Jacquelyn"s advice to the rate Shopper.....

Clients will often ask why they should choose me to do their home financing. This could be a question that at times is very difficult to answer. I want to be very careful not to deliver any response that involves an interest rate because interest rates change by the hour and behind the rates are a multitude of variable factors (points, closing costs, credit ratings and much more……) that will ultimately affect your real mortgage payment.

"The reason you would want to work with me first and foremost, is because you feel comfortable. Let's be realistic, this is the largest liability you will ever take on in your lifetime and it should be treated very seriously.

It's not like shopping for the best interest rate on a credit card. I have no pressure from a real estate company or realtor to place business here or there. I represent a mortgage banker that has a multitude of investors which allows me to shop your mortgage so to provide the best possible product for you.

Above and beyond anything else, I think the most important thing you should consider when selecting someone to handle an obligation of this magnitude is your comfort level with the integrity of the person and the level of the service you receive.

Beyond that, I am at an unfair advantage over the rest of my competition. Most of the people that do what I do for a living, have to be the jack-of-all-trades, and subsequently, are a master of pretty much none of the trades. I am really lucky to have a very talented group of people on my team who do a lot of the things I am, quite frankly, not very good at.

This allows me to focus on doing what I do really well, which is consult with clients and be a student of the market, which I think is probably the most important thing as it relates to obtaining a home mortgage. Having someone who is an expert on the economy and understands how the economy works and is going to constantly have a finger on the pulse of the developments will allow us to determine the proper time to lock in an interest rate as well as future refinance opportunities.

I'm not a fan of throwing a bunch of rates, payments, closing costs, tax deductibility, principal pre-payment strategies and things of that nature at you over the telephone, because I know how confusing it can be for the consumer to digest all that information verbally. Instead, should you wish, I can put together a comprehensive spreadsheet and send it to you in writing so we can look at the various options and make an intelligent choice together?"

I'm not saying that my service platform is necessarily right for you. That's for you to determine. The bottom line is that you're going to get a great rate, great service, and prudent financial advice when you are working with me. If that's what you are looking for, I think I have the platform for you. If you are all about price, perhaps the Internet is your best bet."

"The reality of it is that I work on commission only. If your loan doesn't close, I don't get paid. I have a vested interest in making sure that you are wildly happy with the service my team and I provide, because I want you to refer your friends and family members to me on an ongoing basis. That's how I make my living. If service is what you are looking for, you've come to the right place. If you are looking for someone who is going to work banking hours, then I definitely think that my competitor is the right business model for you."

A savvy loan officer can make a huge difference in your loan-shopping experience, regardless of whether you want to buy a home, start a remodeling project or refinance an existing mortgage.