Special offer

I want the same deal my friend got!!

By
Mortgage and Lending with Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

 

comparing apples to apples

 

 

In many cases, don't we want the best deals?  I think when most people begin to shop for a home or shop for a mortgage, wanting a good deal or the best deal is on many buyer's or seller's minds. And when getting a great rate, some people like to brag about it. But are the details distorted? Not known?

One key point to remember through this whole post, Not one borrower is the same. One needs to compare apples to apples. Just a lower credit score could change the whole scope of someones interest rate. And just because two apples may look the same, doesn't mean they taste the same or feel the same.

 

 

 

 

How many times did someone say these key phrases when it came to mortgages and or real estate……….

 

“Well, my neighbor sold their house for $325,000 and I should be able to get the same since we have a similar house.”

Okay, so let’s look at the differences.

  • Does your house have upgrades?
  • Is one lot larger than the other?
  • Is one house in average condition and the other in excellent condition?
  • Does one have a superior view than the other?
  • How long ago was that sale? 3 months ago? Values can change…

 

“My co-worker just got a 4.50% interest rate with no points and I know it’s still out there, so I want that.”

How could this be so different for so many?  I’ll name just a few reasons why.

  • Did you see the good faith estimate?  It could have many fees on it. You need to compare apples to apples.
  • What was your co-worker’s credit scores? Right now, the biggest reason why your interest rate would be different from someone else.
  • How much money are they putting down?
  • What kind of mortgage are they getting? FHA loan, conventional loan, VA loan, or a USDA loan?
  • What was their debt-to-income ratios for qualifying with income?

 

 

Another key point?  "interest rates change daily" and "home values can change".

.

not one fingerprint is the same - from istockphoto

 

 

Summary :  There is not one person who has the same fingerprint. This can be the same for those selling homes or trying to buy one or refinance one. Not one home is exactly the same. Not one borrower is exactly the same. What you need to do is be able to pick a real professional and not a wanna be. Please read :  Are you begging me to lie to you?

Overall, there are too many variables when selling homes, buying homes, or trying to obtain financing for these homes. This is more true in today’s market, considering the major changes that have taken place. You have a friend or family member in the business?  This doesn’t even mean that you will get the best deal. Besides, define best, it might not be the same with your friends or family member. And what about this part…  did your friend or neighbor leave something out?  How do you know. Did they pay extra somewhere else?  Keep in mind, not everyone is upfront and or ethical.

 

Key Result :  "There are people that tell the consumer what they want to hear and not what they need to hear".

 

Posted by

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

follow Jeff Belonger on Twitter

 

The FHA Expert's fan page on Facebook     Add Jeff Belonger to your network @ LinkedIN

                                                                            FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK

 

 

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages - 

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- FHA Home Loans - Mortgages -

 

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

 

 

Follow me on:

Mortgage Myth Busters

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

 

Copyright © 2011 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

Ben Yost - 303-587-4297
First Time Home Buyer, Mortgage Rates, Pre-Approval - Denver, CO
FHA, VA, Conventional - Mortgage Loans in De

Good Stuff!

Everyone is the expert, for some reason in Real Estate.

First time Buyers are that think they know everything are the best!

Mar 04, 2011 05:14 AM
Patricia Beck
RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realty

I've heard this one recently and clients need to understand what you said, there are so many variables involved!  It makes our job harder when everyone claims to be the expert (as Ben stated above) and they are not willing to listen to their agent.

Mar 04, 2011 05:29 AM
Doug Kaller
Academy Mortgage, Reno, NV - Reno, NV

We have all had a car or appliance salesman size us up as he calculates how much we are willing to pay. There is no quicker way to get me to walk out and go to the dealer down the street. Although I know loan officers who work this way, I don't think it is the norm. There is nothing wrong with passing on the cost of higher risk, but that added cost to the consumer should be in relation to our added cost. We will all soon be operating under the Fed's New Loan Officer Compensation Legislation. As I understand the legislation, there will be audits to insure we are treating everyone equally.

Mar 04, 2011 05:31 AM
Steven Pahl
Keller Williams Tampa Properties - Tampa, FL
Real Estate Consultant Tampa, FL 813-319-6423

Oh so very true?

Mar 04, 2011 06:18 AM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

A local lender I know remarked that there are 20 questions she needs to ask a borrower before quoting a rate.  It would seem unusual have the exact same responses as your buddy with the low rate.  And then there is the other factor?  Did you call on the same day and time to make your inquiry?  That matters too.

