Frisco Texas - Mortgages, Real Estate, Events, & more

2009 Frisco Community Parade - November 14th

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:24:27 -0600

2009 Frisco Community Parade

It happens each year around this time, both Residents and Non-Residents come out and support our community parade. The parade route will begin at Pizza Hut Park and head Eastbound down Main Street through Downtown Frisco. The parade starts at 11:00 am, but don't get there at 10:45 or else you don't get good seats. Streets between World Cup Way and Dogwood Street will be closed between 9:30 am and 1:30 to allow residence to set up and to prepare for the parade itself.

Here are some great photos from 2008 ** Please note that these are not my photos **:

Come on out and celebrate our Frisco Texas!

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If you live in the state of Texas and are looking for a reliable Mortgage Professional to assist you with the loan product that best fits your financial situation, give me a call. We do not charge upfront fees to run scenarios or charge unnecessary application fees.

Do you want to know all of your options? Call me today and let's discuss them further.

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

FAQ's On The New Tax Credit Programs For Homebuyers

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:16:23 -0600

I personally have not done a post about the enhanced/extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, but Gary W. put together a good list of FAQs that I thought I'd share.

Via Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):

Much has been written on the extension of the first time homebuyer tax credit and the credit for existing homeowners. A few frequently asked questions with answers to go along with all of that:

Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?

Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.

Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit?

Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment (when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.

Question: I am a first time homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered, however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?

Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill.

The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase,

which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement,

you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you're within the phase-out

range).

Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I have found a home with a non-negotiable price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any of the $6500 tax credit?

Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount

above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an

absolute ceiling.

Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the other eligibility tests?

Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you

will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000

and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in

the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and

occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The

keyword here is "consecutive." As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he

did since 3 years doesn't impact eligibility.

Question: I am an eligible first-time homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the extension date affect me?

Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as

if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30

(or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit.

Chunk Your Junk in Frisco Texas - Saturday November 7th 2009

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:03:22 -0600

It's time for Chunk Your Junk in Frisco Texas, this Saturday November 7th from 8 am to 12 pm.

Do you have things at your home that you just can't throw away? Once a month you have an opportunity to Chunk Your Junk. This includes appliances, chemicals, fencing, yard waste, and much more. For a more detailed list of what is allowable, go to their website.

To Chunk Your Junk in Frisco Texas, go to 6616 Walnut Street between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm. Don't forget to bring your Driver's License and a current water bill.

If you are unable to make it to Chunk Your Junk, you can call Texas Waste Management and see what is allowable in your weekly trash. They can also schedule a one time pick up of certain items. Last year, we got rid of a 52 inch television and a mini fridge.

Determining Your Budget: How Much Money Do You Need to Buy A Home in Texas?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:31:10 -0500

How Much Money Do You Need to Buy a Home in Texas? First and foremost, you should not just focus on the down payment, although that's not a bad place to start. When you contact a Mortgage Consultant, they will typically walk you through a few scenarios and help you determine which type of loan is best for your financial situation.

When buying a home, you need to consider the following cash factors:

Down payment - min. 3.5% FHA or min 5% Conventional of the purchase price
Earnest money -usually requested by the seller, but overall will be deducted as part of the transaction
Hazard Insurance - typically, insurance companies require the first year to be paid upfront
Closing Costs & Pre-paid Expenses - Displayed on the Good Faith Estimate which is provided by a Mortgage Consultant.
- Lender Costs
- Title Costs
- Pre-paid items - 2 to 3 months worth of hazard insurance/tax reserves
- Mortgage Insurance Premium - Can be financed into the loan
- Can negotiate with the seller to pay for some/all of the closing costs (speak with your Real Estate Agent)
Reserves - 2 to 3 months worth of cash reserves, after all costs above are paid.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when buying a home in Texas. The exact amount needed to close can fluctuate depending on the loan amount, property taxes, and hazard insurance plan. For an accurate breakdown of what fees to expect, contact your local Mortgage Consultant.

These items should be determined before you make an offer on a home. Part of your offer will include the request for the seller to pay for some of the closing costs. Without knowing the closing costs, it makes it harder to request the exact amount (although it can be done).

Have you hired a Real Estate Agent? Watch for my upcoming post which will help you narrow down your search for a Real Estate Agent in your area. If you are in the market and need a few suggestions, feel free to contact me directly as I can assist you with finding a Real Estate Agent anywhere in the state of Texas.

