How many pre-approval letters does it take to close a home in 2011?

By
Real Estate Agent with Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info DB-17066

Is anyone else getting really upset about the mega big banks blatant waste of everyone's time in a real estate transaction these days?  They have gotten so self serving that I sincerely hope that consumers start taking notice and going back to their local banks and credit unions which still remember your name when you walk in and treat you like a human being instead of a file. 


Case #1:  Cash buyer for an REO property.  Carrington Mortgage is requiring my client to complete a mortgage application even though they provided a statement from their lender that they have an available line of credit to pay cash.  There are multiple offers on this property and my client is an investor and doesn't want a mortgage, so our offer may not even be presented since he doesn't want to even run his credit since he is paying cash, let alone waste his time on a mortgage application he doesn't and won't need!

Case #2:  Buyer is buying a VA REO that was serviced by Bank of America.  My buyer was pre-approved from Wells Fargo.  There are multiple offers on this property now too.  Before they present my offer, my client will need to get an additional pre-approval from Bank of America.  Bank of America will waive some fees to entice the buyer to switch (if they get the offer accepted).  The effort put forth getting the buyer "pre-approved" prior to showing them homes waisted the buyers time (and the lender at Wells Fargo) since they get to repeat the process at Bank of America.

Case #3:  Fannie Mae REO:  I just closed a home in Meridian, Idaho in which the buyer was financially solvent enough to keep their current home and turn it into a rental and buy a bigger, nicer home for their growing family.  Since they do not have a history of being a "landlord" they had to qualify with 100% of the expenses of both homes in their ratios and we not allowed to use any of the potential income on the existing home.  Fortunately, they still qualified.  However, Fannie Mae's regional servicer was trying to treat my client as an investor on the "new replacement" home, just because they were going to turn their "other" home into an investment!  The IRS, the tax assessor, HomePath, and everyone but the servicer understands that when you are buying a home to move into it yourself, that is the definition of an owner occupied home!

Big Bank Rant
What if your buyer gets approved at their favorite bank, then the REO they write an offer is on is owned by Bank of America.  They get outbid, then the next home is by Chase.  Then a Carrington, then a, then a, ...  How many pre-approvals does it take to get a home closed these days?

I really wish each bank would accept a commitment letter from the top six banks in the nation and just require the run around after an offer is accepted.  If we add up all the time we run around duplicating effort on homes with multiple offers instead of just concentrating on the offers that are accepted, we would all save a lot of time and be a lot more productive.

If you wish there was a way to avoid this crap, please let the companies that force it on you know you don't approve of them waisting your time only to save time for them or potentially make them money!  Opt out of that behavior pattern and change your accounts to someone that treats like a customer they respect!  Reward the companies that still realize the old saying about the customer always comes first?


Comments (7)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

It gets exhausting doesn't it.

The clerk at Fannie Mae doesn't understand that owner occupied home ALSO means PRIMARY RESIDENCE.

It's sad that we are at the mercy of so many clearks that process so many transactions who have absolutely no real estate knowledge.

Mar 14, 2011 05:52 AM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

@Lenn,  you are absolutely correct.  I haven't worked for $7 a hour forever it must be my communication skills that are lacking since I can't relate to them.  I learned a long time ago that "You can't rationalize with irrational people"!

I have no problem getting the second opinion after offers are accepted. My issue is that so many of the REO's are priced below market that they will get multiple offers and require that many people to get re-pre-approved and yet only of the buyers will get the loan.  I know it helps the lender, but I feel like it is at the expense of everyone else.  

I don't mind losing, but usually it is because I didn't do my best.  Usually, when I lose at something, I can drop back and realize what I could have done better and use it as an learning excercise for the next time.  

Dealing wth these issues is like hitting your head against the wall.  The only time it feels better is when you stop!  I hate losing because of a "system" that controls me instead of visa versa!

 

Mar 14, 2011 06:25 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Jim.  They're not making $7 an hour any longer.

They're GS 12s who make $120K a year plus health and retirement.

Mar 14, 2011 10:27 AM
Don Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services - Idabel, OK

It is sad, the way that lending has gone.  We reached the point that we're just never sure what to expect from a lender. 

I believe they are now taking training in Confuse the Client 101

Mar 14, 2011 04:33 PM
Don Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services - Idabel, OK

It is sad, the way that lending has gone.  We reached the point that we're just never sure what to expect from a lender. 

I believe they are now taking training in Confuse the Client 101

Mar 14, 2011 04:33 PM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

@Lenn, You have a great way of correcting me and making me smile.  Thank you!

@Don, They might be up to graduate level Confuse the Client already. :)

Mar 14, 2011 09:52 PM
Julie Baldino
Front Door Realty - Vancouver, WA
Opening Doors to New Chapters...

Carrington is one of my best clients, and I have sold many REO for them. Unfortunately, the bank sees a "line of credit" as a loan. I know it is such a pain for buyers and in cases like this makes no sense whatsoever sometimes. I have a contact in the lending department that may be able to bypass the formalities in a case like this. If you need that info, let me know.

Mar 20, 2011 04:15 AM

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