We purchased our new home in January 2017. Our growing family had lived in the same place for over 15 years and it was time for something new. The old neighbors had moved away and the renters had started to take over our once quiet neighborhood.
One of the first things I did was call a variety of lenders to get pre-qualified and survey my options. I called six different places, I went to my bank, and inquired with friends about their experiences. A friend of mine recommended JMJ. Many of the other companies I had reached out to were excited to work with me but were annoying, pushy and made me feel like I was dealing with a car salesman (rather than making one of the biggest purchases of my life!).
I started working with a loan officer, Scott Pilon. He helped me pre-qualify for a loan and the process was very simple. I am semi-tech savvy but not super high-tech. With his instructions, I was able to scan documents and safely send them via a secure server by email, access details about my account online and anytime I was confused, I always got a quick response. I never felt pressured, and I didn't feel judged by the fact that I only qualified for $250,000.00 loan (many lenders treated me differently once they realized my income was in the median range).
Buying and selling a house is not an easy feat. It sound like a fun adventure, but for us it was scary roller-coaster. Thankfully, JMJ worked with us every step of the way. We had a major hiccup and I learned (the hard way) how important it is to have a REALLY GOOD LENDER. The people buying my house had a lender who was known to be a "little shady." Our realtor warned us but I didn't completely understand. We signed documents in early October to sell our old home. We packed up 15 years worth of EVERYTHING, moved into a temporary apartment, and put most of our belongings in storage while we searched for our dream home. The sale of our old house dragged out. After multiple extensions, unanswered calls, and emails, we learned the people who bought our house were not going to be funded. This happened two days before Christmas (the worst time to sell a house). Through it all, our lender (JMJ) was there offering advice, guidance and options. Without them, I think we might of given up and just moved back into the old house.
Scott was an angel and let me tell you, there were days when I was emotional, short tempered and fed up. Not with him, but with the entire situation. My little family spent Christmas in a small cramped apartment and it just felt like the entire situation would never end.
I have to stop for a second and mention the processor, Emily Zeller. This sweet lady who had never met me, always took the time to make sure every document was signed, filled out correctly and turned in on time. She sent me reminders, updates and answered the million (well maybe not that many) annoying questions I asked. She was so dedicated, I emailed and harassed her up until Christmas, she always responded promptly without faltering. I called her office once to thank her for her patience (around Christmas time) and learned she was home visiting her family for the holidays and not in the office! YES THIS AMAZING LADY ANSWERED MY ANNOYING QUESTIONS DURING HER FAMILY HOLIDAY!
I know this is a long review, but like I said, my story is complicated and I hope someone else will read this review and realize there are honest, kind, people who work at JMJ, who can help you if you are ready for your forever home.
So fast forward to today. It has been about five months. I am living in my new home, my dream home and I couldn't be happier. My wife and kids are outside playing in our backyard and when I am done writing this review I am going to take my dog on a walk. This may seem like simple tasks, but in my old neighborhood, they were not things I felt comfortable doing. Now, after years of saving, paying every bill on time and limiting my spending, after all these years, I feel like that sacrifice is paying off and I am living my American dream in my beautiful home.
Don't get me wrong, my realtor was great; however, with what we went through I saw both sides of everything. It made me realize how a buyer not having a good, honest lender can backfire and ruin even a solid contract. You never know when you call and talk to someone about a business transaction if they will be a person of integrity or a swindler. I experienced Scott and Emily to be people of strong character and integrity who work hard to help people realize there dream of owning a new home.
Scott and Emily, I can't say thank you enough. read more