Being Mentally Prepared to
Apply for Your Chicagoland Mortgage
is Just as Important as Being
Financially Prepared ...
A Lesson From the 3 Stooges
For good or bad, my wife and I are fans of the 3 Stooges. Having grown-up in a family of all boys that were faithful viewers, thankfully I married a woman that "gets" the humor of this comedic trio. (Thank you to my brothers-in-law for helping to raise her right.)
On a Saturday evening when Marilyn and I are home rewinding from the previous week, we typically find the Stooges on at some point during the night. One recent Saturday found us watching a favorite Stooges episode of ours, "Punch Drunk". It features Curly as a boxer. Moe's his manager. Larry's along for the ride, as usual.
As you can see, Moe obviously plays for laughs, giving "pep talks" and the usual set of slaps, smacks, and eye-plunks to Curly to get and keep him motivated during his boxing bouts. But nothing works or gets Curly excited quite like Larry playing "Pop Goes the Weasel" on his fiddle. It drives him beserk and pretty soon he's knocking everyone cold, inside and outside the ring.
Now I bet you're wondering ... how does this tie into the title of this blog and mortgage processing?? What message can possibly be tied to the 3 Stooges clip?
Glad you asked ...
In this 3 Stooges clip, the boys have prepared for Curly's bout in the ring. They've come equipped with Larry's fiddle and he's prepared to play "Pop Goes the Weasel" to get the results the boys need to win some cash. They think they've got it all covered.
Of course, that's not what ends-up happening. Nothing could be that simple. Larry's fiddle gets broken and the 3 Stooges are left frantically trying to come-up solutions to their dilemmas ... each time having to solve the crisis of discovering a new way to get "Pop the Weasel" played so Curly can hear it in that boxing ring. And of course, each solution gets more outlandish and crazy.
See any similarities to the modern mortgage process yet?? Okay ... here's the lesson I see in this 3 Stooges film clip ...
Moe, Larry, and Curly thought they were prepared for their boxing bout (hmmm .. let's say, mortgage process). But "things" happened and they were left to find solutions to their new challenges (new questions, new financial document requests, appraising issues, etc.).
The boys had to roll with the punches (accept the challenges and search for solutions). Be creative. Mentally and physically find ways to solve their problems (comply with the required and requested documentation, etc.).
And yes, they were utterly and completely mentally and physically "tapped" at the end of this film clip. Just as many borrowers will feel "tapped" mentally and physically at the end of their mortgage processing.
The truth of the matter is ... applying for a mortgage these days CAN be demanding and challenging work. Anyone that tells you they can promise you differently is not being completely truthful with you. $#*% happens!
(The differences between mortgage lenders becomes evident and very clear at this point. The educated and experienced mortgage lender will have a record of successfully tackling, addressing, and solving the challenges. Their closing success rate will be high.)
It is likely during today's mortgage processing that mortgage applicants are going to have to complete some work and rise to some challenges and requests during their application and processing. And it's my opinion, that being mentally prepared to do this work ... and the compliancies commanded during the processing ... is just as important to the outcome of a successful application, as is the financial preparation beforehand.
In other words, just like the 3 Stooges, mortgage applicants have to bring their fiddle, the back-up radio, the car stereo, their running shoes, their "A" game, and a bit more into their mental and financial preparation and readiness for mortgage application. They will have to be mentally and financially prepared in order to be successful.
It's my job, as their mortgage lender, to guide them, to inform, educate, request, assist, communicate, and place the tools they need throughout their mortgage process within their grasp. The mortgage applicant must be prepared mentally and physically to listen, understand, communicate, and reach out to grasp those tools, I offer them.
Mortgage processing lessons from the 3 Stooges! Who'd-a thunk it, huh?? Nyuk .. nyuk .. nyuk ...
* Ready to discover if YOU can buy a home? Work with a lender with over 35 years of experience and expertise with which to assist you successfully. Contact me today, so we can get started. I can be contacted through any of the following convenient methods:
Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331
Email: gene@chicagobancorp.com
Website: www.genemundt.com
Skype: 630.219.1316
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Thank You!
Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President
Personal NMLS #216987
The Federal Savings Bank
1823 Centre Point Circle, Naperville, IL 60563
Skype! 630-219-1316
I bet you're a trip to work with! I just love the way you think about the biz and so many of your analogies. You're a great storyteller, which is one of the best things about someone with your level of experience and knowledge - YOU'VE SEEN AND HEARD IT ALL!!!
This is a vital part of what makes us good because let's be honest, it's working through a bunch of crap that makes us good. That's what we call - EXPERIENCE!!!
Gene -- thanks for a very insightful application of the Three Stooges antics to the antics that home buyers have to go through to get their financing today.
Never heard of them, no doubt before my time here, actually maybe before my time :) Not a lover of skits like this, might have my husband laughing. Still the analogy is spot on. At the end of the day if it's something you want, it's worth working for right?
Gene - Thanks for your good wishes, cannot say it's been a staller year business wise, but my head is held high and I am looking forward to a few days of peace with the family. No doubt your Christmas will be all about the grandchildren! Oh What Fun, I guess one day my turn will come, I am happy to wait a few more years for grand kids.
Interesting analogy, Gene. But you are right. The lending field is more of a minefield through which the buyer needs a guide. Someone like you
I've bookmarked your post and will share it with clients in the future. I always try to warn them, but still they feel like the process is overwhelming. I just had a client, on the morning of closing on their first home, tell me the loan process 'took all the fun out of it'. That's not what I want to hear!
Gene - The the analogy
Donne: A trip?? lol Maybe ... I'll have you talk to Marilyn about that! And yeah ... I've got some experience and experiences to relate. The blessings of a long career ...
Steven: I do what I can ... to lighten the experience?? Have a great holiday, friend ..
Corinne: Hmmm .. and this coming from a woman hailing from the country that gave us Benny Hill??? Perhaps it was the experience of watching these movies with knucklehead brothers. And for what it's worth ... none of my sister-in-laws see the humor either, so ..... ????
Jane: Thank you ... a minefield. Now THAT'S a great analogy too ...
Joetta: I totally understand ... as once in a while I hear the same sentiment expressed .. and I"m a mortgage officer. DEFINITELY not what I want to hear. It can be overwhelming at times too ... so I understand their feelings ... just truly wish it were different. Until it changes, I continue to try to make it more pleasant ..
Michelle: Thanks! As the mom of two boys ... maybe you get it??? Happy Holidays to you!
Gene
Thats pretty creative what you did there. And it looks like that was one of the earlier 3 stooges. Curley had more lines than normal. :-) I love the stooges! Use to watch them every saturday morning when I was a kid (re-runs, but still new to me at the time). Have a great holiday!
John: Are you sure you aren't a missing Mundt brother??? We were all Stooges fans ... much to the dislike of our mother. Always afraid we were going to poke each other's eyes out or something I think! I appreciate the thumbs-up on the "theme" of my post. Must be the season. I was in the mood for something a little more light-hearted.
I hope you and yours have a very Happy Holiday and celebrations. Wishing for a much brighter and more prosperous New Year for all too ...
Gene