This company had helped successfully refinance my two homes in 2012. But 2013 is a different story. In December I tried to reach my previous loan officer and was directed to her replacement(first big sign). I sent my current information to make sure we were good to proceed with the loan. This is my largest refi to date. I was told by Art (and his boss) that I was good and we shouldn't have any issues.
Then I get an email indicating they underwriting can not approve me. I ask Art to for details. He could not even run the numbers. He would not provide documentation for us to review to see if we could solve the problem(s). He was no help at all.
I emailed his boss, Paul. I got a series of emails back indicating he was in continuing education that day and would get back to me. He never followed through.
In my almost 20 year history of purchasing and selling home (I have bought and sold 6 in the past 8 years alone), I have never encounter a more frustrating financing experience.
1. They told me I was OK to get through underwriting.
2. I paid a $415 appraisal fee out of my own pocket. They should have refunded this.
3. Rejected by underwriting with no recourse.
4. Mortgage Officer unable to run numbers or tell how underwriting calculated the scenario.
5. Mortgage Officer's boss never followed up.
There is a happy ending. I called my local mortgage officer: Mortgage Network South and they ran my numbers and gave conditional approval in less then 15 minutes. We close in less than a month from phone to closing table. These are professionals.
RUN don't walk from First Financial Services. I would give a zero if possible.