Underwriting VS Don Quixote Borrower. The Futility of Defying Requests for Documentation - 11/30/10 02:12 PM
     
     Whether buying or pursuing a mortgage for a home through my services in Naperville, IL ... Joliet, IL ... or any other place across America, the underwriting demand for more detailed documentation has grown immensely.  Much of this demand has grown in direct response to the current economic and mortgage debacle.
 
    HUD's recent release regarding a new guidelines revising the HUD-1 Settlement Statement for HECM closings, is of particular interest to me right now.  I've presently got a buyer/borrower that just doesn't ...
     A.  See the Need to Comply   B.  Understand             C.  Refuses to Understand   D.  "Doesn't Wanna" Comply   E.  Is just plain … (7 comments)

Temptation at the Cash Register. Ho Ho Ho ... You Just Lost the Chance to Close Your Loan - 11/29/10 05:07 AM
    
    
    
     You're out doing your holiday shopping. It's 11:45 pm .. and you're in that store because they have exactly what you want and have been looking for ... at an unbelievable price, but only if purchased during the hours of 10 pm to midnight.
    
    
      Plus, in your hand you have an additional coupon that you found at an online site. The coupon will give you a whopping and additional 10% off your purchase!
    It's your turn up at the register and you're feeling like a California goldminer about to hit the motherlode. … (95 comments)

On a Special Day of Thanksgiving ... a Message to All My AR Friends - 11/24/10 10:16 PM

… (5 comments)

Original HEAVENLY Treats Served in Joliet, IL. Historic Landmark Awarded to Original Dairy Queen Site. - 11/22/10 07:15 PM
 
     I grew up and have lived near Joliet, Illinois my entire life.  So has my wife.  My wife's family was one of the earliest settlers and farmers in the area.  You'd think between us we'd know a little something about the area.  
     But over the weekend, we both learned something about the history of Joliet that neither of us had every heard before or knew.
    
    The WORLD'S  first  Dairy Queen ice cream stand opened in Joliet over 70 years ago!
     Now THIS ... is important information to know!
     This historic first Dairy Queen location still stands at 501 N. Chicago … (10 comments)

Do you know how OLD your tires are? Your life could depend on it. - 11/20/10 10:48 AM
 
Cynthia Larsen (Broker/Owner of Safe Haven Realty, Sonoma County), CA)  really takes the name of her agency to heart and new heights ... SAFE Haven ... with this post.
The information contained within this post is especially timely, given the number of folks that hit the road over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.
Take the time to read, digest, and check ... your own vehicle's tires.  Your "cargo" is precious.  Do everything you can to protect them.  You also might want to think about passing this info to as many of your friends, family members, co-workers, etc. that you can.  
Thanks again to Cynthia Larsen … (4 comments)

Staying in Shape and Eating Your Wheaties. Getting Ready For Current Day Real Estate Transaction Marathons. - 11/19/10 01:52 PM
 
 
    
     
     Getting a deal closed in today's real estate world has become a long distance marathon ...
     What used to take about 3 weeks to accomplish ... can now take up to 2, 3, 4 months, or even longer.    And no .. I'm not dissing banks, Wall Street, underwriting,  underwriters, or anyone else specifically here.  
     There are alot of fingers in this messed-up pie!  
      Transactions just take longer to close.  A pretty obvious FACT ...
    
     Real estate has always been known by the often-heard phrase, "Location .. Location .. Location"! 
     Currently, I believe it should be known by … (9 comments)

"I Believe ... I Believe ... I Believe". The Lesson Real Estate Industry Professionals Can Learn From Hollywood. - 11/16/10 08:27 PM
 
Ever notice how a business or business office can have a tangible personality or "mood" within it?  I've found that to be true ... and that it's fairly easy to pick-up on that mood and/or personality soon after entering it too.  Some places just seem to have an upbeat atmosphere or vibe to themselves ... while others definitely do not.         
I visited some of my referral-partner offices the other day.  When I entered one office, I could read the "mood" instantly, and it wasn't real good.  There was definitely tension in the air.  Seemed I had stepped into a rather heated "water cooler" talk taking … (12 comments)

Not ANY Attorney Will Do. Protect Yourself. Do Yourself a Favor. Retain a REAL ESTATE Attorney for Your Real Estate Transactions. - 11/10/10 07:27 PM
 
    
     I've been working on a file for a customer buying a condominium that has proven to be particularly challenging on many levels. I won't bore you with details, but suffice it to say, everything but the kitchen sink has somehow found its' way thrown into the approval process.
     Aaaahhh yes ... the wonders and thrills of modern-day real estate ...
     Even by today's standards ... this purchase has been what I'd politely call a "doozey".  It could definitely serve as a textbook for many finer points of lending and buying a home.  But even with … (14 comments)

Shop SWEET SCENTSATIONS For All Your Floral, Gift, and Decorating Needs - 11/07/10 05:33 PM
 
    
     When I was in need of ideas for a special gift recently ...
     and then needed that gift delivered to an area that was somewhat remote, I turned to "Sweet Scentsations", located in Sugar Grove, IL, for much-needed assistance.
    
     Jason at "Sweet Scentsations" helped me with my gift order every step of the way ... from gift suggestions, to personalization of my order, to providing solutions for delivery. 
     After my order was placed, Jason also followed my delivery up and personally made sure that my gift was received on time and in excellent condition.  From first contact through follow-up call, Jason … (2 comments)

Complete Your Holiday Celebrations by Experiencing a Madrigal Dinner at Lincoln-Way Community High School - 11/06/10 03:17 PM
 
 
 
     Seems hard to believe, but the Holidays are just around the corner ...       
       and that means your days will soon be filled with activities, shopping, cooking and baking, visiting, and plenty of celebrations.  
     
     If you've never included a Holiday Madrigal Dinner within your festivities ... you should definitely consider doing so this year.  A Madrigal Dinner is a feast for all your senses, as the food, sights, and sounds found during a Madrigal Dinner make for a holiday magical atmosphere tangible enough to touch.          
     Each Madrigal performance includes a fully-catered meal and holiday entertainment conducted … (2 comments)

 

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