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Why We Hate Applying For A Loan

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Real Estate Investment Institute 1retiredsage

Standing Before The Bar / Why We Hate Applying For A Loan 

 

I was 21 and out of the Marine Corp just ten days when I went to work for a small loan company, a week later I was making loan decisions affecting peoples lives. Just two weeks more and I was in the field making collection decisions that could literally destroy peoples lives. 14 months later, and not yet 23, I was now a bank loan officer with millions (5) in authority!

I now sat in a large dark red leather chair, behind a dark cherry desk in an office paneled in rich cherry, with an impressively large 4 inches thick solid door! Two large heavily padded leather side chairs sat across form my desk. Those chairs or rather how people reacted sitting them are what this is all about. When friends or colleagues stopped to talk they were comfortable and relaxed. I loved those chairs, switch the desk for an ottoman and add good book and I’d have been in heaven!

When the chairman of the board brought people down and said "they need $25,000.00 would please write it up" these people were relaxed. But, when our receptionist brought people in and they had to ask "we need $5,000.00" you would have thought they were sitting on a t believe it, these people were acting like my small loan clients had when sitting in those little plastic chairs, talking about their desperation to a kid in an open room full of people.

It didn’t take long in this new setting to figure it out. I was a judge. These people felt like criminal defendants standing before the bar. That beautiful huge desk and the large chair behind it were as intimidating as the large raised "Bar" at the county court house.

If the intimidating setting weren’t enough, there sat a banker! Bankers have some common traits that are even more upsetting that the bank itself. Bankers start young, out of collage in most professions, you are seasoned before having the huge authority bankers used to have. Except for medicine no one gets as much of your personal information as a banker. Bankers have settled for a mediocre income with lots of security, they do not personally take chances. Instead of money bankers have their egos stroked, often causing a false sense of personal importance!

Worst yet, I started under the "Old System," if we didn’t like you, you didn’t get the money! It’s now four decades later, the "Old System" died in 1972, banks haven’t dominated the mortgage market since 1974 and have lost most other markets. "Loan Officers" are near extinction! "Loan Officers" use to make decisions, we decided wether or not you get the money, almost no one has that authority anymore. And yet, people still feel their being judged!

The idea of judgement exists because so many incompetent loan originators make their clients feel guilty.

You, the client, don’t understand you are no longer judged, you haven’t been for the last thirty some years.

Today thanks to civile rights laws, you’re not judged, you’re weighted!

Your credit history is put on the scale, it’s nothing personal, you’re assigned a number and treated accordingly. Just like your doctor’s scale tells your weight.

The bad news is that credit scores are arbitrary.

It’s true that most people with credit problems have low credit scores, but it’s not true that most people with low credit scores have credit problems. 

Life is arbitrary, my doctor’s scale is set so that each pound contains 16 ounces I think 24 oz. would be just about right. The good news is that like my weight we can do something about bad numbers.

There’s more good news, like clothes for the pleasingly plump, there’s a loan program available for almost everyone. I pay slightly more for my close at the big and tall stores, than the skinny guys pay at Walmart. If you have low credit scores or other high risk factors, you’ll pay a little more for the money from a non-conforming lender.

Is it fair? Yes! Under the "old system" the important thing was "who you knew." Under the current system the important thing is "who you are." I can change who I am, I like the system!

There are some things you can do to avoided that awkward feeling of being judged. 

     First you can make sure your credit is as good as possible, you can determine who you are.

     Second, always start with a mortgage broker, brokers are paid on commission they get paid to get you the money not to judge you. 

     Third, answer all questions, fully and honestly, but don’t over embellish. Many a person has talked themselves out of the money.

     Fourth, understand there is a difference between discussing facts and condemnation "You didn’t make two payments?" is acceptable. "You didn’t make two payments! Is not!

Don’t let your originator condemn you, his job is to get you the money you qualify for.

Lastly, you’re the judge, is the originator worthy of your business?

 

©REII 2014

 

Posted by

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

wja@reii.org      Cell 832-259-7078,      Houston 832-582-8415,       Las vegas 702-516-1569

     http://www.reii.org  Back Cover One House At A Time http:www//reii.orghttp://www.flippingforfunandprofit.info/ http://www.billarchambault.com   

From my past: GRI 1975, FLI 1974, Catalyst from a client 1974 an agent that makes things happen, REII, The Real Estate Investment Institute 1995.

http://www.reii.org

©William J Archambault Jr   ©The Real Estate Investment Institute   ©REII

Comments (19)

Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

OMG Bill, Just out of the Marine Corp and you were making lending decisions? That's incredible. I'm sure you weren't working on mortgages in the Corp. Didn't they want experience? Wasn't training part of the equation? And then the Bank? Who did you know?

