What to do when mortgage broker vanishes 25 days from closing?

What to do when mortgage broker vanishes 25 days from closing?

Real Estate Agent · Vienna, VA · Member since 2016 · 289 posts · 253 votes

Hi all,

I have two properties under contract to close on June 30. They are 2 small multifamily buildings (6 and 7 units) in a different city and state (Baltimore, MD) than where we currently live and have experience investing. I already own another property there and I have been assembling a team up there to help us expand into this market.

We have strong W-2 income, excellent credit (>800), and capital to put 20-25% down; thus I was able to vet different lenders and mortgage brokers and get good financing options. We wanted to go with a lender that we liked, had great referrals, and we know he delivers, but he happened to be switching banks as we got the contract signed and he couldn't work on our deal for about month, so we decided to go with a mortgage broker that I vetted him well (I thought). 

We are 25 days from closing and this guy has vanished. He doesn't return emails, phone calls, or texts. We didn't pay him anything in advance, this is not our worry. Our main concern is that we may lose an amazing deal if we can't close by June 30th. 

The lender we originally wanted to work will start working on our file tomorrow, but he wont be able to process the loan until end of July/early August. 

Tomorrow, we are going to call the seller and request a closing extension, we may even offer to put non-refundable EOM. Hopefully, he will agree to it and the problem will be solved.

However, if he says "NO", what are our options? We can come up with ~$250k, but we will be about $500k short. I already asked a few friends and family, but I am not sure if we will be able to raise that amount in such short period of time. 

Do you know any lender that can process a loan within 25 days? Or do you know any lender that can offer a short-term loan for this situation? We know we will be getting a loan in no more than 60 days. 

Thank you!

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Paul DefnginPro Member
Lender · Rockville, MD · Member since 2008 · 498 posts · 199 votes
9y
David Fernandez try Upen Patel or Sean Richway They may be able to help. Good luck
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  • Wholetailer & Architect · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2015 · 544 posts · 298 votes
    9y

    It's not @Chris Mason's territory but he has a reputation for solving problems.

    3 weeks seems like plenty of time on single families but I understand commercial loans are more complicated. 

    I would start reaching out to your friends and family as backup for the $500k just in case. Then refi after you close and pay them back with some interest.

  • Paul DefnginPro Member
    Lender · Rockville, MD · Member since 2008 · 498 posts · 199 votes
    9y
    David Fernandez try Upen Patel or Sean Richway They may be able to help. Good luck
  • Chris MasonPro Member
    Moderator
    Lender · CA · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    9y

    Thanks, @Sean Walton. Unfortunately this is a commercial deal, and my knowledge of timing for those is very limited. I was originally going to say "just ask your agent who her or his fastest lender is," but commercial is a whole different world. 

  • Investor · Des Moines, IA · Member since 2015 · 380 posts · 201 votes
    9y
    Appraisal is usually one of the longest things as they take longer than a residential. just make sure to get the ball rolling asap on that
  • Upen PatelPro Member
    Lender · Nationwide Lender · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 814 votes
    9y

    Hi! @Paul Defngin as you probably already know, with commercial transactions it comes down to the complexity of the appraisal.

  • Real Estate Agent · Vienna, VA · Member since 2016 · 289 posts · 253 votes
    9y

    Thank you all for the replies. Working already with some of the referrals some of you posted. Hopefully, we can get this deal done on time if the sellers do not grant a closing extension. I will keep you posted. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2014 · 722 posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    @David Fernandez

    In a seller's market, getting extra time could be tough, but here is what has worked for me in the past.  Offer to let a part of your down payment go hard right away in return for a set amount of extra time.  That way, you can get some extra time but you do not risk your entire downpayment going hard and losing all of it.  You can limit your risk this way.

  • Stephanie P.Pro Member
    Washington, DC Mortgage Lender/Broker · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    @David Fernandez

    Narrative appraisals are taking about 21 days give or take a day or two.  You're cutting it close, but with everything in place, you may be able to make it.  Baltimore is a big market, so it's possible.

