A year and a half ago, I was gifted these lovely rental clients who are everything one wants in rental clients. Except they live 45 miles away from me. And they have a snake. I have written about them here and here. A few months ago, they started looking for another place to live, and decided they were better off just staying where they were than trying to find a new rental for no other reason than they wanted the challenge of moving. Plus, they have to convince some new landlord that having a snake is a really great pet.
Tracy's heat has been out for weeks. The property management company, who is an affiliate of a very large and prominent brokerage, has been unresponsive. It turns out no technician will fix the unit--it is beyond repair. And the landlord is refusing to pay for a new HVAC system. Her house is so cold that the snake is now hibernating all the time. And to be fair, it has been a pretty chilly November.
Anyway, last week, the property management genius told her to, "Suck it up" when she called to complain that she was going on two weeks without heat. "It isn't like it is snowing," he wrote her. Yep, he put this in writing.
When Tracy called me last night and told me this story, I took in a breath of air and counted to ten before I replied. My Arizona Tenant-Landlord knowledge is purposely rusty, as I really don't want to ever do property management again. Besides, I already passed the broker test. So, I can safely let that information flee from my brain. What I do remember is that it is against the law in AZ for a tenant not to have heat or AC and the landlord/property management company not to remedy it by a certain number of days. I guarantee three weeks exceeds the number of days.
What I told Tracy was to call the Arizona Department of Real Estate. The government organization exists to protect the public, not the real estate agents. Also, the AZDRE happens to have a sadistic relationship of cat and mouse with property management companies. I then recommended calling the designated broker of the property management company in charge of her home. Let him know you have contacted the AZDRE. Forward him e-mails from the maintenance man (I provided her with the DB's contact info). And yes, do it in that order. Then, sit back, rent bleachers and sell popcorn for the upcoming fireworks.
My guess is she will have heat in the next few days.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Working Together
Last week, when Doug the Favored Felon ended up under contract with a contingency he was to be divorced the day before Thanksgiving. It just so happened, I was to be traveling that day, making the entire process of me working with Doug and the other agent a complete and total pain in the neck.
There is a joke among agents that the more inconvenient the time to work on real estate, the more urgent it will be. This is not an exaggeration. More than once, I have conducted business in 2 feet of the Gulf of Mexico, just because it was the only place I could get reasonable cell service. I had three sales going during Bonus Mom's memorial service back in July. And I was in no condition to talk to anyone. But my clients and the other agents involved didn't care.
In the case of Doug the Favored Felon's sale, the selling agent didn't want to tie up the house for the holiday weekend with my client if he couldn't perform. I can't say I blame her, but she wasn't willing to bend and even allow me to get to my destination before she pulled the plug on the sale. So, to make this work for my buyers, we left the night before, allowing me to get to a computer the next day during office hours and write up an addendum.
As it turns out, all went well. Doug is a single man now. The other agent, realizing the sale wasn't in jeopardy chilled out Thanksgiving Eve and finally agreed to allow me to turn in my paperwork during business hours this past Monday--like a sane, civilized person. Her willingness to work together made it easier for me not to get totally pissy when I found a glaring error in something she wrote up.
There is a joke among agents that the more inconvenient the time to work on real estate, the more urgent it will be. This is not an exaggeration. More than once, I have conducted business in 2 feet of the Gulf of Mexico, just because it was the only place I could get reasonable cell service. I had three sales going during Bonus Mom's memorial service back in July. And I was in no condition to talk to anyone. But my clients and the other agents involved didn't care.
In the case of Doug the Favored Felon's sale, the selling agent didn't want to tie up the house for the holiday weekend with my client if he couldn't perform. I can't say I blame her, but she wasn't willing to bend and even allow me to get to my destination before she pulled the plug on the sale. So, to make this work for my buyers, we left the night before, allowing me to get to a computer the next day during office hours and write up an addendum.
