Ruth is a Northern Rivers local, who’s just bought her first house. She tells the story of how she broke up with one of the big four banks - after a relationship of over 30 years and how Summerland’s Loans Expert, Penny, helped secure her dream home, ahead of a competitor.
How it all started
The funny thing is I only found the house I was going to buy about a month ago! There was another buyer and myself, who were competing to buy the same house. Following a deadlock in our offers, the real estate agent suggested a way forward: ‘whoever comes up with the money and exchanges contracts first can have the house’. For the next few days, it felt like I was living through a bad reality TV show!
I frantically rang my bank. After a long period on hold, they said it would take up to 14 working days to get approval for a loan on the house. I was gutted. I couldn’t believe after 30 years of banking with them, and when I needed them most, my loyalty didn’t mean anything.
‘What do I do now?’
Later that Monday, I spoke to a friend, who was a Summerland customer and she immediately told me to phone them. I was so surprised when I was able to book in a face-to-face meeting with one of their Loans Experts, Penny at the Lismore branch that same afternoon. It was certainly an awakening for me as it wasn’t a luxury I’d experienced at my old bank.
When I met Penny, she was so warm and understanding about my financial situation. By the end of our hour meeting she was really clear and gave me a better idea about the potential options available. I was so appreciative of that honesty.
By the time I saw my financial advisor the next day, on Tuesday, Penny had already gone to the trouble of preparing my home loan application. After I’d met her for a follow up meeting, later that day, I couldn’t believe she stayed on to finish my application - even giving me a recommendation for a conveyancer to boot.
On Wednesday morning, Penny phoned me again to advise that she got a valuer to see my property as a priority case. By Thursday morning, the loan was approved. I got the building and pest inspection done later that day – by the afternoon it was all signed off. It was such an amazing feeling.
How Penny made a difference
You’ve probably gathered that I secured the house, and a good two weeks before the other applicant. I can’t say it enough, but that was all down to Penny and Summerland.
In the past, I knew of Summerland, but I didn’t know that all the decisions were made locally within the Northern Rivers, which obviously speeds up the process. Compared to the big banks, where I would have had to wait up to 14 working days for a decision, there’s no comparison.
I can’t say enough about Penny. She shepherded my application through – like when she told the valuer my application was a priority case. I also liked that I had Penny’s direct number, and didn’t have to call the Contact Centre to get through. She made me feel more than just a number.
