Asking for help

For nearly three decades, I have helped clients all over California buy and refinance their homes. It's familiar to be the voice of reason and guidance for other people's dreams and problems, and it's so satisfying to provide financing to further families' real estate ambitions.

So it came as a huge reminder recently, when I was out of my professional element, what exactly it means to ask for help.

There's a nasty virus going around town, and although I consider myself a healthy person, I caught and caught it good. Good to the tune of 18 days away from my desk. (Here is your public service announcement to WASH YOUR HANDS!)

A week in, after coughing so violently I was scaring myself, I went to the doctor's office. This is something I don't normally do, but my family and friends were getting really worried. So, I went for them.

Imagine my disorientation at being in an entirely unfamiliar environment, with a clipboard full of forms asking super personal things about me, and my finances. Then, I got to sit by myself for awhile in a small room until the doctor came in to see me. He read over my forms out loud to orient himself with my condition, but I was chomping at the bit to jump in and tell my story. He diagnosed me, and sent me on my way to the pharmacy. That was another entirely new environment, where I was just a number in a crowd.

Does this sound like your last mortgage experience? Make yourself completely vulnerable by admitting things to a stranger that you don't even discuss with your family? Disclose a bunch of super personal financial information? Wait to speak until you have been spoken to, then get in line with the masses for your "cure?"

I was humbled by my entire experience, and I feel extreme gratitude to the doctor and staff, who did treat me with respect and compassion (and gave me the meds to stop coughing!) But what really struck me is how all of America goes through this process when you consider buying a house. It's not a friendly excursion, and y'all are brave souls to undertake it.

Point being: This episode has refocused my commitment to being a non-judgmental, helpful, patient source for our community when you need a home loan. No – I mean to say, no one wants a home loan, but when you are ready to make a move, I am ready to partner with you in making it a pleasant, non-threatening experience.

Tammy Engel is your local Mortgage Advisor. She's been working for your best interest since 1990 with purchase, refinance, and reverse mortgage. Contact her at 661/822-7325 when you have questions about how to best structure your next real estate adventure. NMLS #235051 CaDRE #01273839