Smokey Joe!!!

In the process of hunting down & moving to buy a house, my wife (Angel – she really is!!;)), and I moved to get approval from various lenders.  We received the approvals, and ultimately chose to go with a lender that we felt was the best representation for us.

The day we walked in to seal the deal and move ahead with the lender we had chosen, we found out the gal we were going to work with (who was A+), had resigned.  Bummer!  We were then approached by, I will call him, “Smokey Joe”, for his protection.  We had our reservations with SJ (Smokey Joe), but we decided to use him anyway.

All this occurred in April of 2008.  We compiled all the info he requested, and he assured us that everything was good to go.  Vote of confidence – right?  Hold on!

From April on, signs that “Smokey Joe” was really smoking something kept creeping up, but like most human beings, we were hopeful & wanted to think the best.

It all started when (SJ) wouldn’t return phone calls, too busy smoking.  To, follow-up that needed to be done, but never happened, I started smoking (just kidding!!:)) I literally rode (SJ), through April, May, June, and July.  July 7th was our closing date!  Didn’t happen!

SJ called me a week before, he was returning my phone call, and informed me that underwriting needed additional info.  A week before?  We did what was requested & waited & waited & waited, and then July 3rd he calls me.  They need more info – what?  I called him back, but he never calls me back, and we go into a long weekend of wondering & waiting.  Torture, to a man that has little patience with defunct!

D-day comes, and we’re supposed to close.  No!  We ultimately find out that this man hadn’t even ordered an appraisal, which we had paid for.  Deal breaker!  I go in to get our file, and talk to (SJ), he’s not in, which doesn’t suprise me, but I get my rifle – oops, file, and even find some other peoples files mixed in with mine.  Are you serious?  No joke!

The next day, I’m still dumbfounded, and I had to go see if I could talk to (SJ), and a manager.  God is gracious, and the manager had time to meet with Angel & I, but no (SJ).  He was terminated!  The company is moving to try & rectify the situation, but they’re unsure if it is salvageable.  What does that mean?  Lose the house!  We’ll see!

Moral of story:  Not sure – help!!