February 28, 2013

It seems that there is a wealth of information available online for all sorts of topics, including mortgage programs and guidelines. With that said, I would encourage you to "Trust but Verify" the information being distributed by contributors, such as those mortgage professionals on the Lender 411 Website. In reading many replies by other professionals, it seems their information may be a way to get you to contact them, but without an actual program that will really work for you.

For instance, there are standard guidelines published by FHA, USDA, VA, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, but there seems to be some who speak of guidelines that are not written. If it isn't on paper, then I wouldn't "Trust" the information. I am always happy to show printed guidelines to any client I work with and that should be the case for anyone else as well. There should be an expectation of transparency with information and if you can't find that with the person(s) you are working with, that would be a good indicator to find someone else!

My advice is to work with a Trusted Mortgage Professional who doesn't just tell you what you want to hear without the supporting documentation needed to back that information up. I'd rather tell a client that a program doesn't exist after making a number of inquires with our lender resources than to just pull a client in with unverified information only to later tell them that the program doesn't exist and then try to "sell them" on something else!

My business comes mainly from referrals and professional business relationships as when a client is referred to me, someone else's reputation is also on the line, so it is my top priority to be as professional and knowledgeable about the products and services I offer to provide those who work with me an unmatched level of service. You should expect nothing less than this dedication from whomever you choose to work with!

Thank You!

Steven Ceceri