For most of us, a sandwich was the first meal we learned to make for ourselves. As a result, roughly 50% of Americans consume a sandwich every day. I mean, come on, it’s one of the most simple yet versatile and loved foods on the planet, with countless variations to satisfy every palate.

And yet, for all its popularity, the sandwich is not infallible. Sometimes even the most basic ingredients can go awry—not to mention your more labor-intensive gourmet sammies, like Croque-Monsieur or the classic Sloppy Joe. Unfortunately, it takes just one poorly designed sandwich to realize how bad it can go wrong.

Similarly, over 50% of California’s own a home – so the majority of us have experienced the process of getting a mortgage and understand the essential “ingredients” to a successful close, but for many, it’s the opposite feeling of having your favorite go-to sandwich – it’s a complete drag! So how do you maximize taste, keep everything between the bread, manage any sogginess, and create the best balanced and delicious mortgage sandwich?

3 Items You Need for That Perfect Mortgage Sandwich

1 – Digital Lending for Speed and Efficiency

Getting a mortgage can be very document-intensive, with stacks of papers to collect and sign. And many lenders still work this way, asking for all of your supporting documents upfront, then picking what they need to complete your approval. So, years ago, Guild decided to flip the script and go to a more progressive platform to provide state-of-the-art technology to streamline the application process and minimize the number of documents to gather without sacrificing the human touch. You get all this technology with the guidance of an actual human being.

For example, Guild can verify a borrower’s assets without asking for a bank statement using AccountChek®. Instead of asking for a copy of a paystub or W2, we authenticate the borrower’s employment status digitally, using The Work Number®. Thus, speeding up the process significantly by requiring fewer documents, helping to remove much of the hassle and frustration compared to your more traditional mortgage experience.

2 – THE SECRET SAUCE is Customer Service

Guild Mortgage is known for its customer satisfaction, as evidenced by our #1 Ranking in Customer Satisfaction with Primary Mortgage Origination by J.D. Power*. At Guild, we want our customers to truly get that we are partners in their pursuit of a home. For more than 60 years, we’ve grown through referrals by focusing on doing what’s right. As a result, you can expect from Guild:

• A FOCUS ON YOU – We look for a loan that fits your life. By thoroughly understanding your needs, circumstances, and life goals, we tailor each loan correctly for you.

• HEART – We do what’s right for our customers, partners, employees, and community.

• EXPERTISE – We have a proven track record of closing on time. We mind the details, so you don’t have to.

• COMMITMENT – Wherever you call home, we are there in your community to strengthen and sustain the places people call home.

Guild prides itself on its core value, the promise of home without high-pressure sales tactics. Our goal is to learn more about you, assess your goals, review your financials, then make personalized loan recommendations to give you the necessary tools to make a sound decision either way.  

3 – The Benefits of Keeping your Money Local

I love when I can shop at my local grocery store, send my daughter to summer camp, or go to the movies, knowing my dollars support the people in my neighborhood. The same can be said for every client that comes to me for a mortgage. My team and I are local, familiar with the area, and knowledgeable about the community. We frequent the same businesses like you, and by keeping your dollars within our community, our friends and neighbors can meet their needs and prosper. By focusing on this local availability of wealth, we can create even more opportunities for those around us. 

I know some things are just easier online, as I am not immune to the power of pushing the “Buy Now” link when shopping on Amazon. But, whenever possible, I love the act of handing someone in my neighborhood my money, knowing it’s rewarding the people and businesses that serve our community.

Dan Tharp has been a Mortgage Lender in Sacramento for almost 20 years and would love to help you with your next mortgage.

The above information is for educational purposes only. All information, loan programs, and interest rates are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to underwriter approval. Terms and conditions apply. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction. *Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Primary Mortgage Origination. For J.D. Power 2021 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards