Serving first time home buyers have been one of the highlights of my career. An agent who serves first time home buyers need to be able to fully grasp the emotional roller coaster our clients go through. We handle contracts everyday. We take clients from house-hunting through the closing table. We do this seamlessly and professionally but we forget that our first time home buyer clients take a huge emotional baggage with them. Most of all, we as professionals taken for granted many things we do everyday but our first time home buyer clients don't feel exactly the same way.
Did they do the right thing? What if there is a better house out there? What if this, What if that? That's the role real estate agents play in serving this particular segment of the population: First Time Home Buyers.
Well, if you have forgotten what it "feels" like to be a first time home buyer, please read my client's words below. Our first time home buyer clients are packed with all the emotions when buying a home.
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Recently, I was privileged to work with Tracie Gaston - a wonderful client who was very proactive in her quest to homeownership. I cannot find a better client. With Tracie's permission, she wrote:
Hi Loreena,
As you can see below, if you ask me to write something, it's kind of hard for me to make it brief. I know you asked me to give my testimony that was more directed towards my experience as a new homeowner and not necessarily about you. Well, I'm sorry, I have to share my experience with others. I was so lucky to have found you as a realtor. Otherwise, this experience could've been a very different one. Although this is very long, I really hope you have a place to post it because I really want other people to know what an awesome realtor you are!
At the age of 37, I finally decided to take the leap into home ownership. I had been thinking about purchasing a home for years, but always found a reason not to. I think my reasons or excuses for not purchasing a home stemmed from my fear of the unknown.
I was totally clueless about the home buying process, so I did what most first time home buyers do, I got qualified for my loan and started looking for homes via the internet. I found a house I wanted to see, so not knowing any better, I just contacted the agent who posted the listing. Boy was that a mistake. This particular agent did not listen to me when I explained to her what I was looking for in a home, so she basically wasted both my time and hers by showing me houses that I wasn’t interested in. Not only that, the agent wasn't even familiar with the area I was looking in!
At this point, I was very discouraged. I was searching for homes in the Plano/Frisco area. Almost every time I pulled up a listing, Loreena's name and website popped up (kudos to Loreena on her marketing efforts!). I clicked on Loreena's company website one day and started reading her blogs.
I couldn't believe how much valuable information was on her website. If Loreena had this much information on her website, I knew she'd be perfect for a clueless first time home buyer like myself.
I also appreciated that fact that Loreena was not afraid to mix her God First posts with her real estate posts. I contacted Loreena and set up an appointment to view some properties. When I met Loreena and we viewed houses together, I knew she had to be my agent!
I was impressed by Loreena's knowledge of the area and her sincere and honest approach to her job. I don't know how I knew, but somehow I just knew that she would not steer me wrong. I gave Loreena a list of my requirements for my home. One of which was that I did not want an East/West facing home due to the extreme heat from the Texas sun beaming through windows and the backyard.
To my surprise, the next time we toured homes, Loreena assured me that she had previewed the homes to verify that they were North/South facing since that was one of my requirements. I was so impressed and Loreena continued to impress me throughout my entire home buying experience.Loreena walked me through every step of the process and was in touch with me daily to give me updates.
A couple of my faults that I can admit to are that I'm impatient and I get stressed pretty easily. Loreena kept me grounded and stress free throughout the entire process. I think the thing that really made the experience so great is that I truly trusted Loreena. I felt like she always had my best interest in mind and not just her commission. It's so hard to find people you can trust these days and people who actually care about providing good customer service.
Loreena far exceeded my expectations by providing outstanding customer service. I trusted Loreena from the first day I met her and she proved that my gut feeling was correct. I'm also very happy to say that I not only met an awesome realtor but I gained a friend in the process. Thank you Loreena for making my first home buying experience a very pleasant one! After renting all of these years, I finally feel like I'm truly home.
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
I've said it like it is. Have I offended anyone yet? If I have, well - I would be lying if I said I didn't mean to hurt your feelings at least one bit, but I mean to say it just the way I think it will bring enough attention to at least forewarn you.