You're right, the new way is better. And since FICO scores are arbitrary it is only fair to game the system.

Bill Roberts

Mar 20, 2014 02:49 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Bill, Mr. R,

Not until my second week. I completed their 2 year training program in 60 days, I was single in a new town where I didn't know any one and had nothing better to do.

After 1 year they transferred me and I had full authorty my new manager didn't and they didn't tell him! The poor guy went on vocation when he came back in two weeks he panicked I'd approved 1,500 loans +/- most of them beyond his athorty.

He quit and the bank called me, I took the bank job. I had $1,500 limit when I left on a Friday, I started at the bank on Monday that Friday their board met and my second Monday I had portfolio authority, $5,000,000.00 just like the chairmen and he owned 80% of the bank.

Truth is I never approved anything over $1,000,000.00. But, I was just a kid.

Bill

Mar 20, 2014 05:06 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Mr. R,

Marines are trained to make life or death decisions, after that what's the problem making decisions over a few dollars?

Veterans may not be "experienced" in civil  jobs, but they are extremely well disciplined in decision making and responsibility.

Bill

Mar 20, 2014 05:36 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Bill A, No disrespect intended, just amazement.

Bill Roberts 

Mar 20, 2014 11:46 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Bill, Mr. R,

None perceived.

It amazed me, too!

The only one I knew was the man I replaced, but the bank knew me. The job opened up a 10:00 am and they called me at 1:00pm. I bought a house and went to work in two weeks.

I did take all the AIB classes available that year.

Bill

Mar 21, 2014 03:38 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Bill-I liked the line about clothes for the pleasingly plump. I've worn some of those at times. 

Apr 29, 2014 11:12 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Wayne,

Me too. Me Too!

Bill

May 02, 2014 02:51 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Rest in peace William.  I'll miss your opinions.

May 28, 2014 06:40 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

I'll miss your fun, your knowledge, and your opinions Bill. R.I.P. and to you and your family and friends, you're in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

May 28, 2014 07:22 AM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

I just heard about your death...

I'm saddened for your sudden departure...

I never met you...but I had a chance to experience your candid spirit and helpful personalty every time you left a comment on one of my posts...

RIP Bill and my condolonces to all your family... prayers for them as I want them to know..he was respected and admired by many here in this community...

God Bless

May 28, 2014 09:26 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Bill, 

Is there blogging in heaven?  Well be waiting on your next post from above.

May 30, 2014 01:26 PM
Yolanda Hoversten
Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL
Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East

Bill ~ We crossed paths only a few times on AR back when I was active here, but you left an impression. It's sad to know that you're gone, but glad to have known you through your blog. A full throated Ooorah!

Brenda ~ Please accept my deepest condolences and prayers.

May 30, 2014 04:54 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

My condolences and prayers to your family.

R.I.P........

 

Jul 27, 2014 06:58 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

It's been over a year since Bill's passing, and it still hurts. He was very kind to me, and it was especially important to me when I started on AR.  And he never lost this keen interest.

I believe he was one of the brightest people I ever met on AR. And it is sad he left us so early.

 

Jun 03, 2015 02:32 PM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

William J. Archambault, Jr. 

 

Really enjoyed this post and hearing about you life. Very interesting. You make some great observations and give sound advice. Have a great week. 

Jun 14, 2015 05:41 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Bill left an impression on me and I was sad to hear he was no longer with us when reading Jason Sardi's tribute to him. He was a person I saw as a true authority - no fluff, just the facts - a rarity in our world.

 

Aug 13, 2015 01:13 PM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Re-read this post and do appreciate it have a wondeful week. 

Sep 03, 2015 05:56 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

William J. Archambault, Jr.
Bill, wherer you hear me or not, I am coming back to you here on AR. It's been nearly 3 years. I always thought one day we will meet when you go to visit your parents... It was too sudden, too unexpected, and it left a void and 3 years later it is still here... It is your birthday. I donot know what I am supposed to say, whether Happy Birthday would be appropriate...

Apr 16, 2017 07:07 PM