06/12/2026
Client called me Sunday after being referred by someone.
He had been under contract since mid-April and was supposed to close on June 18.
After nearly two months, he still didn't have clear answers from his lender. He explained the issues he was running into, and from what I could tell, they weren't guideline issues—they were analysis and communication issues.
I told him to complete an application and I'd review it within 24 hours.
He didn't.
I followed up. He applied with other lenders. Still no answers.
Finally, on Thursday, he applied.
Within hours, I had findings back, an Approve/Eligible result, and a clear path forward.
What surprises me isn't that the loan was difficult.
It wasn't.
What surprises me is that a borrower can be under contract for nearly two months, talk to multiple lenders, and still not receive clear guidance.
The mortgage business hasn't gotten harder.
But understanding guidelines, interpreting findings, and explaining solutions is still the job.
Sometimes the most valuable thing a loan officer provides isn't a rate.
It's competence.
