I have been doing this for over 15 years, lending money. I enjoy helping people sometimes achieving their dream of purchasing their first home or helping others just upgrading or refinancing. Doctors give life when delivering a new born and the parents are so thrilled, may it be their first child or possibly a second or third. May it be the doctors 3rd child delivered or their 100th, if they take pride in their job, they are always happy. Same thing for a teacher trying to get that third grader to achieve their full potential as a student. Finally that student pulls through with high marks because they applied themselves. Not only is the student happy, the parents ecstatic, but that the teacher feels warmth, closure, and just over-joyed.
Tonight, I was able to feel something that I haven't in 15 years in the mortgage industry, after helping thousands of families into homes or helping them keep their dream home. I actually had tears, even after I told a client good news, that they were APPROVED!! Now, you might say, this is a little strange because why would Jeff shed a tear. And there is a lot more to this story for you to fully understand it. But when the wife picked up the phone and we went right into a 2 minute conversation, I had to say.... "Saundra, wait, let me tell you what I need to at first." I think she was nervous, because the commitment letter was due today and she didn't want any bad news. I then went on to say, "you have been approved." Do you know what came next? Screams and yells of excitement. Okay, Jeff, that happens. Not really. If I had a stop watch, Saundra screamed in excitement for at least 45 seconds. Now, that might not seem long, but time it. I dare you, time it. That is a lot of screaming. I felt like Ed McMahon giving a check for 5 million dollars. To me, I always felt those were staged, but people, this wasn't staged.
Now, why were they probably more excited than the average homebuyer, who have both bought homes previously? Let me fill you in on their hardships just in the last 3 1/2 years.
- They both have been divorced and remarried to each other. They are both 58 and 60 years old respectively.
- He was diagnosed with cancer 3 1/2 years ago and still goes for chemo.
- The wife lost her mom in August of '07 and the husband lost his mother in February of '06.
- Lastly, the original loan officer back in October told them that they could buy a house. In late November, he used every excuse in the book to why they couldn't buy a house, except, that it was his fault, the loan officers fault.(and they lost $1,100) And since he didn't take blame, this couple believed him. So they went house shopping again. A week before the commitment date, this realtor Sheri Smith, asked them to contact me because she felt something was wrong. Within 10 minutes, I knew I couldn't meet the commitment date because of their current credit, let alone a settlement date in 30 days. I made everyone aware of this. Meanwhile, this loan officer said no problem and the loan approval date was for the 17th of December. They got an e-mail on December 26th telling them that they were denied. But they were in good hands. I am not here to pat myself on the back. But this was probably my 4th hardest loan in 15 years. It just needed a lot of love, knowledgeexpertise, and elbow grease. Hence why I am hear to share this story of joy. Not only on the buyers side, but from my side of things. These clients had the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders. And I could sense it in her screams of joy..... wow, did that give me happy shivers.
Just another blog to read more of what is happening in today's real estate. Please stay tuned for another blog of mine defining "red flags", what to watch for as a client and a realtor. ... and not just fluff from the loan officer.
Cartoon was from : www.cartoonstock.com
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Copyright © 2008 by Jeff Belonger
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