I had a great sit-down today with a new client. She is a First Time Home Buyer that wanted to meet face to face with me...I love it! Back in the old days, transactions were only done in such ways. You could look a person in the eye, listen to their tone of speech and understand where they are coming from before you decide to do a transaction with them. With that being said, trusting a lender is everything in a Real Estate transaction! You open yourself up across all aspects of your life. For example:
Have you filed for bankruptcy?
Have you been in a divorce?
Do you owe Uncle Sam back taxes?
Your income
Your assets
Child support?
These are but a few of the topics that come up and must be addressed. It is easy to skate around them, but in all fairness, your mortgage broker is better off knowing about them now, rather than getting towards the end of the loan and being side swiped by some "unknown factor" that changes an underwriters mind at the bank when approving the loan.
With that said, we had a nice talk and I spent 2 hours with her over a coffee, explaining the process and what to expect. The new client is in a position to purchase a home and I'm looking forward to writing up a "Prequalified Letter" for her to pass to an agent or Realtor to look for her first home!
I told her that I'm not in a rush and we can go at her pace. She wants to make sure that she understands all aspects of the transaction and I can't agree with her more. I told her that if she has ANY QUESTIONS throughout the loan process, don't be shy or hesitant to ask! In my book, there is no such thing as stupid questions!
Finally, I went on our local MLS and pulled up homes that fit to her liking. A 2 bedroom/ 2 bath home with some additional land for under $250,000, which is doable where she is looking. I found 12 properties that fit the box and I emailed them over to her to look at to get an idea of, "What you get for the money!"
I'm told her that I'm looking forward to sitting down and having dinner with her in her new home soon :)
Scott Gormley
Broker/Owner
Oak Valley Mortgage
2006 Chico Assoc. of Realtors Affiliate Chairman
Direct: 530.592.8362
Fax: 530.267.5555
Website: http://www.CALoan.com
Blog: http://www.caloanblog.com/
"You find the perfect home, we'll find the perfect loan!"
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