2024 Holidays Schedules that Delay COEs

Real estate and lending deadlines are like a line of dominoes- when the first one falls, it has a synergistic effect on all actions that come later.

Using Loan Officers to Screen Buyers & Close Deals

But with time management, prepping the client with info, and knowing where/how specific dates affect your client, you can get a 5-figure comm check while setting up a lifetime of repeat business and referrals.

Banking Holidays

Anytime the Federal Reserve or State government offices are closed, so are all institutional lenders; County Recorders will also be closed, leading to many title and escrow companies shutting down.

National Holidays and Festivities 

Reduced service levels run deeper than just banking holidays. Cultural festivities” can impact service levels as well.

But, unlike a client’s birthday or anniversary which can be planned for, many holidays are “en masse” societal events affecting everyone’s role in the transaction.

U.S Dept of Labor Statistics  Data on absences from work

It’s NOT just your supports staffs causing delays- buyers and sellers are just as guilty of self-inflicted delays as anyone else.

For Example: 

When does a 30-day COE become a 35-40 day COE; it’s usually over the 4th of July holiday. 

The “4th” is (often) seen as the first long “get away-travel time” and follows a cycle of “Moms-Dads-Grads and Memorial Days activities, with more extended family vacations reserved for later during the summer.

The “4th” usually entails travel, family activities, and often copious amounts of alcohol as fireworks fill the air.

And the “4th is not exclusively celebrated on the Friday/Monday Calendar days. Few of your clients will be working the day before (Monday) or all that is “with it” on July 5.

In 2023, the “4th” falls on Tuesday, further impeding any quick COEs. In 2024 the 4th will be on Thursday. If an offer is accepted on June 4; and has a 30-day COE, it is unlikely that COE will happen on time, despite everyone’s best efforts.

How Did March Madness Affect Work Productivity?

Other “cultural phenoniums” are also disruptive factors in the COE timeline.

Super Bowl Can Mean Super Absences the Next Day

Betting Pools, College Bowl Games, March Madness, and Superbowl Mondays are just several of the other examples.

Counting Backwards from COE
So, before you write an offer for a quick close, factor in these dates.

In Conclusion
“No Matter What Happens-Your, fault, My fault – Nobody’s fault”
(John Wayne-Big Jake)

In today’s world of labor/material shortages, even one slight misstep (by anyone) can lead both lenders and agents to a loss of a buyer’s/seller’s repeat business and a lifetime of referrals. 

Rarely do clients acknowledge their part when the deal goes south; they blame others for the sour taste in their mouth as movers show up late (if at all), utilities don’t get turned on, or maintenance people arrive.

Most likely, they blame their agent! Or, their MLO. Or, BOTH! Hopefully, the insights I provided here will help you avoid that!

FYI: When a deal ends badly; the MLO should take the blame. Most agents rely on their “Sphere of Influence” for a successful career. Better for the MLO  to take responsibility so that agents can go on holidays and family without stressing. After all, the agent is an MLOs referral source unhappy clients aren’t!!!