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Mortgage
Strategies
By Michele Francis
Builder & Remodelor, Oct. 2002
“Home Loans
and the Internet”
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The
“www” represents the new kid on the block. It’s
real value is still likely years away. Though expansion has been
good, with 41 percent of the economic market accessing the Internet
at least occasionally, more than half are still not reachable. Those
consumers who utilize the internet for banking transactions and
home loans are typically qualified and find it easy to click from
site to site in search of the best mortgage rate. The bidding wars
that take place are an increasing concern for internet lenders.
Unless you’re the lowest priced lender in the market, or have
a better strategy, you’re not likely to get consumers’
business.
What
do consumers want when they submit a loan application? An immediate
answer. Yet, fulfillment remains another obstacle to current Internet
success. Today numerous lenders can let consumers apply for loans,
but not all can automatically pull credit and make a decision without
“human”intervention. More importantly, how does the
automated system know the consumer’s individual needs, objectives
and financial goals? This information is vital to structuring a
individualized home loan appropriate for a prospective borrower.
This is the pitfall, and there lies the injustice to the consumer
looking for the “best deal in town”.
While
the Internet provides a wonderful source of information for prospective
borrowers it can also be misleading. The consumer should be aware
that the rates being quoted are “subject to change”.
In addition, great effort is required to locate and click on a lender’s
disclosures for review. Although, the effort may save time and money.
My
experience in this industry has impressed upon me the importance
of outstanding customer service. In an effort to provide consumers
with concise information, timeliness and good mortgage rates we
offer 24/7 service to our website applicants with “human”
intervention. As soon as we receive an inquiry or loan application
on our site the prospective borrower is contacted immediately by
a mortgage counselor. The specific needs of the applicant are taken
into account. Based upon this information a home loan is tailored
for the consumer, credit is reviewed and costs are discussed. At
this time the client has the opportunity to lock in an interest
rate. A confirmation is provided along with a Good Faith Estimate
which discloses all costs involved in the transaction. The client
will also be provided with a Consumer HUD Guide for Home Buyers,
and a Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages, if this is
the type of loan applied for.
If
you are a prospective borrower and prefer to have full disclosure
and exceptional service along with a competitive rate click on to
www.beechwoodcapitalcompany.com. We will be happy to help you.
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