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Do you want to know all of your options? Call me today and let's discuss them further.

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

Should your life stop just because you're buying a home? In short... YES!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:39:19 -0500

Should your life stop just because you're buying a home? Truthfully, you never know what affect actions you take today will have on the mortgage you apply for. Even if you don't plan on refinancing or purchasing for another three to six months from now.

Something as simple as transferring money from your savings to your checking account can create hassles in the mortgage process. I know it may seem a bit much, but lenders are paying closer attention to mortgage transactions today. Sure, the transfer of money seems simple enough.. and maybe it is. But when lenders see a large sum of money transferred into an account, they want a paper trail to know where the money came from and be sure that all accounts balance.

There are at least six things that should be avoided when purchasing a home or refinancing your existing mortgage. Even if you are already 'pre-approved', you should wait until the loan has closed.

Buying, Leasing, or Refinancing a Car - Many people are inclined to 'improve their social standing' by purchasing a car and buying a home at the same time (yes, this includes leasing a vehicle). There's nothing wrong with the concept itself, but buying the car before buying a home can affect what the lender determines you can afford for a home. Since a car is such a big ticket item, it can greatly raise your debt-to-income ratio, which lenders use to determine the amount of home you can afford. Ultimately, it will affect how much home you can purchase. Refinancing your automobile can affect your credit scores. Even though you are probably lowering your payments, the refinanced loan is considered new debt when calculating your credit score.

Becoming Self-Employed or changing jobs - Either of these could have a negative impact on your loan application and overall approval. In most cases, lenders want to see at least 2 years of self-employment. Keep in mind that this means 2 years worth of tax returns, which really means you probably have to be self-employed for more than 2 years in order to provide a full 2 years worth of returns. ** also, income is determined based on the 'Adjusted Gross Income' (after your deductions) ** Wait until after buying a home to become self-employed.

Changing jobs to a 'sales' environment is also risky while you are considering a home purchase. Even though the position you accept is not considered 'self-employment' is it still sales based. If you were receiving a salary prior to your new 'sales' job then you will need to show 2 years worth of sales income. Being in a sales position has similar considerations as being self-employed.

Moving Money Between Accounts - I mentioned this in an example above. When a lenders underwrites your loan to determine your eligibility, they will request complete statements (yes, even the blank pages) from your accounts that contain liquid assets. When you move money around between these accounts, especially if they are large amounts, you will have withdrawals in some and deposits in others. The lender will want to see documentation for these transactions. Most people do not keep all of this paperwork, so it's much easier to leave the money in the accounts until after you have purchased or refinanced your home.

Change Banks - This pretty much ranks up there with 'moving money'. It just creates additional paperwork for you and the lender. The more paperwork, the more likely issues could arise for your home purchase. Not only could there be questions/concerns from the lender, but it could cause unnecessary delays in closing your loan. Stay with your current bank until the mortgage process is complete.

Make a Large Purchase - A large purchase is not just about a car or boat. Now that you are moving into a bigger place, you will probably want to fill it with furniture... and that 'One Year Same As Cash' deal sounds really tempting. Resist the urge to purchase that new sofa set until after you have obtained the mortgage. Again, this is for two reasons. First, it could affect your credit scores and debt-to-income ratios. Secondly, remember that you are not done buying a home until the loan closes. There are no guarantees until that happens. Unfortunately, there are a number of things that could happen which results in a declined loan application. Contact your local mortgage professional to help you avoid any costly mistakes.

Apply For a Credit Card - Although this is the last item I mentioned, this is equally as important. The new credit card won't hurt your credit score too badly if you already have good credit, but it will cause the to question your financial stability for buying a home. For the time being, don't apply for no interest credit cards or department stores. After you are settled into your new home, there will be plenty of time for shopping.

In summary, when you are buying a home or refinancing your current mortgage, it is best to stay away from anything that will look as though you don't have your finances under control. The items above are just a few examples that could cause such a determination.

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Do you want to know all of your options? Call me today and let's discuss them further.

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

Foto Friday - My First Attempt and lots of iPhone Photos to Share

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:32:24 -0500

This is my first 'Foto Friday'. I've thought about sharing pictures before and thought today would be a good day. I needed a little 'Pick Me Up" today and pictures of family and friends seem to always do the trick.

