No doubt about it, we are experiencing some never-seen-before trials and tribulations in our profession. Mega real estate and mortgage companies have failed, businesses that have prevailed for decades have closed their doors. Other firms (real estate, law, mortgage and investment firms) have merged in order to survive.

Yet, there's something about these times--amongst the failures, difficulties, and economic stresses that still provides us professionals with the vision of HOPE. Hope to persevere. Hope to go grasp a little closer to one's dreams. Hope to press the "Now or Never" button and embrace the challenges that lies along the path to success.

More than ever before, many in the real estate profession have been "Bit by the Entrepreneur Bug." More specifically, a number of real estate agets have decided to break away from their present company and finally launch their own real estate brokerage! 

 The latest Group to the Active Rain edition, entitled, "Entrepreneur,"  sets out to explore, collaborate amongst others and implement ideas to help rel estate agents do just that: Open up their own real estate brokerage. Overall, the question is "HOW" and not "WHY."

For those of you who have accepted the challenge, succeeding against the odds and living your dreams it would be a great learning opportunity if you could answer the following questions:

1.Why did you make the decision to branch out into your own real estate company.

2. How long did it take you from the "Just an Idea/Planning stages" to "Opening Day?"

3. What have you discovered to be the true benefits/drawbacks in doing so.

4. If you can do it all over again, what would you do differently.

5. Do you have any future plans for your company in the future? If so, can you share some of your ideas.

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Charming Ranch Home

• 1,025 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Traditional " - MLS® $67,000 - Exceptional Value!

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Property information

Are You Considering a Short Sale in Charlotte, NC.

Well, Look No Further!

Jaclyn Erwin, ABR Has Successfully Earned Short Sale Approvals Through Numerous Banks Nationally. Throughout the Years She Has Delivered Exceptional Service in Helping Homeowners Throughout the Carolinas Avoid Foreclosure! 

Jaclyn Has Worked With Numerous Banks ---Working Together to Achieve Successful Short Sales Approvals Including, But Certainly Not Limited To...

So, If You Are Considering A Short Sale in North Carolina and Need Expert Guidance to Help You Avoid Foreclosure:

Contact "Jaclyn" Today for an Exclusive Appointment to Save Your Home!

www.TeamJaclyn.com

"A Special Testimony of Thanks"

"Failure is truly not an option when working with TeamJaclyn. When I met Jaclyn, my mortgage was in default and I was five months in arrears. I had received several notices regarding foreclosure on my property. Jaclyn was willing to work with me given my current situation and she assured me that there were still options available. Jaclyn put together an extensive and detailed short sale package to submit to my lenders, and within a few months she successfully sold my home! I was in a dire financial situation with no assets or money to put forth. Jaclyn was able to close the deal on the home leaving me to walk away owing nothing, and paying nothing in closing costs! In addition she miraculously stopped a foreclosure auction on my home. Jaclyn I am truly thankful for your extensive knowledge in the real estate business, and your caring and positive attitude. Thank you for not giving up on me!"

-S. Hudnall

You Read it Correctly!

The mortgage giant CitiMortgage has launched a plan to proactively eliminate foreclosures. The name of this program is the Homeowner's Unemployment Save Program! In all, this program is designed to keep current homeowners who are facing foreclosure in their homes.

So what's the BIG deal about this program? Well, it's the first home save initiative of its kind designed to help delinquent homeowners who are currently unemployed! Despite all the negative media characterizing the surge in foreclosures to undisciplined, irresponsible, spontaneous home buyers who "bought more than they could afford," for once we have a program geared at addressing the millions of hard-working homeowners throughout the country who simply encountered financial hardships due to a sad reality becoming more common today: Job Loss!

CitiMortgage's Unemployment Homeowner Save Program has three basic criteria for qualification:

1. Homeowners must have a Citigroup-based mortgage loan in which the home is their primary occupancy

2. The Homeowner must be at least 60days or more behind in mortgage payments

3. Homeowner must be currently unemployed or receiving unemployment benefits

Folks, people simply don't buy homes to lose them. And yes, there were some homeowners who bought more home than they could afford, but really---every foreclosure and even the majority of foreclosures can not be attributed to this.

Employers such as Bank of America, General Motors, Chrysler, California State Employees, Wachovia, and even the software mega-producer Microsoft have succumb to layoffs. And for those of us who reside in Mecklenburg county, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools System will be slashing positions in the upcoming weeks! Folks, this is a domino effect and NO ONE is Immune! I don't know about you, but I think we are all in this together and the only way we will recover is to help one another. So, you don't think that empty house beside you does you any harm? Think Again!

