The Mortgage Porter

Sunday Drive: Skillet's Gourmet Streetfood

Hopefully you won't have to drive too far to find Skillet Streetfood...in fact this mobile delight travels throughout the week to several Seattle neighborhoods, including West Seattle, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Fremont, SODO, Bothell and Redmond.   

Last weekend, I decided I could wait no longer...I had to check out the infamous Skilletfeaturing gourmet bites created in an airstream trailer. 

My nose found Skillet before my eyes did at the West Seattle location just a block or so away from the Farmers Market.

I had the Steak Sandwich with a Melon Mint Fresca.  It's not cheap eats--it is "gourmet" and very delicious.  The fries are perfection.

   

You can read more of my review and others on Yelp by clicking here.  

Lending Integrity Seal of Approval

I recently received permission from NAMB to post the Lending Integrity Seal of Approval which you may have noticed on the left side of my blog.   This logo isn't something that just anyone can post or promote, it must be approved by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.

In order to display the Lending Integrity Seal of Approval, a broker or loan originator must:

• Pass a national criminal background check.
• Possess a state license or registration.
• Attend professional education, including ethics training.
• Live up to NAMB's Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Best Lending Practices.
• Pledge to abide by NAMB's formal ethics grievance review process.

George Hanzimanolis, President of NAMB feels this seal will "soon become to the mortgage industry what the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval is to the makers of consumer products."   George, by the way, is a heck of nice guy.  My husband and I had the opportunity to meet and have have dinner with him last week when he was in town with my brother-in-law, John Porter.

For more information, click here.

It's nice to be appreciated and to be Queen!

Bobbi and Michael are long time clients of mine.  I've helped them and their family members with refinance and purchase transactions over the years.  A couple months ago they wanted to buy a new home contingent and they were not able to sell at this time...they may try again later.   I was pleasantly surprised that they sent me a customized (yep, they designed the gift card to look like me!) Starbucks gift card.   Their handwritten note reads:

Rhonda -

Just wanted to say thank you for all the gfe's [good faith estimates] and emails as we tried to sell our house!  I wanted you to know that we appreciate all the time and what you do for us!

Mike and Bobbi

Inside the customized card:

Thank you for all your help - you go above and beyond - climbing any mountain necessary!  You are truly the Queen of the Mortgage Industry!

Pretty sweet, huh!   I am really fortunate to work with such nice people who value my efforts and advice.   Mortgage Professionals are not always paid for the hours they've put into a transaction and that's part of the territory.   Recent legislation passed by the State of Washington will allow Loan Originators to charge a consulting fee.   I always appreciate kind thoughts and words from clients...you can't put a dollar value on that.

Sellsius Top 12 Women Real Estate Bloggers

I am so honored to be included on the list (and future calendar...I think they're teasing) of Sellsius Top 12 Women Bloggers for 2007.   

When I started, I wasn't sure anyone would read my blogs let alone that I would receive any recognition.   I am absolutely amazed and honored to be associated with this group of ladies.

It was wonderful to get to know Rudy and Joe from Sellsius during Blog Tour USA.  Having this nod come from them makes it even sweeter! 

I encourage you to check out the Top 12 Women Bloggers and read their featured posts.   

Thanks, Guys!

Rescuing Homebuyers from Lending Tree

I have a couple of clients who did not feel like "winners" having banks compete for them via Lending Tree.  Recently, I helped a family by closing their purchase in 5 days...the lender they obtained from Lending Tree did not perform after having their loan for over 30 days.   Here are a few nice words from my new clients:

"We had been involved with a bad bank we had found on LendingTree, and when the bank had ignored two closing dates, and the sellers were getting nervous, we had to come up with options. In the background, we had started working with Rhonda, and while nobody wants to be the backup-loan, Rhonda examined our entire file and thought it looked all right.

When we decided to fire the other bank, Rhonda absolutely came through for us, pulled together a mortgage and saved our house purchase with a speed that I think surprised everyone involved. And the loan contracts were clean, everything was just excellent.

Rhonda is a stand-up gal, honest, forthcoming, and she really pulled a miracle for us at the 11th hour. Our one big mistake was not going with her in the first place."   

Per Holm of Sammamish, WA

Everyone wants the lowest rate.   However chasing a rate instead of determining which Mortgage Professional is most suited to care for your financial needs can lead to disaster.   I'm glad that this client had the guts to contact me for a second opinion when he did and that he was able to pull the trigger and move his mortgage.   

I met this family prior to their signing appointment and it was very rewarding.    I also learned that his previous lender from Lending Tree never delivered the first mortgage documents (financing was utilizing two mortgages); only the second mortgage was at escrow.   His loan would have never closed.  Per proclaimed that I was a "superwoman" and "should have a cape" in the middle of the lobby at the escrow office.   I'm thankful everything worked out for his family and their move to the Seattle area.

I wrote more about the Holm's story at Rain City Guide.      

Joe Buyer and the Lending Treehouse of Horrors:  Part 1

Joe Buyer and the Lending Treehouse of Horrors:  Part 2