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Have you ever held interface with an air traffic controller under stressful conditions?
I did recently and, basically, I have developed a new found respect for those working in that profession.
Here’s the story:
Tom phones in a consult. Articulate. Brevity of words, yet thorough in his explanation concerning why he required our service.
In a nutshell, his wife had been out on a maternity leave due to a complicated pregnancy which impacted the level of income. Wife had since returned to work so income was no longer a negative factor.
The investor was a mainstream lender [one of the big 5] so no major complications were anticipated.
The challenge: Sale date set in 5 days.
Knowing this, we hit the ground running with no time to spare.
Tom submits all of the documents the very next day so we’re able to deliver to the lender. FAST!
Lender contacts almost immediately with good news:
“We can work this file, we just need proof of the hardship.”
No problem, I think. A baby has been delivered. Who can dispute that fact?
So I contact Tom, its 3 days before sale, lender needs additional docs, I report.
Tom calmly says he’ll work on compiling hospital receipts and’ll fax them over the next day.
Next day. Close of business. No baby docs.
I contact Tom the following day [1 day prior to sale]. Reiterate my request to the automated secretary. Periodically throughout the day I leave voice messages for Tom. With each call I become a little more anxious. Finally, 1 hour before lender close of business, Tom calls. He has forgotten to bring the documents to work with him but will fax them over in the morning.
The morning?
The MORNING?
Did he remember there was a sale scheduled?
I am now in a very animated state!
Listen Tom! [I can feel my control unraveling]. You’ve got to get me those documents NOW.
The sale is set for tomorrow and if your lender doesn’t have them then you are going to lose BIG TIME!
I actually think Tom yawned.
I think he said in a very nonplused voice, “I’ll leave work in about an hour and fax them to you then”.
I use the phrase “I think” because my heart was by that point racing and beating so loudly I could barely keep my seat. We’re headed for a head-on collision and Tom is out for ice cream.
I hang up from Tom and call the lender who is less than amused. Luckily she’s on the late night schedule so she’s agreed to await the fax. We make arrangements for her to leave me a voice message verifying receipt of the fax.
She also says something I had never heard before or since:
“Because of the lateness of the hour, Tom will have to attend the sale and tender the downpayment contribution and the signed Agreement to the trustee hired to process the foreclosure action.”
Bizarre.
I call my rock of a client, Tom.
“Tom,” I say. “You’re going to have to go to the sale.”
“Okay.” he says. “I’m about to fax you the proof.”
Proof arrives. I fax it directly to the negotiator. [I’ve decided to work until I receive verification of the proof and then the forbearance Agreement]. The negotiator calls within the hour. She’s sending the Agreement my way.
I call Tom and alert him to the impending arrival of the contract. He is watching JAG.
I ask him if he has the certified funds in his possession. I ask if he knows where to go. I ask if he has told his boss he’d be in late the next day.
I can hear the smile in Tom’s voice as he says, “Don’t worry, Doc. It will be ok”.
I hang up in frustrated awe.
Next day. Tom makes it to the sale. Just barely. His house is due to be auctioned next. He presents the trustee with the required deal solidifiers. And he’s back at work.
I receive a call from Tom later that day thanking me for the smoothness of the “ride”.
I hang up from Tom and call the negotiator. We’re experiencing that bonding typical of those who have been through a MAJOR ordeal together.
She is just as shell-shocked as I.
Lesson Learned:
Flying over MI when Tom is on duty is probably the safest time to fly.