Bloodhounds in Seattle? Yes Indeed! Save the Date February 12th - 01/23/09 11:32 PM
Scott Cowan is taking the lead on this event.
Via Scott Cowan -Tacoma & Pierce County Area (Terry Wise & Associates):
Some of my favorite bloggers blog at Bloodhound Blog. Greg Swann and Brian Brady have agreed to come up to Seattle (I'm guessing to stop me from begging them so much) to deliver a FREE seminar. I am heading up the attendance for the event.
 
This will be held at Zillow Headquarters on February 12th. from 1pm to 5:30pm This the the day before the REBarCamp that will be held at Zillow headquarters on the 13th. So why not make it … (0 comments)

Why Loan Originators Are Getting It All Wrong - 01/23/09 01:45 AM
Two excerpts from the "right" way to originate loans today:
David Bartels impressed me with his definition of our job as a “borrower’s advocate”.  He suggested that we would do well to align ourselves squarely with the borrowers.  While he never suggested that our lender partners are the enemies, his message was quite clear.  Originators need to help borrowers FIRST.  Banks are so puckered today that borrowers need a guide to help them interpret loan offerings, argue their case for approval, and secure the best terms possible.  When mortgage brokers fully embrace that concept, we will have earned the public’s trust.
… (2 comments)

Radio Mortgage Interviews Jason Blackburn About Success - 01/17/09 10:46 PM
Jason Blackburn of Laser Focus For Life was our guest on Radio Mortgage last week.  I “met” Jason on Facebook two months ago, when preparing for the “Power Of Twelve” seminar.  Jason wrote a referral script for my seminar and asked nothing in return.  That connection led to a number of telephone calls which made me realize that Jason had a lot to offer.
Jason points out that many of our actions are incongruent with our mission.  He explains that our actions need to be inspired by the “buy-in” from both our hearts and our minds.  Jason is not a “touchy-feely” … (3 comments)

America's #1 Mortgage Rates Report: January 14, 2009 - 01/14/09 06:02 AM
The US Treasury Department has been supporting the mortgage bonds market, in order to keep mortgage rates under 5%.  I cited two reasons why sub-5% rates might not happen:
1- Capacity: Lenders don’t have the horses to ride since they laid off so many workers in 2008.
2- Greed:  Lenders typically made a loan at a rate and sold it for about a half a point profit.  The improvement in mortgage bonds allowed lenders to fatten up their margins and make as much as 3% of the loan when they sold it.
I think the real reason was more in line … (28 comments)

Bloodhound Unchained Seattle: A Prequel to RE BarCamp - 01/06/09 11:47 PM
RE BarCamp Seattle has a time and a date.  From Todd Carpenter:
Rich Jacobson and Brad Andersohn from Active Rain, along with Drew Meyers from Zillow have established the basics. A date and venue. February 13 at Zillow Headquarters.  This happens to follow a Bloodhound Unchained preview event held the day before, also at Zillow headquarters, and also free!
Greg Swann and I are pretty stoked about heading to the Emerald City.   Scott Cowan signed up for Bloodhound Unchained Phoenix ‘O8 but had to decline participation to tend to familial duties.  Since then,  Scott’s been lobbying us to head up to … (9 comments)

America's #1 Mortgage Rates Report: January 6, 2008 - 01/06/09 10:58 PM
Mortgage rates are 4.75%…No, wait a minute.  They shot back up !
Welcome to January, 2009.  It looks to be a rocky ride through Inauguration Day.  After that, all bets are off.  Here’s the good news, though; mortgage rates, while just over 5% this afternoon (up from 4.75% this morning) are still excellent.
Sean Purcell and I discuss why the lenders are raising rates on Radio Mortgage.
Give this ten minute podcast a listen.
… (1 comments)

About Brian Brady - 01/04/09 11:20 AM
For those of you who are new to blogging on Active Rain, MeMe's are our little "Getting to Know You" ritual.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  And here's another:
Anthony Clark tagged me for this MeMe.  And my targeted list of seven will follow.  Here are all of the ground rules that need to be followed:1.  Create a blog post with a link to the person who so happily tagged you.  See above!2.  List all of these rules in the post. Feel free to cut and paste this.3.  Share seven things that others may not know about you.  Do … (11 comments)

PMI Company Wants To Have Seller Sign a Note - 01/02/09 07:21 AM
I received a question from a REALTOR today, who read:
A Realtor's Guide to "PMI & Short Sales"
Let's call her Susan.  She explains:
I have done several successful short sales in my career but recently felt the "sting" of the bank claiming they will submit our current offer on the table for approval... providing the seller agree to sign a note to the PMI company for 15K for 10 years at $125.00 a month. If he refuses they claim the short sale will be denied. The outstanding loan balance is 132,000Offer amount 117,500Offer amount will net the bank 104,980BPO 119,000My … (49 comments)