It's very scary trying to figure out what to do if you miss a mortgage payment.  Keep in mind that each state has different laws directing the mortgage companies as to what the time frame is that they can start the foreclosure process.  This means that if you live in Texas, the law allows mortgage companies to foreclose on a house in 60 days.  If you wait 30 days after missing a payment, you only have 30 more days before the mortgage company can foreclose on your house. 

     What this means for you is... Get Help Fast!  As soon as you miss the first payment, the clock starts ticking on the time that the mortgage company can foreclose.  This doesn't mean that they will foreclose this fast, but they can if they want. 

     You should get a qualified real agent to help you save your credit.  An agent that holds the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation (also known as CDPE) is qualified to help you.  A CDPE agent has gone through extensive training & education on helping homeowners in your situation.  It may feel like you are alone.  Know that you are not alone and help is only a phone call or email away.  All you need to do is contact a CDPE agent as quickly as possible.

      Your CDPE agent will need some time to work on your behalf.  The first step is to get your house listed on the market and then to make contact with your mortgage company to get a short sale approved.  All of this takes time since the mortgage companies are understaffed to handle the amount distressed properties around the country.

     Basically, the quicker you get help, the better off you'll be.  Your CDPE may be able to save your credit and get your house sold.  If your house is foreclosed on, your credit will be like a major traffic accident and you probably can't buy another house up to 7 years from now.  If your CDPE agent is able to sell your house in a short sale, your credit will be like a fender bender and you might be able to buy another house in only 2 years.  

     The bottom line is simple... Get Help FAST!  If you haven't missed any payments but times are tough and money is tight and you might not be able to make a payment... call a CDPE agent today!  Help is available so there's no reason for your house to go into foreclosure without getting help.

Call David N. Slavin at (281)220-9082 today!  www.AvoidForeclosureWithDave.com

I'm going to be trying something that I have never done before.  I decided to order an exercise program from an infomercial.  Sounds crazy doesn't it?  It looks very tough but I know I can handle it to get back into shape and lose some extra pounds.

I was going to hire a personal trainer to give me a boost and then I thought I would give this a try first just to see if their claims are true.  The program is Insanity by Shaun T.  - check it out and tell me what you think.

I'll keep giving updates as I go through the program.

                                       David N. Slavin with RE/MAX Grand has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert(CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales.

A Certified Distressed Property Expert(CDPE) is a real estate professional specific understanding of the complex issues confronting the real estate industry, and the foreclosure avoidance options available to homeowners.  Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today's market, specifically short sales.  A short sale can allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even if it's lower than what is owed on the property.  With declining property values, this can save many people from foreclosureand even bankruptcy.  Many lenders are now willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.  The new guidelines in the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program helps both the homeowner and the lender avoid the foreclosure process.

The prospect of foreclosurecan be financially and emotionally devastating, and often homeowners attempt to proceed without guidance of any kind.  The best course of action for a homeowner in distress is to speak with an educated, well-informed licensed real estate professional.  They have the tools needed to help homeowners find the best solution for their situation.  Often, when other options have been exhausted, CDPEs can help homeowners avoid foreclosure through the efficient execution of a short sale.

While enduring financial difficulties is challenging for any family, the process of finding a qualified real estate professional should not be.  Selecting an agentwith the CDPE Designation ensures you are dealing with a professional trained to address your specific needs.  CDPEs don't merely assist in selling houses, they serve and help save their clients in need. 

If you or someone you know has fallen behind on their mortgage due to a hardship, don't give up... There Are Options!  Call David at (281)220-9082 or DavidSlavin@remax.net or www.AvoidForeclosureWithDave.com

     It doesn't matter if you own a classic or dreaming of owning one some day or just want to drool.  This is the show that kicks off the season of classic car shows.  People and cars come from all over Texas and other states.  There are usually around 400 beautiful rides to see and share with others.  You don't want to miss this event and don't forget to bring your camera.

 David Slavin www.DavidSlavin.com

The 76-acre Spring Green Recreation Center, features a scenic 30-acre lake surrounded by parks, greenbelts and wetland ledges. A water park with a resort-style swimming pool, 2 water slides and a children's spray park offers refreshing fun for every member of the family, and a Children's Garden invites the youngest ones to clamber over boulders and fallen timbers, explore a dry stream bed, and witness the cycle of life in a butterfly garden. 

At the heart of this recreation complex is the 6000 sqft Lake House, featuring architecture inspired by historic Texas train depots.  The Lake house has spacious indoor and outdoor gathering areas for up to 100, and residents can reserve this facility for meetings and special events.  One of the best features is it is green and LEED certified.  Some of the green features include a rainwater cistern that can collect up to 5,000 gallons of water to provide about 5 weeks of irrigation for the surrounding park area.  There's the bioswales that collect and filter the rainwater runoff before feeding into the 37 acre lake and the lake is surrounded by wetland edges to provide habitat for wildlife and an educational experience for the residences.  The Lake House uses saline water at its water park and swimming pool complex to eliminate the use of harsh chemicals. 

Call me if you would like more information about Cinco Ranch, Katy, or any part of Fort Bend County.

David Slavin www.DavidSlavin.com

     Cinco Ranch in Katy, TX is celebrating its 18th birthday.  Located in the highly acclaimed Katy Idependant School District, Cinco Ranch offers homes priced from $160,000 to over $1 million.  If you're looking for new contruction then the Cinco Ranch Model Home Village with 30 decorated models is perfect for you.  There are numerous pre-owned homes to choose from as well as and many different country clubs to choose if golf and socializing is your thing.  Cinco Ranch has turned out to be a highly successful master-planned community just west of Houston.

     You can join in the celebration at Simply Cinco information center at the La Centera shopping center (across from Cinco Ranch High School).     

By David Slavin www.DavidSlavin.com

     The price of postage is going up again!  On May 11, 2009 the price of a first class stamp is going from .42 cents to .44 cents.  This is just going to push more and more business to use email more than snail mail.  Many people still like to receive snail mail because it is more personal than email.  Will this increase make you do business differently?

by David Slavin www.DavidSlavin.com

By David Slavin www.DavidSlavin.com

Do you use scripts in your business.  If so, please share the scripts that work the best for you. 

In today's market, it is important to get back to the basics to make ourselves more productive!  Scripts have worked for many agents over the years and if you take just 30 minutes to practice your scripts, they will flow naturally, but you must practice!

Please share the scripts for buyers & sellers that work for you in any situation.

By David Slavin, ABR, SRES  www.DavidSlavin.com

     Consumer Reports rated cell phone service throughout 23 major metropolitan areas across the country.  The cell phone companies rated were Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Alltel and Sprint.  

     The cities rating Verizonas the best service are:  Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville, Fla., Las Vegas, LA, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington.

     The cities rating Alltel as the best service are:  Charlotte, N.C., Cleveland and Tampa, Fla.

     All 23 cities rated Sprint as the lowest.  It looks like a landslide for Verizon as the big overall winner.

     As far as customer service... here's the results:

1. Verizon
2. Alltel
3. T-Mobile
4. AT&T
5. Sprint (last place again)

       I'm so glad that I'm a sprint customer.  When my contract is up, I may be making a change.

What cell phone service do you have and how would you rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best?

     I just ordered this book on Amazon.com since it definitely fits the world of real estate today and probably for a while.  I'm hoping it will give additional insight into money saving marketing and dealing with the immediate future of our industry.  If you have read this book or know of someone who has... Please give a review about it and if you thought it was practical to put his ideas into practice.