I wrote a couple of contracts within a day of each other earlier this month. Both buyers were pre-approved with the same lender. One used a loan officer I've done business with time and time again. The other used their local branch. I have the closing scheduled for next Wednesday for the buyer who used the loan officer on my "use one of these please" list. And the seller is closing via mail away and it all seems to be falling right into place. The other loan officer (same bank mind you, at the local branch of other buyer) well we can't schedule that one yet.
I had a chat with the loan officer today. She was waiting on the appraisal, which I know when was sent as the appraiser did both homes and sent them at the same time. My trusted loan officer let me know when he got it and immediately submitted the file. The other loan officer "checked" and said oh yes, I just got that. And I'll get it ready to submit tomorrow. She has "no idea" of when we can close. She's "not sure" if we can make contract date of November 15th. It was so frustrating to even speak with her. She was passing the buck to underwriting blah blah blah, processor blah blah blah. Step up lady, it's your job to know the time lines and stay on top of things.
After the conversation with loan officer # 2, that left me feeling worried for my buyer client who is anxious to close and not being able to tell the seller's agent anything about a closing date, I actually called loan officer #1 and thanked him for the great job he always does for my client. We were waiting on an amendment today for that fist client as a "final condition" and when I got it called his cell. He answered. I told him I'd emailed it to him and in order to save time since he was driving he asked me to email it direct to his assistant. He knew her email right off the top of his head and I got it sent. I also got a "thank you" and "it's sent" reply from his assistant.
Same bank and it's night and day. So before you go bashing a big bank, please realized all the loan officers are NOT cut from the same cloth. Some of them actually care about their clients. They actually make their clients feel like their file is THE one they are working on and treat them like people, not like files and numbers.
The moral of this story is we don't recommend people because we get paid to do it or because it helps us. It benefits you the buyer when you use the people on our preferred list that we've done business with. The people on our preferred list have proved themselves over and over again and worked successful deals with many of our previous clients.
So thank you Alan Coleman @ Wells Fargo. I'm grateful you spent all those months stopping by my office asking for a chance to prove you would care about my clients. You've worked your way right up to the top of my preferred loan officer list. And you've helped many of my previous clients have successful closings. The easy slam dunk great credit scores and the first time home buyers who needed the USDA loan. Thank you for caring about our mutal clients. Need a great loan officer... Call Alan at 706-425-4255
706-485-9668 
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Tammy Lankford, Broker/Owner
Broker License # 169695 Lane Realty License # H-11420
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I always feel better having a buyer use a lender who I know is going to get the job done. This is a great example, Tammy.
i prefer to think that all these benefit all parties. :)
Tammy, yes indeed, a good loan officer makes all the difference in the world. Too bad they didn't listen to you. There is a REASON we have names on our lists!
I start biting my nails immediately if someone uses someone I have never done business with. However, the last client used someone new here in Albertville, and while the communication wasn't great, he was quite competent and it closed within three weeks......mind you, the appraisers are saying six weeks minimum so what he accomplished was very commendable.
I couldn't agree more. We have more experience with loan officers than the general public. They should just ask us. We don't get anything from it but fewer sleepless nights and longer fingernails.
Jane- it was a crazy busy day and that phone call was awful. It was so apparent she just didn't care if we close on time.
Laura- they certainly do, buyers, sellers all agents involved. Hate when they think their guy/gal will do a good job and they just fail.
Andrea- yup.
Suszanne- I'm so angry with her... well what can I do about it attitude I could scream.
Suggested. This drives me nuts. I nearly lost a client, the property and the buyers because of an inane loan officer this month. I have dealt with her before....how she keeps getting a job (three at last count) is beyond me. She hasn't got a clue. If I ever see her name on a mortgage approval again, I might not hold my tongue with the sellers.
Oh Lord, I never want to have to deal with this woman again. I hadn't even considered that. Must make a written note of her name instead of forgetting her forever after this deal is done.
Tammy
The way to go is with the tried and trusted loan officer to get the job done.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Hi Tammy, you must remember her name and number so your red flag will go up immediately next time (of course I hope there won't be a next time) you see her name on a pre-approval letter.
Peace of mind and knowing our clients are treated with respect - that's what recommending loan officers is all about.
Fingers crossed that the second transaction will make it to closing soon, too. I know you will make it happen!
Andrea- I'm really planning on calling the branch manager after it's closed. And I keep NOT saying it to my client, but I'm getting really close.
Lou- yup, every time.
YOu can't overstate the message. The mortgage person that knows what they are doing can make the difference.
Great post!