Wow, you guys are harsh.  I'm really disappointed to read most of these answers.  I guess you think that you and the whole world should work 24/7.  Think about what you're saying.

I'm with Jeff Pearl .  My first inclination is that the buyer and buyer's agent are responsible for not planning ahead, esp as they've been looking for a year, and esp as holiday weekend is approaching/here.

That aside, if there is an immediate need, go to the next one on your list and call that person to see if can be done now or else try the next one.

This to me is very poor planning and I would never blame the lender who is about to take vacation...and btw has other clients too.

I'm pretty disgusted by this.

My first thought is that any buyer that has been looking for nearly a year should already have a recent preapproval lettter in their possession for the price range they ar approved for. I would go with #1, but tell the loan officer that buyer is still shopping for a lender. At least the loan officer would have a chance of actually becoming the loan officer for that buyer.

I have a lender that will get me the information I need when I need it.

Find a new lender ASAP, Joe Petrowsky does practice in Florida, then move on to options 2 and 3.

I'd impress upon the lender that the offer is going in and they need a prequal to accompany it.  Of course, you can also contact the listing agent and see if they would be presenting over the weekend.  IF the seller is out of town (or the agent is), then Tuesday is just fine and dandy!

I agree with Kenneth J. Jones .  A

Refer to another lender you trust for the letter.

Definitely find a new lender, many were working over the Holiday weekend.

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 if you have spent one year, I'd opt for #3 and work on getting pre-approval through another lender 

If it a lender that the other agent will recognize and respects then I will say they may wait until Tuesday. If they won't find a lender that is working.

As a Mortgage Broker, I make myself available all the time. A lender, if they really want your business, and value it, should understand that if you work, they should work. I would assume that since the buyers have been looking for nearly a year, so the lender has all the information on them, (and updated it), so it would really take him/her 5 minutes of their time. If a lender can not give you 5-10 minutes to get out a pre-approval, it's time to find a lender that does. Now, if the listing agent is out of town, or won't present the offer over the weekend, then Tuesday is OK, but I would still look for a better lender. That's just not the way I do business.

#1. It takes minutes to get( refresh provably in your case) a pro approval. Waiting till Tuesday can cost you a home. 

Kick the current lender to the curb.  If he leaves town over a long weekend without having someone covering  his business, he will not get mine.

I would refer them to another lender that is willing to get the job done when it needs to be done, which is NOW.

You may b eable to leverage their existing contract somhow but that would be a stretch for most Sellers. Both, 1 & 2 would be utilized if it was me which leaves 3 by itself hanging on to a wish and a prayer.

2  we work all the time, if the lender wants business they could do a letter at least.

Another lender, poor service at the start will result in poor service at the end.

I have buyers looking for a year. If they want a monthly updated pre-approval they must do their part. Buyers job on long term looking in tight market as follows:

1. I agree to update CG on the 15th of every month with my recent paystub and bank statements

2. I agree to respond to emails or calls in 12 hours.

3. I will not buy a car, furniture, close accounts, cosign or loan my money

4. I will stay on my job, stay the course, be kind to my spouse and pay my bills

Lender will:

a. Send updated pre-APPROVAL on the 16th of every month

b. check with buyer on shopping on the 15th of every month

c. answer emails and calls in 2 hours from 7 AM - 7 PM after hours response

time is subject to next day

----

Okay is it the buyers not updating lender? 

If lender worked with them for a year could they not update file?

Did buyer never go to lender (then don't make offer they aren't treating this like business and aren't ready)

Every loan rep I know of that is worthy of the trade can tell you if someone flies or dies of course subject to the final review. I want to hear: We can do this or we cannot do this or I don't know. Getting back to me is not an option

Tell them you want a faster turn around and whoever produces the first gets the job.

Sorry no exceptions.

I'd get another lender....fast.... and remove that one from the list....

First, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth about that lender, My preferred one always has his assistant help when he is not available. And he has built an excellent reputation that way. Isn't that how real estate works too? When buyers want to see a home this Memorial Day Weekend, do you put him/her off until you get back on Tuesday? Watch that buyer get snapped up by someone else! Service is what we sell!!!

It depends on my relationship with the lender if I would remove them from my list, but I would definitely have my buyers contact another lender from my list who could provide them the service they need and when they need it.

You could certainly do any/all of the three choices there.

But I would start with listing agent/seller. If you can provision that the Q letter will be delivered no later than EOB Tuesday, and they'll agree, you will be good. You may even ask the vacationing lender to email you that the letter is a technicality, they're not available to do it but the buyer is otherwise good to go. If it's a known local lender, perhaps that will carry some weight.

Failing that . . . NEXT lender! If the buyer wants to not lose out. I don't think it's fair to engage another lender if they're not getting to do the loan.

Doesn't it ALWAYS happen right before someone's vacation, though? ;)

I would suggest they contact another lender - I have several just for this reason as you describe - my better ones all work if I need them to - including holidays!

Defintely try to convince your buyer to contwact one of your trusted funding sources and get it done. She can always shop lenders after getting the home under contract.