I'll warn you that these photos are not as good as the ones taken from Paul Henderson or Michael Thornton (If you love photo's and do not subscribe to them, I strongly urge you to). But they are moments in my life over the past 2 years or so that I've been able to capture on my iPhone. The iPhone takes pretty good photos in comparison to my previous phones, and I can easily upload them to my computer at the end of the day.

These are my wacky kids... Okay.. the blonde headed kid is not mine, but I'm pretty sure he is over my house more than his own, so we claim him on taxes (I'm kidding if anyone from the IRS is looking at this post).

My wife can be pretty goofy herself. This is Andrea wearing some Mickey Mouse ears. Yes, these are her Mickey Mouse Ears. She has a few pairs. On these, the ears light up.

Plus you can never go wrong when you stumble upon an amazing view or photo opportunity..

This is fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl in California. We took the kids there on our family vacation this summer. My wife and I have enjoyed the Hollywood Bowl for years.

Well, thats just a small venture into my iPhone. I have about 190+ photo's in there. Far too many to share in one night, but each of them hold some great fun and memories.

Windor Place HOA - Fall Festival Saturday October 24th, 2009

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:14:39 -0500

Windsor Place HOA – Fall Festival

On Saturday, October 24^th, 2009, Windsor Place HOA in Frisco Texas will be hosting a Fall Festival Party.

The festival will be held in the Pavilion at Newman Park, located on the corner of Angel Falls and Twin Falls. Party starts at 3 pm until 5 pm. Don’t be late or you may miss some of the activities.

What’s on tap?

- Pumpkin Carving Contest (check out last year's entries)

- Kids Costume Contest (parents and pets are also welcome to dress)

- Fall Photos

- Goodie Bags

FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED! That’s right. Windsor Place HOA has hired Mooyah Burgers to cater our family fun event.

So, bring your kids, your smiles, and plan on having some good food and lots of fun!

**** Quick Update ****

We held the Fall Festival today and we had approx 30 homeowners show up, out of 182 homes. Probably the biggest showing we had were from the kids in the neighborhood. I'm sure that was due to the delicious burgers though. The contest consisted of many babies. My wife took pictures, so I'll share them once available.

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

Fireplaces - Hidden Dangers...

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:53:53 -0500

This post was featured and has been reblogged a few times already, but I wanted to share it with you. If you have a fireplace and use them during the winter, this is a good post to read about the safety (or lack there of) of your fireplace.

Via Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.):

Fireplaces - Hidden Dangers...

With old man winter just beginning to clear his throat with the first cool snaps of the winter season, many Americans begin firing up their fireplaces. But before you start enjoying the ambiance of the warm embers glow with the blanket, a bottle of bubbly and your sweetie, is your fireplace really safe from the hidden dangers that most folks do not even know about?

Statistically, over 1/3rd of Americans use solid fuel (wood) as their primary source of heat. Most of these are in rural areas. Statistics also show that 36% of residential home fires start in the fireplace or wood burning stove.

When was the last time you:

Had your chimney or flue evaluated by a licensed chimney sweep? Most residential fires are caused by creosote build-up and flue fires.

Checked the air inlets? Some modern fireplaces draw air from the exterior. Insects find these protected areas a cool spot to build their nests. Blocked inlets can cause poor combustion and CO to build up.

When was the last time you checked to see if tree branches were hanging over the flue?

When was the last time you checked the batteries in your smoke detector? Statistics show that most deaths could have been prevented. Missing/dead batteries was the number one cause.

Be safe.

Do not use incendiaries to start a fire. Flammable liquids are unsafe.

Use only seasoned hardwoods. Soft, green wood causes creosote to build up in flues and liners.

Keep firewood away from your home. We do not want to bring in WDO's do we?

Build smaller fires. These burn better and produce less smoke.

By practicing a few "rules of the road" you and your sweetie can cuddle and enjoy the bubbly☺☺☺

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com

Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Fright Fest 2009 at Six Flags Over Texas

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:06:15 -0500

Okay Texas Readers... I was going to do a post on Fright Fest at Six Flags, but our local Dallas Realtor Steve Shatsky has put one together already. Are you dressed and ready to have fun? Well, get started. Between the Texas State Fair and Fright Fest at Six Flags, you should be quite busy.

Via Steve Shatsky - Dallas Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist (469)449-9840 (Prudential Texas Properties):

Now through November 1, 2009, it will be "Thrills by Day, Chills by Night" at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington as Snickers® presents Fright Fest 2009.

