Celebrating 100,000 Points In the Rain! A Shower of Fun! - 06/29/10 02:00 PM

    
 
     Today I am celebrating a milestone.  I have earned over 100,000 points here on ActiveRain writing as a representative of my business and services through Chicago Bancorp ... and promoter of my industry and geographical area!
     When I first started out here on the Rain, I thought those members with this number of points must be superhuman.  I just couldn't imagine having that much to offer or say ... or posting and being rewarded with those types of numbers.
     The possibility of other Rainmakers writing me back and being able to establish and grow the remarkable … (25 comments)

The County of Will in Illinois is Selling Rain Barrels to Help its Residents Conserve Water! - 06/25/10 07:28 PM

    
 
     Taking a pro-active stance regarding the safeguarding and consumption of water, The County of Will in Illinois (through its Stormwater Management Planning Committee), is offering its residents the opportunity to purchase a rain barrel.
     Each rain barrel being sold has a rather interesting background as to how it came to be available for sale through the County.  Every barrel sold has been refurbished by The Conservation Foundation located out of Naperville, Illinois ... but every barrel has taken a long journey before arriving at the Foundation. 
     These refurbished barrels were once used to hold and transport pickles, olives, or … (11 comments)

Appraisals & the HVCC ... Are You Frustrated With the Current Hassles? - 06/22/10 01:34 PM

    
     Appraisal issues continue to be a problem for competing Lenders, Banks, and Mortgage Brokers.  I receive calls from Attorneys and Realtors ... even Borrowers themselves (after the loan has not closed through a competing lender), asking, "What can you do to help this situation"?  Currently, this is happening more often that you would think ... or like.
    
     I definitely do not mind receiving phone calls or pleas for assistance regarding this issue.  I'm always happy to have a chance to help and also grow my business.  And, this is a problem where I think I hold a definite edge over many … (33 comments)

Top 10 Things to Pack in Your Emergency Storm Kit | Lockport IL Homes for Sale - 06/20/10 07:33 PM
The following article written by Joelle Alex, Lockport Illinois Real Estate Specialist, speaks of a topic of which we are becoming all too familiar in many of the areas across the United States.  Emergencies ...
We've definitely been facing a large number of storms, floods, tornadoes, and more for which an Emergency Storm Kit is an essential.
Please take the time to gather the items suggested upon this Top 10 List and place them in the "safety area" of your home, business, or property.  By planning ahead, you will keep yourself and those around you more safe and able to deal with what nature hands … (9 comments)

Have You Met "The Most Interesting Mortgage Professional In the World"? - 06/18/10 02:10 PM
 
      Anyone that has followed my AR blog for very long knows that my mortgage business and blog is very much a family affair.  As with most things over the course of our marriage, my wife and I are a team.  Marilyn does much of my marketing and promotional efforts as it concerns my mortgage originating at Chicago Bancorp.
      Once in awhile, I trust and believe I must be doing something right for my wife , as we've been married for over 33 years now.  Without a doubt, she's always been my #1 fan.  This week's marketing flyer proved it to me once again.  The woman still … (18 comments)

"Another One Bites the Dust!" Why Discussing Finances PRIOR to Marriage is So Important! - 06/15/10 05:29 PM
 


If YOU are in need of solid financial and mortgage advice PRIOR TO YOUR WEDDING, please do not hesitate to contact me!
 
… (13 comments)

Naperville Illinois Residents! Your City Is Initiating a Muncipal Volunteer Program! - 06/14/10 03:43 PM
    
 
     Perhaps we Americans did not invent volunteerism ... but we sure have put our own spin on it and do it with flair. We do it across the world and close to home. 
     Now, residents of Naperville, Illinois, will have a new opportunity to flex their volunteering muscles.
     The City of Naperville, Illinois is initiating a Municipal Volunteer Program beginning next month. City residents will be able to donate their time and talents to projects and efforts run through this new city program.
     The idea behind this new Municipal Volunteer Program is to … (4 comments)