Here's what I learnt about my tenure in real estate:
A large reserve prior to getting into the business
I started in the business part time because I didn't know if I would make it and whether it was for me. So, when I first became a Realtor(R), all my paycheck went into paying off my last consumer debts (my cars) and then, I built a large cash reserve for when I do get into the business full time.
I saved 12-months of monthly expenses and built a 12-month reserve before I felt comfortable to do this full time.
I kept my business expenses low, real LOW
When I first went into the business, I bought a laptop because it was easier to carry my "office" everywhere I went (I still had a full-time job at work but I didn't feel comfortable doing other work on my corporate computer. I worked on my real estate business at my lunch hour). I already had a cell phone and I didn't increase my cell phone minutes. I paid the dues I need to do and that was it. I did business with my friends, family and referrals. My marketing dollars were ZERO for the first 3 years and it kept me fed. All my friends used me to purchase their first home.
My only marketing was my website, designed and hosted by LinkUSystems. It cost me $29.99 per month and $29.95 per month for my IDX solution from 1parkplace. My website has evolved to what it is today because I work on it everyday. It has been a consistent source of business for me.
I hired a coach when I went into the business full-time.
My coach was Ms. Jennifer Allan. I started the business with some bad habits to have to un-learn. Jennifer helped me do that. I paid Jennifer through my transactions. It was not an upfront fee which I truly appreciate. When I got paid, she got paid.
Then I joined Active Rain in November 2006.
Since I have been grandfathered, I do not pay for my Rainmaker membership. I paid for my outside blog though which costs $19 per month. Thus far, it's the only marketing effort that has produce TREMENDOUS Rain POURING Effort for my business.
If you are a new member now, you have to pay $30 for a Rainmaker membership - and you do this because you want the public to be able to find you on Google. Otherwise, your posts are only made public. All your hyper-local posts will be wasted effort if you are not a Rainmaker.
Total $360 per year, paid monthly. Where can you up? Click on this promotion code to start your Rainmaker membership at $5 the first month.
Try it for 6 months. If it doesn't work out after you tried everything about Blogging Active Rain, you only had $180 to lose.
$300. One of the best education dollars I spent. Read how I turned 400K points into $122K by simply tweaking what I already know with what Katerina Gasset taught in her classes.
I hired a NEW COACH
Many coaches constantly talk about Tiger Woods and how he's already an awesome golf player. But he still had a coach. Guess what? I do what EXCELLENT PEOPLE DO AT THEIR JOB. I mimic them. I hired a coach to keep in tact.
I recently signed up with a new coach to push me even further. Kathy Eppley. In just 4 weeks of coaching, it looks like I will end 2009 with a BANG and to raise the bar even higher for 2010.
I do have other expenses that I spend on. But these are the ones that I know made SIGNIFICANT enhancements for my business.
Now, are you convinced that the Real estate business is NOT for BROKE people?
Quote of the Day: We are What we do repeatedly. Therefore EXCELLENCE is NOT an act but a Habit by Aristotle.
What have you done to ensure your longevity for this business?
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
Jan 1 – November 30, 2009 Rules as enacted February 2009
December 1 – April 30, 2010 Rules as enacted November 2009
First-time Buyer – Amount of Credit
$8000 ($4000 married filing separate)
$8000 ($4000 married filing separate)
First-time Buyer – Definition for Eligibility
May not have had an interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase
-Same-
Current Homeowner – Amount of Credit
No Provision
$6500 ($3250 married filing separate)
Effective Date – Current Owner
No Provision
Date of Enactment
Current Homeowner – Definition for Eligibility
No Provision
Must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years
Current Homeowner – Home Purchase Price
N/A
There is no provision that the "repeat" homebuyer must purchase a property more expensive than the one sold. Only that the home purchase must be less than $800K.
Termination of Credit
Purchases after November 30, 2009.(Becomes April 30, 2010 on Date of Enactment.)
