Talk About Benchmark Magic!!

Talk about Benchmark Magic!! This was Houdini-like!

This past Friday while in the meeting in Key Biscayne[ on the Benchmark Production Trip for 2017], my Loan Manager Tim let me know the desk review on the loan for my personal Financial Planner came in quite a bit lower. A field review was now needed, and those can take 3-4 days. Of course closing was the following Thursday, (back to back closing and moving trucks lined up et al) so with TRID we needed to get the field review back on Monday, clear to close through Vicki in underwriting, lockdesk cleared and closing docs out to the attorney by end of biz on Monday. And this was Friday late morning… Ummm. Good luck with that…!!

I got with Poulin, who had us circle the wagons with Debbie Neill for a super-rush appraisal request for the field review.

We received the field review Monday early afternoon, value was confirmed, and within an hour we had Clear to Close, and closing department was getting docs out.

I have been in this biz for 27+yrs, and even when I owned my own company, I would not have thought it possible for this to happen in our crazy industry.

THANK YOU to Tim Jones, Jim Poulin, Vicki Maley, Debbie Neill, lockdesk, and our amazing closing department.
It is an honor to work with all of you; the focus is always on the client, and THAT is what makes the Benchmark Magic so powerful!!

Great job all! Happy Client Out of the Hat trick a success!

Chris Young — Greensboro NC Branch Manager

Behind Us When The Extraordinary Was Needed

Hi Debbie[Appraisal Customer Service Manager]/Laurie[Condo Project Coordinator]:

Thanks to both of you, we were able to get a Clear to Close in time for next week’s closing.

Our borrower’s MUST move ASAP in order to care for their very ill daughter and to be able to act as guardians for their grandchildren (see the attached letter).

The area they needed to move to which is near to their daughter is a VERY hot neighborhood with many offers on every new listing.

As the seller was ready to accept a cash offer, I made a promise to the seller’s side that we would close this loan in 3 weeks.

Both of you played a huge role in taking it upon yourselves to make this a priority in your work day as well as the evening to make sure the Appraisal and the Condo review happened as quickly as possible.

Thank you both for being behind us when the extraordinary was needed.. You really came through and we truly appreciate it!

Best Regards,

Jay Lillianthal — Sr. Loan Originator in Freehold, NJ

An Amazing Partner!

I seriously love her[Kandy Coomer] so much. I am sure that you both are aware of this fact but I just have to say it again.

She is an amazing partner!

Robyn Knight — Branch Operations Manager in McKinney, TX

Excited About Our Opportunity Here At Benchmark

Debbie,

Thanks so much for asking.

It’s fantastic. I really am excited about our opportunity here at Benchmark.

My panel is working great. In fact, I was talking with one of them the other day and mentioned he may not have gotten an order because it was fair distance from him. He responded, “send me those orders” the way Benchmark works I am happy to go.

When I pressed him a bit, he said we pay quickly and don’t have an AMC. So it’s working just as planned.

Have a great week!

Dylan Kramer — Branch Manager in Oakbrook Terrace, IL

This Made Quite The Impression

I want to give a big shout out to Jim Copeland. We were having some huge issues with a one of our computers that a new employee was having and he went above and beyond the call of duty.

It would have been easy to just “send us a new computer” and I would have rolled with it. However, Jim spent a big chunk of his time working through a variety of possible problems to identify the one we had. It was not a quick or easy fix. But it got done. Additionally, I had been speaking with this new employee about the “Benchmark way of doing things” and this made quite the impression.

She got the idea very quickly that we don’t just talk a good game here about great service and going the extra mile. Please recognize Jim for doing exactly that, going the extra mile!

Dylan Kramer — Branch Manager in Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Your Company Is To Be Commended

I am writing to inform you how pleased my wife and I are with the services provided by Jay Lillianthal of your Freehold, NJ office. We recently closed on a home in Jackson, NJ and utilized Jay’s services in obtaining a mortgage for the property.

From the outset of our discussions through closing, Jay was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and completely service oriented. When we met him, he told us to call him anytime day, night or weekend. When questions or issues came up, he provided correct answers and suggestions, and made us comfortable throughout the process.

When the title company ran into timing issues before our closing and was late in providing us with information, Jay stepped up to get us through this nerve-racking time.

Your company is to be commended for having a Senior Loan Officer of Jay’s high caliber.

Sincerely,

Sam S. | Satisfied Benchmark Client in Jackson, NJ

Your Team Of Closers Are So Awesome

I just want to say that your team of closers are so awesome. They are patient , kind always willing to explain, go above and beyond to get everyone to the closing table as peaceful as possible given some very tough circumstances and timelines sometimes.  I cannot express how much all of them are just so sweet and never harsh or hurried. Even if they have multiple things going on they are professional and give me calm timely response so I can manage the borrowers appropriately.  Kuddos to an awesome team!

Kerry Marcus | Loan Processor Assistant in Milford, PA

A True Professional With A Servant Heart

So the loan has its clear to close and so many people involved with the transaction think the job is done and I know it is not however sometime I think it is :)

I have first-hand confirmation that attorneys are not the easiest people to work with nor are their gate keepers.  Even when we are on cruise control from time to time there is a last-minute change – this is not pressure, this is STRESS however everyday this is what the closer does.

I am thankful for every Benchmark closer…they have a very hard job to push and pull the loan across the finish line.   Here is what is crazy…not one closer is better than another closer – everyone the works on my files is a true professional with a servant heart to make things happen!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE OF OUR CLOSERS – I am thankful for what you do every day during normal business hours and for the extra effort after business hours too.

Kevin Martini — Branch Manager in Raleigh, NC

Indicative Of Who We Are At Benchmark!

I wanted to reach out and recognize a few awesome team members!

First of all, Debi and Candy on the appraisal team recently did a tremendous job hosting a Panel Q/A focused on appraisal training for approximately 20 of our age. The reviews were so good we are doing it again!

Also, huge shout out to processing, underwriting and docs for working tirelessly to get a challenging deal done. Robyn lead our ops team, Raina and Shellie on our team stepped it up getting conditions and processing completed, and Doreen Braun and Gina in doc drawing worked after hours to get things done!! Very nice and indicative of who we are at Benchmark!

Just sharing! Thanks!

Tom Sherman — Branch Manager in Plano, TX

Consistently There For Us

I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know what an outstanding job Melissa Truex does for us. Sometimes you forget how good someone is, because there are never any issues. We have worked with a couple other closers recently and it reminded me just how great of a job Melissa really does. Melissa is a top-notch closer and never (for us) makes mistakes! Every time our branch needs anything she is consistently there for us, if she doesn’t know the answer to our question(s) she will find out from someone who does. We could not be more thankful to have her as a part of our team.

Russell Gerry — Branch Manager in Louisville, KY