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I was Talking with my Dad...

By
Mortgage and Lending with M & T Bank

Here's a good opne. I was talking with my Dad the other day. He is a retired builder and built residential homes and commercial office space in the Hudson Valley since 1966. Long time.

He was sitting in my office as I was sending a fax, reading an email, signing for a UPS, mailing a letter and watching my cell phone ring...sound familiar.

He busted out laughing when it all calmed down. I asked, " What is so funny?" I was a little perplexed as I thought I was quite the multi-tasker.

He said: "When I was in business you mailed the contract, walked to the bank to make a deposit and went to the home office to make a phone call, he still has a rotary phone mind you. We would read the contracts call the Lawyer during daylight hours and get a home from offer to closing is 45 to 60 days. Sometimes a little shorter, sometimes a little longer. And we were home for dinner by 5:30pm.

"So what's your point...Dad?"

"You have three overnight accounts, two email addresses, two faxes on dedicated lines, automated underwriting, instant credit reports, a pager for rates, a cell phone and lord knows what other contraption tio make everything more efficient. Let me ask you son: "How long from application to closing?"

"45 to 60 days" He had me.

"So how far has the process really advanced?" He asked.

"Time for you to go Dad."

This is a true story. I relate it to people all the time and I still think it is funny.

Jay McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Exeter, NH
Real Estate Broker

That was good John, when my dad was a live he kicked and screamed when everyone was getting a fax machine. He wanted us to drive the contract over to the other agent. I laughed when he broke down and got a car phone. He passed away in 1990 at 58 and he would be amazed at what is happenning today with technology.

Thanks Jay 

Jan 08, 2007 11:53 AM
John Klassen
M & T Bank - Kingston, NY

Despite his kicking and screaming my Dad now has a fax machine, in case one of his Grandchildren want to fax him something and a picture phone.

Thanks for the comment

Jan 08, 2007 09:48 PM
Ann Guy
NA - Allentown, PA
It is making me think, you dad does have a point.  With age comes wisdom, that's my thoery
Mar 20, 2007 08:28 AM
Anonymous
John Klassen
Speed ain't all we need!
Mar 20, 2007 10:58 AM
#4
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369
Aren't you glad all of this technology has made our lives so much more efficient and carefree!LOL!!!
Mar 20, 2007 01:25 PM
John Klassen
M & T Bank - Kingston, NY

Blackberry, bluetooth yadayadayada.

I see you ar from Lynchburg. I went to VMI. Love the Shenandoah VAlley.

Mar 20, 2007 11:22 PM
Flemington, NJ
I have a co-worker who has neither a cell phone nor a home computer with internet.  He does not have an ATM card either. 
May 22, 2007 04:05 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel
Michael, hope your co worker is not a realtor. We can not survive without a cell phone nor computer.
Jun 11, 2007 11:33 PM
John Klassen
M & T Bank - Kingston, NY
Can any of us survive without our electronic umbilical cords?
Jul 01, 2007 03:26 AM
Gary J. Rocks
Juba Team Realty - Jefferson Township, NJ

John

My father was amazed that the computer had spell check on it, how about your's? he use to drive his friends over to my house to use the Fax machine and they always mess it up. When I first got a computer he would have me try to find his old school buddies, I found a lot of them and he'd never call them. I think he just wanted to give me somethng to do.

Oct 02, 2007 09:11 AM
Anonymous
John Klassen
Remeber the thermal paper fax machines. I was at a medical office that was closing.They had an old box of thermal paper. I took it home and it worked. I guess he still likes the shiny paper.
Oct 03, 2007 01:28 AM
#11