Archives of real estate blog entries for May 14, 2007 (Page 7)

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Keller Williams Realty Fayetteville Wealth Building Seminar - June 7th - 09:53 PM
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Portland Maine - A Destination City! - 02:16 PM
Portland Maine has long been considered on of America's finest small cities.  Over the last several years, however, many nationally recognized publication and authorities are also "finding" us on the map.  Some recent examples of national recognition include:
Ranked #12 in the world by Frommer's in its list of Top Travel Destinations for 2007. Ranked #20 in Inc. Magazine 2006 Boom Town List of Hottest Cities for Entrepreneurs. Ranked #7 on the 2005 list of the 100 Best Art Towns in America. (The Countryman Press, April 2005) Named #15 in medium sized Top U.S. Cities for Doing Business. In the overall category … (1 comments)

Mortgage Market Update - For the Week of May 14th, 2007 - 01:58 PM
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Questions That Loan Officers/Brokers Have To Ask!!! - 09:18 PM
This past week there were at least two blogs written “Another one bits the dust!!!” and “Miami Real Estate Dilemma”, about Closings falling apart at the last minute.  These Closings fell apart because things that should have been addressed on the forth page of the 1003 (Loan Application) in the “Declaration Section” were not addressed, or maybe not even asked by the Loan Officer/Broker at the time of application.  The forth page is a page of the 1003 that might not be given as much attention by some Loan Officers or Brokers, as is given to the other three pages of … (58 comments)

The Codgers didn’t Post this Morning—and it’s ALL MY FAULT! - 07:58 PM
By Medford Ambrose
Okay, I admit it, Jay didn’t post a “Good morning Gentle Readers” post this fine Monday morning, and…well…it’s because I distracted him with a better offer! I dragged him up to Cyber Two Harbors before dawn. Why? You might well ask.
I got us a former Cyber Great Lakes fishing trawler. 70’ (waterline) hull length, with a beam of 24’, the boat is powered by a pair of 200hp Cummins Diesel (of course, biodiesel), oh never mind, this is a cyber-boat! It doesn’t need an engine!
Were it a real boat, it would have a maximum speed … (28 comments)

Seeking a Rehab Loan? - Jo Swain to Speak, Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 12:03 PM
The Two Rivers REIA , a Central Iowa-based, Real Estate Investors Association, will host Jo Swain from Wells Fargo Rehab Lending on Wednesday, May 16th, at 6:00PM.  This will be our last Wednesday night meeting until September.   (Saturday meetings continue throughout the summer).   
Mr. Swaim has over 9 years experience with rehab lending and is responsible for the Iowa and Nebraska territories.  While a high percentage of the loans her department originates are for owner-occupants, investors may seek and obtain loans as well.   Advantages include the ability to obtain properties that need significant repairs and to obtain "Subject-to" financing based on a "after rehab" valuation. 
As a sponsor of this group, and the … (0 comments)

Finding motivators sellers (for OO and NOO's) - 11:31 PM
I sometimes find it amusing that so much time is spent by investors wondering how they will find motivated Sellers.  Being "in the industry" of real estate sales, of course, allows me a different perspective than if I weren't a professional Realtor.
The way we (REALTORS) discover motivated Sellers is to interview an interested prospect, perform the market analysis, go through the process of explaining fantasy pricing (what they'd like to get) vs. reality pricing (the likely market price), then to coach the sellers on the need for proper preparation.  If they want a maximum price, they must provide a product of the quality indicated by the price.   
As … (2 comments)

It's Monday and I want Chocolate - 11:46 PM
What do you do to decompress? I have a habit of jumping onto Active Rain, hoping that some sage advice will jump up and sooth my brow. It's more productive than eating chocolate and move time consuming than a pedicure.
Last Thursday I received an offer to present to sellers who live out of town. The acceptance time was 24 hours or 5 P.M. Friday. So Thursday I called and asked if I could fax the offer. The sellers asked me to fax the offer Friday, after of hours of failure we decided to try again Saturday. So Saturday I drove … (8 comments)

Charlotte NC Plants and Flowers - 12:01 PM
A little spring primer (I know, it's taken me a while to write this one!) about plants and flowers in North Carolina.  In working with many folks who relocate to Charlotte NC and surrounding areas, one of the subjects we discuss are plants.  (You know, Realtors DO wear a lot of hats, don't we?).
Our climate is very friendly to the gardener-as long as you know what kind of soil you've got and how to manage it!  Around the Charlotte NC area, the predominant soil is red clay.  You've heard all about it-and it's all true.  It stains everything it touches, turns … (8 comments)

PLEASE Be Safe Out There! - 07:53 PM
Just read the most disturbing news article, about a Realtor who got raped on Saturday while out previewing a home. 
We all hear the warnings about interviewing our clients and being smart when meeting strangers, but this story in particular shook me badly.  I preview a LOT of homes for my clients.  It has honestly never occurred to me that someone might follow me into a house and attack me.
Am I just lucky?
We've all got to be smart out there.  Check out your surroundings before leaving your car.  Make sure you have an escape route.  And for the love of … (14 comments)

