Before I explain that question, let me ask you this one: "How long have you been in the business?" Ever have someone ask you that? Here's my answer, and it will really make you think!

I was in the business before we had the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). ECOA went into law in 1976, and protects against discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex or marital status, or age.

So, you ask???

Well, when I was first in this business, if I were taking a loan application from a married couple that were of child bearing age and they wanted her income to be taken into consideration, I would have to document their birth control procedures!!ECOA

Yep! That's right! A letter signed by the two of them certifying they did not intend to have children, why, and then explaining their form of birth control would sometimes suffice, but not always! Imagine having to ask THAT question at the face to face loan application (which a face to face was the only kind of loan application we could accept)! Remember, back then maternity leave was not protected by law. Thus, if the wife were to get pregnant, there would be no guarantee that she would get her job back. So job stability could not be established, disallowing the income from being taken into consideration.

And to think today we're all uptight about a new Good Faith Estimate and HUD!

"We've come a long way, baby!" (Do you know what advertisement that line was used in?)

This post is included in the brand new "Financing Friday" group, which we invite you to join.

Opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the view of Starkey Mortgage.

Ruth Vogt Colorado Mortgage Lender Ruth Vogt, Colorado Regional Manager

 Colorado #LMB100023827, NMLSR# 257576

   www.MyLenderOfChoice.com

   rvogt@wrstarkey.com

 

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141 Comments on Do you use birth control?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JAN
24
2010
564,533 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Fantastic post!  That would be sooo difficult to ask people.  How invasive.  Thank goodness laws have changed.
4:37pm • #124
365,285 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Yes, indeed, Dawn. Can you even imagine??
10:15pm • #125
JAN
25
2010

Wow!  That's crazy!  I've never heard of such a thing and can only imagine the offense I would take if asked that question today.  We have come a long way, haven't we?
12:44pm • #126
4 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

What about the other form of 'birth control'?  I'm talking about not keeping in touch with your past clients which have kids who grow up and need a Realtor to represent them?  Or should we call it business control?  As a former loan officer, I'm grateful I never had to ask that question.
1:01pm • #127
365,285 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Nicole, Yes, crazy. Yes, people were offended. But more importantly, yes, we have in fact come a long way.  :)

Brian, Good comparison between birth and business control! Somethime to think about!
8:52pm • #128
253,562 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Holy Cow!  Can't imagine discussing that topic with my lender.  Yuck!  Just think if it was a guy!  I guessed Virginia Slims - my mom's cigarette of choice.  We were just dicussing the "good old days" with our 12 year old.  Now you gave me an idea for my own post.

Nancy
9:03pm • #129
365,285 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Yep, Nancy, it was Virginia Slims. I'll be watching for your post!!
10:29pm • #130
JAN
27
2010
199,383 Points 5 Featured Posts

I didn't know that Ruth!  What an uncomfortable situation to be in!  Well I guess loan officers can be glad they don't have to ask that question any longer!
6:02pm • #131
117,186 Points 4 Featured Posts

Ok. that's my enlightment, what in the world were they thinking, lesson for the day. Thanks for sharing.
7:04pm • #133

Ruth - We have come a long way, indeed! I, too remember the days when an unmarried woman could not qualify for a loan on her own. Seems even more absurd now then it did back then

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
7:10pm • #134

Ruth - We have come a long way, indeed! I, too remember the days when an unmarried woman could not qualify for a loan on her own. Seems even more absurd now then it did back then

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
7:10pm • #135
236,037 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Wow! Was "poke and hope" an accepted method? Times have changed, mostly for the better.
9:44pm • #136
365,285 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Patricia, you are soooo right!

Bev, glad I was able to share with you the lesson for the day!   :)

Absurd is a good word for it, Kathie!

Tigard, "Nope"!
11:58pm • #137
JAN
28
2010
Localism Sponsor

Imagine my surprise when my Google Alert for my name shows up with the title of this blog - Shows as -

Real Estate Blog - Do you use birth control?
Kathy Sperl-Bell, ABR, CRS, SRES (RE/MAX Realty Group). 9:04pm • #36 ... Lisa Schmitt (Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell). 10:44pm • #45. Outside Blog ...

Guess that proves there's Google Juice in these posts!

BTW, I no longer need bc!
10:08am • #138
JAN
29
2010
365,285 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy, I have had my comments show up with a Google Alert, too, and it amazes me each and every time. I had this post reblogged several times which is also popping up. Yet, everytime I see the title, it still catches my eye - even though I was the one that wrote it! ha-ha!
12:03am • #139
FEB
01
2010
163,460 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Ruth-  Absolutely incredible article and nice to read that the tight guidelines that many complain about these days is not a phenomenon of only the past few years!
5:08pm • #140
365,285 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

RJ, time does seem to put things into perspective, doesn't it? Thanks for stopping by!
10:46pm • #141
FEB
03
2010

Great point Ruth!  Way to look on the bright side and this is a funny way of putting our current woes with the new GFE and HUD into perspective!  For those of us born after 1976, you really have been doing this for awhile!  :)
11:06am • #142
365,285 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Watch it, Tim! :)
11:08pm • #143
JAN
31
Very nice site!
Pharme841
6:07pm • #145

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