Jane Penttinen

You know the story. You're at a party or a networking event and someone says to you "So what do you do?"

For the last couple of years when I answer that question with "I'm a mortgage loan officer" I can see the person look a little funny and say "ohhhh - It must be tough for you right now". Or, "ohhh - you're one of those".

So I started really thinking about what is it that I do for a living. The true answer is "I solve puzzles and problems". Yep! That's what I really do. Every client who comes to me has a situation that is a unique puzzle. Most clients today, have a problem or two that needs to be solved. Over the last 30 years I have learned to be a puzzle master and a problem wizard.

It's never boring, that's for sure! The "puzzles" always have a new twist (because every client is unique). The "problems" are constantly changing (thanks to continuous updates to underwriting guidelines). BUT, I am the master and the wizard because even after 30 years, I still love what I do.

After 30 years in mortgage lending I can still say First Time Home Buyers Make My Heart Sing! Yep! When I get to close a loan for a first time buyer I go home at night with a warm feeling of accomplishment and personal satisfaction. This is the feeling that truly keeps me going in this crazy market we are in. First Time Home Buyers are anxious, scared and excited! And there is nothing that even compares to the joy of purchasing your first home. They are not the biggest loans but they sure are the most fun.

This past week I was privileged enough to enjoy the singing three times!

Tuesday - I went to the first closing at 11:30 a.m. This was for a young lady that really impressed me. She is 25 years old, has a great credit score, 4 years on her job and managed to save $20,000 all on her own! She was adamant that her house payment could not be over a certain dollar amount. She and her agent found a great little house that needed just a little cosmetic updating. We did an FHA loan and she has the funds to do the updating with savings left over.

The second closing of the day was at 2:30 p.m. This was for a 29 year old young man - decent credit and anxious to have something of his own. He's an electrician (and a good one!) who started his own business four years ago. He and his agent found a property that was an estate sale - sold "as is". The property needed a few repairs before we could close and thankfully, the sellers allowed him to do what needed to be done himself. It was nothing expensive - just a lot of sweat and old fashioned elbow grease.

Thursday - found me at another closing at 5:30 p.m. This one was for a fairly new Border Patrol agent. Gosh! I LOVE these Border Patrol guys. He and his family were able to take advantage of the USDA program on a bank owned property. This one needs some repairs too and my underwriter was willing to allow the repairs to be done within 24 hours of closing. That doesn't happen at most mortgage companies.

Most days, I straddle the fence on the home buyer tax credit. Home prices are down and interest rates are great. Do we really need to be paying people to purchase homes? But when I look at these three transactions, I feel pretty good knowing that these buyers will benefit. All three of them worked hard and purchased homes well within their means. And I got to end my week knowing that I helped all three realize the joy of being a First Time Home Buyer.

It's time to call it a night. The fun and games of Halloween are done for this year. Tom had really BIG fun playing with all the kids who came trick or treating and now he will start thinking about next Halloween.