Georgia Mortgage FHA

You don’t need to be in a real estate related field for very long until someone screams at you. My first screamer was an agent from a company that rhymes with beeswax. He wanted to “whoop my wife’s a$$” because our client demanded to close at their own closing attorney (a right of law in Georgia) and not at the agents preferred closing attorney. He called my wife and asked for directions to our office. They didn’t tell me about this.

Fortunately you had to go past the reception desk and my office to get to my wife’s office and he started screaming when he walked in the door. I don’t think he expected 225 pounds of 6 foot crewcut and goatee to step into his path. I did physically remove this pleasant gentlemen from the office while the receptionist was trying to find the number for 911. He showed me his IQ through the window when he walked by and just for fun I ran for the door as if to chase him! I didn’t get to see him run but the girls said it was hilarious.

The next screamer, just a few weeks later, worked for that same office of that same company! What are the odds? She was also a full time Deputy Sheriff and worked as a guard at the local pokey. She’s the one that started our years long running joke that starts out, “Well, I’ve been doing this for ____ years and I NEVER …” Funny thing is that also started me doing research on people making claims like that which has lead to a lifelong release of stress! Nothing like a glass of wine and Google.

After that it was quiet for a while until the first refi “boom” hit and people came to us to rescue them from foreclosure, bankruptcy, failed gambling trips to Vegas, drug habits. You know, the usual family type stuff.

BUT HERE’S THE SCREAMER FACTOR

And it’s true. We have an official Screamer Policy on the mortgage side. The policy is simple,? “If at anytime any party raises their voice, becomes unruly, makes unreasonable demands in an unpolite tone or manner, transfer the call (if a telephone conversation) to the Director of Operations or (if in person) sound a PAGE ALL (*0) for the Director of Operations and Team Leaders to the area. If the file is in processing pull it for a manual QC and fraud detection screening. If the file has not yet been submitted place it in the Compliance Officer’s inbox for review with the Director of Operations.”

One screamer was a MORTGAGE BROKER who came to us because we do 100% stated income investor loans. He needed our services. Even though he had an active mortgage broker’s license (yes, we had to verify that with the state) he had closed zero loans. The other amazing thing is that he was confused about the meaning of “2 months seasoning on funds to close.” I heard him on the speaker phone cussing the lead processor like she was a muddy dog on white carpet. I said, “Who is THAT?” She told me and with the speaker phone still on I said, “Deny his loan. Send him the denial letter and tell their agents what happened.”

Of course his loan was already denied because he didn’t have 2 months seasoning on the funds nor could he provide the source for them which probably meant they were an advance on one of his credit cards which would have to be disclosed on the 1003 … blah blah.

SO WHY DO SCREAMERS SCREAM?

We’ve pretty much narrowed it down to three reasons:

(1) They have gotten themselves into a situation of dire circumstances and need rescued from the flames of their own foolish actions. Especially in the case of cash out refinancing.
(2) They are starving to death and need this deal to close NOW or they will have to eat at the soup kitchen.
(3) They are trying to rush the closing so we don’t discover whatever it is that they are trying to hide from us.
(4) They are not in control and are afraid you have power and authority over them in the transaction and they are not intelligent enough to trust their own ability to deliver.

MOST SCREAMERS ARE IN THE BUSINESS

Oh, we have a lot of stress. No doubt. The end of the month when we’re all trying to get everything to close is especially wonderful. I’ve learned a lot about stress and screamers over the past several years. Sometimes you can calm them down with sticky sweet sugar. That’s why we hired RUSTI. Our communications liason. We know when someone is screaming at Rusti there is something seriously wrong. She’s the epitome of sweetness, kindness and gentleness. But I’ve seen her cry. That’s when they get to talk to me.

My mother tried so hard to keep me from being like my father. And I tried, too. Now that I’m older I just gave up trying. That’s why I hired Rusti. But if Rusti cries then it’s my turn. No, my mother probably would not be proud and I’ve probably blown the opportunity to have a good relationship once the bumps are over. Don’t scream at Rusti.

I’ve been screamed at by sellers, seller’s agents, buyers, buyer’s agents, appraisers, closing attorneys, and other mortgage people. But I still won’t commit fraud. I still won’t skip any of the steps required to close a loan. I won’t drop my fees for a screamer unless someone in my office made a mistake resulting in an increased cost to the borrower. Not that we get screamed at regularly but when you’re handling 60 plus loans per month even a small ratio will result in occasional screamer … say one every 3 months or so. And the lingering question is, “Have we ever deserved to receive a screaming?” I probably have, but nobody on my team has. That’s why screamers get to talk to me. I’ll listen. Usually they end up saying, “Hello? Hello? Are you still there?”

I usually ask, “What would you like for me to do differently?” Which is usually answered with an unreasonable demand to which I reply, “That’s not going to be possible. Is there another idea that you may have?”

Last week I got screamed at in an email. Again. Because I told a Texas based real estate agent I couldn’t do the deals he had in Georgia because offering a borrower $25,000 at closing for the use of their credit is considered a felony and I’m not allowed to commit a felony. He promised me that he has a magic double-secret trick that keeps this from being fraud and that his closing attorney and the FBI would soon be contacting me for slandering his good name. I sent him my home address, work address, home phone number, work phone number and my cell phone number. I also sent him the name and phone number for a local representative of the FBI and the contact information for the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. I’m still waiting. (Sidenote: I just realized that on his website he flies the red white and blue balloon. Is there some kind of evil trend here?)

“Re: Credit partner needed … will pay $25k at closing. I use an assignment of contract agreement to receive my funds. The buyer obtains an investment loan at the uninflated appraised value of the property. There is nothing illegal going on here except your harassment which will be reported to the FBI. I will conduct skip tracing & find you & file a civil lawsuit for slander & harassment. I have this e-mail as evidence. I have a reputable attorney that conducts my closings & civil lawsuits. See you soon.”

Oh no! What will I do? I’m terrified! I can’t sleep. I have diarrhea. I’ve lost my taste for single malt scotch and even a fine cigar won’t calm my nerves. He’s putting his closing attorney on me! Ahhhhhh – help me!

Amazingly that ad dissappeared from the website immediately afterward. Hmmm.

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO SCREAM?

When you’re on fire comes to mind. Other than that there is nothing in business that should ever make you scream. Pull your hair out? Sure. File a lawsuit or a report with a governing body? Unfortunately, yes. But never scream. I have never worked any more diligently, faster or more accurate after a tongue lashing. In fact if you want your file closed don’t bother the people working on it.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Life is stressful and buying a home is equally stressful. Sometimes we all need to vent. Wouldn’t it be better not to vent on someone you’re trusting to handle a service for you?

Help me be nice.

“Be like the flower that perfumes the very hand that crushes it.”

— admin