maryland mortgage mama: I had lunch with Maryland's Newest ActiveRain Blogger today!
- 01/29/14 11:29 AM
I had lunch with Maryland's Newest ActiveRain Blogger today!
Please help me welcome
Ellen Eylanbekov to ActiveRain.
Ellen reached out to me after Laura, another realtor in her office, suggested that I may be able to help her to get started on ActiveRain. Laura knows that I am a big proponent of ActiveRain, I am honored that she thought to send Ellen my way. Ellen sent me a message about wanting to "Pick My Brain" a little about my experience with blogging on this platform. She asked for a few minutes, instead we met for lunch at one of my … (3 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: How Can I Be Successful In Real Estate In 2014?
- 01/20/14 04:51 AM
How Can I Be Successful in Real Estate In 2014?
This post could actually be called, How Can I Be Successful in LIFE in 2014?
In a recent class taught by John Reynolds of Keller William Flagship of Maryland, we were talking about what you need to be successful in Real Estate in 2014.
The market has changed from the "order takers" of 9-10 years ago when you could put a listing on the market and be under contract OVER list price with multiple back-ups. With interest rates on the rise (though they are STILL really low!) the refinance business for … (3 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: How Do I Build A Database for My Business?
- 01/20/14 03:03 AM
How Do I Build A Database for My Business?
Inspired by training taught by John Reynolds Associate Broker at Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland- 4 Laws of Database Management
How Do I Build A Database for My Business?
1. Choose A Database- There are lots of them on the market. Most brokerages have a database you can use, just be sure you know who owns your information. Can you take it with you if you leave? Some lenders and realtors ® have multiple databases for different purposes. This can be a huge cost, or a very small cost, depending on … (3 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: How Can I Grow My Business In 2014?
- 01/20/14 02:59 AM
How Can I Grow My Business in 2014?
As a Maryland mortgage lender, I am always looking for ways to help my business grow, educate my referral partners and overall to provide more value for my clients. Of course, I work on and in my business year round, but a new year always brings an opportunity for a new plan.
Last week I was able to attend a business planning and coaching overview taught by John Reynolds, Associate Broker and Productivity Coach. John is a sharp guy who has been in Real Estate for over 20 years.
Since … (1 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: I Was Quoted In The Baltimore Sun! Thanks ActiveRain!
- 01/11/14 11:19 AM
I Was Quoted In The Baltimore Sun! Thanks ActiveRain!
It has been a great couple of weeks in the Rain! I had 3 posts featured...THREE! What an honor. Knowing how many amazing, interesting, topical, smart, funny writers there are dancing here, I was wow'd! I could not be more pleased to be ACTIVE on ActiveRain again. I have been so impressed by the comments on each of those posts. They really added to the original posts and created such a wonderful dialog!
I know the information I read here and the research I do for some of my own posts … (35 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: OH NO!!! Here Comes Another Mortgage Rule To Make Loans Harder To Get!
- 01/08/14 12:59 PM
OH NO!!! Here Comes Another Mortgage Rule To Make Loans Harder To Get!
Qualified Mortgage (QM) and Ability to Repay (ATR) are the newest rules to be implemented of the Dodd-Frank. Going into effect January 10th, there seems to be a lot of folks up in arms about it. I have heard both lenders and real estate agents grumbling about this new rule that is going to cause more buyers not to qualify for mortgage loans.
Probably Not.
These “new” rules are in place to make sure that lenders make sure that buyers have the ability to repay … (58 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: Postage Stamp Increase - January 26, 2014
- 01/03/14 11:24 AM
Looks like it's time to purchase a stack of forever stamps again! The rates are increasing at the end of the month.
I have plans for some snail mail in my marketing plan and I don't want to use bulk mail...the increase in rates can be costly over time! Thanks for the info Joan! You may have just saved me a bundle!
