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How Do we Fix the Problem of Reality?

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Mortgage and Lending with NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 IL Lic 031.0006220/WI
 
How Do we Fix the Problem of Reality?


     This morning I was on Facebook.  I'm connected with many other professionals there.  Many of them are from ActiveRain.  

     One of those AR professionals is  Charita Cadenhead, Keller Williams Realty,  in metro Birmingham, AL.  Charita's a jewel and has become a favorite of mine.  I just love her spirit and outlook.  Today Charita wrote on her FB timeline,  "There doesn't always have to be someone to blame when things go wrong. Sometimes stuff just happens."  

     Whew ... did she hit a chord.  That darn reality!

     Just the other day, I had loan applicants see their opportunity to buy and borrow disappear, at least for the short term.   Even after hearing the advice to "not buy, not charge, not move funds while in the Process" multiple times, they did just that.  To the tune of $400.

     Now I know that $400 seems like an insignificant amount.  That many will say that rules and regulations surrounding lending are way too strict if $400 eliminates or causes a hiccup in someone's lending powers.  And I can sympathize with that to some extent. 
 

     But ...

     The reality of today's financing did stop this potential Buyer's home buying dreams dead in their tracks.  Again I will point out, that will probably only be for the short term.  Time (and smarter credit handling moving forward) will most likely heal this issue.   

Bad guy shirt     But ... and there's that darn word again ... in the meantime the reality was that I was placed in the role of "bad guy".  I had to tell the clients, and all the other professionals involved in the deal, that this transaction and financing were a "no go", at least for the time being. 

     I point out that I used the word fragile above.  Currently, so many of the clients I see, and their chances of Mortgage Approval, are ... fragile.  And it's not just one segment of the homebuying population either.  It's across the board.  Low income ... high income ... and incomes inbetween. 

     This fragility is why so many other things within their transactions can be so severely effected throughout the processing of their Mortgage.  It's why issues (or one newly discovered hiccup during Underwriting) cause such major disruptions and such severe outcomes. 

     All involved in these clients' transactions need to understand this fragility.  Clients certainly, but professionals too.  

     Some of the time there is no "bad guy".  As Charita pointed out ... "Sometimes stuff just happens."  Certainly in the case I speak of, no one was trying to cause a problem.  No one did evil.  The clients just didn't listen or think and that caused a problem for many.

     Often this is what we find ourselves faced with in transactions.  We can rant or complain about it.  We can say it shouldn't have happened.  But it's reality.  Now how do we fix the problem?

Contact Info for Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender


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Gene Mundt

 Mortgage Originator  -  NMLS #216987    

                                 IL Lic. #031.0006220  -  WI License #216987                                                                                                    

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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. 

 

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Comments(53)

Mitch Muller - Charlotte NC Real Estate
ProStead Realty Charlotte, NC CRS SRES mitch@prostead.com - Charlotte, NC
Certified Residential Specialist

Very interesting post Gene and some good comments as well. I've often questioned myself as to what I could do to get people to listen better..

Jul 20, 2013 10:07 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

I hoe the $400 purchase was something they could not live without.

Jul 20, 2013 11:23 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I have a sheet of DON"T that the buyers receive in the packet of information I give them.  If they don't pay attention, then THAT is their reality .. and they some control of the outcome.

Jul 20, 2013 12:34 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

The reality is that loan approvals are fragile for most buyers-unless they happen to have the same amount of liquid cash in the bank as the total price of the home.

Jul 20, 2013 03:45 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Gene, perhaps if you gave some specific examples of things that buyers should not do... rather than sharing generalities with them... they might get the point.

It really isn't that hard to keep from messing up your own financing.  Two steps:  1) Know the rules.  2) Follow those rules.

Taking anything for granted in situations like this can really come back and bite you... so to speak.

In many areas of financing... YOU don't have a choice of what to do  Neither does the underwriter.  At the risk of repeating... it really IS as easy as Know the Rules, and then Follow the Rules.  But Gosh, it sure can get frustrating.

Jul 20, 2013 03:48 PM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA

"Fragile" ... what an excellent choice of words to use when explaining this to a buyer or seller!..

And just as a side observation, I sense the ongoing real estate recovery is itself rather fragile .... a little tiny bit more leniency from lenders in general would go a long ways in sustaining the recovery ...

Jul 20, 2013 09:25 PM
Peter Preston-Thomas
Real Ottawa - Kanata, ON

Wow.  At $400, they must have been right on the hairy edge of financing.  I wonder if they knew they were that close.

