I am Still in Shock? Licenses Matter!

After the 2009 financial Crisis, I assumed everyone understood risky and unsustainable Mortgage Loans were created by Non-Licensed Mortgage Originators which caused the financial disaster that hurt so many families?  There was a reason Congress passed a law requiring Mortgage Originators to be Licensed.  8 years later, the lesson was missed.

Over the weekend, I was working with a Licensed Real Estate Agent, Realtor, to sell a house.  The Realtor I chose knew the market very well and has a proven track record.  I only work with Licensed Real Estate Agents and I always check their license at http://www.grec.state.ga.us/ .  The Realtors I know appreciate people who choose Licensed Real Estate Agents and many have the same view with respect to Mortgage Lending.

Over the weekend, I got an offer on the house with a Bank Originator written into the contract.  I happen to know the Bank Originator given I hired the person into the Banking Industry from the waste disposal industry a long time ago.  The person has a super personality and is likable.  I explained to the Realtor that I did not have confidence in an agreement that was contingent on a Non-Licensed Mortgage Originator handling the buyers loan.  You can find out if a Loan Officer is Licensed by clicking here http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/ .  See picture below.  Look for there State license below that will also have a consumer complaint link.  If the are just registered "Not Licensed" there is no State License information nor Consumer Complaint Link.

The Realtor had no idea that there are Non-Licensed Mortgage Originators engaged in the Georgia Mortgage Industry.  I explained it to her this way.  Would you buy your home from a Non-Licensed Real Estate Agent?  She said NO.  My POINT.  Just because someone is likable is not a basis to put a client's home purchase or sale in the hands of someone NOT State Licensed to do it.  They deserve a Mortgage Originator that has passed a competency test and is regulated by the State they are taking mortgage applications.

• Would you hire a Plumber who is registered with his supplier and not licensed?
• Would you hire an Electrician who is registered with his supplier and not licensed?
• Would you trust your health to a Doctor who is registered with a drug supplier rather than licensed?  Should your Doctor be required to pass competency exams?
• Would you hire a Realtor who is registered with their employer and not licensed?

Bank Mortgage Originators are Registered and do not have State Licenses, they have not passed a standardized competency test, and there is no State Regulatory Complaint Recourse for Consumers.  If a Licensed Real Estate Agent creates an issue for you, you can complain  to http://www.grec.state.ga.us/ (Real Estate Agents State Regulator).  Attorneys have the State BAR.   If you have an issue with a Federally Registered Non-Licensed Bank Mortgage Originator, who do you complain to?  Who regulates them?  Their Employer?  Remember 2009.  

Economic Recovery Top - Low Country View by: Cal Haupt

I wrote an OP ED back in December 2011 about the relativity of a recession and the best course of action based on my data supported by 3 recessions.  Now the recovery top view.  http://southeastmortgage.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-country-view-of-recessions-from.html  

As we move into the 8th year of the recovery, a DOW 20116, Commercial Flights Full, Malls Full, Restaurants Full, New Car Dealer Lots Over Flowing, and everyone on your street doing home renovations, everyone should govern their actions by data vs. the euphoric feel of a recovery.

With respect to the Mortgage and Real Estate Industry, I am still confident we are in the 15th month of a 60 – 72 month cycle expansion.  I am confident to the tune of investing millions in a 30,000 sq. ft. operations and life balance center at 3575 Koger Blvd in Duluth.  The growth for the past 15 months is ahead of my projections which provides a large enough sample to proof that my hypothesis is correct.

Now for the Yang to the Real Estate cycle Yin.  The financial markets, various stock markets and other financial derivative instruments, can falter without an impact on the Real Estate Market.  Why?  The primary participants or the 80% of the underlying trades in the above markets are institutions and traders.  When it corrects and it will, the retail consumer in general will not be hit the way they were in the last financial crisis because they are not in the markets as deep as they were in 2008-2009.  As a result, they will be unaltered in their euphoric quest for Real Estate.  Whether their need is trading up, trading down, or new home creation for families this trend has 4-5 years left before a plateau. 

My low country view is we all have to navigate the same rivers in a low tide (2011) that we navigate at high tide (today).  Anyone who has been at the helm of a boat knows rivers can be a mundane transit or a harrowing experience depending on tide and weather.  No matter the size of your boat, the outcome is the same.

 This is relevant in that although there looks like more water and routes to take at high tide, beware that the tide cycle and that route outside the normal river may be mud at a lower tide.   The only constant is the Captain (leadership) must know the tidal pattern and govern voyages based on that data.  Financial Markets are no different.  You just need the tide table. 

Most of the Mortgage Lenders that went out of business in 2008-2009 were all navigating in areas that were not part of the average safe tide and were not paying attention to the data that determines our financial tide table.

My advice to MLOs and other professionals related to the Mortgage Industry is although low score, high LTV, and limited documentation products fit a specific need for a very narrow segment of clients; be careful when a Mortgage Company leads with these unique products.  If they do, be prepared for a change in career. 

The safe river is clearly defined by the regulations and directives of our elected officials.  Fannie, Freddie, FHA, and VA products.  Yes, FHA has some low score parameters and should be ingested carefully given Neighborhood Watch reflects gluttons and common sizes them given low scores correlate to higher default and delinquency.  Prudence dictates moderation and sell to client need which is always a fiduciary's safe path for industry participants and clients at all tides.

 

Cal Haupt

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Southeast Mortgage of Georgia, Inc.

www.southeastmortgage.com

770-279-0222