saved my list right here on my desk of people that dont have a clue!!!

Well done Jeff! and keep holding our peers to higher standards!

Darin

GERRY..... . this has been an ongoing problem that many of us have noticed, you included. I don't think writing about it will help everyone, but we do need to write about this more often. I am getting 1 to 2 calls or e-mails a week now, nationally, from borrowers that have been lied to or misled. Some of the things that I am hearing are very basic and that scares me the most. As mentioned, someone stating that FHA loans require 5% down... rut row... this crap has to stop. But you know this because we talk about it. Thanks for the kudos and for the support.

DARIN.... . I think this sickens more than just you and I... why do people post stuff that they are sure of? I can't answer this... it could also be that they were taught wrong also. But what's very sad is that some of this is very basic and clearly states it in the FHA mortgagee letters. We could go on and on about this. I love to educate others... and we just need to keep writing about this, getting the word out to others.

In regards to bash, bash, bash. When I make a comment on another blog, saying that they are wrong, to me it's not bashing. I even went as far as to question someone in a polite manner, yet e-mail them on the side, showing them with proof that they were wrong. They never changed this blog nor did respond to my e-mail. This sickens me even more... and I wonder what AR's stance is behind this, because I don't see it getting better. thanks for your feedback.

Jeff,

I wouldn't limit you!

Good post.

Bill

Even when the herd thins, a few proverbial black sheep will linger around.

Jeff - The only thing (in my mind) that we can realistically do and look to accomplish is to educate, educate, educate, and if we see blatantly incorrect info disguised as "facts" here or anywhere else... try to reach out and inform the mis-informed. If they continue to spout off at the hip, well, write about it from your blog... as you do. The term "Expert" is thrown around like a bad actress in a German Snuff Film. I don't look for experts per se; I look for folks who can find solutions... even if they don't know them off the cuff. Personally, this Industry is so ever changing that I'll never be a true expert as defined by myself. I'll just be more knowledgable than most.

JB....that's all good info. There's so much disinformation out there. I don't think that a lot of it's intentional. Like people who don't finish sharing all the facts, or don't know all the facts. So when looking for an FHA loan, look for someone of Jeff's knowledge. It really is mortgage knowledge at it's best. I've referred my clients to JB.

Yo Jeff, just to be clear...I wasnt saying YOU were bashing! I have had it happen to me...and everyone else pretty much too!

No worries!

Keep on the higher plane, and as Joe Dirt says... "keep on keepin on!"

Jeff: Great post. Everyone would like to brag about their credentials and, in some cases, that's important to the consumer. For example, a medical doctor goes to school for years to become an expert. In our business, there is relatively little in the way of barriers to entry. Yet people take a 1/2 day class and get certified! Even my license was garnered by taking one test, paying $155 and taking 2 continuous ed. classes/year at a cost of $150. I know some real estate people have had to do more than this to get their various designations. It's just that it doesn't matter in the long run if we then do a disservice to our client. Whether a person is a CMPS, FHA expert, CDPC, or anything else, it pays for the customer to look around and meet us face-to-face if at all possible. We're still in the people business. I hope we never forget that! Take care.

Jeff - How would you determine somebody is an expert or specialist? We read alot in your post of what to avoid or how not to find an expert, but what could the average joe do to make sure he is working with an expert?

Reading blogs and postings is just fine, but who is to say that information came from them? In my experience if somebody is already claiming to be something they are not they will to great lengths to keep up the facade and plagarism wouldnt be a far stretch.

Maybe on the next post talk about how one expert (yourself) would determine if another person is comparable to you. And list ways that consumers could measure professionals.

Overall good post. I know sometimes people can take your post as negative or attacking but I know thats not your intention. Good Work

JP Lowry --President--Preferred Financial Funding, Inc

Jeff - I think this is one reason that I have studiously avoided calling myself an expert on anything. When people ask me what I specialize in, I tell them, "Selling homes."

FHA Expert/Specialist = I really hope you pick me to do your FHA loan too often these days.