Jul 20, 2013 10:54 PM
Jeanne Dufort
Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA
Madison and Lake Oconee GA

Fragile - that's a word we'll need to associate with personal credit for some time as we slowly inch our way towards recovery.

Jul 20, 2013 11:22 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Sometimes, it helps if we ask our clients to repeat what we should just said. Just because the words came out of our mouth doesn't mean they entered the ears of the recipient. And, even if our words entered the ears, it doesn't mean it was put into the proper compartment in the brain, analyzed, agreed to and stored.

Sounds like what the clients heard was along the lines of don't buy a car, when what you meant was don't buy a skateboard, don't buy anything out of the ordinary -- if you didn't buy it last month, don't buy it this month -- nothing, nada, no purchases above usual bills.

Jul 21, 2013 12:30 AM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

We are after all solutions finders . .and our clients expect that from us. .even after their own expense

Jul 21, 2013 12:45 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Uh huh...open ears...listen up...write it down...and disappear...go figure !

Jul 21, 2013 01:30 AM
Mitchell J Hall
Manhattan, NY
Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

Recently on one of my listings the buyer's agent called buyer wanted to come before the closing to take measurements for new furniture, she wanted the order in before the closing so it would arrive the day she moved in. While she was not my client, I could not take the chance of her loan being declined because of a furniture purchase. I had to protect my seller from a buyer walking because buyer had financing contingency. Forrtunately her agent reiterated my advise and we both advised her not to buy anything on credit until the loan closed. Happy Ending!

Jul 21, 2013 03:08 AM
Raymond Denton
Homesmart / Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
Irvine Realtor®

>>Now how do we fix the problem?

 

We can't - it's impossible to fix "stupid"

Jul 21, 2013 05:03 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

Brenda:  Losing a job ... that's a tough one.  And something most likely not predicted and out of someone's control.  Very sad, but understandable.  The situation when they don't listen?  Entirely within a client's control and very frustrating to the professionals within the transaction.  Unfortunately, we can't live with them 24/7, nor can we control their actions or expenditures.  We can only react ...

Tom:  In this particular case, they WERE told they were that fragile.  Made the outcome especially frustrating ...

Laura:  No one likes to be the bearer of bad news, even if it was something they could not control or prevent ... such as this case.  And no one likes to be the recipient of bad news either.  There's often a wide range of reactions ...

Hope you got your posting issue taken care of ...

Jimmy:  In one word to your question ... yes.  Most don't think they will have to suffer consequences.  They've never met an Underwriter, obviously ...

Steven:  I don't think those outside of the industry (or lending in particular) grasp how detailed and pro-active we must be in our thinking and actions regarding all facets of a client's finances.  Yours is a good example of that fact.  Your client was lucky to be working with you ... good job ...

Jeff:  Hope the post proves beneficial and gets your clients safely through Closing!

Jeffrey:  Thank you!

Jay & Michelle:  Good choice of words ... tame ...

Barbara:  We will find a solution ... and most likely it will be time.  Thank you for commenting ...

William:  Our reality anyway ...

Josh:  Thank you!  Appreciate the thumbs up.  And yes, time can be of great importance in tackling the problem.  Both rolling up your sleeves ... and having time pass in order to heal credit numbers.  I must say thank you too for finding me via LinkedIn.  The more opportunity to share and learn, the better.  Looking forward to it ...

Travis:  Furniture and appliances are a common area for missteps, no doubt about it.  Definitely something that most in our industry remind clients that they must wait to buy.  Cars are another one.  Not sure if they think we're kidding them or what??

Kathy:  True ... we can't run from the responsibility, no matter how unpleasant it is.  Comes with the job, doesn't it??

Jon:  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this "no" made a positive impression and changes their actions when moving forward ...

Thank you so much, Sharon.  Your re-post is appreciated and helps to reach more eyes and ears regarding this topic ...

Michelle:  I'm a huge fan of Charita's.  So many have said they agree!  Thank you!  And yes, if they had followed directions ... sighhhh

Definitely true, Praful.  I think way too often they don't think that the consequences will catch up with them ...

Tim:  I had reached that point too.  Never thought we'd move.  Had never considered downsizing.  And then the kids moved out and ... well, you can guess the rest.  Hello new mortgage!!  Hard to predict the future with complete accuracy ... life intervenes ...