As it turns out, all went well. Doug is a single man now. The other agent, realizing the sale wasn't in jeopardy chilled out Thanksgiving Eve and finally agreed to allow me to turn in my paperwork during business hours this past Monday--like a sane, civilized person. Her willingness to work together made it easier for me not to get totally pissy when I found a glaring error in something she wrote up.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Unicorn Shopping
So Nicholle called me Monday. She was in tears. She was breaking up with her boyfriend of 12+ years and taking her two kids and three Chihuahuas and moving out no later than this coming weekend. And by the way, she makes $10 an hour right now, but is getting a raise to $12 an hour in a few weeks, so she could afford a "nice" place.
For those of you who did not graduate from my landlord-tenant training program, let me just jump to the final exam: this just sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen. Nicholle is ill-prepared, under capitalized and is trying to find a unicorn. I know unicorns exist, but not at the expense of my time.
It just so happens, I am familiar with Nicholle and all of the other Nicholles out there. But in this case, I do know her personally (and she should have left the boyfriend years ago, but that's another story). I am also familiar with several of her life choices from the past. I simply cannot help her and keep my sanity.
Her major non-negotiable was that she wanted to live in Surprise, AZ. That just happens to be 54.7 miles from my house. The only two properties I actually found (there were two!) paid me $55 if Nicholle passed the background, pet and credit check and took the condo. Plus, she needs to make three times the rent in order to qualify at all. She didn't believe me when I told her this on the phone, so there was no way I was going to drive that far just to prove to her this wasn't going to happen.
At any rate, I did send her the phone number and names of the two agents with the listings I found in Surprise. Perhaps one of them knows where she can find a slightly used unicorn.
For those of you who did not graduate from my landlord-tenant training program, let me just jump to the final exam: this just sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen. Nicholle is ill-prepared, under capitalized and is trying to find a unicorn. I know unicorns exist, but not at the expense of my time.
It just so happens, I am familiar with Nicholle and all of the other Nicholles out there. But in this case, I do know her personally (and she should have left the boyfriend years ago, but that's another story). I am also familiar with several of her life choices from the past. I simply cannot help her and keep my sanity.
Her major non-negotiable was that she wanted to live in Surprise, AZ. That just happens to be 54.7 miles from my house. The only two properties I actually found (there were two!) paid me $55 if Nicholle passed the background, pet and credit check and took the condo. Plus, she needs to make three times the rent in order to qualify at all. She didn't believe me when I told her this on the phone, so there was no way I was going to drive that far just to prove to her this wasn't going to happen.
At any rate, I did send her the phone number and names of the two agents with the listings I found in Surprise. Perhaps one of them knows where she can find a slightly used unicorn.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Monday, November 26, 2018
The Pineapple Squish-Fest
A couple of weeks ago, the East Valley Chapter of the Woman's Council of Realtors had their officer installation. Jane invited me (omitting the slight tid-bit it was a $35 entrance fee for the honor of watching this Squish-fest). Mrs. Hufflepuff was being installed as the Grand Poobah, and had orchestrated a pineapple-themed event in her honor.
Seriously, pineapples. There was pineapple juice served. There were a variety of pineapple-type foods available to eat. I had none, as I am allergic to the damn fruit. But, apparently pineapples represent women because (and I am not making this up) they have "a crown, are hard on the outside and sweet in the middle."
And who says the woman's movement hasn't progressed in the past several millennia?
There was a great speaker--someone I admire, who has been in the real estate industry for 55 years. I first met this man back in 2002 when I interviewed him for the magazine I worked for. I may have had a teensy case of morning sickness in his office the day I interviewed him. But hopefully he doesn't remember. And even if he does, I didn't introduce myself this time around. In truth, hearing him speak was worth the price of admission.
I should also mention there were probably as many men at the Woman's Council of Realtors installation as there were women. Perhaps they were spouses (Mr. Jane showed up for this). But I think a few are regulars who come just to troll looking for a date.