Purchases after April 30, 2010
Binding Contract Rule
None
Written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close
Income Limits
$75,000 – single, $150,000 – married, Additional $20,000 phase out
$125,000 – single, $225,000 – married, Additional $20,000 phase out
Limitation on Cost of Purchased Home
None
$800,000
Purchase by a Dependent
No Provision
Ineligible
Antifraud Rule
None
Purchaser must attach documentation of purchase to tax return
Purchase by a Dependent
There was no age limitation on the original bill and amended for the November Tax Credit. Taxpayer must be at least 18 years old to qualify for the credit. For married taxpayers, the taxpayer shall be treated as meeting the age requirement if the taxpayer or spouse meets the age requirement.
Repeat Buyers
There is no criteria that home buyers must "move up" in house. Only that they
lived in the house for the past 5 out of 8 years as a primary residence. The new
purchase price must not exceed $800,000.
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
Well, after fighting and hanging on for over 9 months, it (Citibank) finally pulled the plug on a short sale listing I was involved in. This post is not a rant, rather a story to share with buyers and sellers that sometimes, no one wins when the property goes into foreclosure. Worse still, after having multiple offers as well as a very good solid offer waiting for 9 months.
Now that it's behind me, I'm going to take this opportunity to spill out the guts of this transaction. Very sad and most of all, I feel horrible for having a very disappointing client.
I represent the Buyer. We went into contract after the property was on the market for 6 months. When we submitted the offer, the listing agent advised us that her client has stopped making mortgage payments on the house that very month. This was February 2009. Okay, nothing alarming - in my opinion.
The owner of the property was deceased and her mother was the executor of the estate. The mother lives in Illinois while the property was located in Allen, TX. Just the perfect house for my client.
This was a regular sale when we went into contract. We inspected the home and my client worked on getting his loan. There were some property condition issues that came up that had to be a part of the loan approval process. This went on for almost 2 months. Something in my gut feeling told me to stop and wait for the seller's side to sign off on the repairs.
That was when we found out that the loan amount on the property now is more than the sales price. Very quickly, we found ourselves that we were in a "short sale" situation, but not by much.
Before you know it, 1 month has elapsed and the property was slapped on Forced insurance and attorney fees on Citibank's side because they were planning to take the property into foreclosure. This is probably our 3rd month into the transaction. It is mid-April by then.
The Seller's attorney demanded for payoff information - to which he has constantly been getting the run-around. No one at Citibank seems to have a clue who is the Asset Manager or who has authority over this property.
Every month then on, the property would be posted for foreclosure, but every month, the buyer and seller re-signed the amendment to show Citibank that there is a willing, ready and able buyer for this property - who has first not shorted in payoff by too much.
June, July, August, September and October passed. Every month, the same thing. The listing agent, bless her heart, worked so hard on this transaction because we are talking almost every other day. We are like sisters now.
I received a phone call from the Seller's attorney. He said, "Loreena, I'm sorry. The property was sold in foreclosure just this past Tuesday. I'm so sorry. I know how much your client wants this house. We fought so long and so hard but it still didn't work out".
You know, everyone in the transaction was doing the right thing especially for my buyer who patiently waited for 9 months. We knew that the Seller could just turn the keys in, wash her hands and walk away since it was her deceased daughter's estate. The mother made many months of mortgage payments until she decided
she couldn't do it anymore. She kept utilities on and did everything a proud mother would.
I had to be the deliverer of the bad news. I hate that. But my client is taking this news well. We know it happened for a reason.
I don't want to begin my posts on Short Sale in a negative tone. But it's been on my heart that I want to share it. I didn't like the fact that it didn't have to be this way for both the Buyer and Seller. My buyer waited 9 months for the property. The seller wanted to clear her daughter's estate with a good name even though there was no equity. Everyone was doing the right thing except - you guessed it. Citibank!
I believe big banks like Citibanks can be huge and very inefficient. And here we are wasting our tax dollars to fund stupidity and inefficiency that didn't need to happen. I'm sorry. I'm going to say it one time.
