08/22/08

Good Service, Smooth Closing

by nsh22

My family and I recently purchased a new home and obtained a mortgage through Countrywide. I did a good bit of research and called a number of lenders before choosing a mortgage company. Countrywide had as good of rates as anyone and also the lowest closing costs. What I liked best was the fact that the initial "good faith" quote I received was very easy to read and understand and was in spreadsheet format which allowed me play with the loan amount to see what made the most since for us. The agent we work with, Chris Woods, was very helpful throughout the process and even cut some of his fees when the final costs were figured in order to keep the closing costs where he had originally quoted (even without the cut, the final quote was still within the range he initially promised us +/- $300). Chris contacted us at least weekly to keep us informed of the status of the loan, and of anything they needed from us. The entire process was very smooth, and I will definitely call Chris and Countrywide on future mortgages.

08/22/08

2 sides to the story

by cwoods6755

I rcvd. app. 2 weeks before closing. After approving loan it was well over 1 wk. before we were tld to proceed with the loan as you were checking rates with 8 lenders.I wrked hard and met your closing date. The closing was delayed 1 hr. as we prepped the pkg on the 2nd mtg. Giving the lowest rates and fees even though it was a rush file and a small loan far exceeds the lev. of serv. that is typical.I took 2 or 3 phone calls at home aft. 9 PM. During these lengthy late night calls we discussed terms of the loan, reviewed the estimate down to the last detail.

I had another closing scheduled at the same time and simply couldn't make both. You had voiced displeasure despite my best efforts so I simply decided to attend my other closing. The settlmt stmt.was a mirror image of the GFE. In fact, the amt. of$ due at closing was only $150 diff from the GFE. It only differed bc of the HOAset up fee which is not the lenders respons. to disclose.I did let you know that there would be an HOA set up fee.I did not know the amtof the fee until we received the information from the title cmpny the day of closing.As for ret. phone calls, I called my branch manager from my other closing. Despite the fact that it is not our responsibity to disclose an HOA fee as well as the fact that your GFE was extremely accurate, my branch mgr.and I still chose to give you a credit to cover your HOA fee. This is absolutely unheard of! I have documents toback up my rebuttal and will be happy to provide them. I'm upsetthat you are not satisfied. I appreciate your bus. very and hope in time you realize I wrkd ext. hard and did a very good job under tough circumstances to say the least.I did close your loan in one week, paid your HOA fee, took latenight phone calls from you and did not make a penny on your loan.

I regret the fact that you aren't happy. I can't figure out what I could have done to make you feel differently. I hope you're still enj. your home and appreciate the opp. thx

• Pros: no pros
• Cons: no cons just the facts

01/30/07

DO not use this mortgage guy!!

by blondambishun

This is a warning in regards to the unprofessional business practices exhibited by Christopher Woods of Countrywide Home Loans of 1800 Mallory Lane.

THis guy would not return phone calls to me, my realtor, or to the Title Company the day/night before closing. We each tried to call him on the night before closing so he could go over the conditions of the HUD, since he had not previously done so. He would not answer any of the calls and did not return any calls that night. Furthermore, the second part of the loan had not been sent to the Title Company after he assured us it would be there before he left for the day.

THis guy finally returned a phone call Friday morning and guaranteed me that the HUD would reflect the initial consultation we had discussed on the Good Faith Estimate. After I got to the closing, I had requested his presence there to discuss the HUD, which at the time of the closing, had not been done. Once the Title Company called to ask him questions concerning the figures on the HUD, he grew extremely belligerent and irate. He was on speakerphone at the time and exclaimed that he would not come to the closing due to he felt he would be ?bashed? by the parties involved in the closing. He also stated at that time he was ?Done? with my file and I could go with another lender.

We again requested his attendance since there were several items I had questions about.

He confirmed he would be there and hung up.

About thirty minutes later, this inept guy left a voice mail stating he had an important matter come up and would not be coming to the closing. We called him to ask questions regarding the loan documents and he did NOT return any further phone calls. This unprofessional behavior is unacceptable and I feel that other unassuming parties should be spared his unscrupulous tactics.

• Pros: He was great before I signed the contract
• Cons: After the contract was signed--I could NOT reach him for any follow up