Business ProfileforSterling Associates

I had to put one star. 0 stars was not allowed.Did you know that Sterling Associates does mobile home mortgages as well as boats? This company was recommended by one of the communities where I was interested in purchasing a home. I had talked to a few other mortgage companies, and Sterling had the lowest rates, so I continued the process with them. From the first step of getting pre-qualified, to the closing and after, the level of unprofessionalism was unparalleled. Instead of giving me an amount that I could use as a purchase budget, I was instructed to find a home and inform them when I made an offer. When getting to the point where I needed to sign documents, everything had to be printed off and signed, then faxed back. Since this is a fairly archaic way of completing documents, I asked why. The response I received was that most people couldn't get it right which meant the VP received "17 calls for instructions" and it was easier to just do it this way.They deal with one title company and one appraisal company. Since the buyer is allowed to choose who they would like to perform the services, I requested different companies. I was told that wouldn't work.I received documents that stated I had the option to pay my taxes and insurance independently, instead of through escrow. When both items were listed on the disclosures, I was told the bank was requiring they be escrowed. I asked for the updated documents that stated that. My requests were never answered and I never received the updated terms.In addition to my personal issues with the company, Sean R, VP, was able to alienate 2 separate realtors, that were working on the sale. His failure to return calls made their jobs frustrating.My list of issues goes on, but I think these few examples gives a good idea of the incompetence and ill preparedness Sterling has to deal with home mortgages.Even after the closing, issues continued which is the reason I felt strongly about posting a review.

This is the response from the person who worked with the buyer.I am extremely disappointed in my customer and the complaint to the ******************** regarding the purchase of a manufactured home.She was first upset when I wouldnt give her a generic prequalification for purchasing a manufactured home and I informed her that we are owned by a bank and they will not let me do a prequalification. Instead she was instructed to find a home, apply for that home and then use that approval to shop with her realtor (realtors do not want to waste time with buyers that are not financeable). We had her approved on the home with a bank and the original approval was escrow optional however when the home came back in a flood zone the bank then required her to escrow her taxes and insurance. She was advised of the home being in a flood zone and the escrow requirement immediately and let me know how disappointed she was that escrow was now being required. She found her own flood insurance for an additional $2100 per year however I told her ************************** includes Flood coverage in their normal policy and gave her their number. She went with them and saved over $2000 and was very happy but still upset she was now required to escrow. She was also upset when I asked her to print the flood certificate, sign it and send it back via US Mail s she thought she should be able to esign the document. When I told her we are not esign compliant and the lender would not accept it she begrudgingly agreed to do as I asked. Everything asked of her was to keep us in compliance with what we are required to do.(the flood certificate needs to be signed at least 10 days prior to closing so the buyer has ample time to obtain flood coverage)Her biggest issue was trying to schedule the closing of her old home and the purchase of the new home on the same day. I assured her we could get that done no problem and to reach out once her first closing was scheduled. She repeatedly called trying to schedule our closing and I repeated informed her we need the funds from her sale in order to purchase so that closing needed to be scheduled first. They were both finally scheduled.The biggest issue came when the title company showed up 1.5 hours late for the closing thus delaying her move and costing her additional funds for the move.I counted 33 emails from her to me, 21 from me back to her and estimate over 50 calls from her throughout the process. I would guestimate the average deal has about 10 emails going each way.We gave her the lowest rate, great service and saved her over $2000 on her flood insurance. I went above and beyond for a customer.This has never happened to me in my 33 years of doing this and probably over 5000 closings