In addition to the pineapple take-away, there was the introduction of past-Poobahs, speeches by several of them and lots of polite clapping. The exiting Poohbah had a long and heartfelt, tearful goodbye, promising to all of us in the room she would be right there for Mrs. Hufflepuff. Then they hugged.
There was a lot of hugging.
A lot.
There was an awards ceremony too. Jane was publicly thanked for auditing the WCR books last year. It was insinuated there might have been some financial shenanigans in the past and Jane may have personally caught something nobody wanted caught. Anyway, she got an award for it. And that was pretty awesome for her. I clapped loudly, because that was something significant that I am glad (for them) was addressed. It isn't a big surprise. If anyone could find financial shenanigans, it would be Jane.
Then came the actual installation of officers--by the way, Jane is now the new Treasurer. The person running the meeting called up the new officers to the front, and as they started walking, she gave a lengthy description of what each officer was going to do. The officer (who was still walking to the stage) was to say, "I will" or something along those lines, but they were busy trying not to trip and make their way up front, so I have no idea if they even knew what they were agreeing to. Once the officer (who said "I will") got to the stage, they got some sort of trinket and a hug.
Mrs. Hufflepuff's lengthy description wasn't nearly as a long as her acceptance speech--which was too bad because the meeting had started a half hour late and I had an appointment I needed to get to. However, I was sitting in one of those awkward places, where getting up and leaving would have been impolite or caused a mutiny from all of us who wanted to leave. Or both.
I can't tell you what Mrs. Hufflepuff said, but I am sure she promised to make it a fun year. She gave a lengthy history of WCR. She also thanked everyone from the very first WCR Poobah to her three year old son. And when I say thanked, I mean, it was a personal, heart-felt thank you. For Each.And.Every.One.Of.Them.
I am not joining the Women's Council of Realtors for a myriad of reasons. I will go to meetings when Jane insists and perhaps visit a couple of happy hours (Jane has been insisting on this too). They have a few community events worth noting as well. I am sure Jane or Mrs. Hufflepuff will let me know if they want me there. But, no. In general, I can't wrap my head around this group.
 |
| Pineapples--someone painted the gold glitter paint on the fruit and called it a centerpiece. There were pineapple salt and pepper shakers (nobody used) and pineapple table runners. There were also other pineapple-centric stuff in other places. |
And who says the woman's movement hasn't progressed in the past several millennia?
There was a great speaker--someone I admire, who has been in the real estate industry for 55 years. I first met this man back in 2002 when I interviewed him for the magazine I worked for. I may have had a teensy case of morning sickness in his office the day I interviewed him. But hopefully he doesn't remember. And even if he does, I didn't introduce myself this time around. In truth, hearing him speak was worth the price of admission.
I should also mention there were probably as many men at the Woman's Council of Realtors installation as there were women. Perhaps they were spouses (Mr. Jane showed up for this). But I think a few are regulars who come just to troll looking for a date.
In addition to the pineapple take-away, there was the introduction of past-Poobahs, speeches by several of them and lots of polite clapping. The exiting Poohbah had a long and heartfelt, tearful goodbye, promising to all of us in the room she would be right there for Mrs. Hufflepuff. Then they hugged.
There was a lot of hugging.
A lot.
There was an awards ceremony too. Jane was publicly thanked for auditing the WCR books last year. It was insinuated there might have been some financial shenanigans in the past and Jane may have personally caught something nobody wanted caught. Anyway, she got an award for it. And that was pretty awesome for her. I clapped loudly, because that was something significant that I am glad (for them) was addressed. It isn't a big surprise. If anyone could find financial shenanigans, it would be Jane.
 |
| Jane's Well-Earned Award |
Mrs. Hufflepuff's lengthy description wasn't nearly as a long as her acceptance speech--which was too bad because the meeting had started a half hour late and I had an appointment I needed to get to. However, I was sitting in one of those awkward places, where getting up and leaving would have been impolite or caused a mutiny from all of us who wanted to leave. Or both.
