I Hope You Are Not THAT Client!!


Author: Ella Gurfinkel August 13, 2025 Duration: 43:07
Podcast episode
I Hope You Are Not THAT Client!!

You won’t believe the stories we’ve seen in the mortgage world. Brooke Srackangast and I share the craziest deals, the wildest clients, and those moments that make us want to pour a glass of wine… or two.

My guest:
Brooke Srackangast
Loan Officer
NMLS #2026752

From buyers ghosting us hours before closing…
To clients painting houses without telling anyone…
To ruined vacations thanks to last-minute disasters…

But it’s not all madness — we also share the heartwarming moments that remind us why we do this in the first place. This is the real behind-the-scenes of mortgage lending — the chaos, the comedy, and the clients that keep us going.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Let’s Talk About Crazy Mortgage Stories
01:00 – Buyer Walks Away at the Last Minute
03:18 – Painting the House Without Asking
06:30 – Flooring Mistake That Delayed Closing
08:00 – Vacation Ruined by a Mortgage Deal
12:17 – The Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Client
14:10 – Breaking the Credit Rules & Nearly Losing the House
18:20 – Buying Furniture Too Early
20:00 – The Fake Power of Attorney Drama
21:30 – Family Interference in Deals
23:07 – “I Was a Lender 20 Years Ago…”
24:49 – The Rate-Shopping Nightmare
27:08 – How to Verify a Loan Officer
30:06 – Why Big Bank Promises Can Be Misleading
32:31 – Builder Lenders vs Real Mortgage Options
33:49 – Crazy Realtors: Micromanaging the Lender
36:45 – The Agent Who Called My Boss
38:02 – Good Stories: Why We Do What We Do
40:02 – Helping a Widow Start Over
41:18 – It’s Not About the Money, It’s About the People
42:01 – Good People Know Good People
43:00 – Final Cheers & Why We Stay in the Game

I'm Ella Gurfinkel, a Senior Loan Officer at Fairway IMC, and since Valentine’s Day 1996, I've been helping clients to achieve the cornerstone of the American dream - Homeownership. I take the time to find solutions for the most complex situations, even if it consists of 1,000 pieces.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news! Like, share, and subscribe to my videos.
I am here if your home loan questions need answering.

Website: https://www.fairwayindependentmc.com/lo/ella-gurfinkel-188161?nmls=188161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamEllaPortland
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TeamElla_Fairway
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-gurfinkel/

This Channel has been created to make your home purchase (or refinance) easier and simpler.  To help you avoid making mistakes in this sometimes crazy process and to simply answer the questions you may be too afraid to ask!

Ella Gurfinkel | Senior Loan Officer | NMLS 188161
503-358-7769 | ella.gurfinkel@fairwaymc.com | www.teamellaportland.com
FIMC NMLS 2289 | 6650 SW Redwood Ln Suite 215, Portland, OR 97224

#EllaGurfinkel #mortgagestories #realestatefails


More episodes

Duration: 4:20
Grant Cardone says you should never buy a home. Is he right — or selling you something? In this episode, I take a hard look at one of the most controversial pieces of financial advice online: renting vs. buying in 2025.I…

Duration: 12:51
Most calculators oversimplify the answer—and that’s why so many people make the wrong choice. I’ll break it down with real numbers, side by side, so you can decide with confidence.This episode is for anyone stuck between…

Duration: 11:14
Buyer short on funds at closing? I’ve rescued hundreds of deals when buyers came up thousands short just days before closing. I share my exact playbook to save your deal fast—whether it’s renegotiating seller concessions…

Duration: 7:19
Appraisal came in $30K low? Your deal — and your commission — might feel like it’s slipping away. But it doesn’t have to.I’ve rescued countless transactions from low appraisals, and in this video, I share my full playboo…

Duration: 11:04
Most agents think they know how down payment assistance works — until their deals fall apart at the last minute.Here’s the truth: most local and “too-good-to-be-true” DPA programs never close. But in this video, I’m reve…

Logo
Select station
VOL