The event will transform Six Flags into a Halloween Extravaganza with special Halloween themed shows, street entertainment, and hair raising haunted houses. The haunted houses are my favorite! And don't forget that admission still includes access to all the park's rides... in the dark!

For more information, visit http://www.sixflags.com/overTexas/events/FrightFest2009.aspx

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate a devilish Halloween time... Six Flags style!

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If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and are looking for a REALTOR® to help make the home buying or selling process easier and more friendly, call me today at (469)449-9840 to schedule a consultation. Or visit my website at EasyTexasRealEstate.com. I'd be happy to help you move forward and achieve your Real Estate dreams and goals. Not located in the D/FW area? Contact me anyway... I'd be happy to refer you to a real estate professional in your area who can help you.

When you are stuck, ask your Social Media Friends for advice

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:43:48 -0500

A few weeks back, I wrote about my son becoming a member of the Cowboys, as part of the Frisco Football League. They have had three games so far and they get better each week. So, why I am telling you this? Well, tonight I am sitting at the computer and putting together some music for the game tomorrow. I did the same thing about 2 weeks ago. See, I am the game announcer during the home games only. During that time I get to announce the players and the plays, but I also put together some warm-up music before the game and play music during timeouts and half-time.

2 weeks ago, I went through my entire list of music and was still looking for more. I then decided to send a message on twitter, facebook, and myspace for some ideas. To my surprise I received a TON of suggestions of good football songs. Songs that add some excitement to downtime during the game. Don't misunderstand... I'm not trying to be a DJ but I do like to have fun.

So, whenever you are in a bind, know that you have thousands of social media friends that are willing to help out. I utilize these friends often. See, social media/networking is not just about you sharing a link to your website. Sometimes its about sharing other knowledge and experiences... and other times its about asking for advice or suggestions.

Alright, back to putting additional music on the list. Wish us luck against the Chargers tomorrow and watch for some updates on Twitter @JCannata.

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

My Morning Coffee Mug... and a few family stories

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:39:19 -0500

Working from home has its advantages. After getting the kids up, fed (sometimes chocolate chip pancakes), and out the door, I can then sit and start my day. I thought I'd share with you the mug I enjoy each day with some fresh coffee and tasty creamer.

This mug is my favorite that I drink out of every day. I'm able to add pictures, instead of something like a credit companies name, a lenders name, or something that reads 'class of XX'

On one side is my daughter, Sidney. She is not this small anymore. In the top picture she is almost 2 (now 12 1/2... you have to add the 1/2 now) and is wearing a Nike hat that I use to wear. It was a little big for her, but she was so darn cute in it with those big cheeks.

The bottom picure is of my daughter and son together. They are 13 months apart. In this picture we were in the snow

If I turn my mug slightly to the right, you will see my son, Quinten. Again, he isn't this small anymore. At the time of the above picture, he was just over 2 years old. When he was a baby, it would take a miracle to get this boy to laugh at us (and I'll have you know I'm pretty funny). He was not a cranky baby... just didn't find us amusing... at least not that often. After a year, the boy was cracking more smiles and now has a big grin on his face most of the time. As a matter of fact, he thinks he's the funniest kid around. I compare him to Jim Carey because he is goofy like that all the time. My wife and I often laugh at the thought that he didn't laugh at us at all in the beginning and now he has quite a sense of humor.

The bottom picture is of the kids together. They are around 5 & 6 years old and we were at the park where Quinten was learning to play Tee Ball. It was also the last day that Quinten tried Tee Ball.

Of course, the mug would not be complete without my lovely wife Andrea, who has put up with me for 15 years (in December). We will leave her age out of this post, but I can say she was younger in each of these pictures.

The top picture was in 1994. It was our first apartment together in Moorpark, California. A simple 2 bedroom, 2 bath. She laughs at me when I tell her its one of my favorite pictures. I'm a simple man and don't need all of the fancy dresses and make-up. The ponytail/scrunchy works just fine for me. :-)

In the bottom picture was one of our first real dates. We went to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. The date was 8/15/94, it was a work day. We both ditched work and of course were spotted by other employees. It was a lot of fun. That was when we use to go on the scary rides....

I could change the pictures around, but honestly they have been the same pictures for 6 years now. We take lots of pictures, but these are some of my favorites. Thought I'd take a moment and share my mug with you and share some stories. Now I'll get back to work!