I can't tell you what Mrs. Hufflepuff said, but I am sure she promised to make it a fun year. She gave a lengthy history of WCR. She also thanked everyone from the very first WCR Poobah to her three year old son. And when I say thanked, I mean, it was a personal, heart-felt thank you. For Each.And.Every.One.Of.Them.
I am not joining the Women's Council of Realtors for a myriad of reasons. I will go to meetings when Jane insists and perhaps visit a couple of happy hours (Jane has been insisting on this too). They have a few community events worth noting as well. I am sure Jane or Mrs. Hufflepuff will let me know if they want me there. But, no. In general, I can't wrap my head around this group.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Bad MLS Pictures--The After Dark Edition
I must get around to telling you about last week's Academy Award Show Woman's Council of Realtors' officer installation ceremony. But not today. Today is being upstaged by these pictures. Be sure to check out all of the pictures, preferably without impressionable children in the room.
Here is the link.
Here is the link.
Monday, November 19, 2018
Here's to a Successful Divorce (This Week)
Well, Doug the Favored Felon found a house. Except his divorce is not finalized. Fantastic. Additionally, Dee and Mr. Dee are co-signing and they are on a cruise in some foreign country. We wrote the contract Friday night. They left Saturday, insisting they will not have internet. That doesn't work when one is in contract negotiations. I managed to catch them Sunday before they got on the boat and had them sign off, with them assuring me, this was the last they would hear from me for a week, so too bad if there were more legal papers to be addressed.
Additionally, though Dee is all kinds of awesome, she is giving Doug the Favored Felon real estate advice. Let me take that back, she is giving him bad real estate advice. And what's worse, he is insisting it it wonderful real estate advice and instructing me to follow his wishes. True, that's part of my job, but I would like to think that I have slightly more credibility than Dee.
Doug the Favored asked that his contract be contingent upon his divorce being finalized. That's all well and good, but he doesn't go to court until the day before Thanksgiving. And just because he goes to court that day, doesn't mean it is finalized that day. I can't seem to get Doug and Dee to understand this particular tid-bit. Because I have no crystal ball, nobody knows what this will bring. Will the judge catch legionnaire's disease and miss work, extending his court date? Will Doug's soon-to-be-ex-wife suddenly have a change of heart, and rush in, asking for reconciliation? Will there be a pot luck in the courthouse lunch room and all cases that day will be delayed, or rescheduled?
These are all reasonable questions--especially from the other agent who was none-too-happy to see this contingency either (and I hated looking like a fool writing such nonsense). After all, she was getting a great number of showings and the house is priced less than $150,000. Why settle for Doug's baggage? If I were her, I wouldn't have stood for such shenanigans either.
What I would have preferred was a contingency of the soon-to-be ex-wife signing a Disclaimer Deed, which was less time sensitive and necessary for the loan, hence protecting Doug. Actually, what I would have really preferred is he waited to buy a home until after this week, and certainly after Dee and Mr. Dee were back in town to sign off on a legally binding contract. But, I couldn't seem to convince him of such things.
The negotiations for this particular point went back and forth all day Saturday, with me knowing what would eventually happen, but having to stick up for Doug anyway because that is my job--even if I personally disagreed. Finally he caved and the great compromise was reached. The selling side said Doug has until this Wednesday to get divorced or the contract was cancelled. Can't say I blame them.
At this rate, we shall see what will happen. I have warned Doug, the selling side has no sympathy for his situation and if he doesn't have a divorce decree in his hands in time for Turkey dinner, he will be homeless. I don't think he believes me, which is sad, because he is about to find out what happens when one takes advice from an optimistic someone who has given him well-meaning but bad advice.
Additionally, though Dee is all kinds of awesome, she is giving Doug the Favored Felon real estate advice. Let me take that back, she is giving him bad real estate advice. And what's worse, he is insisting it it wonderful real estate advice and instructing me to follow his wishes. True, that's part of my job, but I would like to think that I have slightly more credibility than Dee.