Mar 04, 2011 07:05 AM
Joyce Herr
Prudential Lancaster Real Estate - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County & Beyond

Every client is different - different fingerprints abound.

Mar 04, 2011 09:22 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

In real estate I hear this all the time.  Someone will hear about a great deal someone else got.  What I have found is rarely do people talk about the downside on a deal.  They may have got a huge house for the money, did they mention it still has formica and shag carpets?  What about the sewer plant up the street?  The wood paneling?  Those might not matter to that buyer, but they might matter to you.

Mar 04, 2011 09:44 AM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

Great info! A lot of times people hear what they want to hear and don't think about other conditions that they may not have considered

Mar 04, 2011 10:30 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Every buyer is not the same - every house is not the same. When you mix a buyer with a house, you could come up with a multitude of different combinations, all qualifying for something slightly different.

Mar 04, 2011 10:51 AM
Ric Mills
Keller Williams Southern Az - Tucson, AZ
Integrity, Honesty, and Vast Real Estate Knowledge

Too many variables to throw into the pot.  No two people are the same and that is what makes the world go round.  Great post for these times.

Mar 04, 2011 11:34 AM
Jeanne Kozak
RE/MAX In Action - Martinsburg, WV
REALTOR and Broker/Owner in WV and VA

You make all good points here, it has to be an apple to an apple to get the same deal, and your friend may not always tell you everything

Mar 04, 2011 11:58 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I think now that all the qualifying factors have changed so much getting a duplicate anything would be pretty impossible. Different #'s for a 650 vs. a 750.  People never think they are on the low end of anything when it comes to their credit.  Have you ever seen the look on 2 buyers faces when one finds out they have a 720 and the other an 800?  The 800 is proud & the other guy is wide eyed and saying no 'bleepin' way.

Mar 04, 2011 12:21 PM
Thomas Evers
Command Capital Mortgage Services - Tinley Park, IL

I get this all the time, Jeff.  Great analogy with the fingerprints!  Thanks!

Mar 04, 2011 12:57 PM
Chris Lefebvre
eXp Realty - Methuen, MA
Methuen MA Real Estate Pro

Great post Jeff. Thank you.

Mar 04, 2011 04:02 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Over the years, on many occassions, I have been told by prospective buyers that so-in-so down the street sold their home for $XXX only to look at the record and see that their neighbor did indeed sell their home for $XXXX but paid a bundle for Seller Paid Closing for the buyer. 

Folks like to brag about the "great deals" that they got in real estate like the real estate commission, etc.  Most things that folks brag about are not verifiable. 

Best to simply let the consumer know that you know your business and will do the best for them, while maintaining your independence when it comes to your fees.

 

Mar 04, 2011 09:11 PM
Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070
Golden Gate Sotheby's International - Berkeley, CA
Opening the Doors to California Homes -East Bay

This is such a well written post and you highlight a lot of important points. A true professional:)

Mar 05, 2011 01:27 PM
Kelly Dix, Real Estate One
Real Estate One - Fraser, MI

This is so funny.  I hear this all the time!  Also, their friend, relative, co-worker, may not even be telling them the whole truth!  Great simple post!

Mar 06, 2011 12:19 PM
Joy Carter & Jeff Booker Brother and Sister Team
Keller Williams Parkland/Coral Springs Realty-GreatFloridaHomes Team - Coral Springs, FL
Trust Your Family's Move To Our Expertise!

I haven't heard the request in a while, but you are right, EVERYONE wants the best deal and at least as good as their friend got.

The last time I remember hearing this and it was daily it seemed, was when the market was sliding
D O W N from its High.  My response was, I am sorry - that train left the station and you were not on it.  We have to catch the next one.  Joy

Mar 06, 2011 01:12 PM
Momentum Realty
North Orange County CA Real Estate Specialists - Yorba Linda, CA
Orange County CA Real Estate Agent

Hi Jeff,

This is SO true & great information for consumers! I've been in the business for about 15 years, and I've heard similar comments many times. I think it's incredible and a blessing that we can now educate the public via the internet, so they can better understand the loan process and guidelines.

Great post! Have a wonderful week!!

Gina Lemos

Mar 06, 2011 01:33 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

 

Just wanted to stop back and thank everyone else in the last few days for their comments and for the polite compliments... just not enough time to go back and reply to each person at the end... so thanks, it's much appreciative. thanks

 

Mar 06, 2011 02:25 PM