Not knowing is worse than getting a “NO”
“We didn’t want to call because we knew what you were going to say,” is how Ray & Ana from Arizona opened the conversation with us. Their business had been hit hard by the last economic downturn and they had turned to credit cards to keep up with the bills.
It’s Always About People
In our efforts to communicate with you, we often pick a dry subject: the definition of a mortgage, the difference between a refinance and a new home loan, home-to-loan value, credit score, rates and a variety of other pertinent, albeit objective topics. All are important to be sure; you can’t have too much knowledge of something so important.
C’mon Spring…or Summer…or Fall
Let’s have a show of hands from all of the snow-belt people who are sick of shoveling white stuff. And how many of you are getting dizzy from watching the gas and electric meters spin like tops because the heat is running 24/7?
Do You Want Truth or the Facts?
Watching TV can make you crazy; this is especially true if you are thinking about getting a loan and you tune in to one of the business channels. For every “expert” who says this is a good time to buy a new home, refinance or use your home’s equity, another “expert” will chime in to disagree.
All-Star Cast
Have you ever watched a movie simply because it had a “big name” star in the lead role? Have you ever had that same movie turn out to be a real stinker because the director, writers or supporting cast members were untalented or downright incompetent? Sure you have.
Getting a Home Loan can be Sooo Boring!
Quite a title, yes? But please don’t misunderstand what we’re saying; the reason you need a loan – a new home, 2nd home, remodeling, repair, college or a skillion other reasons – is never boring. Depending on why you are calling us, it’s natural to feel edgy, concerned, apprehensive, excited and even emotional.
Pay Yourself or Pay Off the Credit Cards?
Cecil from Indiana called us with a question that many people have. He was an apartment dweller who wanted to buy his first home and he was saving up for a down payment. Unfortunately, as many people do, he had a large credit card balance that he was slowly paying down while at the same time he was trying to increase his savings account.
Scary Stories and Mortgages
I got drafted by my 11-year old grandson to act as chaperone on a camping trip last summer for his baseball team. The little scam artist got me with the old, “Papaw, I can’t go unless you do! Pleassse.” Turns out that’s how all of the prepubescent delinquents conned all of us grey beards…they guilt-tripped us. My daughter thought it was hilarious.
Getting Around the Mortgage Runaround
Far too many borrowers have experienced unwelcome surprises, bad practices, sloppy recordkeeping and getting the old runaround when applying for a mortgage. We hear stories every day from customers who were on the verge of giving up because another lender was insensitive to their needs, unresponsive or had them constantly jumping through hoops.
Age is just a number
We had a very interesting caller right before the New Year. This wonderfully vivacious, 68-year young girl was inquiring about the best way to use her home equity to pay college tuition…for her. Aggie told our Loan Advisor, “I was married for 32 years, been widowed for 5, and I’ve always wanted to finish school and get my degree.”