I'm Flaming Red! Have you seen the new Google service being launched in regards to seeking a mortgage?

Melba:  Thank you for the re-assurance and kind words.  Definitely hoping that you are right!  Hope to hear more from you in the future ...

Vance Broker:  Amen!  What's the old saying???  You get what you pay for.  You prove that point well.  Best of luck moving forward in your business future.  Thanks for writing and commenting ...

Andi:  Definitely the motivation.  And I understand that, we all want to make a living.  But they overlook some very important benefits being offered by the individual real estate professional/lender.  Dialogue is so very important to the success of a home buying transaction.  Good to hear from you, Andi.  Hang in there ...

Paul:  We're here!  That in and of itself is saying something.  We've survived!  I think that bodes well for both of us.   I appreciate your friendship ...

Gene

Frank and Sharon:  Accessibility is important when in need of answers and action.  Who hasn't been in a deal where something urgent has needed to be accomplished quickly?  Something needed to be delivered personally?  Those sorts of things aren't going to be done by an online lender in most cases.  The personal dialogue and opportunity to ask and answer questions ... is so important.  The response just typically isn't there with online lenders like that ... but JMO.  I appreciate your positive support ...

Markita:  I'm imagining that you have seen (and felt) what I have.  Many times we lenders are not the most popular kids on the block these days.  This Google thing ... well, I don't see it helping that at all.  And it will only add another layer of "issues" that a consumer may have to face when trying to obtain a mortgage.  You're so right when you say it will delay things getting better ...

Jeanne and Ralph:  I think once into these Quicken, LendingTree, and Google lending programs, most will do as you say ... they'll give up.  My question is .. will the property they were hoping to buy still be available? How will that effect the transaction?  I see so many issues being muddied or evolving because of this.  Hopefully consumers will listen to professionals such as yourself and bypass these online offers.  Thanks for commenting ...

Gene

Kate:  Thanks for the info .. and taking the time to write.  I think Google is SO big ... so powerful ... and has the ability to DO so much, that this isn't likely to go away.  You and I see through their plans.  I'm not sure that consumers will understand that getting financing and the right quote and program is so much more complex than what they will find via Google.  Time will tell???  Stay tuned ...

Evelyn:  You've definitely got it figured out.   It's obviously about money .. or Google wouldn't be getting involved.  My fear is that consumers are going to become more jaded about our industry and buying a home because of this.  We don't need that ...

Andi:  I SO get what you are saying.  You and I share the same fears.  They can color and market this in so many ways and with lots of money to accomplish it.  They've entered the market.  They've already done the research and know they're going to make money ... or they wouldn't have gone this far.  I totally understand the comparisons with the other companies to a point.  And I do think that many consumers will ultimately end-up using a live human lender.  But after they have gone through what?  After having lost what amount of time?  After possibly losing a home they really wanted??  All issues that will once again tarnish our industry and people's perceptions.  So frustrating ...

Gene

Kate:  Thanks for all your kind words and support.  It's so nice to hear ... and very appreciated.  And we played with the toys ... not sooooo very long ago!

C. Lloyd:  I sure am hoping you are right with your theory.  I will keep my fingers crossed for all of us ...  thanks for writing ...

Gene 

Well, you taught me something (again) today.  Didn't even know Blekko existed.  Will definitely check it out further to see why you gave it the thumbs up.  Not sure what the final answer will be or look like on this, but thought the information and awareness needed to be posted and heightened.  And you liked RISK too??  A Mundt-brother favorite for years!  Each of us was more competitive than the other ... so it was a natural ...

Is there a connection with our love for that game and our being in real estate???  Hmmmm ...

Gene

Rick:  First of all, I am happy that you feel completely satisfied with your mortgage experience.  That is ultimately what I hope for for each consumer entering the market and obtaining financing. 

But with that said, I still stand firm with the sentiments of which I write within my post.  For the over-riding majority of those entering the mortgage process, doing so on their own ... in this incredibly challenging housing market and with mortgage-writing presently what it is ... is an unwise move.  Right now, prior to even initiating any portion of the actual mortgage process, I must ask anywhere from 25 to 30 preliminary questions in order to proceed with any real confidence that I am starting on the correct path for my client.  And with the present issues surrounding appraisals, short-sales, foreclosures, intense underwriting concerns, and more ... I feel for the non-real estate professional, the process could prove full of potholes, overwhelming, or possibly even financially staggering and damaging for the long term.

I will not provide the details of my 35 years of experience here.  I will point out that my expertise, skills, and knowledge are fully-explained and accounted within my profile here and elsewhere.  However, I do point out that because of the unique blend of my education and experience, I offer service and guidance to my clients that I feel is above and beyond the norm ... 35 years of broad real estate, mortgage, and appraising experience and financial planning knowledge from which to draw upon for their benefit.

Again, I am very glad that you were satisfied with your experience, choices, and results.  I am in no way was trying to infer that the intellect of my clients is lacking or incapable.  But I feel that unless working within the mortgage industry itself, there is typically no way a client could be expected ... or capable of knowing the latest underwriting demands, rules, regulations, appraisal issues, and more.  It's hard enough for professionals to stay on top of the quickly-changing industry.

I wish you the best within your home.  I thank you for your comment.  Should you ever have questions for which I can help in the future, please feel free to contact me.

Gene