Doug the Favored asked that his contract be contingent upon his divorce being finalized. That's all well and good, but he doesn't go to court until the day before Thanksgiving. And just because he goes to court that day, doesn't mean it is finalized that day. I can't seem to get Doug and Dee to understand this particular tid-bit. Because I have no crystal ball, nobody knows what this will bring. Will the judge catch legionnaire's disease and miss work, extending his court date? Will Doug's soon-to-be-ex-wife suddenly have a change of heart, and rush in, asking for reconciliation? Will there be a pot luck in the courthouse lunch room and all cases that day will be delayed, or rescheduled?
These are all reasonable questions--especially from the other agent who was none-too-happy to see this contingency either (and I hated looking like a fool writing such nonsense). After all, she was getting a great number of showings and the house is priced less than $150,000. Why settle for Doug's baggage? If I were her, I wouldn't have stood for such shenanigans either.
What I would have preferred was a contingency of the soon-to-be ex-wife signing a Disclaimer Deed, which was less time sensitive and necessary for the loan, hence protecting Doug. Actually, what I would have really preferred is he waited to buy a home until after this week, and certainly after Dee and Mr. Dee were back in town to sign off on a legally binding contract. But, I couldn't seem to convince him of such things.
The negotiations for this particular point went back and forth all day Saturday, with me knowing what would eventually happen, but having to stick up for Doug anyway because that is my job--even if I personally disagreed. Finally he caved and the great compromise was reached. The selling side said Doug has until this Wednesday to get divorced or the contract was cancelled. Can't say I blame them.
At this rate, we shall see what will happen. I have warned Doug, the selling side has no sympathy for his situation and if he doesn't have a divorce decree in his hands in time for Turkey dinner, he will be homeless. I don't think he believes me, which is sad, because he is about to find out what happens when one takes advice from an optimistic someone who has given him well-meaning but bad advice.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Robbie
What we got together to discuss is a mutual project we are starting. However, the discussion turned to real estate, which isn't a surprise given he has heard my life story. He is in the early stages of investing and he was picking my brain for useful items so he could grow what he is doing. That's all well and good, but I am not his agent. His agent is Bryan--
someone else who's Venn Diagram of life keeps interacting with mine.
I explained to Robbie I wasn't giving him investment advice--though I was answering pointed questions with my knowledge and experience. So, call it what you will. We talked for an hour or so and hopefully he came away with a game plan.
My next call was to Bryan to tell him I talked serious investing with his client. Bryan was cool--I knew he would be (and I told Robbie I would be calling Bryan after we talked). But that doesn't change a perceived and potential breach of ethics if Bryan wanted to look at it in another way. I doubt I told Robbie anything Bryan hadn't said, which made it easy. However, I took a different approach than Bryan.
In the end, I suggested Robbie wasn't ready to jump into bigger and better. He needed another few units under his belt if he wanted to maximize his investments. Then, he gave me a great compliment, "I would have had to have paid more than $10,000 for this advice if I had gone to a seminar." True, but in this case, Robbie got what he paid for and I got a glass of tea, a great conversation and time with a friend.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Out of the Quiet (For the Moment)
It appears Dee, sensing I was enjoying my semi-sabaddical, panicked and sicced her Felons on me. Two of them (Doug the Favored Felon and a new dude) now want to see homes right now. The guy who was ugly to me last week seems to be off the radar. And that's ok.
So this week I am showing Doug the Favored a home. Of course it is under contract--which means someone else who is ready, willing and able has already put an offer in. Dee wisely told him if Doug if puts a back up offer in, it has to be contingent upon his potential (no court date set) divorce. Oh if it were only that simple. I wish Dee would stop giving her Merry Band of Felons legal real estate advice.
