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Don't Make The Search for Your Mortgage Lending or Mortgage Lender Anything "Routine"

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Mortgage and Lending with NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 IL Lic 031.0006220/WI

Gene Mundt Chicago Bancorp Avoiding Routine Mortgage Service blogWord: routine (rū-tēn') Definition:

  1. A prescribed, detailed course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure.
  2. A set of customary and often mechanically performed procedures or activities. See synonyms at method.
  3. A set piece of entertainment, especially in a nightclub or theater: The audience laughed at the comedian's routine.
  4. Slang. A particular kind of behavior or activity: Must you go into your hurt routine when you don't get your way?
  5. Computer Science. A set of programming instructions designed to perform a specific limited task.

 

     When a job is performed each day, year after year, I think it's only natural that a "routine" gets developed. I know I do this with certain tasks.  In my mind, I'm providing myself some order ... avoiding chaos. 

     "Routine" can also even be reflected in our speech. Sometimes when my wife and I are talking, Marilyn will stop me mid-sentence and say "you're speaking a language I don't understand". She's reminding me, that although the real estate and mortgage terminology and definitions I'm using may seem "routine" or of a language that is universal to me, it's not to her ... and most likely, will not be to my clients either. It's good advice and something I really work very hard to remember.

     Right now, there has never been a clearer or more urgent need for home buyers and borrowers to understand the "language" of real estate and real estate financing. Mortgages, and their processing, should not be performed "routinely" by any lender.

     Calls for action have been made recently (on the behalf of home buyers) for a simpler and shortened explanation of the documents borrowers will be asked to sign at their closing and also for the mortgage processing itself.

     Now, have no doubt, home buyers must understand and be willing to take the time to educate themselves and see to their processing compliance needs. They must commit themselves ... and demand answers of their real estate professionals.

     And I believe THIS is a crucial point where a very fundamental and vital difference becomes crystal clear between lenders and the services they offer.

     If, as a borrower, you see that the lender you are working with is:   

  • rushing through explanations
  • won't take the time to answer your questions
  • won't clarify
  • doesn't clarify
  • or can't provide you with reading and learning materials to assist you ...

    It's time for you to re-think if you're working with the right lender!

     Yes, the "language" and the process is somewhat  "routine" to us within the real estate industry ... but when you as a borrower reach out for help or ask questions, we in the industry must be willing and capable of responding quickly and in a way that can truly help clarify and assist. With our time and attention. With our efforts. With our answers.  With the educational tools we can provide.

     Below you can find links to information and informational videos regarding a variety of home buying, selling, and lending topics. These are just a small portion of thChicago Bancorp Official Logoe topics, information, videos, and assistance available on my company's (Chicago Bancorp) website, www.chicagobancorp.com.

     I've listed videos and links to information that I think serve as a good starting point for those entering (or thinking of entering) the home buying, selling, or lending process. 

     There is a time and place for "routine" in everyone's life. But there should be nothing routine about the actions and answers your lender provides when working with you. Gene Mundt Chicago Bancorp Avoiding Routine in Your Mortgage Search and Lender blog

     Should you be experiencing that with your lender, stop them. Tell them. No matter the time or place. No matter what point in the process you find yourself ... Pre-Approval to Closing ... you have the right to stop your lender or stop the mortgage process.  Then, when moving forward, if your lender cannot, or will not, address your concerns ... make it part of your "routine" to seek assistance elsewhere.

     Here's a small sample of videos and information available to you on the Chicago Bancorp website, my personal website, and through my services at Chicago Bancorp ...

The dictionary of Mortgage Terms: www.chicagobancorp.com/mortgage_dictonary.php

Understanding Interest Rates: www.chicagobancorp.com/interest-rates.php

Application Document Needs: www.genemundt.com/Application-Info.html

Homebuyer & Seller Videos: www.chicagobancorp.com/guided_videos.php

     Please check the Chicago Bancorp website, www.chicagobancorp.com, or contact me, Gene Mundt ... for more information, other videos and tools available, seminars to attend, or more specific answers for your lending, credit, and financial scenario.  I will be more than happy to take the time to answer your questions to your satisfaction.