This is bull crap #$&*$$^&*TRR^*((** BOO Citibank!
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
This phenomenon has recently happened to me (more accurately - perhaps in the last year), hence I'd like to share that with you. Very appropriately, discussing it here on the ultimate real estate blogging platform as part of my effort to encourage you to take on Blogging For Business - if you like to see some successes in this area.
Why Blog? Why Write?
If someone were to ask me for ONE thing that I can point out about my recent real estate successes, it would be "blogging" ie writing. It's not so much that I am an awesome writer, but it's a skill that I didn't know I had when I first took on this challenge here over 3 years ago.
Blogging ie writing captures your thoughts, strategies and ideas. The discipline and endurance needed here (Blogging Active Rain) requires serious effort and commitment to put these ideas thoughtfully and methodically. As a result, it fulfilling and it leaves a legacy of what you are.
Although just a simple act, not everyone has the persistence to put forth one post after another. Hence, when someone tells me that Points don't matter to them. I said, Yeah right. Points matter when it shows commitment to the task you set before you.
If writing doesn't come naturally to you, learn it. Learn how to clearly and concisely put your thoughts into well-organized ideas. When you think you are not a good writer, then maybe you are. But it doesn't have to stay that way. You can learn. Learn from others. Learn to refine your style and find your voice.
Your collection of blogs say alot about you.
There is nothing like the power of the written word. It's affirmation that your thought-process is clear and your direction in your business is sound.
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
I've worked with many lenders over the years, serving my real estate clients. I thought I would share three simple tips on how to outperform your lender competitors out there just by doing these 3 things, and doing them well:
(1) Read the contract in its ENTIRETY
I am surprised MANY DON'T read the CONTRACTs. I am not sure what they do with them since they want a copy of the executed contract anyways. If it's in your hands, at least go through it once. Be proactive about your business. More often than not, I receive emails asking this, or that ..... and I realized that if they had just picked up the contract to read, they wouldn't have to ask. It's one thing to ask for confirmation, but it's another to ask as if you didn't know.
I don't know what is required of a Lender in Mortgage school here in Texas - if they are required to learn to read contracts or know what they mean. To outperform your Lender competitors, study that darn thing and learn it well. I, for one will be impressed because many don't.
Critical dates on contracts mean ALOT to the clients we serve. Our clients may not know a difference between 10 days of Buyer Third Party Addendum versus 30 days, but that's why they count on us.
Lenders can/ should take part in ensuring that we make note of critical dates (especially those concerning the Lending part of the transaction). Now, that's a real keeper if you are a Lender that can impress me with a Critical Date sheet you have set for yourself and share it with me. We can cross check ours.
If you are an out-of-state Lender but still want to do business in different states with different contracts, please learn ALL of them.
(2) Communicate often, better yet ... before Status Updates are expected
Most of the time, lenders that I built relationships with are usually quick to respond when I ask for a status update. If you want to know how to win a heart of a Type-A personality Realtor(R), learn to give updates before they are expected. Remember that Type-A personalities are already usually on top of things, but if you can impress your Realtor(R) by striking first, you are more a reason to be a "keeper". It shows that you are on top of things.
For whatever reason, lenders that I usually have not built a business relationship prior to a transaction with are usually not great in delivering quick and acceptable communication. There will be a week when time have passed and I have not heard from the Lender. And when I send an email for a quick update, it usually takes half a day for a response. Nope. Won't work for a Realtor(R).
Some Realtors(R) like me do NOT believe in the "No News is Good News" philosophy.
(3) Deliver a Smooth Closing
As much as a client may negotiate for less fees and lower interest rates, all they really want at the end is a SMOOTH closing. As a Realtor(R), I prepare my clients for stress, closing extensions, etc. to help curb the stressful and emotional situation. As a Lender, you can do that too. No one in the transaction knows it sooner than you (Lender) do, so be upfront and whenever possible, give ample warning.
