This Agent is ON THE MOVE!!!

Alicia Clark — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:19:50 -0700

It is with great excitement that I am announcing my recent move to Keller Williams Realty, Downtown, Chattanooga, TN. I feel that this is the perfect time to make this move, and it will improve the level of service that I can provide.

To all of my customers and clients, I am still there for you. This does not mean that I will only work in Chattanooga or place my focus there. I am an Alabama agent and I am still committed to providing the best customer service in DeKalb and Jackson counties. Northeast Alabama will remain my primary focus. The main difference now is the support of an award winning, top-ranked national company and the ability to service adjacent areas of Georgia and Tennessee.

Living and working in this unique geographical area presents many challenges and opportunities. I feel that it is important to be able to service the entire area. I have many friends and acquaintances in Dade County, GA, and Hamilton County, TN, and now I will be able to provide real estate services to them as well.

I will continue to service past, present, and future customers, clients, and friends throughout the northeast Alabama area.

I am very honored to have been asked to join the Keller Williams Realty Team. The downtown office is one of the top rated real estate firms in the Chattanooga area. You can learn more about Keller Williams by checking the website www.kw.com You will be able to find me there as well.

TRICKY NAVIGATION IN MURKY REAL ESTATE WATERS, WHERE'S THE MAP?

Alicia Clark — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:05:46 -0700

Trying to put together a deal that will close is becoming harder and harder to do. In the relatively short time I have been a Realtor, I have seen the customer base decline and change, the mortgage lending policies tighten significantly, and more and more appraisals fall short of the mark. Just when you think you understand something, the rules change. I find myself having to adjust to the changing tide rather frequently.

What is it going to take to close a deal six months or a year from now? It looks as if mortgage rates have fallen as low as they are going, and are now starting to climb again. Conventional 100% mortgages are no longer available because mortgage insurers only offer 97% PMI. There are still a few special programs offering buyers 100%, but the homes have to be in very good condition and meet specific guidelines.

Prices and rates remain low, but it seems that fewer consumers are in the position to buy a home than ever before. Credit scores are taking on greater significance since "680 is the new 620," (borrowing a recent quote from my friend in the mortgage industry.) What used to be considered a good to marginal credit score won't even qualify for a loan. Consumers are relying so heavily on credit cards and cash advances that they are rapidly losing their ability to obtain credit. (But that is another topic entirely-another day, another blog)

The buyers' mentality is going to have to adjust to the new mortgage loan requirements. The days are coming to an end when a buyer can walk into a home with no money down. Buyers are going to have to be re-educated to save money for down payments and closing costs. The problem there is: how do we get the message out there? For so many years, buyers have been inundated with all those "no money down" ads, and it has become standard practice in the borrowing process. This practice it seems is no longer applicable to real estate, but how long before the consumer understands this?

I am doing what I can to educate buyers as soon as we meet. I find that this helps to prevent problems further down the road. I am fortunate to have good input and advice from mortgage lenders who keep me informed as changes occur.

I plan to be ready for whatever comes my way and meet the challenges head on. I hope we all are.

P.S. This is my first attempt at posting. ??Critique?? Any help would be appreciated.

Alicia's Blog

This Agent is ON THE MOVE!!!

TRICKY NAVIGATION IN MURKY REAL ESTATE WATERS, WHERE'S THE MAP?