I hate to say that I am biased about any aspect of our business, but I am. I despise Bank Of America. In my opinion, they are the walking, talking shinning example of corporate greed and disgust. So why am I talking about the Bank of North America today?

When I receive an offer I always heavily screen the preapproval letter. It's my duty & responsibility to my seller, and I won't apologize to anyone for being tough about it.

You have to call the lender to:

1. Ensure you have an open line of communication. A working phone number, extension, email address and even a physical address. ->FULL mail boxes, P.O. BOX's for an address, & kids answering the lenders home phone don't signal SUCCESSFUL TRANSACTION COMING.

2. I always ask: "Has credit been pulled, have you looked at DTI? {Debt to income ratios}?" For those of you reading this that are not in Real Estate know that it's not terribly uncommon to receive a BOGUS pre approval letter!

3. I want to make sure the lender is competent, aware of the buyer's expectations and interest rate. An incompetent loan officer says things like: "I'm pretty sure everything will be fine, let me let you talk to my shift manager when she gets back from lunch."

4. If it is a VA loan or self employed borrower I probe even deeper. Many lenders will take on a challenge (just like anyone else) with hopes of winging it. I don't want ANYONE winging my seller. This is why they hire me, to shield them from these type of scenarios.

5. If Realtor and buyer have NO PREVIOUS relationship with the loan officer then I proceed with even more caution.

The problem with BANK OF AMERICA is that when you call the number on the preapproval letter it's to customer service. I have NEVER been able to actually get a hold of any one person who is working the loan. I always get passed from one extension to another! They NEVER want to verify, talk or even acknowledge that the buyer on the preapproval letter is their customer. {my experience}

In one transaction I worked & closed, neither the borrower OR the Realtor representing the buyer had a ANY idea who the actual loan officer was at Bank Of America. Originally, the buyer wanted to go FHA. 1 day prior to closing he finds out he's got a CONVENTIONAL ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE! The loan DID NOT close on time, his lock expired and my seller was FURIOUS. To make up for their error, poor customer service and pathetic excuse for efficiency BOA paid ALL of the buyer's closing costs and made an apology to the buyer. I learned the hard way that as a listing agent you HAVE to get working phone numbers and email addresses.

If a financial institution is TOO big to treat you like their favorite client then perhaps you're working with the wrong people. I always suggest to a buyer to consider working with the lender that the Realtor has a previous relationship with. My loan officer always answers his phone and never plays games with me, my clients, the title company or anyone else. Our relationship is strong and expectation isn't vague.

Lastly, you can get an approval letter on Bank Of America's website without ever TALKING TO A SOUL! THIS is in my opinion ABSURD!

Moral of the story? Be smart about who you work with. Never assume that because you have a checking account with some large financial institution that you are going to "be treated special." Just remember that the CEO of BOA allegedly bought himself a nice $35,000 TOILET after receiving federal bail out money - OUR TAX DOLLARS!