Your Business Photos, Do they look like YOU! - 01/31/10 07:20 AM
If your client had your business card in their hand, and walked right up to you, would they know that it's you?
Be truthful now, yes or no?
Do you look 5 years younger, 10 years or more, in the picture than you actually are?
If so, how come?
What's wrong with you as you are now?
What do you think your client thinks when they can't recognize you from your photo?
Do they draw any other conclusions as to how you do business, or how you represent yourself?
Let me help you there, just in case you need it.
The … (11 comments)

JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! It's about JOBS! It's always been about JOBS! You just can't hide it any longer. - 01/27/10 11:59 AM
The first thing we need to do is to
STOP all the bickering, and truly work together!
There certainly is a big change going on in the attitude of most Americans. The new administration is failing. Despite all the promises made we're making about as much progress as we did under Jimmy Carter, remember him. He's a great humanitarian, but he wasn't such a great President.
Do you remember who ran the Fed under Carter? Why do I think it was
Mr. Volker
I clearly remeber 18% plus interest rates, and he boasted about how his policies were responsible … (2 comments)

Fed Chairman Bernanke, will he live, or will he die, and does it matter to Joe the Plummer? - 01/25/10 01:20 PM
CNNMoney.com reports today;
6 days and counting.
"the Obama Administration is confident that it has the 60 votes it needs to get Bernanke another term."
Is this a good thing, or not, and do you care?
The White House say, "we need his leadership."
But Senators on both sides of the ailse don't necessarily agree, especially those up for re-election, many of whom aren't saying much one way or the other.
Imagine that, politicians who aren't saying much. That's gotta make you stop and think a bit.
Two issues;
Many of the voters think that the Fed and the Obama Administration has spent … (2 comments)

The NEW Loan Process for 2010, It's not what it used to be, AND it'll effect, well everyone! - 01/24/10 10:09 AM
Have you sold a property in 2010 involving a buyer needing a mortgage? If you have;
Are we having fun yet?
If not, your day will come.
Well the new improved GFE is now a reality. Live from HUD, it's GFE hell!
My important dates say I'm offering you this rate until the end of the business day, that's how I disclose it, and the costs are good for 10 days. The new GFE resulted in the need for other, somewhat supporting disclosures. So I have one to acknowledge receipt of the GFE on a specific day, one asking you if you would like to … (5 comments)

FHA Flipping Change, It did come with conditions you know, you do know the conditions, don't you? Read on! - 01/21/10 08:27 PM
It seems everybody in the marketplace was happy to hear that FHA has waived it's 90 day waiting period for the resale of properties. They did didn't they?
Well they did grant a waiver if you meet certain conditions, what did you expect.
First and foremost;
It must be an ARMS length transaction, with no identity of interest between the buyer and the seller.
Also, it must satisfy the
20% Rule
The 20% rule essentially says that if the new sales price exceeds the seller's acquisition cost by over 20 % the lender must satisfy certain conditions.
Either;
the lender … (4 comments)

The 100 Best Companies to work for, I just can't help myself, I've got to say this! - 01/21/10 08:53 AM
CNNMoney.com has published their recent findings in regards to the 100 Best Companies to work for. Two things struck me immediately.
First;
This is CNN, I mean Constantly Negative News, and the article is like positve. Even the title uses the word
Best
I'm going to have to ponder this a bit.
Second;
But, guess what, do you know what's coming, you do, don't you?
Guess what's missing.
There's no banks!
Not One.
Zilch
Nada
Does that mean that their own empolyees don't like them either?
I just don't know.
Draw you're own conclusions.
I had to write this.
I just … (6 comments)

FHA CHANGES, DOWN & DIRTY! - 01/21/10 08:15 AM
Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes!
Boy, I love Bowie, I can just hear the music in my head.
Turn and face the strain, ch, ch, changes.
David Bowie lives on.
So does the FHA and the way that we do business.
Four changes;
1. Upfront MIP increase
The upfront MIP will increase from 1.75% to 2.25%. On a $100,000 loan this means that previously the new loan amount including the MIP would be $101,750, now it will be $102,250. That's $500. Okay. The change in the monthly payment will be $5-$10 per month.
End Result: good for the FHA, no great significance … (5 comments)

