Resource Guide
How to Spot a Bad Loan Officer Before They Cost You the House
10 red flags that separate the A-players from the amateurs.
The "Paperless" Pre-Approval
They issued you a pre-approval letter based only on what you told them, without reviewing your tax returns or bank statements. This is a "fake" pre-approval that usually dies in underwriting.
The "Slow-Motion" Response
It takes them more than 4 business hours to acknowledge a text or email. If they are slow during the "honeymoon phase," they will be invisible once you're under contract.
The Banker's Hours
They go "radio silent" on weekends. Real estate happens on Saturdays and Sundays. If they aren't available to update a pre-approval letter for a Saturday night offer, you'll lose the house.
The Missing "Total Cost" Walkthrough
They focus only on the interest rate or the monthly payment. They never walk you through the total cost of the loan over 5 or 10 years, or explain how the mortgage fits into your long-term wealth strategy.
Vague Closing Costs
When you ask about cash-to-close, they say "it's usually about 3%." If they never walk you through the specific closing costs (taxes, insurance, and lender fees) line-by-line before you're under contract, expect a nasty surprise later.
The "Used Car" Vibe
They pressure you to lock a rate immediately without explaining market trends or why locking versus floating makes sense for your specific situation.
Ghosting Your Realtor
Your real estate agent can't get a hold of them. Listing agents check the lender's reputation before accepting an offer; if your lender doesn't communicate, your offer is going to the bottom of the pile.
"We'll See What the Underwriter Says"
This is the biggest red flag. It means they don't actually know the guidelines. An A-Player knows the rules well enough to give you a definitive "yes" or "no" before the file ever hits a desk.
No "Milestone" Process
They don't have a system for updates. If you have to call them to ask "Where are we in the process?", they've already failed at their job.
The Chaos at the Finish Line
They ask for "last minute" documents the week of closing that they should have asked for 30 days ago. This is the sign of a reactive lender who is putting your earnest money at risk.
Don't Settle for a Bucket C Loan Officer
If your current lender is checking these boxes, it's time for a second opinion.
I built my business on being the A+ Strategist you deserve: deep-dive pre-approvals, weekend availability, and line-by-line cost transparency that ensures you glide to the closing table without the stress.