Postage Stamp Increase - January 26, 2014
Effective Sunday, January 26, 2014 mailing a first class envelope will cost you an three cents going from .46 to .49. Here is the a chart from the United States Postal Service … (4 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: Should I Put My Girlfriend or Boyfriend On The Deed to the House?
- 01/01/14 11:48 AM
Should I Put My Girlfriend or Boyfriend On The Deed to the House?
I got a call from a young lady buying her first home. She asked about putting her boyfriend on the title to the home. They plan to be married eventually, but have no current plans.
Some things to note: All of the money that is being put into the home for down payment and closing costs is coming from her accounts, adding him to the mortgage would hurt their ability to qualify for the home and they plan to share expenses.
The borrower is going to have to make her own decision … (56 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
- 12/18/13 05:05 AM
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Is it better to stay with the devil you know?
According to www.usingenglish.com This is the shortened form of the full idiom, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't', and means that it is often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a risk with an unknown person or thing.
Change is hard.
Change is scary.
Change is risky.
Change is change.
SO MANY UNKNOWNS!
In looking at a job opportunity, a relationship-business … (27 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: It's Such Fun To Meet A Millionaire! I Met One Tonight!
- 12/16/13 12:10 PM
It's Such Fun To Meet A Millionaire! I Met One Tonight!
...An ActiveRain Millionaire that is!
I was talking to Margaret Rome after her radio show "ALL ABOUT REAL ESTATAE" on Sunday afternoon. Margaret told me that Praful Thakkar was in town for a training and she was planning on meeting up with him for dinner on Monday. If you don't know Praful (Though I am sure many of you do!) be sure to check out his blog, he is a wonderful Realtor and Rainer from Boston.
Unfortunately, I already had a full day of meetings scheduled, one for the exact time they were meeting for dinner. I … (48 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: December Meetup in Maryland...THANK YOU Margaret and Alan
- 12/03/13 10:35 AM
December Meetup in Maryland...THANK YOU Margaret and Alan
As you may know, Maryland Meetups have had lots of variety over the years. We have had Happy Hours and luncheons, charity walks and Open Houses, all well attended, all wonderful, and many hosted by Margaret Rome! Today Alan Gross of Prime Lending gave us the lowdown on the best ways to ensure that our clients, friends and family members:
Know Us, Like Us and Trust Us AND REMEMBER US!
Today's meetup was all about Appreciation Marketing, a fitting topic, considering most of us just celebrated Thanksgiving. We have been grateful for our … (7 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: Marketing Ideas for Montgomery County, MD Homes
- 11/14/13 05:40 AM
Marketing Ideas For Montgomery County, MD Homes
One of the ways that I help my realtor partners and clients is to provide single property websites to help to get more eyes on a property and hopefully the right buyer! It's a great marketing piece that really WOW's sellers!
One such client is selling a 5 bedroom, 3 bath property in Laytonsville, Maryland. Laytonsville is a lovely suburb of Washington, DC, in Montgomery County, Maryland, near Gaithersburg.
Check out this beautiful home at the property's web site!
http://20620farcroft.StopTheCarHoney.com
A little Laytonsville trivia...Did you know that Laytonsville used to be called … (1 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: Will The Government Shut Down Affect My Mortgage Loan Approval?
- 10/01/13 01:05 PM
Will The Government Shut Down Affect My Mortgage Loan Approval?
It may. It could depends on how long the shut down lasts, but it could also depend on lender underwriting verification requirements.
Though the loans are underwritten and funded by the individual lender and not the individual government offices, their approval, as well as that of conventional financing may be delayed, but probably not for what you think.
Most lenders require tax transcripts to verify income, and verificiation of Social Security numbers to verify identity.
IRS and SSA services are unavailable. These services will remain offline as long as … (3 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: Beautiful, Contemporary Townhouse Listed by Margaret Rome
- 09/30/13 08:41 AM
This fabulous townhome is ready for you to move in. There are lots of lovely touches that make this home unique. Isn't it time that you stopped renting? This is the perfect starter home with 3 bedrooms and 2 full and 2 half baths! Call Margaret Rome today for your private showing! 410-530-2400
… (1 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: HANG UP AND DRIVE! Hands free or pay the fine!