Oh, and happy birthday Jeff. I se you got a star too!!!

Great Post! Thanks!

BILL.... . thanks for the kind words and for the support.

JASON..... . I love some of the phrases that you choose sometimes... lol. And yes, expert is over-used and abused. And it's not always defined by years in the business. I have seen a few that had been in mortgages for 20 years and one for 30 years, that royally screwed up some settlements, lied, or had no clue still.

But yes, as you, myself, and so many others state... just educate, educate, educate. Unfortunately, some that think they are educating actually mislead. Sure, it might not be on purpose, but it's misleading if they are putting the wrong information out there.

LARRY..... . I agree, I don't think some of it is intentional.... I don't think it's not sharing all the facts as opposed to knowing all the facts. And thanks for that polite plug... same to you.. thanks

DARRIN.... . I wasn't necessarily saying that you said I was bashing, even though I have been accused by others. And I have had others bash me on my FHA vs conventional comparison blogs, telling me that my conventional rates are too high in the examples. Rut row... that just showed me that they don't even know how to read a rate sheet. The basics of the basics... thanks for your input.

Jeff it's expert lenders like yourself that we send our clients too for correct advice. Thank goodness there aren't as many unscrupulous lenders out there anymore. I much prefer a client to be totally qualified before he/she gets in the car with me.

Great post!

Anna Banana
Phoenix, AZ

Jeff--The most honorable thing I do with prospective clients is when I don't know about something to refer them to an agent who does know about it. I would assume it is the same in your business. If I claim to be an expert in some area of real estate to get a client, I won't have them as my client for long. Some people claim to know everything...They are what is known as a Jack of ALL Trades but Master of None.

Have a very happy birthday my friend! Looks like you received an AR gold star as a present...Actually it is a well deserved star! :)

Its easy to claim your an expert or a specialist but to back it up is another thing. With Loan guideline changing so fast it is likely not wise to do so. Good post.

There are some areas (locations) in which I would consider myself to be very good, but more of an "expert" than others. But I still don't see myself as an expert. I guess my definition of expert is very stringent.

Hi Jeff -- You are wise to point out the obvious and in fact, gets lost in the warp(ed) speed the Internet and our "must have it now" mentality of consumers. I know I get that way sometimes myself. Real estate is rarely life or death, and a consumer (and professionals) would be wise to develop strong relationships with proven and ethical performers across the entire industry.

Jeff,

We almost missed your birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Bill

I agree, everyone throws those words around like crazy. And the typical consumer doesnt know how to tell the difference.

I like to work with people/professionals who have been referred to me by people/professionals I know and trust. And I pay it forward. Expert is a subjective word.

It's a great time to have re-branded oneself as an FHA expert. The label may or may not represent actual expertise.

Jeff I'd brand you as an Expert! Great post as usual and I love your picture and background.

Jeff -- You make a lot of good points and it must be very difficult for the consumer to know who is the go to person. The same thing happens with those who proclaim they have expertise in buyer agency.. many do not. It can be very confusing for consumers.

You make some great points. Sorry about the bad stories, but thanks for being there and honest.

PAUL... . that's the scary thing, that credentials and in this case, a title, is important to the consumer. I had a borrower once tell me that even though I may be correct, the other person that he was speaking to was an owner of a mortgage company and was convinced that he could fix things. I not only proved the owner wrong, but the owner was way off on his mortgage insurance estimate by $180 a month. My point... the owner made this borrower feel like he could make things work, just because he was an owner of a company. I knew it didn't matter, but I almost lost a deal because of this.

Overall, I think you also hit another nail on the head, that people forget that we are in the people business. As far as meeting people face to face? I will still disagree... it also comes down to confidence and how you talk to people and educate them. Great example.. I just took a deal away from another lender who did this borrowers previous mortgage and we were almost the same in rate. The other guy sounded wishy washy and I game the borrower straight answers. And he truly felt comfortable with me because of the blogs that he read of mine, my red flag posts, and how to read a good faith estimate, that the other loan officer didn't go over in detail. thanks for your feedback...

