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Warn your clients of loan scams before they fall victim

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

 

Photo courtesy of guldenYour clients have got themselves a great 30 year fixed rate loan at a wonderful rate of 5.5%. So they close on their home and that is when the letters start. Refinance! Save money each month! Pay off your credit card bills! Heck these letters start before the house has even closed because of the credit bureaus selling their information to every loan chasing mortgage broker out there.

But, what you really need to do is warn them about is the scams out there. The misleading letters that attempt to get people to switch their mortgage from their current lender to some scum bag that tricks them in to a higher loan percentage and huge closing costs.

My parents recently closed on their new home and within days they started receiving letters saying they should refinance to save money. But, one that they got really concerned them and they almost fell for it had they not called me first.

The letter said that, "Your interest rate lock expires in 60 days and that your interest on your current loan will go up if you don't call in today and lock in your rate." They thought this was from their current lender and panicked that they didn't have a 30 year fixed like they thought and that in 60 days their interest rate was going to rise and they wouldn't be able to afford the payments if it went up too high.

I assured them that they had a 30 year fixed and even pulled their loan paperwork out and checked it with them again. If they read the fine print, they would have seen that it wasn't from their current lender and that they may not have an adjustable rate mortgage.

But, had they fallen for this, they very well could have refinanced within 60 days of closing, costing them 1.5% higher interest rate per month and an additional $10,000 in closing costs. So warn your buyers that these letters are out there and they are just out to get in their pockets. They need to just put them in the circular file by their desks.

 

Comments(9)

AMBER NOBLE GARLAND - Top Real Estate Expert, Property Tax Appeal Specialist & Author
Strategic Marketing Expert & Relocation Specialist Serving New Jersey and nationwide! - Marlboro, NJ
- The Agent You Can Trust To Deliver REAL Results!

Great advice. Thanks Todd.

Nov 28, 2008 04:57 PM
Karen Nusbaum
Coldwell Banker Brenizer Realtors - Eau Claire, WI

Todd- This would be a great thing to warn our clients. I always think one step further and wonder how do all of these scams get this information! Thanks 

Nov 28, 2008 05:06 PM
Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Todd, I appreciate your post. It is very good advice that I plan to share with clients. Enjoy the rest of the hliday weekend, Janice Roosevelt, Kennett Square, PA Keller Williams

Nov 28, 2008 10:25 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Todd, there's a scammer born every minute, and if these guys spent all their energy on something socially useful, they might actually make a unch of money with it!

Nov 28, 2008 11:36 PM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

TC,

This is not a funny story!!! This is akin to 'financial stalking'...one shouldn't have to read the 'fine print' to know the truth!!! Thanks,   Fran

Nov 29, 2008 12:35 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

I closed a house the other day and the buyer must have asked a dozen times if she was absolutely getting a fixed rate, no pre-payment-penalty loan.  She said that's what they say to ask on TV.

Nov 29, 2008 08:15 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Todd... It never ceases to amaze me how many scams there are out there and how brazen they are!  Thanks for sharing the "heads up"!

Nov 29, 2008 10:34 AM
Kristen Wahl
Re/Max Plus - Rochester, NY
CBR

Todd, thanks for this post! Scam artists are certainly everywhere. I appreciate the heads up on this ploy.

Nov 29, 2008 02:13 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Todd,

This is really important advice.  I have had many clients call me abouts advertisements that souned too good and almost always were, like 1.99% option arms.

Nov 30, 2008 02:55 PM