- 09/30/13 07:34 AM
HANG UP AND DRIVE!
Hands free or pay the fine!
Talking on the phone while driving your car is dangerous and now it may COST you...if you do it in Maryland!
New Laws In Effect October 1st, 2013
The cell phone rings just as you pull onto the beltway. It's the client you have been waiting a call back from, or that bank/negotiator handling your short sale. What do you do?
It rings again......BUT I just have to answer that phone!
If you pick it up while driving in Maryland after October 1st, 2013 and a police … (30 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: LAST MINUTE HAPPY HOUR INVITE 9/5/2013 Gaithersburg, MD
- 09/05/13 01:56 AM
Sure would love to seem some of my ActiveRain and other local friends at this Happy Hour kicking off the Gift of Education Fundraiser for St. Monica's Orphanage in Africa. We'd love to see you there!
Come join us for some networking, a little nosh, a cocktail and learn about why this is such a great organization!
Raffle tickets for His/Hers Scooters and an IPAD mini will be available. Drawing will be at the event on November 2nd at the Gaithersburg Hilton, you don't have to be present to win!
Hope to see you there!!
Maryland Mortgage Mama
… (0 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: MOORE, OKLAHOMA Ten Year Old Maryland Girl Helping Kids Dream Happy
- 08/26/13 12:21 AM
Many of us hear about tragedies on the news and though we feel bad for the victims, we are not called to action. We may text to donate to the Red Cross or put a couple dollars in the bucket when other's are collecting, but that is where our connection ends.
For a ten year old Maryland girl named Carly, donating a couple bucks wasn't enough! Carly heard a news anchor talking about the kids in Moore, Oklahoma having bad dream after the tornado and she HAD to do something to help! With her American Indian heritage, … (2 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: Maryland ActiveRain Meetup Trifecta!
- 08/23/13 10:33 AM
Maryland ActiveRain Meetup Trifecta!
It has been a whirlwind of a week for the Maryland Mortgage Mama and her trusty sidekick, Sydney the Mortgage Princess.
Thank goodness Margaret Rome texted me on Sunday afternoon saying "I will see you tomorrow". For some reason, I had Tuesday in my head and had planned accordingly. After a quick change to a trip to South River, New Jersey to pick up my Aunt, I made sure that I wouldn't miss Margaret Woda's Maryland meetup! Lucky for me, my Aunt is the understanding sort and was only too happy to spend another night with her … (5 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: Ten Thing You May Not Know About My Present
- 08/14/13 02:45 PM
1. My family sponsors 2 girls at an orphanage outside of Nairobi through Mothers Fighting For Others. I learned of this organization through one of my very first ActiveRain connections, Audrey June-Forshey. I hope to travel to Africa in the next year or so to meet my Kenyan daughters!
2. I have been using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique/Tapping) for years to help myself and others achieve freedom from emotional triggers for a better life.
3. I have been married for 17 years, and with my husband for almost 22 years!
4. I am blessed to work with my older brother, my little sister (now 41!), and a dear … (6 comments)
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maryland mortgage mama: 6 Things That May Kill Your Loan Approval
- 05/19/13 12:58 AM
6 Things That May Kill Your Loan Approval
When I am working with a potential buyer, I review ALL documentation prior to providing a loan prequalification letter. Sometimes, things come up once the buyer finally finds the right home that can stop the loan in its tracks!
1. Overdrafts-this shows the underwriter that you can't manage your money. Keep transfers and spending to a minimum. Be sure you have at least one CLEAN account, no large deposits, no transfers over $500 from other accounts,
2. Unwilling/Unable to provide additional documentation required. I am not asking for more information because … (4 comments)
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I had lunch with Maryland's Newest ActiveRain Blogger today!
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