[Gary7]

Hi. We are hoping to contact a mortgage loan originator to discuss the mortgage process.

We want to purchase in the fall .. but are looking at getting all of our ducks in order

Does anyone have any recommendations from this list (from the Citizens website listing their mortgage loan originators)?
Glenda Adams
James Balthazer
Casey Cree
Robert Cree
Richard Grossman
Dawn Duval
Sharon Jensen
Brenda Faye Nelson
Oliver Chad Eston
Isabel Maria Quisenberry
Anthony Sciacchitano
Dean Smith
Debra Smith
Steve Koller


Thank you.

[shighsmi]

We used Robert Cree He was easy to talk and deal with.

[JaniceOhio]

I like Debra Smith. Easy to deal with.. )

[Bonanza]

Out of curiosity, why are you considering getting a mortgage through only Citizens?

[SandB]

We worked with Rich Grossman. He did a good job of coordinating our process.

[outahere]

We worked with Chad Oliver - friendly, knowledgeable and responsive to emails and phone calls.

[Chipper]

We used Debra Smith also. Answered all our questions promptly.

[manaboutown]

Shop your loan before you commit. You will likely save thousands!

[msbrit]

Sharon Jensen was excellent but I too would explore other possibilities as well as Citizens before making a decision

[villager]

Dean Smith!

[Steve & Deanna]

We used Brenda Nelson and got pre-approved prior to buying anything about a year or two prior. We came back to TV, found a home, made an offer, made a deal and Citizens Whls Mgtg was contacted (across the street from the sales office), info was sent over prior to 4pm and because somebody(???) didn't open their mail, it cost us 1/2% in mortgage rate. The pertinent paperwork was filled out, we went back up north to send in a couple of documents, which we did. Then, the day before closing, we found out that a 'senior mortgage processor' had taken sick, was out for a week and our paperwork sat on her desk. No one followed up on her duties. All of a sudden, we get a phone call and they needed paperwork to be 'overnighted'. That was four years ago. Our experience was ......OK at best. Not pointing fingers as the people were quite pleasant to deal with but had I to do it over again, I would shop. That extra 1/2 per cent really teed me off, naturally but it seems like with any deal, you have to baby-sit the process which is aggravating given the number of dollars they make off from you. I thought that dealing with them that they would have my best interest. Just remember, it's your money.

[gomoho]

Shop your options - Citizens does not usually provide the best rate and they will try and scare you into going with them with the issue of closing on time. Get a good reputable lender and you shouldn't have any problem meeting the deadlines. I actually closed a VA loan in less than 30 days with ERA mortgage buying a home in The Villages - of course they said it couldn't be done.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Shop your options - Citizens does not usually provide the best rate and they will try and scare you into going with them with the issue of closing on time. Get a good reputable lender and you shouldn't have any problem meeting the deadlines. I actually closed a VA loan in less than 30 days with ERA mortgage buying a home in The Villages - of course they said it couldn't be done.

In 2011 we bought a spec house and had to close in 30 days. I could not get my NY credit union to move fast enough, so we went with Citizens First. Looking to refinance now. Citizens is still about 1% higher than my credit union. Have not taken action yet, but will before the year is out.

[Cathy H]

I believe the Citizens bank is owned by one of the developers many corporations, sooooooo.......as others here advise, explore other financing options, you may save $.

[Gary7]

Why Citizens? We heard if you buy a new house they have a 30 day closing process and some costs are waved.
Are there any down-sides of Citizens besides a higher interest rate?
... Thanks :-)