People amaze me.  While I'm sure there are certain things about my existence that boggles those that surround me, I'm also quite sure that there are individuals out there whose lives live in graves.  And all they choose to carry is a shovel.

I got a call from a gentlemen who had applied for a mortgage a year and a half back.  If I were to describe his credit and financial situation at that point, it would be with one word......ATROCIOUS!!!  Charge-offs, Delinquencies, and the Mother of all Mothers for first time home-buyers...Two Judgements from Two Separate Apartment Complexes where he had lived prior to deciding he wanted to buy a home.  The balances on those judgements were still outstanding.  Being the Master of the Obvious, I explained in no uncertain terms, we/HE had some work to do.

Following up with him and trying to guide him the best I could, I called him every 6 weeks to see how things were going.  Things weren't changing at a rapid pace, it was a slow & sure process...as it can sometimes be.  Then, I didn't hear from him for awhile.  I left a few messages and never heard back, I thought perhaps he faded away.

Then I get a call last night, he's on line 2.....I answer and we shoot the manure for a bit.  He then goes on to tell me how much he trusts and values the direction I've given him, the No B.S. honesty that I hit him with from day one.  I thought, WOW, I appreciate clients like this.  I have no problem working with them for years, if necessary, to put them in a position to fulfill one of their dreams, albeit a financial one in this case.

And then comes the good stuff......the 'Curiosity Du Jour' that comes with not getting good news when looking for it.  He tells me that he just spoke to a Mortgage Company who can get him a loan to buy a home!  All he needs is 5% down!!  As far as the judgements from the Apartment Complexes for back-due rent, no worries, they don't show up on credit!!!   There are a plethora of other variables that make this an absolute clusterfreak of a scenario to currently work with.  He called for my opinion, I gave it to him...and I didn't mince words.  Luckily this client, whose curiosity was peeked, figured that they were blowing smoke.  He called me to make sure, I validated his concern.  We'll see what transpires...

This brought to mind a couple of things about this business that I've been wrestling with:

1)  I've wanted, for the longest time, to pick and choose my client base.  Yet, I like to be of assistance to people, no matter their situation and status.  I figure, that's my job.  While it's easy to be the champion to those with perfect credit and money in the bank, there's a large population out there who doesn't fit that mold.  They need help and guidance as well.  So, as long as they are willing to work with me, have a sense of loyalty and respect for my time...I will continue to champion their cause as well.

2)  We LOVE Good News!  It's so wonderful to hear.  Yet, and I hate to bring this out into the Great Wide Open....sometimes the reality of situations isn't so good.  Sometimes, you can't get what you want without working very hard to get to that point.  Sometimes, you never do get what you want.  For everybody out there who may be reading these words, "If you want somebody to tell you what you want to hear, find another soul.  I'm not your guy.  I deliver news, Good or Bad, quickly and with guidance." 

You've got to work together to make sure things don't fall apart.  And throw the lip service out the freaking window!