If you would like more information regarding Citigroup's Homeowner Unemployment Save Program, you can contact them directly at: 1-800-283-7918 

 For more information & a FREE proactive program designed to save your home from foreclosure in North Carolina, please contact TeamJaclyn at 704-293-4275!

Folks,

The residential real estate market is really facing some critical, tough times. Unexpectantly, another builder has bellied-up. Minutes ago, I received bad news that builder, CP Morgan Homes has just folded here in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.

 Sadly, this builder is completely out of business. Builder/Sales Representatives received word this afternoon that they will no longer have a job. In fact, many were instructed to pack up as much of their things as possible within their office and make additional arrangements to look for another job.

Many of us remember CP Morgan Homes migrating to the Carolinas and making their grand entrance into the residential real estate market back in 2004. They made their presence via huge billboard advertisements, open-houses, welcoming real estate agent luncheons and community-driven activites.

Throughout Charlotte, bright yellow Nissan Xterras marketing the famous CP Morgan brand was often seen roving through communities. The company was renowned for providing more heated square footage/living space for the money. There slogan, "More Square Feet. Less Money" told their story and helped to build their presence. Just last summer, they unveiled additional floor plans offering features such as dual fireplaces, three story homes, and huge game rooms.

Since the emergence of CP Morgan, there were new builders who adopted the "More Square Footage for the Money" concept, provding much competition including--True Homes, another comparable builder believed to consists of original CP Morgan executives who sought out a new vision for newly constructedhomes.  True Homes offers many of the same concepts and has been present in Charlotte since 2008.

So, What's going to happen to all the inventory and recently sold homes within the past year? Well, hopefully all inventory homes will be sold as soon as possible.

 CP Morgan has drastically slashed prices to move these homes from inventory to SOLD. As far as recently sold homes within the past year, all warranties for the first year will be honored by CP Morgan Homes. The builder is working closely with their home warranty provider- Residential Warranty Corporation to make additional plans to continue to honor the remaining 2-10 year term. 

It's Certainly About Time!

Finally, someone has realized that our homeowners need help. For months we've witnessed huge bailouts for corporations in effort to boost the American economy. However, at the same time, millions (and note I said millions) of homeowners have lost their homes. Some even took the necessary steps and contacted their lenders in attempts to try to establish a work-out plan and get them back on track with their mortgage payments only to be turned away and/or discouraged. Who will help bailout our homeowners?

This is a questions I often ponder as I witness firsthand the surge in foreclosures and short sales---superseding the actual numbers of new construction and regular listings available. Often when the question is raised in the media, the responses are centered upon the belief that (1) homeowners were irresponsible (2) homeowners got homes they just couldn't afford (3) everyone was greedy in this industry, out to make a dollar.

Now, while all of these did play a significant role leading to the surge in foreclosures, there is a group of indivduals suffering as well and without a doubt, overlooked. We are overlooking the hard-working, responsible homeowners who are losing their homes and suffering as a direct result of the economy! They have lost or are in jeopardy of losing their homes because they have faced a financial hardship: Job Loss! They can't pay their mortgage simply because the economy has gotten so bad companies have closed their doors or layed people off. No one has been spared, no industry is immune!

With the surge in the number of foreclosures throughout Charlotte, NC. and around the country for that matter, I was ecstatic to hear yesterday evening that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have devised a temporary relief to foreclosures. Both Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac are temporarily halting all foreclosures on all homes currently in default from November 21st through January 2009.

This means if a current homeowner has a primary Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac based loan and they are in jeporady of foreclosure, have received a hearing regarding a foreclosure, or worst--have their homes scheduled for foreclosure, then these procedures have been placed on hold at least until January 2009.

Now with most good things, there's a catch. The catch here is that the home MUST currently be occupied and NOT vacant. So, homeowners who have made the decision to vacate their homes may not be immune. However homeowners who are considering moving out as a result of their mortgage woes really need to re-consider making the move. If they want to actually save their home from foreclosure or even hire a real estate pre-foreclosure/short sale specialist to short sale their home, then they need to make sure their home is occupied and not vacant to take advantage of this opportunity!

During the dedelayed process, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's plans are to develop new strategies to employ to help homeowners save their home and get back on track, if possible. Their goal is to save as many homes as possible and avoid adding to the expected increase of foreclosures throughout the country projected the first of the year.

For more information about steps you can take to save your home from foreclosure, feel free to contact Jaclyn Erwin, ABR, Realtor. www.TeamJaclyn.com