GO SOUTH young man, and everyone else, GO SOUTH! - 01/14/10 08:16 AM
If you're getting blasted with frigid temperatures, and snowy dreary weather, and you'd like to admit that you are no longer enjoying it, I have a suggestion.
COME ON DOWN!
After a brief period of discomfort here's what we're looking at;
Today (Thurs.) sunny high around 72 degrees
not bad, not bad.
Friday  sunny high around 78 degrees
Saturday  sunny high around 79 degrees
Fantastic!
For your enjoyment we over you golf, boating, white sandy beaches
Are you getting the picture.
For variety we offer you
Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, San Carlos Park, Estero, Bonita Springs
each with their … (12 comments)

Looking to become Debt Free-SNOWBALL IT! - 01/13/10 12:30 PM
I personally had been advising clients to consider this technique for years, so when I saw it in print as being part of Dave Ramsey's plan, well I couldn't do anything else, but agree.
Mary Vinnedge in her article entitled, "Man with a Plan," written for the February 2010 issue of Success Magazine discribes Dave in this manner.
"Author-radio host Dave Ramsey dispenses advise on personal finance with the fervor of a country preacher and the common sense of Ann Landers. He colorfully pounds home his core mandate-eliminate debt-with a tried and true -step by step program to achieve fiscal fitness."
… (2 comments)

FHA-the UNDISPUTED KING of Government lending! - 01/13/10 05:26 AM
Long Live the KING!
I started as a mortgage lender about 30 years ago, back in the great state of New Hampshire. The number 1 lending program at that time was
FHA
In todays market not only is FHA the King of Governmental lending, it's just flat out the
King of Lending!
I wouldn't want to think where we would be without FHA loans.
First time homebuyers;
FHA is, and always has been the number one choice for first time homebuyers, in my opinion. VA is a great option for Veterans, with its 100% financing, and USDA/Rural Housing also … (3 comments)

Watching the NFL Playoffs, is working on my Business Plan - 01/13/10 05:01 AM
Okay, last week I said follow the Patriots example, and considering the end result, there might be a lot of excessive snickering, or outright laughter about that suggestion now.
But, hold on there for just one dog gone minute.
There's still much to learn.
After the pain goes away, which may be when spring training starts. An NBA Championship from the Celtics might help. And there it is the first point.
Did the Patriots and their fans have too high of a set of expectations?
How about YOU in your business?
Well we've won 3 Super Bowls in the last 10 … (5 comments)

Transformational Vocabulary; Word Power! - 01/12/10 07:51 AM
" A powerful agent is the right word. Whenever we come upon one of those intensely right words...the resulting effect is physical as well as spiritual, and electrically prompt."   Mark Twain
Now there's a man who knew something about the power of words, and the word choices that we make daily. Where was he headed with that statement though?
"the resulting effect is PHYSICAL as well as SPIRITUAL, and electrically PROMPT"
Is he really saying that the words that you choose, that what comes out of your mouth, has an effect over you physically. We've all probably heard the old cliche' … (5 comments)

Is the Housing market Recovering? Who gets to decide? - 01/11/10 06:05 PM
Someone is going to have to start out by explaining to me what a recovery is.
What does recovery mean to you?
Probably not what it means to me.
I heard it would be a return to normalcy. Well who gets to decide what's normal in the housing market.
What once was considered normal is long gone, maybe not to return.
So let's look at this from some different viewpoints.
First time homebuyers;
There back!  
I live in southwest Florida. They were gone. Locked out. The housing market had passed them by. The American dream of homeownership was dead for them. … (0 comments)

Rural Housing ROCKS Southwest Florida!!! - 01/08/10 07:36 AM
Why are sooooooooo many buyers turning to USDA/Rural housing loans?
Maybe the real question should be, why you're not?
Once and for all, let's make this perfectly clear;
Rural Housing is NOT just for Rural properties, it is available in whatever areas the USDA says it is.
They decide, that's the rule!
But, yes, there are geographical restrictions. But for those of you in
Lehigh Acres, San Carlos Park, Estero, Bonita Springs, Collier County, what are you waiting for?
There are a plethera of properties available in these areas which will fit the program.
So what's so great about Rural … (3 comments)