 

     *  I have served the needs of Illinois/Chicagoland home buyers and home owners for 35 years through my thorough understanding and education in mortgage lending, appraising, and financial planning. I look forward to assisting you with your needs too.

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Gene Mundt

 Mortgage Originator  -  NMLS #216987    

                                 IL Lic. #031.0006220  -  WI License #216987                                                                                                    

NMLS #175656

 

Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator,  40+ years of #mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking:  #Conventional, #FHA, #VA, #Jumbo, #USDA, and Portfolio Loans in #Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including:  The #Lincoln-Way Area, #Will County, (#New Lenox, #Frankfort, #Mokena, #Manhattan, #Joliet, #Shorewood, #Crest Hill, #Plainfield, #Bolingbrook, #Romeoville, #Naperville, #Wilmington, #Peotone, etc.), #DuPage County, the City of Chicago, #Cook County, and elsewhere within IL and Wisconsin. 

 

Your Referrals & Testimonials are Always Greatly Appreciated! 

 

 

Comments (19)

Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Very thorough post offering buyers lots of information. I think that patience is the key in a loan officer as everything (except for refi's) is foreign to most people. All the buzz words, terminology, not to mention all the abbreviations (GFE? DTI?). It's stressful and it doesn't help when buyers can't get clear answers.

Mar 07, 2011 05:36 AM
Clark Cook
1st Choice Realty of Fayetteville, LLC - Fayetteville, NC
Marketing Homes For Sale In Fayetteville NC Area

Simply put Gene, I love it!! Your message is on point, and clear. And, when it comes to selecting a mortgage lender in Illinois/Chicago Land, the choice is clear! Have a Great Day, my friend!

Mar 07, 2011 05:39 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Lyn:  Thank you ... the thumbs-up is much liked and appreciated!  And you're right ... the abbreviations seem mundane and daily to us and must be guarded against.  I think buyers (and those refi'ing as you point out) are intimidated and scared of the process.  Anything I can do to alleviate that shouldbe routine for ME ...

Clark:  I know I've said it before, but I'm so thankful to Charita for telling me of your existence!  Sure wish you were closer to Illinois ... as it would be a pure pleasure to work with you. Thanks for the kind words.  Have a great week, Clark ...

Gene 

Mar 07, 2011 06:07 AM
Joe Kenny
Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL
Better Than Your Average Joe

Gene, we all need routines and systems to be succesful, that's why I love Active Rain. 

Mar 07, 2011 07:46 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Buyers should know they are not stuck with their MLO if they are not performing.  Great advice, as always, Gene.

Mar 07, 2011 07:55 AM
Diane McDermott
Realtor®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market

Gene, such wonderful and candid advice for home buyers - whether it's the loan officer, the real estate agent, the attorney, ANY professional that they're working with it's not routine to that buyer and no question is too silly to ask, ever.  Huge red flag when the professional can't or won't take the time to listen, clarify or respond to buyer questions!

Mar 07, 2011 09:52 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Joe:  Totally agree.  ActiveRain is part of my daily routine, as it must be in yours.  You see those that consistently and active take part.  They (and we) will be the ones that most benefit, learn, and advance.  I tell ya ... I'm okay with that!

Jane:  I placed that statement in my post for 2 reasons.  First, it's obviously true.  But secondly because I just saw that many buyers/borrowers are of the impression that once they start the process they have to continue no matter what.   That misconception must be addressed by us all.  Thanks for writing your kind words, Jane ..

Corinne:  If you get the answer to that .. please let me know!  I'm always somewhat shocked to hear these tales because I don't know or understand HOW in the world it happens or how they get away with their actions.  It befuddles me too!  Time will tell how Dodd-Frank effects us all moving forward ...

Diane:  HUGE is right!  Clients need to RUN the other way as fast as possible if this occurs within their buying or financing.  As I said to Corinne above .. I'm not sure how this still happens within our industry.  There are so many rules and regulations.  You wouldn't think it possible.  It definitely is one way for clients to know ahead of time ... the quality of the professional they are working with.

