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A Question for the Banksters - Do the Investors know what you're up to?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

A Question for the Banksters - Do the Investors know what you're up to?

I didn't think so ... I'll tell them for you. Dear investor ... that 900 pound gorilla that you call a respectable bank is turning away a number of qualified buyers who would like to buy the "bank owned" properties they are servicing. And one of those "bank owned" properties could very well be your investment. You are thinking ... now how could they possibly be doing that ... and why?

The Banksters assign a bank-owned property to an approved REO agent. The agent is given strict guidelines that say "Offers will not be considered without a 2nd pre-approval from ______________ (fill in the name of the Bankster here)". About half of the homes my buyer wants to see has this condition in the confidential MLS remarks, and the agents I have spoken to are adamant about it. (As they should be, if an agent doesn't follow guidelines, they will be out of the REO business, pronto).

My buyer is already pre-approved for a loan. Not only is his pre-approval from a small bank that is local to my Community, my buyer is EMPLOYED by this bank. He has NO interest in getting a 2nd pre-approval, nor should he have to. He doesn't want his credit score to get hammered by having 5 different Banksters pulling his credit report. A higher lower FICO score means a higher interest rate. Can you blame him?

So why are the Banksters doing this? Because they want a shot at stealing my client away from the bank he is already pre-approved with. They want a chance at getting a loan out of the deal AT YOUR EXPENSE. Instead of a full-price offer my client is willing to write, the Banksters will settle for a lower offer because they might be able to weasel themselves a new loan. Did you hear me? THE BANK WILL GLADLY SETTLE FOR A LOWER OFFER.

So how do you, the investor, fare in all of this? The fewer the buyers, the lower the offer. The lower the offer, the less you net. My buyer would love to submit an offer on your investment, but there is a Bankster standing in their way. And you thought the bank was servicing your investment with your best interests at heart? Believe me, there is no heart involved ... think again.

 

* Credit for the term Bankster gratefully goes to Carla Muss-Jacobs

 

Posted by

 

Cynthia Larsen (707-332-2560) is an independent real estate referral broker in Sonoma County, California as well as a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist.

CA Broker License #01433049

Comments(11)

Charles Edwards Bentonville
Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR
AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Cynthia, Truly amazing. Apparently we have no say in anything that goes on. AMAZING! Since when do bankers tie the hands of potential buyers?

Dec 09, 2010 08:46 AM
Dennis Puckett
Adams,Cameron & Co. - Deland, FL

Sounds like somebody struck a nerve. That's good info. I've been fortunate that the gangsters oops banksters haven't been adamant thus far in my area....

Dec 09, 2010 08:47 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

I look at banks as a necessary evil...

Dec 09, 2010 09:04 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

I say submit the offer. Then call the Banksters and tell them if they have any issues with the pre-qual that they can call the lender who originated it. But in no circumstances is that lender to give away any information other than credit score and qualifying terms.

Dec 09, 2010 09:08 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Charles - it looked like this practice was going away, but it's back ... stronger than ever.

Dennis - struck a nerve? Do ya think? I'm furious with the games the banks are playing, especially after getting bailed out.

Michael - can we all get together and come up with an alternative? Please?

Craig - here is the kicker. If the buyer won't get a 2nd pre-approval, then the bank is demanding the loan application they submitted to the bank that they ARE pre-approved with. The banks are throwing their weight around and the buyers and investors are the ones who are suffering from it.

Dec 09, 2010 09:21 AM
Nevin Williams
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation - Cary, NC
Senior Mortgage Advisor

Cynthia - This has happened many times, the bank requiring info to make sure the buyer is qualified.  Since banks are an the hook for the monetary loss they like to push their weight around, no doubt about it.  Someone once said where there is money there is a rat!

Dec 09, 2010 01:55 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Nevin - do you have any idea why it has gotten worse in the last couple of months? It seemed to be going by the way-side, now it seems more prevalent than ever! The big banks are pushing buyers away, no doubt about it!

Dec 09, 2010 02:34 PM
Alex Morris - Austin Real Estate Agent
Austin, TX

Cynthia - you should be ashamed of yourself!  You are assuming that the human element, reason and rationale factor into their decisions.  You silly girl!  They are running a business!!!

Dec 09, 2010 04:47 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Alex XXL - LOL, if I were an investor, I'd be very upset if I knew the bank was limiting the buyer pool. It would seem that the bank should have a fiduciary duty to get the highest price possible for the investor.

Dec 10, 2010 04:37 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

This is a great post Cynthia.  And you'd think investors would have a clue.  Banks make that hurdle to jump through, and your buyers scenario is a perfect example about how that "pre-approval" BS just doesn't make sense!!  Banksters are evil.

Dec 10, 2010 05:35 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Carla - the 2nd pre-approval is a lot of BS. They are telling me they just want to make sure the buyer is truly qualified. I have NEVER EVER had a pre-approved buyer who didn't qualify for a loan. This is infuriating.

Dec 10, 2010 11:22 AM