JP..... . the part that you mentioned, possibly in another blog, telling people what to look for or how to distinguish a true professional? In my opinion, that would be very hard. I think educational posts that are easy to read, understand, and follow certainly help. But I think one of my better posts to help people distinguish this is my post on Red Flags... Please read : Red Flags consumers should be aware of... I plan on updating this post in the next few weeks, adding some new red flags. But I have received some business because of this blog, because some people have recognized some of these, especially on the good faith estimate topic. thanks

JASON C. ..... . I think if you think you are truly qualified, such as you are in real estate, then calling yourself an expert or a real estate expert... I have no problem with that. It's those that have no clue, but use such titles to impress the consumer to help them get more business. Just as so many are now branding themselves as FHA Experts and or FHA Specialists and after I talk to them, they have no clue or have hardly ever done any before. It's so sad and so misleading. Some may think I am rude when it comes to that, but again, that's reality. As many no, I don't want to be known as a fluff kind of guy. One loan officer on AR, who is read much, even said that they prefer fluff. That is very very scary. So, in my opinion, if you know what you are doing, a very good about it, and will spend time explaining things in details & not just telling that buyer or seller what they want to hear... then you should be able to call yourself an expert. And expert can't know everything... maybe I should have stated that more clearly in my blog... thanks

TOM B. ..... . ha ha ha... you funny guy. lol But seriously, you and I have had discussions about this and how it irks us when loan officers put very misleading and false info out there. And thanks for the b-day wishes.

URSULA..... . thanks for the compliment and for stopping by.

ANNA.... . well, I don't think as many have left as we thought would. I am finding it a tad worse this year than a year ago. I think it makes some people stoop to that lower level when business is slow, because they are just hoping and praying that they can get a deal by lying, misleading, or not knowing what they are doing... and hoping they don't screw up to where they get a bad name or lose referrals... I think it's a poor choice and a huge risk if you are making a career out of mortgages or real estate. But I think many don't look ahead either... they just wing it. In any case, thanks for that polite compliment and the kind words.

I think being an expert may be tough because it signals that you know everything, or just about everything.

APR

2009

TERRI.... . You make a good point. There was a loan officer from AR in Florida that would refer me to his FHA clients, just because he didn't want to mess that up. I think he could have learned this easily... but he just specialized in hard money loans and stated/no doc loans. Well, we all know most of those types of loans have left earth for now. But I think it can be a wise move, as you mentioned, so not to lose those clients or referrals. And thanks for the b-day wishes. I just worked all day... lol

CHUCK.... . I agree that it's way to easy to claim yourself as an expert or as a specialist, hence why I wrote this. In the last year, I have seen more FHA Experts and FHA specialists pop up... and some of these people I know never did an FHA loan up until June or July of 2008... yet they are Experts. I do believe that you can learn a good portion of any kind of mortgage, but the rest that I know is from experience, learning as I go... and you need to do plenty of FHA loans to know a lot of this and to actually remember a lot of this. Just my thoughts on this. thanks

SCOTT..... . I think it's good to be stringent on the term 'Expert'. To me it shows that you think about this, have thought about it, take it seriously, and that you don't want borrowers too get the wrong idea. But if you truly believe that you know more than most and that you are very good at what you do, then you should label yourself as an expert. Just my opinion... thanks

CHRIS.... . boy, you hit one of the nails on the head. That consumers want it now. That is so true and that was in my first example. I am glad that you picked up on this. I even told this client to give me an extra day because I wanted to go over his tax returns with a fine tooth comb, trying to get more income out of it, so I could get him a full doc loan with better lending terms. But he fell for the quick answer and from someone that called themselves an 'Expert'.... and he got what he asked for. Not trying to sound rude, but he got someone that gave him an answer what he wanted to hear in 'speed' like time. And unfortunately, you don't realize it until it happens to you. Which is one reason why it is so hard to truly pick a a very good expert or to define expert. thanks

WILLIAM.... . I didn't.... you should have been here for the 42 dancing girls that stopped by as I was working... oh, wait, I was dreaming... lol thanks for the b-day wishes and for stopping by.

