Today is one of those days that I feel like expressing a bit of outrage at those websites that purport to give out information about mortgages and real estate loans that you have no idea who they are or what they are trying to do.

I get Google alerts for postings that have to do with several key mortgage words, so I am often looking at other websites to see what they have to say and am very often disappointed to find out that it is a site’s primary focus to collect money through Google Ads, is a link farm, or is gathering names to sell to third party lenders, or all three.

Beside those sites, there are the national lenders that may be posting their “deal of the day” or some such tripe and as I look at the various sites, I am constantly amazed at the number of them that are not in the least bit compliant with national and state regulations.

Advertising

For instance, if offering mortgages, are you aware that the loan officer on the site must be licensed and regulated through NMLS and the state? My NMLS number is 271072 and my Oregon and California license numbers are the same, just expressed differently. Take a look at the majority of the websites out there with mortgage information and tell me if you can find that anywhere on the site.

Also, when advertising mortgages, and blog posts are often advertisements, the Equal Housing Opportunity symbol must be present. It doesn’t have to be very big, but it needs to be there. Mine is on every page of my blog sites in the sidebar along with my license information.

How about contact information? I have so many ways to contact me, you can get overload, but so many of those websites out there don’t have a real person that you can get in touch with unless you fill out one of their forms and then that information will probably be sold to a third party. Is that what you want, or do you want a real person? Check out some of the places you find on a Google search and let me know if you find the EHO logo or license or contact information. Even national lenders have the Equal Housing logo on their websites. They also have contact information, but I personally think you are better off contacting me.

Basically, I am suggesting that it would be wise to check out the site you are on before committing to filling out a form, they may be gathering your information just to sell it. Know who you are dealing with. Watch out for masks. My smiling (although not too handsome) face is all over my websites.

Contact me

Navigating the mortgage approval process can be daunting. You need someone on your side. I am available right now to help you with the loan process and know the ins and outs of FHA, VA, USDA and conventional financing. If you want to buy a home using an FHA loan or refinance using VA, I am here to help. Contact me at Alpine Mortgage Planning, 1200 Executive Pkwy., Ste. 100, Eugene OR 97401, 541-342-7576/541-221-3455 cell or by e-mail. Only you can make the choice it is time to get the process started.