    Stephanie

  • Investor · Bowie, MD · Member since 2015 · 114 posts · 36 votes
    9y

    you could go for a private/bridge loan and then refinance with another broker. I may have a couple references you could use, I'm not at the commercial level yet so I don't know all the nuances to a commercial deal, but private can get you the funds you need fast to pay the sellers and buy the time you need. Especially if you have some comps/appraisals done. PM me and I can pass some info along.

  • Sean RichwayBusiness Member
    Lender · Chevy Chase, MD · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 136 votes
    9y

    @Paul Defngin

    He may be able to help.  If he cannot do it within that time frame and you need to close you can always try a stated income lender as a last resort.  Not the greatest terms but it sounds like speed is your most important criteria at the moment.

    Infinity Capital Finance4.48 Reviews
  • Investor · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 885 votes
    9y

    @David Fernandez Why not turn it into a Lease Option with the amount of time you need plus some "cushion" time? Exercise the Option once the paperwork is completed. Is it a competitive situation or are you the party interested in the property? 

  • Real Estate Agent · Vienna, VA · Member since 2016 · 289 posts · 253 votes
    9y

    Hi @Sean Richway, I already contacted Scott.  I met him at one of the BWI Meetups and I want to work with him at some point for sure. He's a great guy, let's see if this is the time. 

    @Account Closed, thank you for your suggestion. I offered many different options while putting the offer, but the Sellers only wanted a "tradicional" sale. It is a estate sale with 3 siblings deciding. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Vienna, VA · Member since 2016 · 289 posts · 253 votes
    9y

    Hi @Jonathan Twombly, yes, that's my next move. I have a lender that can close around July 20th. Now I'll go talk to the Sellers and I guess they should be ok with it. If they hesitate, I'll definitively offer them either additional $5k EOM non-refundable or $5k of my current EOM to go hard, as you suggested. Thank you!

  • Rental Property Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2014 · 722 posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    @David Fernandez Good luck!

  • Sean RichwayBusiness Member
    Lender · Chevy Chase, MD · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 136 votes
    9y

    @David Fernandez  I was just a speaker at a recent meetup group in Baltimore and that is where I met him as well.  I am doing another meetup on June 19th in the DC metro area if you are around.  Would love to meet face to face and see what you have going on in terms of real estate projects.  I believe Scott will be there as well.

    Infinity Capital Finance4.48 Reviews
  • Investor · Towson, MD · Member since 2014 · 472 posts · 257 votes
    9y

    @David Fernandez - I know a couple of commercial lenders up here in Baltimore (I do residential) and would be happy to pass along their information if you want it.

    Good luck.

  • Lender · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Member since 2017 · 122 posts · 54 votes
    9y

    Sorry to come to the party late as the time is already limited, but scenarios like this that need a quick close with no nonsense is actually why there are private equity bridge lenders. They don't have the same hoops and approvals to jump through as bank lenders, so they can save a deal that might die due to timing. It's a quick turnaround, but bridge lenders would be your best shot. You'll be looking at a higher interest rate for probably a 6 month to 1 year term, which will give you plenty of time to line up permanent financing.

    PM me and I'd be happy to give you some more quick info and a direction how to get in contact with bridge lenders quickly.

  • Baltimore, MD · Member since 2012 · 71 posts · 18 votes
    9y

    @David Fernandez Did you find a lender that could do the loan in your timeframe?

    I am also in Baltimore. Would you mind sharing (or can you PM me) the name? I have been under contract for a month and a half and am still awaiting approval for my loan-unresponsive people and bank bureaucracy I feel might cost me the deal. I am thinking of ditching this bank and looking into another lender. I know commercial loans usually take longer but the lack of communication is unacceptable to me.

    Thanks!

    Jeff

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