PLEASE read the entire post... this is SOOO not my desk!! :) And I am not really talking about piles!
OK- not really...
Yes- I have files piled on top of the open desk drawer to the left. And a stack of to-do paperwork for today on the right side of my desk...
.....but the REAL problem is how much PAPERWORK that PILES UP in my email INBOX - that I NEED! Seriously, investors?
So, I am a dedicated email inbox FILER. I actually often get my email inbox down to just a few emails or, on certain occasions, ZERO. (Though, truth be told, that is rare). I have read the books on getting organized and I follow most of the advice diligently.
However, these days, the amount of paperwork I need from my clients.... is ASTRONOMICAL! I get to forward it on to my processor for stacking, reviewing and uploading or otherwise sending to the lender du jour for underwriter review. But, in order to be a GREAT loan officer, I need to review it as well. And ask questions. And ask for additional detail... and ultimately REALLY tick off most of my clients. I love this. (NOT!) My goal is to produce happy, well financially and emotionally adjusted borrowers. I do not want to scar them for life. The escrow process is bad enough without me badgering, cajoling and downright mistreating my clients. So...what is a sad but diligent loan officer to do? PILE and review. PILE SOME MORE. REVIEW SOME MORE. And repeat.
I ask for as much paperwork up front as I possibly can, and I review all documentation as quickly as possible, and I have a second set of eyes reviewing it for back up support as well. And then I apologize and repeat. I explain and repeat. And I get as much paperwork waived as I possibly can, within reasonable limits. I educate my client on how to reduce the amount of paperwork we need. I tell them to keep accumulating the paperwork we need in one place and preposition them on what it will be. I must say, I have been getting as many apologies from clients getting downright rude and then realizing it later as I have been handing out while explaining the purpose of said PILES.
I look forward to breaking the habit of apologizing profusely EVERY DAY for the seemingly endless stream of "supporting" documentation. And I look forward to breaking the habit of PILING my INBOX with my client's completely reasonable questions and concerns regarding WHY we need to know their shoe size and the birthdate of their father's best friend's uncle's rabbi.
Please know:
I answer all of the underwriter's questions with my PILES. And I cover their arses with my PILES of email attachments and faxed documentation. And I smile and bite my tongue.
It IS required (the PILES I mean...) :)
I do not WANT to beat you down for anything further.
But, I will do my best to make the process more fun, be sure I educate you on what and why we need the items we need and make sure you have an positive outcome and that you are happy with how things went in the short and long run. I will even help you to enjoy and appreciate my PILES and how I handle them.
Meanwhile, I am really looking forward to the next cycle, that lending environment where reason and common sense prevail. And I can just go back to some old and useless habit, such as biting my fingernails or pulling out my hair, instead of PILING relentless detail and paperwork in my INBOX!!
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