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

Shopping for mortgages - The Public Image of Advertising that is misleading !!!! - Part 1 of 2

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:26:40 -0500

Jeff Belonger shares with us today a few examples of 'Shark Advertising'. These are companies that lure consumers with false and misleading statements. I've used one of these companies in the past and spent quite a bit of time explaining the true facts to the consumer.

Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):

ADVERTISING – Those ads that seem too good to be true.

I have been in the mortgage business for 17 + years. I have seen so much advertising when it came to mortgage companies and how many of the ads were misleading or just flat out lies. Those companies advertising low rates that didn't happen. This easily went on from 1992 to 2002. I always wondered why this wasn't regulated as strongly as it should have been. I found out that some of these companies had 100's of complaints, yet they still operated for those 10 years. I think this is misleading and I call it Shark Advertising. It's dangerously misleading, yet it worked for many companies, at the expense of the borrower.

If anyone has noticed, we haven't see as much advertising from mortgage companies or large banks in the last 18 months or so. I am now seeing a few mortgage companies advertise on the radio and as of lately, a few advertise on TV, especially ESPN. The ads are misleading because they appear to make you believe that it's being backed by the government. (Miriam Bernstein made this comment below that explains this part.. - Comment # 30 -)Has anyone seen a few ads on tv that look like a news update, a spokesperson telling you about government funded programs or that the government is helping in sponsoring these programs. Yet if you read the fine print, it's a mortgage company, disguising this ad very carefully, spinning it as thought the government is putting this out to the public??

I am even seeing this more and more in such places as Facebook. Below are a few that I am seeing on Facebook now.

Here are some ads found on facebook and comcast.net. As you can see, these mortgage companies and or companies that are lead generators, make you think that the government is behind this. Obama hasn't asked homeowners to refinance. The first one on the left, upper left, is from a company called Lower My Bills. They sell leads to other mortgage companies, after they have gathered your information online. Then you have like 4 to 10 lenders call you, sometimes daily.

People on Facebook that give basic information – eye catchers to pull you in.

Here is a loan officer on Facebook that placed this on his Wall, to capture the attention of others. You just need to be aware of what you read. Sure, this can happen, but there are some unknowns not mentioned. And sometimes the loan officer will raise that unknown, so you can't obtain that great rate and get the next best thing. Keeping in mind, it's not always about the Best Rate. How service? Integrity? Educating the borrower? And so much more.... Please read : I want the same deal that my friend receivd... & Mortgage payment vs Interest Rate

Web Sites that are deceiving !!!!

As I explained in this blog post, deceptive web sites, here is a great example above. Doesn't this look like it could come from the USDA themselves? But it isn't. It acts as a lead catcher, catching your info to call you and or sell you about USDA loans or any other type of mortgage loan. No Cost Obligation is mentioned on the site. - We always love to hear about free things, but are they free overall?

Here is a FAVORITE of mine !!!

I am sure many of you have seen this one on tv, FreeCreditReport.com. The commercial announces a free credit report. But at the very end, it says that you need to enroll in their Triple Advantage program.

A free credit report? They have tons of commercials & commercials cost money to display on TV. They also have like 3 to 4 different kinds of commercials and. producing commercials cost money.

Well, I feel like an investigative reporter for the news. I filled out my info online, trying to see what I get. It says that it takes 3 to 5 days for me to obtain these credit reports from the 3 credit agencies. (giving my credit card #) And then there is a button that says, to obtain your 3 reports now, click here. Imagine that, it's asking for $24.95 now. See the 2nd paragraph on the left, highlighted in yellow? It talks about the new Federal Law and I am wondering if that is what they are sending me now, because that is free. But from what I know, you have to go to annual credit report to get the free reports.

All 6 commericals - Free Credit Report.com

Conclusion :   Just be very careful of what you read and what says free, when it might not be free. I always have said, someone has to pay for it from some where. Is it you? Is it me who pays for it?

Overall....No matter what, consumers will fall for some of these ads. It's called false hope. Especially when desperate, you just want to believe that someone can help you.. or, that it's cheaper with them than the others. thanks

Shopping for mortgages - The Public Image of Advertising that is misleading !!!! - Part 1 of 2

Shopping for mortgages - The Lending Trees of the World (lead generators) - Part 2 of 2

Advertisements - Is the grass greener on the other side?



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- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

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Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!

Copyright © 2009 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

How Memorable Is Your 30-Second Commercial?