Lovely Rita Meter Maid!? - 06/14/10 12:56 PM
This blog written by AR Ambassador Alan May (Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor, Evanston Real Estate, Evanston, IL) highlighted two different issues that should be of real interest and importance to real estate professionals ... and those involved in pursuing financing of a loan (or considering doing so soon).
One topic is the requirement for SECOND Credit Reports to be pulled just prior to closing of a loan.   There have been other recent posts written here on AR in regards to this matter, but I totally agree with Alan that this is information that needs to be hammered home to our clients via posts … (1 comments)

Historic Downtown Frankfort Illinois Garden Walk, Sunday June 13th - 06/10/10 01:00 PM
 
    
     If you've never visited historic Frankfort, Illinois, and viewed the beautiful homes and gardens there ... or visited the quaint shops located within its scenic downtown area ... this Sunday, June 13th, is the perfect time to do so.
     Nostalgia for a by-gone era will be rampant in the gardens showcased during the 4-hour Historic Downtown Partnership's inaugural "Historic Downtown Garden Walk".
      Visitors will be able to walk gardens and displays within a four block area located in the oldest part of this scenic village.  A horse-drawn, guided wagon tour will be available as well, beginning at 12:00 Noon from … (2 comments)

Fannie Mae's "Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative" (HAFA) is Effective 8/1/2010 - 06/09/10 02:30 PM
 
    
    Effective on August 1, 2010, Fannie Mae will be offering a new program "Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA), that is focused on helping those in Pre-Foreclosure status and Short-Sales.
     I see some pre-emptive moves taking place from Fannie Mae within this program, and I find that all positive ... not only on the Homeowner's behalf, but the real estate professionals' behalf, as well. 
     Will it cure all the ills that we are finding within this portion of the industry right now?  Probably not ... but it does provide some new and revamped options with which to … (6 comments)

FRIENDS FUR-EVER FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY IN WHEATON, ILLINOIS! - 06/08/10 06:53 PM

    
      FRIENDS FUR-EVER FESTIVAL!
     SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH ... ON DUPAGE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL SHELTER GROUNDS IN WHEATON, ILLINOIS!  
       Hosted by:  Friends of DuPage County Animal Care and Control Foundation
       General Admission and Parking is FREE!
       Registration for Dog Walk On-site @ 9 am:  $30.00  Walk begins at 10:30 am.  Festival begins at 11 am.  Leashed, vaccinated, and social pets are welcome at the Festival.
     
       This Festival is hosted by the Friends of DuPage County Animal Care and Control Foundation.  The Foundation supports the DuPage County Animal Care and Control by raising funds through … (13 comments)

Thinking of Buying, Selling, or Refinancing a Home? Better Be Prepared To Do Your Homework! - 06/04/10 07:35 PM
 
     The majority of buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals across much of America are facing real obstacles when working towards property sales.  The real estate market and the art of closing transactions has been extremely challenging as of late ... and it doesn't look like it's taking a breather from that anytime real soon.  The good ol' days and ways of closing properties are gone and over!
     My experiences and observations tell me that if you are someone considering Selling, Buying, or Refinancing a home today ... you better do some real hardcore homework and preparation PRIOR to your home search and/or … (2 comments)

Double Jeopardy! Now Lenders Need A Second Credit Report Right Before Funding - 06/03/10 03:25 PM
Once again just this last week, I had a client IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME AND OBTAINING MORTGAGE FINANCING, go out and try ... and yes I said try ... to buy a new car.
They did this AFTER being told the damage they could do to their credit, and ultimately their home transaction, multiple times.
PLEASE .... if you are a potential home buyer or presently in the home buying process ... READ THIS ARTICLE by Janet Guilbault, RPM Mortgage out of California. 
Follow her instructions and suggestions ... and DO NOTHING unless you speak to your lender … (6 comments)

Be Aware! Be Alert! Take Action! Stay Safe! - 06/03/10 01:50 PM
    
      
     Be Aware!  Be Alert!  Take Action!  Stay Safe!
     This morning I read in the Chicago SunTimes, that Commonwealth Edison has issued a warning to their customers regarding the need for caution and awareness regarding possible ComEd impersonators.
     The number of incidents involving this scam has become alarming, with 12 reported cases so far this year.  This number represents a more than 70% increase over prior years reports.
     Evidently the typical impersonation includes tactics to gather personal information from residents or actual payments of cash.  Although a few of the impersonators wore regular work clothes, many had … (5 comments)

 

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