Rob:  Your comment ... "When the deal goes south, we all lose." ... is so very true.  The client is certainly a loser, if only in the short term.  Lives are put on hold.  But the professionals that have worked so hard in the transaction are losers too ... including the Lender that must deliver the bad news.  That's overlooked way too often. 

Mitch:  I think there actions of not listening are indicative of a bigger issue.  We've lost grasp of the definition of consequences.  Too many think they'll talk their way out of whatever befalls them ...

Norma:  I wish I could tell you it was.  Somehow that'd make the ending a bit brighter, wouldn't it??

Joan:  The sad truth of that is yes, their decision definitely effects them.  But you, I, and other professionals in the transaction too often pay for their poor decisions too.  No Closing ... no one gets paid ...

Michelle:  Definitely my point.  This is way more common than many think ...

Karen Anne:  LOVE seeing you!!  Glad you chirped in.  But sadly, I must tell you that I get VERY specific about what will "upset their apple cart" within their personal lending scenario.  You can't get much more clear then what was provided to this client ... and others.  Still, it happened.  And you are so right ... it IS very frustrating.  Especially when you painted a clear picture for them ...

Cheryl:  The "Lender" as a business ... company ... yes, they may have a bit of latitude regarding this issue.  But not as much as you might think.  Much of what is demanded is done in response to a higher power.  And more changes may be coming.  The loosening or flexibility that might be found come through the response and education of the individual lender utilized within a transaction.  They have learned from previous transactions how to act proactively and avoid past issues.  Seems new ones are always around the bend ...

Peter:  One word ... "yes".  They had been told ... multiple times.  A clear picture ... a clear explanation ... clear examples had been provided to them.  Again, multiple times.  It's what makes the whole story so very frustrating ...

Elizabeth:  I understand the points that you and others here are making.  But I don't know how much more clearly I can explain to my readers here that those efforts ... those explanations ... those examples were given.  Many times.  Other than living with them and taking over their lives ... I couldn't have done anything more to prevent this ...

Fernando:  True.  We come along after with the pooper scooper and clean the mess up ...

Yep, Sally ... you said it perfectly ...

Mitchell:  Thankfully you intervened.  When the professionals involved in a transaction work in tandem like you did ... you typically get the best outcome.  Success!!

Raymond:  Thank you Ron White!!  But it's most frustrating when these instances occur with obviously intelligent humans.  These clients should have known better ...

Gene

Jul 21, 2013 07:55 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

WOW! Gene. It looks like many buyers are just not listening anymore. I just read Debbie Reynolds post about a buyer buying $4,000 worth of new furniture. Do they really forget, or do they just don't believe what we tell them?

Jul 21, 2013 08:37 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

Corinne:  Yes, perhaps that is how this client viewed it.  But they shouldn't have.  A detailed explanation of how fragile they were .. and what could trip-up their transaction ... should have changed that view too, if they held it prior to talking to me.  And yes, it's the way "it is".  But people were reliant on this loan closing ... multiple professionals lost that income.  $400 turned out to be rather significant to many.  Thought the pic spoke eloquently too ..

Jerry:  Probably a combo of each, is my impression.  As I mentioned above too ... I just don't think they fathom that it will truly catch up to them.  That there is a bottomline .. and no means no ...

Gene

Jul 21, 2013 09:09 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Gene -- this is a topic that get discussed so much you'd think it didn't deserve any additional thought but as we know, it needs to be brought up often.  I remember once a buyer I had been working with(and had discussed this very subject) drove up in a brand new car -- luckily it was only a loaner while his vehicle was in the shop for some repairs.      

Jul 21, 2013 10:47 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

I'm sure your jaw and heart dropped a bit, Michael.  And yes, this point must be reinforced at every opportunity.  Plus there's always new twists to the story lesson and new caution flags to be looked out for.  Right now with rates yo-yo'ing all over, the fragility of deals has increased dramatically.  I think it pays for all to be especially aware of that as we head forward ...

Thanks for taking the time to comment ...

Gene

Jul 21, 2013 11:26 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource
Gene, yes things sometimes just happen, but the thing is that I always tell my buyers not to buy anything or move money around etc. and someone always will...stopping a deal.
Jul 28, 2013 01:21 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

I think THOSE situations are the most frustrating.  When you know for a fact that Lender, Agent, Attorney ... ALL have given the advice and they still do not listen and heed it ...

Gene

Jul 29, 2013 10:09 AM