Im baffled by this and am hoping that any reader may have some insight for me. 

I have been working with a client for about 6 months.  She has been renting and has asked me several times to find a place in a specific area, within a certain price, etc.  Parameters have been given and taken into consideration.  The kicker for me is, I have provided her about 5 homes in her criteria and she is unwilling to compromise at all.  Its either on too big of a hill, too small, too big, bad vibes, too busy,or just not right. 

Question… since when do we find the perfect house?  I am beginning to think that she is just not a ready client and/or she is just not ready to really buy a house.  Am I rght?

As an agent, I like to think I’m very patient and often over pleasing.  But I don’t want the client to think that I’m not hearing her correctly and just wanting to waste time.  I have asked several times for her feedback and to my disappointment, am still in first gear. 

Oh well, just needed to vent  my frustrations and perhaps look forward to another point of view before I put her on the back burner.  Though it doesn’t take much effort to locate the houses, it does pose brain stress in trying to please her.

If you have an agent you enjoy working with, please communicate clearly and provide the courtesy of being somewhat compliant in all possible ways.  Afterall, as a realtor, that’s what I like to pride myself in doing as well.

I can attest to the fact that certain companies charge a “minimum” fee to originate your loan, as I’ve experienced the same explanation from other lenders during my search for an investment property. That is the policy for some companies and who am I to argue?

Well, in that case I was the consumer…ie: you. And the consumer has a right to understand what the fees are, where they are come from and why you are charged. With that said I do agree with most of the responses saying that “trust” is everything. Trust is everything! However we all still have a bottom line. As a professional in the industry I have first hand experience with borrowers working with multiple lenders at a time; It is there prerogative.

Some fees are up to negotiation. Some are fixed. It’s your loan officer’s job to teach you about these fees and bring you to an understanding of them; while helping you in making a comfortable decision. Understanding the fees are one thing, but making a comfortable decision is where the trust and transparency of your business relationship is key. Many if not all loan officers work for you for FREE until we close the transaction.

The bigger picture, “time is money.” Processors and underwriters spend hours examining documents and preparing loan packages. Some how they must get paid, and as mentioned before we don’t get paid until the transaction is complete.

My suggestion is, interview your Loan Officers and Real Estate Agents first. Talk to them about what you are wanting to do. Feel them out. In my mind the relationship between the agent and their principal goes way farther than just business.

Service: is your loan officer available to answer your questions, even when it comes down to price!? Are they able to communicate with you during non-business hours to explain something that may be of concern to you? Are they flexible in meeting and coordinating with you and other third parties? More importantly, would use their assistance again? Would you refer your friends and family to them?

All I’m saying is, business is not just business in the Real Estate game. There are far too many of us for that. It is a working relationship that can be life long. Ultimately, you are the one who makes the decision. Base what you pay on the service you are provided, and you will have piece of mind.