It's easier to break it slowly and as you know it, rather than to have already known this problem for a week, and now just sharing the possibility of the loan not closing on target 2 days before it's suppose to happen. By then, no one is happy.
One thing I realize... if you have outperform expectations of your favorite Realtor(R), you don't need to ask for more business. It will naturally come to you because you earned the RIGHT for MORE BUSINESS. You've showed how you can perform and there is no reason NOT to use you again. We all want the same thing. As a Realtor(R), I want to set myself with a successful winning team. If you are the jewel Lender, of course you've booked your seat on the bus for the next ride.
But if you never communicated effectively, you need me to explain the contract to you and you fail to share information about closing not happening as intended, and the last sentence out of your mouth is for more business... Sure, just wait.
An awesome Lender is a true treasure in a successful real estate transaction. Be one!
Now, if you plan to do this well, you do not need other marketing plans to help grow your Realtor(R)s' businesses. You work well in yours, it naturally abundantly flows out to others. PS: I've been offered by many lenders in the past to help me with marketing expenses, website domains, call captures, etc. All of that are fine and definitely very much appreciated in helping me offset my expenses, but if you cannot do your primary responsibilities well, I really cant help you much. In return, I can't accept your goodwill also.
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
Homeownership is a privilege, not an entitlement simply because it's time to own rather than rent. While I know I will step on some toes, I want to fully disclose that I do know that bad things can happen to good, honest, hardworking people. I know that a lawsuit, a divorce, a job loss, a medical debt, a bankruptcy, a foreclosure can take down a financial empire. That's not what I mean. But I have also known people who has been irresponsible with finances. Those who simply want to walk away.
In my previous post, Renting feels like it's Borrowing, I shared a client's own words on how he felt about transitioning into homeownership and how much more he feels is enriched because he is in his own place now. When he was renting, it felt as if "he didn't belong there" and as if "he was only borrowing".
Renting is not a sin.Renting may be the answer for some people in some circumstances, whether it is a temporary place to figure out the next step, a temporary spot for financial clean up or even a season in life where you didn't want a homeownership commitment. All those reasons and more are absolutely totally acceptable so as long as renting is not the way of life on a long-term basis.
Homeownership should be rewarded for those who can show high financial responsibility. Hence, no late payments and no blemishes on credit worthiness. Homeownership should be treated as if it's a privilege - a special favor for those who are deserving.
When banks have to seize properties back in foreclosure, no one wins. The bank losses, the homeowner losses and even the neighbors hurt in property values when massive foreclosures occur in neighborhoods.
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
A home means different things to different people. For some, it's a symbol of status - "I have already arrived"... For others, it's a sanctuary. A place like no other.
As for one of my clients in his very own words ...
Having owned a home once before, over 15 years ago, it was in many ways nice to move into a rented townhome, free from the burdens of work associated with owning a home. But there was a price to that. Most of all, it's the feeling that you don't really belong there and you are just borrowing.
So, every couple of years, I would look for a home to purchase. However, I had such specific requirements that I never could find a place that can come close to meeting my desires. Also, I could not find a Realtor(R) that was patient enough to wait out the search process over a long period of time to allow the right house to come onto the market.
It was great to find a Realtor(R) with the insights to understand my desires, to not rush into just any house and have the patience to stick with the endeavor over the course.
That said, I am now happily in a home that met all of my requirements in some fashion. It's wonderful to be living in my OWN place, despite the extra work and expense of home ownership. In many ways, the home has exceeded expectations, especially due to the beautiful deck/creek view out back, which is a constant source of visual beauty. It's nice to finally be at home now!
A year and a puppy later, my client is exceptionally happy where he's at.
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
I've heard many comments from some of the nicest Christian friends I have. I don't do this or, that to be blessed, but I still don't understand why I have to go through this "trial"...
On this Sunday God First post, I want to take time to ponder how much we know all that are commented are so true. But how would we know that we are not already blessed to be where we are at???
