Special offer
Hank Dugie, Mr. League City (Brockway Realty, LLC)

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Rainmaker
1,432,649
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

First off I want to know they can do the loan my client needs.  My clients often get rejected by big name lenders with lending overlays.  I have direct lenders with few restrictions I work with a lot.  Title Company Trial and Error, but Old Republic Title has been working fine for me.  I imagine it is a local thing.

Jan 19, 2015 05:51 AM
Rainmaker
7,834,939
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Recommendations from others may be more improtant than interviews. Follow the blogs of the master of referrals Joe Petrowsky to learn what a loan officer should provide.

Jan 15, 2015 08:40 AM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

Gene has good answer,

May 27, 2018 10:32 PM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

Good answers here.

Jan 16, 2018 11:59 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I use past performance.

Oct 19, 2017 07:01 AM
Ambassador
6,392,879
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

More important to ask their clients about them and the experience.

Oct 17, 2017 09:48 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Check their communication style and reputation with other agents.

Sep 03, 2017 11:04 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Roy nailed this one!

May 11, 2017 04:40 AM
Rainer
136,193
Richard Woodward NMLS#217454
Nexa Mortgage, NMLS #1660690 - Plano, TX
Service Beyond Expectations! Your Texas Lender

I completely agree with looking for reviews online. As a lender I am sometime asked to refer a realtor. My first resource for that referral is to realtors I personally know and respect. If I have to refer out of my territory I always rely on online testimonies. I also call the realtor and asked them what their process was for new clients.

Jan 22, 2015 03:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,574,666
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I follow recommendations and personal experiences after ending up on the other side of the transaction.

Jan 19, 2015 01:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,141,082
Beth and Richard Witt
New York, NY
The best Retired Brokers !!!!

Roy Kelley took the words out of my mouth...

Jan 17, 2015 03:27 AM
Rainer
557,375
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Fortunately, I had a CFL license many years ago, so when I left the loan business to focus on another opportunity, I had the knowledge and experience to determine whether a MLO or loan broker was a consummate professional and virtuous. 

I was very fortunate to meet Hector Ramirez, now a MLO, about eight years ago and he is the only person I endorse and the the only one I would refer. 

Regarding the questions to ask prospective MLO's or loan brokers, I would record and compare their answers to the same questions and their solutions to different types of loan scenarios and get their last 4 transactions' names and phone numbers and call them to verify their satisfaction. 

Jan 16, 2015 05:19 PM
Rainmaker
458,273
Joan Zappa
Eagles Wings Realty - Montrose, CO
Professional treatment of our clients, brings awes

We always give our clients 3 different companies to contact as we are not giving recommendations specifically. We do not want the liability of--"my Realtor said to use them and they screwed up who do I sue"? We can tell them what other clients have told us, i.e. they were happy or satisfied with the service. They need to have a discussion with these professionals to see who fits them.

Jan 15, 2015 10:36 PM
Rainer
112,947
Vera Gonzalez
RE/MAX Suburban, Inc. - Sterling Heights, MI
Gonzo For Real Estate

I asked around the office and set up interviews accordingly. Found out what their costs were for lenders and title companies and then filtered down to the people who got the job done.  I have gotten lenders that I thought were great from when I listed. Their communication impressed me. I always recommend people that my CLIENTS thought were great  and communicated with them as well. It is always nice to be wooed ,but the client is the one paying for the actual service. 

Jan 15, 2015 10:35 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

What questions should you ask and have answered?

"Who do I know in my office that you have closed deals with?"

Then you ask your peer about temperament, mutual aligned interests, communications, emotion, proactive, and whether they are a solutions provider or drama queen.

Now your friend, even your broker are in the line of ACCOUNTABILITY. Be aware if the lender or title company blows the deal and leaves you with the smoldering ruins of a relationship you spend $100,s to cultivate....'they don't care, they just move on." A chain of accountability helps. I've even had such culprits plead with me not to blog about their colossal $!!&*!

Make certain they understand there will be accountability.

Jan 15, 2015 09:31 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

The Lender I associate with is honest, knowledgeable, and you can believe anything he says.  He keeps me in the loop and I do not recommend any one else.  If something happened to him I would use one or two people here in the rain.  I feel like I know them already, and they have left me with good impressions.

Jan 15, 2015 12:16 PM
Rainer
148,989
James Brockway
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX

I prefer to get recommendations from my peers when selecting a title company or lender.  They have been in the trenches with them and have personal experiences.  When selecting a lender, ask a title company who their favorites are based on ease of transaction and closing on time.

Jan 15, 2015 10:51 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Actually, I don''t ask them anything. I read their reviews. Everyone knows how to give the right answer upon request. But do they walk the talk?  Reviews generally give me some sense of that.

Jan 15, 2015 08:40 AM