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:09:05 -0500

Anna Kruchten of Arizona "AnnaBananaRealty" reminds us to revisit our #0 Second Commercial or Elevator Speech. She provides some good tips on spicing it up a little and keeping it energized.

Via Anna 'Banana' Kruchten, Anna Banana Realty, Phoenix AZ:

How Memorable Is Your 30-Second Commercial?

I don't know what things are like in your area of the country, but in Phoenix, there are so many networking opportunities, you could literally attend 4 meetings a day and not hit all of them.

You know the kind ... chicken caesar salad for lunch, and eveyone gets a chance to give their 10- to 30-second elevator speech. So be honest. How bored are you by the time it comes around to your turn? More to the point, how many people do you actually remember? How many names have you written down of those you want to meet afterwards?

So ... if you're bored during what can seem like an unending parade of uninspired introductions ... have you ever stopped to think about how bored other people might be listening to yours? Especially in a crowded industry like real estate!!! I was at a meeting just the other day, and I was one of 5 Realtors in the group! I had a teacher in grade school who used to say, "If you're bored, you're boring!" Sometimes, those lessons just keep on giving, don't they?

What can you do to spice up your self-promotion? Here are just a couple ideas:

Tell a story

Paint a word picture

Sing a song

Tune in to everyone's favorite radio station: WIIFM (What's in it for me?)

Recite a poem

Be funny

Wear a standout hat/shirt/coat

Have a startling call to action

People do business with those they know, like, trust ... and REMEMBER. Put on that thinking cap and set yourself apart. You'll see the changes in no time flat.

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Do you live in the Phoenix, Arizona area? Are you thinking about making a change in real estate companies?

Give me a call at 602-595-8900 or e-mail me. Let's talk about your marketing strategies - and the best ways to make yourself memorable.

AnnaBananaRealty.com

This is Just a Test

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:39:50 -0500

JL has provided some really good points about listening to your Agent when selling your home. The title is called "This is Just a Test" but the point is to not TEST the market. Decide you want to sell your home, hire a reliable, professional agent, and stick it on the market ready to sell. The media is not always your best friend and all markets are different. Do your research on a professional in the area and rely on that person to direct you.

Via JL Boney, III Columbia, SC Real Estate (Russell and Jeffcoat):

Selling a homes is actually serious business, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of you Realtor as well as yourself. So, if you're not really ready to commit to what it takes to sell a house in today's market, then you really shouldn't put your house on the market.

If you're just planning on testing the market, then you've likely already made up your mind that you not going to listen to what your professional has to say. Chances are, you are simply planning on tossing your house on the market at some random price that has nothing to do with comparable, sold properties, and see what happens.

Let me be the first to tell you that this type attitude can and usually does blow up in our face. The majority of activity on a home for sale will happen in the early days of it's existence on the market. That's why it's so important to price it right, advertise it right, and have it in good order and ready to show right from the start.

Doing it right from the beginning will usually yield good results, that's why it's so important to do. So when you just test that market, by not having your house ready to show and priced right from the start, you usually blow your best opportunity to sell.

The problem becomes that fact that your house develops a reputation amongst Realtors who are showing buyers on the market. They have shown the home and they have seen that it doesn't show well and that it's over priced. They will relay this information to any potential buyer that asks about this house, and chances are it will not be shown to that buyer.

By the time you get serious about selling the house, unfortunately that damage is done. Every Realtor that has shown it will remember it's state in the beginning and buyers will know something is wrong by the number of days it has spent on the market. Usually when you test the market, the market wins and it's not very nice about it either. So get it right from he start and take that market seriously.

www.JLBoney.com
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

JL Boney, III - Columbia, SC Realtor - Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors

I specialize in Columbia, SC real estateand the surrounding areas, including Blythewood, SC, Kershaw County, Fairfield County, and Lexington, SC. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in Columbia, SC or any of the surrounding areas, I would love the opportunity to speak with to see how I can help. Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me if I can be of service to you.

Office- 803-788-1450 Cell- 803-730-9601 Email- jlboney@russellandjeffcoat.com

My Columbia SC Real Estate Website www.jlboney.com

My Columbia, SC Real Estate Blog http://www.ColumbiaSCRealEsateblog.com

www.jlboney.com/columbiascrealestateblog.html

Well, the Swine Flue has officially hit my home...