Abbreviated Appreciation Curtails Cash-Outs - 09:30 AM
As home appreciation slows, homeowners with less equity to tap are holding onto their mortgages longer and fewer are risking larger mortgages when they do refinance.
In another sign of the boom-gone-bye-bye times, in the first quarter of 2007, the median appreciation of refinanced property was 24 percent, down from 31 percent a year ago, according to Freddie Mac's Cash-Out Refinance survey of its loans.
The refinanced loan was also older than it was a year ago, 3.3 years on average in the first quarter this year, compared to an average 3 years old a year ago.
Also, 82 percent of … (0 comments)

Taking Proper HOA Minutes - 09:35 AM
The worst basis for a set of good minutes is a bad meeting. If the president does not understand or practice the fundamentals of parliamentary procedure, the resulting minutes will reflect the inevitable chaos. Minutes are the record of the official action of the assembly. So there must be a vote of the assembly to have any official action. If a meeting has no voting, it isn't a meeting, but rather a collection of people engaged in discussion. It is also a waste of time.
Taking minutes is not taking dictation. As the name implies, minutes should be brief. Brevity, however, … (0 comments)

Seller Subsidies Legal at Settlement... Cash Back to Buyer is Not. - 09:41 AM
As many real estate markets have transitioned to a buyers market, the practice of seller subsidies has returned with a vengeance. Each time this topic comes up, I receive emails questioning the practice of the seller helping the buyer with closing costs or cash back as being a violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which was passed into law in 1975.
The Act regulates various practices in the industry, including provision of "timely disclosures of the nature and costs of the real estate settlement process," according to background information from the U.S. Treasury Department. "The act also protects borrowers … (1 comments)

Is Paying Off Your Mortgage Actually Costing You? - 09:00 AM
Many Americans still believe that paying off your mortgage is the best thing you can do.  After all, it is a guaranteed savings, right?  Well, let's take a look at it further.
Right now, there is a new craze in the mortgage industry, one that is being marketed heavily and is being presented as the best solution for you to pay off your mortgage in as little as 7 years.  But is this the best thing for you, or could it actually be costing you more money?
Those that offer these programs have different names for them, Money Merge Accounts, Mortgage Accelerator, Homeownership … (7 comments)

ATTENTION LISTING AGENTS: Here is a Creative Way To Sell Your Listing - 09:26 AM
We all know it is a dog eat dog world out there, especially in the current market.  So how do you get potential buyers to think differently about your listing? 
One of the biggest problems you may face in trying to sell a home is that regarding the financing of the home, right?  Many people looking at homes are trying to figure how much it will cost monthly, can they afford it, and what kind of incentives are in it for them.  Why not address these concerns in your listing?
I know, there are legalities to contend with and you want to … (4 comments)

Blogging Milestones - Here Are Mine to Date - 10:50 AM
This is my 121st post to date here on ActiveRain.  Of course, I have done many others elsewhere, so I really do not know how many I actually have, so I am only going to focus on the AR accomplishments I have made so far.
I have seen many people on AR write posts on their achievements here on AR.  I like it more when others write about your achievements, just to be honest.  So, as you can see by the timing of this post, I don't worry to much about mine or focus on them. 
There are a lot of better … (3 comments)

Michigan Boating, Fishing Reports, and Forums (updated 5/17/07) - 08:15 PM
 
I was at Aggressive Marine this afternoon. Aggressive Marine is one of Commerce Townships largest marine dealers. Spring boating fever was in full swing as people picked up their boats. Notices went out in February to schedule a pick-up or delivery appointment. Those that didn't pay attention will be So Out of Luck come Memorial Day weekend. Aggressive Marine's calendar of events. Some events are outside of Oakland County.
Michigan is second only to Florida in registered boaters. As we officially begin this years boating season, please take some time to brush up on your boating safety. Additional information can be found … (3 comments)

Commercial Real Estate - 03:35 PM
I wanted to announce my career change and let everyone know that I am no longer in the mortgage industry and have transitioned over to Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Co commercial real estate.  We only specialize in Commercial real estate transactions and do NO residential.  Sorry I haven't blogged lately but things have been a little crazy over the last several months.
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DID REDFIN SHOW UP OR DID THEY CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW FROM THEIR COMPUTER? - 10:05 AM
Did you look into the sky this morning? Redfin might have left a dark cloud over the Real Estate industry.
After reading through the 60 minutes interview  with Redfin I just could not believe my eyes. How can an Internet start up company sit there and accuse our industry of charging the consumer too much? In my opinion it is just another way to promote propaganda warfare. All you need is one person in our industry to go to the media and once again manipulate the public. Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought as a Realtor we are not supposed to discuss any of these … (58 comments)

I JUST RECIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE NAR REGARDING THE 60 MINUTES SHOW - 06:27 PM
If anyone is interested I just received an email from the NAR regarding the 60 minutes show.
If anyone wants me to forward the email to you please let me know ..you probably received it already.
I also included this link from the actual story on the NAR site. Interesting rebuttal from NAR.
I think CBS should here your rebuttals as well
… (23 comments)

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