The new dude who called me today, asking me to jump on a home 50 miles away that is also under contract, isn't prequalifed, nor has he had the benefit of my pre-home buying seminar. So, until he does both, we don't look. Perhaps I will suggest that to Dee so she mentions that tid-bit to him.
So this week I am showing Doug the Favored a home. Of course it is under contract--which means someone else who is ready, willing and able has already put an offer in. Dee wisely told him if Doug if puts a back up offer in, it has to be contingent upon his potential (no court date set) divorce. Oh if it were only that simple. I wish Dee would stop giving her Merry Band of Felons legal real estate advice.
The new dude who called me today, asking me to jump on a home 50 miles away that is also under contract, isn't prequalifed, nor has he had the benefit of my pre-home buying seminar. So, until he does both, we don't look. Perhaps I will suggest that to Dee so she mentions that tid-bit to him.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
A Quiet Space
What do you call it when you are still active within your profession but not earning money? Volunteering perhaps? With agency laws in place, that isn't exactly what I am doing because that would land my behind in front of a judge. Instead, what I am doing, is sitting quietly in my office after Buckaroo and I have gone through his school work, contemplating what I want to cook for dinner. My phone isn't ringing and that is fine by me.
What I am also doing is offering to serve on a few real estate related committees (I haven't been picked yet, so who knows?). I am working on a specific real estate related certification. I am taking classes. And, I sort of agreed to join the Woman's Council or Realtors because Jane is going to be on the board. So is Mrs. Hufflepuff. Maybe I will net a trip to New Zealand out of it. But probably not.
I am also letting Scott, my graphic artist put together my latest newsletter, which will go out in a week or two. I have post cards to go out when I feel up to it as well. Will these net me clients? Maybe. It is fine if it doesn't.
A few months ago, Marty told me he was ok if I slowed down. I wasn't as ok about it then. I am more ok about it now. There is a certain amount of ego attached to starting a brokerage and keeping it running. The fact is, I have been profitable and I can still be profitable if I slow down. I am not closing up shop, just taking a breather for the first time in almost 16 years. Essentially, I am not actively seeking clients for a while (no open houses!), but if one lands in my lap, I will be happy to help them. I also have the Felons, one of whom still wants to buy a home from me.
There are a few projects I want to actively pursue. One of which is just being a mom and not having 27 other things on my plate. This luxury wasn't an option even two years ago when the accidental business was still kicking around. There are other activities on my plate too. None of which I am prepared to discuss right now. They are more like passion projects and they excite me.
This sabbatical may last a week. It may last a month or more. I like this quiet space I have carved out and am going to enjoy it right now.
What I am also doing is offering to serve on a few real estate related committees (I haven't been picked yet, so who knows?). I am working on a specific real estate related certification. I am taking classes. And, I sort of agreed to join the Woman's Council or Realtors because Jane is going to be on the board. So is Mrs. Hufflepuff. Maybe I will net a trip to New Zealand out of it. But probably not.
I am also letting Scott, my graphic artist put together my latest newsletter, which will go out in a week or two. I have post cards to go out when I feel up to it as well. Will these net me clients? Maybe. It is fine if it doesn't.
A few months ago, Marty told me he was ok if I slowed down. I wasn't as ok about it then. I am more ok about it now. There is a certain amount of ego attached to starting a brokerage and keeping it running. The fact is, I have been profitable and I can still be profitable if I slow down. I am not closing up shop, just taking a breather for the first time in almost 16 years. Essentially, I am not actively seeking clients for a while (no open houses!), but if one lands in my lap, I will be happy to help them. I also have the Felons, one of whom still wants to buy a home from me.
There are a few projects I want to actively pursue. One of which is just being a mom and not having 27 other things on my plate. This luxury wasn't an option even two years ago when the accidental business was still kicking around. There are other activities on my plate too. None of which I am prepared to discuss right now. They are more like passion projects and they excite me.
