Once upon a time many moons ago I was a young man hungry for knowledge. A persistent and dedicated student to learning as much about real estate as I could. I wanted to be the source on every issue I could absorb. The photo below, complete with the cigarette I constantly had in my mouth, reflects it well.
I worked as a closing loan officer in a savings and loan. The staff attorney would grill me on different clauses in our standard note and mortgage. Shortly I had the two instruments almost memorized and an explanation of any clause followed easily and with authority.
In those days, borrowers would be approved and their documents prepared.They would come to the office to execute the documents and the mortgage was then sent to be recorded. I would take the time to explain the documents in detail. Most just shrugged and signed where requested. Often I was asked if the actual closing would take this long.
One day the light bulb lit under the pressure of those books on my head. A customer asked if I could make it quick. I said there are two documents here requiring your signature. One is a note evidencing your debt. The other is a mortgage which will be recorded to give notice to all of the debt you are incurring. The mortgage has various clauses allowing us to take your home away if you don't pay. Any questions? He said yes, were do I sign, you explaine it well.
Never forgot that day. A lesson learned. You can have all the knowledge in the world but if you can't explain it in a form others will understand, those books on your head are only good for a headache! Always tried to follow the KISS principle (keep it simple stupid) from that day forward.
The phtograph provided by Endre Barath, Jr. stirred up old memories long stored away.
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