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:33:49 -0500

Someone has been sick in this house for 2 weeks. First it started with my son. He had 'flu like symptoms' but did not have the flu. It took him a few days to recover and only missed 2 days of school. We were hoping for the same thing with my daughter when she suddenly had a fever on Wednesday Night. Well... not so lucky. We took her to the doctor when her fever would not go down from 103.7

They tested her for the flu. And I don't know about you, but it looks very uncomfortable. The test is done by taking a LONG q-tip looking thing and sticking it through your nose and way to the back of your head. Okay, maybe thats a little exaggerated but you get the picture. The poor thing could still feel it later on in the night. Anyway, the doctor confirmed that my daughter does in fact have the swine flu.

Contrary to what many had heard, swine flu should run its course like any other flu. I guess its very serious for children under the age of 6 and over the age of 65. Everyone in the middle will get fevers, chills, etc. but really just needs to continue taking the meds prescribed by the doctor, perhaps a cold bath to help lower the temperature, and lots of liquids.

For now, my daughter will be staying home with me and hopefully will be back in school on Monday.

Interesting how quickly this swine flu has gone around. The doctor mentioned that he has about 17 confirmed cases a day. So, contrary to my post about the proper way to shake hands, try to avoid a lot of contact. Shaking hands, coughing, and sneezing are a few ways that this flu is passed on. Be sure to wash your hands often and carry hand sanitizer.

If you do catch the swine flu, go see your doctor. They will prescriibe some meds to help you through it. Ultimately, the flu will run its course within about a week or so.

Have a great day and try to stay healthy.

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

Free BOWLING @ Strikz Frisco Texas... September 28 - October 2, 2009

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:17:44 -0500

You read that correctly! For the week of 9/28 - 10/2 Strikz Entertainment is offering FREE BOWLING for lunch.

Where - Strikz Entertainment 8789 Lebanon Rd Frisco TX
Date - 9/28 to 10/2
Time - 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost - NOTHING, ZERO, ZILTCH

How can this be, you ask? First of all, you must make a reservation. Its First Come First Serve. During this time, Strikz is offering a 'Lane Side Buffet' for only $9.99. That's all you can eat, plus bowling!

Shoes are not included in the price, so if you do not own a pair you will need to rent them. I believe rentals are $3.75 for adults and $2.75 for children.

For more information on Strikz Entertainment and other specials, check out their website.

It's part of your first impression... make it a good one!

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:55:19 -0500

Every day we meet people. Some are new, where as others you've known for years. Each time you meet someone, typically you greet them with a handshake. What does your handshake say about you?

One of my biggest pet peeves is a weak handshake. You know the one where if feels like you are shaking hands with a noodle. When I extend my hand for yours, I am looking for a firm shake. Not something overbearing, but certainly not just your fingertips. If I meet you for the first time, I'll certainly judge you right away based on the handshake. I'm not too concerned when its a parent of my children's friend. The can be overly confident or lack confidence, I don't care. We may not hang out, but you are welcome to my home. But if we were meeting in order to work together, it will make all the difference in the world and I'll be prepared to just move on.

I took the liberty of looking up the definition of a good, solid handshake. You may think this is basic, but so many people do this wrong. Here's what was said:

Extend your right hand to meet the other person's right hand.
Point your thumb upwards toward the other person's arm and extend your arm at a downward angle.
Wrap your hand around the others person's hand when your thumb joints come together.
Grasp the hand firmly and squeeze gently once.
Hold the handshake for 2-3 seconds
Pump your hand up and down a few times to convey sincerity.

There are so many variations that are done. Some people extend the handshake with the palm facing up. Others there their palm is facing down. And as I mentioned, there are those that don't really shake your hand, they are just holding it out there for you to do the work. My favorite is usually the over aggressive fingers spread wide open, followed by the 'over the top' squeeze.

When I meet someone for the first time or 10th time, I follow the steps above and even make sure to continue eye contact. In business, a handshake can make the difference between someone doing business with you or passing you by for the next best thing.

Are you overly aggressive or cocky?
Are you passive and can be dominated easily by others?
Are you confident (not to be confused with cocky) about your abilities and proud of who you are?

Especially as a Real Estate Agent, its very important to have the right handshake. Not something that tells your client that you will TELL them what to do and/or will let them walk all over you. You want to show them that you are confident in your ability to sell the home or show them homes in their price range and style. Don't try to bully them with your handshake or offer them the 'wet fish' shake.