Gene

Mar 07, 2011 11:07 AM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Aren't we all leary of people who won't or don't listen to our concerns, address our issues or questions?  When we seek services and providers are not responsive or dismiss our concerns, we take our business elsewhere.  Some take the influx of business for granted rather than be grateful for it.

Mar 07, 2011 11:42 AM
Chris and Berna Sloan
Group 1 Real Estate - Tooele, UT
Tooele UT

I have a handful of lenders that I recommend for exactly the reasons you list. The problem is when the client brings in a lender of their own. How do you tell the clients that they have a dud? Think I'll print out your list...

Mar 07, 2011 11:49 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Charita:  Sad, but true.  Especially these days, each client and their business is a gift.  Overlooking that would be a travesty ...

Chris:  Not at easy thing to do, for sure!  You're never quite sure if there is some type of bond or family relationship involved, so you must tread carefully.  Still, it is YOUR pay at stake as well as the success of their transaction.  Sometimes the right words just have to be found and spoken.  Hope the list helps serve a purpose .. and makes that conversation some easier in the future.

Gene

Mar 07, 2011 12:34 PM
Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Gene - Great post!  So much vital info too!  I too am guilty sometimes of speaking mortgageese when talking to clients or even in my emails to them.  However, I have no problem explaining the process or disclosures or any other documentation to my clients.  Heck, I'm often accused of overwhelming my clients with TMI.

On another note though, it just amazes me sometimes the way some consumers pick their MLO/lender and even their Realtors/agents.  For many, this is the most expensive buying decision in their life and they put so little thought and consideration in choosing the people they want to help them with this decision.  Just mind boggling.

Mar 07, 2011 02:27 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Donne:  Amen!  It's hard to know where to draw the line when dispensing information.  Some will contend what you are offering is too little ... some will say just the opposite.  You do have to stay "tuned-in" to the client pretty intensely.  I agree with you on the quality of decision-making.  It's definitely a little suspect at times.  It needs to be viewed as far more serious that it is.  We'll keep working on it ...

Gene

Mar 07, 2011 03:43 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Gene -- Wow, this post is chocked full of great resources and the point you made about not rushing is so, so important, and something that can easily get overlooked in our fast paced world of today.

Mar 07, 2011 03:44 PM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Gene:

Some professionals aren't able to explain in a clear, concise and easily understandable manner what they are saying.  Its easy for us to slip into real estate jargon, but not all clients know our jargon.

Mar 07, 2011 05:35 PM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Gene: Great post. Right now, our job is anything but routine! Take care.

Mar 08, 2011 12:26 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Chris:  Thank you.  I'm glad that you found something of value in the post.  And yes, people must know that they can ask to slow things down or even call things off.  No wonder they are intimidated or scared if they think they don't have the ability ...

Evelyn:  I think sometimes we in the business do this just because some of the names of our documents and programs are just so darned long!  To repeat them over and over ... jeesh.  We just have to remember .. there's a time and a place ...

Paul:  Hey!  Good to hear from you!  And ain't that the truth??  Routine it is NOT!  We can never say our life is dull ...

Gene

 

Mar 08, 2011 03:11 AM
Thomas Staples
La Rosa Realty - Ocoee, FL
(407) 476-4993

Great post for all consumers. I personally interview a mortgage lender once per month. You never know when a lender's guidelines may change. I choose to stay with lenders who update me on their changing policies so I know where they stand on program before I refer a client and not afterwards. I am sure you do this for your real estate agent network.

Mar 08, 2011 03:56 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Thomas:  Thanks for writing.  I try to stay "in front" of my referral partners as much as possible.  It helps me understand and know their concerns and their needs, plus it affords me an opportunity to update them on recent changes in our industry.  And changes ... happen frequently and quickly.  I have a condo presentation that I'm offering right now to quite a few of my referral agents and agencies.  Chicagoland's condo market can be tricky ... so I think it's very helpful.  I like doing it ... and I'm hoping they enjoy and learn from it. 

Gene

Mar 08, 2011 08:27 AM