I don't care what Fannie Mae says, I'm not doing your loan! - 01/08/10 07:10 AM
I just love all the postings about specific guidelines as found in Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac manuals. Throw in AllRegs too.
Oh, please don't yell at me, you're right, we don't use manuals any more, its all on line. See the real problem is that personally, I'm just not as smart as some of the writers, who can dig through the regs, and let you all know what they say, and that the lenders/investors will automatically do your deal because the regs say so.
But, you know it seems that these lenders/investors have their own rules, and in todays world it … (2 comments)

VA Loans-The Premier Government Loan!!! - 01/06/10 07:21 AM
Did you just frown? Did you think, he must be kidding. Well I'm not and here's some reasons why.
First and foremost;
Consider the buyer!
The VETERAN
That's an individual who has served his/her country, possibly in combat, and may have been wounded. They keep you and I and our families safe.
That sure means a lot to me.
It's also the only government loan that has been earned. The Veteran has earned this benefit.
Here's how the VA feels about it. The source is their website.
"VA loans involved a Veterans benefit. Therefore lenders are encouraged to make VA loans … (7 comments)

It's time to SEIZE the opportunities available in Southwest Florida! - 01/05/10 07:18 AM
You may want to consider doing it now! Don't procrastinate, or the window of opportunity may close.
I remember subprime buyers waiting for the market to bottom out.
What happened? When the market bottomed out there was no longer such a thing as subprime loans.
Gonzo! The door was slammed closed on these buyers.
Possibly never to open again.
I remember stated income qualified buyers waiting for the market to bottom out.
What happened? When the market bottomed out there was no longer such a thing as a stated income loan. I speak with self employed individuals, with high scores, … (3 comments)

NY Times writer bashes Cape Coral Florida! What does he know? Really! - 01/04/10 09:55 AM
Okay Peter Goodman, a Times writer, would apparently like to pass himself off as an expert in regards to the real estate market in Cape Coral, Florida. Peter says the market in the Cape is "far from recovery."
Let's start with the tremendous amount of time that Peter hs spent in "OUR" market. The article states that he based his findings on;
a week he spent here 2 years ago
and apparently
some time he spent riding on a safari bus hawking foreclosed homes.
I do sincerely apologize to the Realtor who is exercising his marketing rights by using the bus, … (2 comments)

New Approval Guidelines for 2010. They are what the Underwriter says they are! - 01/04/10 05:54 AM
I've seen some recent posts about guideline changes for FHA, FNMA, and FHLMC, and that's nice. They contained some excellent information, but in a nice way, I question their value.
Along with the agency requirements we have become accustomed to, or not, to a great deal of layering. In its simplist sense, they are just quidelines added on top of "THE" guidelines from the agencies. They may come from multiple sources, and be piled on top of each other so to speak. 
We get guidelines from the institutions approving the loans, guidelines from warehouse lenders funding the loans, and guidleines from other … (4 comments)

If it's Not Broke, Don't fix it! 5 Major Points about the new Good Faith Estimate! - 01/02/10 07:23 AM
Everybody wants to get into the act. That's how it appears, but the facts are that HUD has been attempting to change and finalize a new "Good Faith Estimate" for quite a while. That being said considering all the time they spent on it, it baffles me as to how they could do
Such a lousy job!
In football terminology they
FUMBLED!!!
1st point:
There's no PITI on the new GFE. Obviously the buyer does not want to know what their monthly payment is. Oh! they do you say. Well I'll be more than happy to tell them, but it won't … (5 comments)

The New GFE, it's here! It fails miserably in my opinion! - 01/01/10 06:27 AM
I've been doing this, well forever, so I've formulated some opinions over the years. I've based many of them on my observations, and my customers questions and comments. So when it comes to a "Good Faith Estimate," also referred to as a GFE, I think I have an idea what the client is looking for from this document, and it's not what
A+B, as seen on the bottom of page one states; "Total Estimate of Closing Costs," it's
How much cash do I need to close!!!!!
The new GFE does not address this issue!
To those who developed this/these documents … (7 comments)

 


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