WALTER.... . bingo, that these words are thrown around like hot potatoes and that the average consumer can't truly pick who out who is who. That is scary and sad... and in many cases, as I mentioned to someone else, you don't always know until at the end, when it's too late. thanks

Great post and good points. I agree, if you are not an expert..,don' say it.

Jeff, This truly is an excellent post. Your analysis and insight is applicable to so many jobs besides lending and certainly applies to Realtors. Great examples as well.

Hi, Jeff,

Whether "Expert" or "Specialist"...when used by entities to describe themselves, they mean very little to the customers you serve. What makes the real difference is your performance measured by past customers willingness to refer others to you.

Jeff, how many FHA loans did you do from 2005 through 2006 when the majority of Lenders would not even consider a government loan for their customers when they could shortcut with subprime, 80/20 and NIV loans? How many State Mortgage Revenue Bond loans did you do for your first-time homebuyer borrowers? How many Nehemiah type DPA loans did you do?

Jeff, your post is all about what is happening in real estate for all of us. The ranks of Realtors, mortgage brokers, and associated businesses to real estate are thinning. It stands to reason that as the old song goes, only the strong survive. Being an expert is crucial. We may not be able to claim that we know more than anyone else, but we at least need to know our specialties cold, where we are equal to the best. Sounds like you are one of the best.

Short Sale Specialist ... "expert" is tossed around so loosly today!

Some of these designations you can get require a few hours on the computer and that's it!

At the top, it says, "Mortgage Knowledge at it's best". The best, by one definition, means "excelling all others". Isn't claiming that youre mortgage knowledge excels all others similar to the label of "expert"?

You are so right. EXPERT is mostly a sales word without real meaning. It is the wise man or woman who KNOWS that they dont' know everything. In this wonderfully interesting business, NO ONE knows everything.

Truly PROFESSIONAL is all we can aspire to be.

In this age of information glut, caveat ad emptor applies more than ever. One's job these days is not so much to read and research but to think critically and keep perspective. To help people with these two things is what professionals do.

In lending and even Real Estate there are many people who are long on promises and short on delivery. I have lost many a client as I would not make a promise I knew I could not deliver on. They often end up with the promise from some one else, but the same or worse situation that I would have given them with more integrity and better service.

Jeff - When dealing with the government hierarchy and corporate upper level management they all tell you the same thing. Whether you are taking over as new platoon , division or departments you always find the "Subject Matter Expert".

The "SME" will guide you through all the intricacies of the obstacles you face and will be invaluable in getting the job done no matter what the job is.

So I say if you fall into that category than promote yourself as such.

To Paul Cahalane in Jeff's defense,

Jeff can say he is an expert, because he has much greater knowledge and experience than the vast majority of other lenders, especially concerning FHA loans. If your definition of an expert is one who knows everything, then you know no experts. I define an expert as one who knows considerably more than others in his field. Taken further it's one who knows where to find the answers he/she doesn't know.

I was on the phone with an u/w yesterday who said she was impressed I even knew where to find the mortgagee letter included in a loan I submitted to her. Truth is, if you don't know where to find ML's, you shouldn't be doing FHA loans.

Gerry Suarez, Jr.

Your FHA Loan Pro!

Remember my client that insisted on talking to the FHA EXPERT from the one post I reblogged of yours? haha!

Anyways, yes, please, let's concentrate on getting the right information out there. Consumers are too confused with all the information these days. I even know that FHA is 3.5% down and I am not a lender!