This sabbatical may last a week. It may last a month or more. I like this quiet space I have carved out and am going to enjoy it right now.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
I Can't Make This Up
Today is election day in the United States. I am sure there is someone, somewhere in a box who didn't get the message. Most likely that one box-person doesn't read this blog, but in the event they do: today is election day. Go do your part.
And to add a bit of levity to a politically-charged climate, or in case you live in Vermont and are unsure whom you should cast your vote for when it comes to Governor or Senator (I think she is running for both?), please watch this video. 45 seconds is all you will need.
I promise.
Prepare to be amused. Or horrified. Or grateful you don't live in Vermont. Or all of the above.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
And to add a bit of levity to a politically-charged climate, or in case you live in Vermont and are unsure whom you should cast your vote for when it comes to Governor or Senator (I think she is running for both?), please watch this video. 45 seconds is all you will need.
I promise.
Prepare to be amused. Or horrified. Or grateful you don't live in Vermont. Or all of the above.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Felon Updates
I was gone last weekend but apparently not forgotten. One of the felons, Doug, wanted to see a home. He sent me a text on Saturday with a note that I needed to show it to him "ASAP." The home had 14 offers and sold for $15,000 over asking price, cash, before I managed to make it back to this side of the Continental Divide. He said he understood and was gracious about losing out on the whole thing. Not to be cynical, but he wouldn't have gotten it even if I was in town. It turns out Doug really can't start looking anyway because his divorce isn't final, and more to the point, he doesn't have a court date. Arizona is a community property state. This is kind of a problem.
The other felon was less than kind when I spoke with him today. It is all my fault he hasn't found a home. It isn't his crazy requirements, plus his insistence to only live in a 12 square mile area or the fact he refuses to live in a place that doesn't have a two car garage. Nor is it the fact he doesn't have internet so the entire process takes days longer than it should. And let's not even start on what the probation requirements are for this man! Once he finds a place, it has to meet another set of standards. But no. Simply, he "can't afford" the homes I send him.
I asked if he would like to broaden his search or even change his criteria? No. He just wanted to complain and blame. I recommended he speak with his loan officer and see what kind of payment would make him feel comfortable, given he is already prequalified for significantly more but doesn't want to spend more than $100,000 on a property. "You'd think any competent realtor would be able to tell me this and not make me call a loan officer," he grumbled.
Yep, you'd think, but no. Not even the incompetent ones could reach into the recesses of Mr. Felon's brain and pull this one off.
Because I "can't find anything" that suits him, he is now thinking about a manufactured home. I didn't break it to him that he would need to have a 20% down payment for that. Why bother? He isn't going to find a manufactured home (e.g., trailer) that someone will give him a mortgage on for $15,000. I guess I will just fail him there, too. I think I will just let him find out for himself.
The other felon was less than kind when I spoke with him today. It is all my fault he hasn't found a home. It isn't his crazy requirements, plus his insistence to only live in a 12 square mile area or the fact he refuses to live in a place that doesn't have a two car garage. Nor is it the fact he doesn't have internet so the entire process takes days longer than it should. And let's not even start on what the probation requirements are for this man! Once he finds a place, it has to meet another set of standards. But no. Simply, he "can't afford" the homes I send him.
I asked if he would like to broaden his search or even change his criteria? No. He just wanted to complain and blame. I recommended he speak with his loan officer and see what kind of payment would make him feel comfortable, given he is already prequalified for significantly more but doesn't want to spend more than $100,000 on a property. "You'd think any competent realtor would be able to tell me this and not make me call a loan officer," he grumbled.
Yep, you'd think, but no. Not even the incompetent ones could reach into the recesses of Mr. Felon's brain and pull this one off.
Because I "can't find anything" that suits him, he is now thinking about a manufactured home. I didn't break it to him that he would need to have a 20% down payment for that. Why bother? He isn't going to find a manufactured home (e.g., trailer) that someone will give him a mortgage on for $15,000. I guess I will just fail him there, too. I think I will just let him find out for himself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)