Who looks for a mortgage broker on Yelp? I do. I figure if someone is really outstanding, a person is going to go out of their way to go the route of the normal channels as well as a less traditional one so that they can shout from the rafters, this guy is phenomenal!
The truth is, I've gone through the home owner's loan process five (5) times now. That would be three (fucking horrible) experiences with banks (I implore you, don't do it) and two with individual brokers. Jim is hands-down the best of the bunch, even though I admit that I did emerge from my last experience with a broker unscathed. I think if my first mortgage had been with Jim all those 5 years ago, I would have done more of this buying a house thing. Or at the very least, I wouldn't have approached the task with all the trepidation of subjecting myself to an MRI.
From the moment I spoke to Jim, I felt at ease. I had filled out the online application because my plan was to move from New Orleans back home to the New York area. I knew this wouldn't be easy, especially because I gave myself three days to find a house before going back home to pack up, sell my house and move. Within minutes of submitting the application, I received a phone call. We went over everything that we needed to. Jim was extremely straightforward when describing my options. I mean, again, I have to say he is nothing short of enjoyable to speak to when speaking about finances and loans. I've suffered these conversations in the past (I suppose only rich people don't suffer such conversations). I figured out my best options and we started the application process.
Within minutes, it seemed, I had a pre-approval letter. Ok, perhaps a day. I had to dust off those personal finance skeletons. And then a week or so later, I made my offer on a dream home and it was accepted. And then started the process of going deeper into the belly of the beast.
All of it, seamless. SEAMLESS! Jim is paperless. I applaud that. I hate paper! All of what I needed to submit, was submitted through dropbox. People kept telling me what would likely be the hold up would be the financing. Not the case with me. The financing was all in place so that closing could have taken place a lot sooner if it hadn't been for other issues that I don't need to get into here. I always dealt with him, not a team of underling robots (like my last dealings with a mortgage broker-- this made everything AWFUL because no one could keep my documentation or lack thereof straight. And there's a LOT that you're sending over).
And finally, days before closing, something catastrophic happened where my lawyers' email had been hacked. Not naming names, not their fault, but I needed a new lawyer for closing. Jim referred me to a new lawyer and we were able to close as expected without a hitch.
I might add that Jim makes himself available at just about any hour (now don't go calling him at midnight or anything). And things do come up. Like when I decided at 9:30 pm on a Friday that I wanted to put an offer in on a house. Like when I realized at 10pm on a Tuesday that I needed a new lawyer for a closing two days later. I texted him and he called. I never had to worry (I worry a lot).
And finally, unlike banks, you're dealing with a real human being here. Don't go making him your therapist, he doesn't deserve that, but know that you can work with this man and feel so great about everything, that after everything is all over, you'll even want to have a drink with him (that really happened) and you'll probably even invite him to your housewarming party on March 16 (tentative. If he's reading this). read more