If others think you are the expert then you may be one of the best in that field. I think you are an FHA expert because I think you know where to get me the answers. Good job. Wish you were local. Eric

Jeff- Great reminder ! It is unfortunate how much misinformation consumers get thrown at them every day and even more unfortunate that a lot of that information is provided by "experts". At the end of the day, that makes professionals like you that much more valuable ! Same with us being "Real Estate Experts" : ) . If every Realtor was perfect, there would be that much more competition. ~ Chris

APR

2009

Jeff; fabulous post, thanks - I consider myself a student of real estate who helps people buy and sell homes.

KELSEY...... yes, in my opinion, Expert is a very subjective word. And I love dealing with professionals, passing back referrals to each other, paying it forward. But I feel it's very hard on my end, giving a realtor a buyer, because the buyer in most cases already has a realtor. thanks

DAREN..... I agree and I think so many of us agree that the label doesn't allows fit the expertise. I have been doing FHA loans since 1994 and I actually labeled myself the FHA Expert around April of 2007. Around the summer of 2008 is when I saw an influx of loan officers labeling themselves as FHA Experts & or FHA Specialists. Now, it's okay, if you fit that bill per se.... but I have already come across a few out there and even on AR that have labeled themselves this, yet they either never write about it or that I have found out that they have screwed up or dropped the ball on a few deals. Hey, we all make mistakes, but these mistakes were FHA 101... so how can you be an expert then? Just curious.. thanks

ROSEMARY..... . well thank you.... in all seriousness, I truly think I am one, because not only do I stay on top daily of any or all changes, but I have done most different types of FHA loans and that experience alone helps me daily when people run into a brick wall... or in one of my examples, when several loan officers are telling the client one thing and I can say without a doubt, that they are wrong. And then I go find the mortgagee letter or the guidelines to prove it to them. thanks for the kind comment.

JOAN.... . I am sure it is very confusing to the consumer and I even bring this up to them. I even go as far to say that I am lucky that I am in this business, because of what I know and how many other loan officers act and do business, I would be very scared applying for a mortgage, especially in today's market. thanks

LISE...... I am not so much sorry about the bad stories, because in my opinion, it will always happen in any and every industry. And it does help me using these examples when writing my blogs because they aren't assumptions, yet they are real stories that I don't make up, showing people that this crap does happen. Not saying that it happens all of the time, but it does happen. And who to trust? That can be a tough one, because many people just lie to make others feel comfortable. Thanks for the compliment.

CHRISTINE..... . I'll be honest, when I first labeled myself as the FHA Expert in April of 2007, I did feel a ton of pressure. Thanks for bringing this up.... because I was afraid I wouldn't know everything or that I would make a mistake. But after about 6 months, I realized that nobody is perfect nor does any expert know everythingthere is to know in that profession. Hence why I went back to add my definition and that of wikipedia up top. thanks for the comment.

You are correct that the word expert has been sadly manipulated over the last few years. The new 'buzz' word that makes people/clients feel more confortable with you and put them at ease. Someone a few years in the business? Not an expert. Someone that drove thru the neighborhood once on the way to get a bagle on tour? Not an expert. Clients still have to do the fact finding interview to be sure they are who they say they are and can do what they say. As your examples show, buyer beware.

APR

2009

It's mind boggling how many people use those lables. When it comes to loans, I always refer my clients to people I know and trust who have experience but also continue their education and keep up on the changes. Even though I'm a Realtor, I keep abreast as much as possible on such things as minimum down payment requirements. I was completely shocked on Friday when a listing agent told me she was "concerned that the buyers only have a 15% down payment:. She actually didn't know it was possible to get a loan with less than 20% down! We're talking about an experienced, long time agent here. I don't know how anyone can be comfortable advising buyers or sellers if they don't take the time to at least be familiar with the basics at any given time!

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Jeff Belonger-The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Cherry Hill, NJ

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Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

Address: Cherry Hill New Jersey 08034 08002 08003, Haddon Heights New Jersey 08035, Haddonfield, NJ, 08033

Cell Phone: (609) 440-5133

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I just want to educate people about mortgages and the process. In regards to lending, I am very creative, intuitive, honest, and one who communicates information, may it be good or bad. I am a loan officer that looks out for your best interest.

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