Maybe it's a job loss, or a pending foreclosure or short sale... Maybe someone in the family is just diagnosed with a terminal disease... Maybe we are going through some relational strain with our spouse.
I just want to say, Maybe we are already blessed where we are at by not being in a worst position. After all, we wouldn't have known. We could be in one place at one time. Whatever it is, take the month of November to be thankful for what we have, be grateful for what's to come.
Scripture of the Week:
1 Corinthians 2:9
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him
I begin my week here on Active Rain with my God First posts, written every Sunday once a week. My promise to you is that the messages I share will be day-to-day related, often times related to real estate. If these topics are important to you also, I'd love for you to subscribe to my blog.
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
Our Fall Colors in Frisco TX are beautiful. The season is changing and it is feeling more like Fall weather every day. We also never had such a wet October like we did this year. Enjoy the Fall colors nature brought for us to enjoy.
Also, don't forget to set your clock 1 hour back on Saturday night before you go to bed. Now, that's an extra hour for you to do whatever you want with it. Don't say you don't have enough time in the day.
The photos are taken by Loreena Yeo of 3:16 team REALTY. Please do not use without permission.
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
I am an encourager. That's what you can expect from me. I'm a Half Full person rather than Half Empty. I choose to make those around me better because I can. Whomever and wherever they are. Sharing my views about what I'm passionate about. This is my blog. With a
servant's heart, I only have one goal in mind. To serve you wherever you may
need me the best way I know how. Whether it is your real estate needs or your
strive for business excellence. This is what you could expect from me.
For your real estate needs, this is a great opportunity to participate in the Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen &
northern suburbs of greater Dallas. real estate market if you are financially and emotionally ready. Specializing in first time home buyers' needs, luxury homes, short sales and pre-foreclosures, multi-offer negotiations. Sellers can expect a carefully crafted
systematic market approach in marketing homes. Hence work with the realtor who does it like none other. You can expect advice and opinions of a conservative perspective on this blog. There are so many things I could do, but I CHOOSE to serve your real estate needs. I couldn't think of anything else I rather do more passionately.
If you enjoy what you are reading, remember to subscribe to my blog. It is my focus to provide relevant greater Frisco Texas real estate market information on real world level. No media hype. No fluff. Just a real voice based on an active Frisco realtor(R).
View Top Picks - Houses of the Week - as viewed by Loreena. These are homes with attractive value. Contact Loreena for a showing.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
At the age of 37, I finally decided to take the leap into home ownership. I had been thinking about purchasing a home for years, but always found a reason not to. I think my reasons or excuses for not purchasing a home stemmed from my fear of the unknown.
If you are a new member now, you have to pay $30 for a Rainmaker membership - and you do this because you want the public to be able to find you on Google. Otherwise, your posts are only made public. All your hyper-local posts will be wasted effort if you are not a Rainmaker.
This was a regular sale when we went into contract. We inspected the home and my client worked on getting his loan. There were some property condition issues that came up that had to be a part of the loan approval process. This went on for almost 2 months. Something in my gut feeling told me to stop and wait for the seller's side to sign off on the repairs.
Posted by 
If someone were to ask me for ONE thing that I can point out about my recent real estate successes, it would be "blogging" ie writing. It's not so much that I am an awesome writer, but it's a skill that I didn't know I had when I first took on this challenge here over 3 years ago.
anyways. If it's in your hands, at least go through it once. Be proactive about your business. More often than not, I receive emails asking this, or that ..... and I realized that if they had just picked up the contract to read, they wouldn't have to ask. It's one thing to ask for confirmation, but it's another to ask as if you didn't know.
.
Renting is not a sin. Renting may be the answer for some people in some circumstances, whether it is a temporary place to figure out the next step, a temporary spot for financial clean up or even a season in life where you didn't want a homeownership commitment. All those reasons and more are absolutely totally acceptable so as long as renting is not the way of life on a long-term basis.
As for one of my clients in his very own words ...
I begin my week here on Active Rain with my 
;)
;)