Have you analyzed what your handshake says about you? What does it say?

How To Check Property Taxes For Homes In The D/FW Area

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:31:14 -0500

My new friend John Jones shares some helpful tips and links on finding out your property taxes in teh DFW area.

******* The original post has been changes. Please visit the original post for further details. *******

Via John Jones (Keller Williams Elite, Dallas/Park Cities):

Checking the amount of property taxes for homes in the Dallas Fort Worth area can be a little tricky if you don't know where to go to find the information. Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, Denton and Rockwall counties all have their own tax appraisal districts and the taxes for each county are shown online for each appraisal district.

And although each county in the D/FW area has their own website for each appraisal district, they all function quite differently. Some do not even show the amount of taxes. In some cases, it may be better to use an alternate site such as www.taxnetusa.com to view the estimated property taxes.

If you are actively looking for homes in the D/FW area, check out these links and bookmark them for future reference.

DALLAS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT

The Dallas county appraisal district's website is www.dallascad.org. Their website is very user friendly and DOES SHOW ESTIMATED TAXES. It also has some other features that show the deed history of the property and some other helpful information.

To search homes by address:

Click http://www.dallascad.org/SearchAddr.aspx

Enter the street number, street name and use the dropdown to select the city.

A link will appear at the bottom of the page showing the property record. Click that link and it will show the estimated amount of taxes.

For a detailed list of all owners of record for the last 10 years, click the link at the bottom of the page that says "HISTORY".

TARRANT COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT

Tarrant county's appraisal district is located at www.tad.org. Their website is relatively easy to navigate, but to look up the amount of property taxes for an individual address or owner name, you'll need to go to a different site (below).

To view the tax appraised value (NOT the actual amount of taxes):

Go to http://www.tad.org/Datasearch/re_location_search.cfm?matches

Type in the street number, street name and city.

Click "search"

This will display the tax appraised value and will provide links to past deed transfers.

To view estimated taxes for Tarrant county:

Go to http://taxoffice.tarrantcounty.com/AccountSearch.asp

Click the dropdown to search by Owner name, address or account number.

HINT - CLICK "LOCATION ADDRESS" to search for taxes on a particular property. If you click "owner address" and the taxes are billed to a different address than the subject property, it will not return any results.

COLLIN COUNTY CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT

Collin county's central appraisal district is located at www.collincad.org. Their site is quite user friendly and has several options that show a great deal of information.

To search Collin county property taxes by address:

Go to http://www.collincad.org/mainsearch.php?mode=address&kind=real

Type in the street number and street name.

Click "find"

Click the account number on the left side of the page when the search results display.

This will forward you to a page that shows the tax appraised value and any exemptions on the property.

To view the estimated taxes, scroll down about halfway down the page and click the link in the middle that says "Notice Of Appraised Value"

Click the button that says "Value Notice".

This opens a PDF file of the property tax statement that shows the total taxes for each entity (City, County, College and School). Grab a calculator and ADD UP THE FOUR AMOUNTS UNDER THE COLUMN "2009 ESTIMATED TAXES" TO FIGURE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAXES.

DENTON COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT

Denton county's appraisal district is located at http://www.dentoncad.com/ Their website includes some helpful information, but DOES NOT SHOW THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAXES. Again, I would recommend using www.taxnetusa.com to search property tax amounts by address.

To view property information for Denton county:

Go to http://www.dentoncad.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=98&Itemid=54

Type in the address

Select the property to view the tax appraised value.

To view ESTIMATED TAXES by property address:

Go to http://www.taxnetusa.com/texas/denton/

Type in the street number and street name.

Click the yellow "search" button in the top right hand corner.

Click the account number to see the estimated taxes.

NOTE - This site is not owned or maintained by the City of Denton, so verify the amount of taxes by contacting the Denton appraisal district. The easiest way to do this is to search for a property address at http://www.dentoncad.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=98&Itemid=54, and clicking the link that says "Question About This Property". They shoudl email you the answer to your questions.

ROCKWALL COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT

Rockwall county's appraisal district is located at www.rockwallcad.com. Their site is easy to

To view ESTIMATED TAXES by property:

Go to http://propaccess.rockwallcad.com/clientdb/?cid=1

Select "address" from the dropdown.

Type in the street number and street name.

Click "search"

Click "view details" in the top right corner.

Click the link that says "taxing Jurisdiction" to show the estimated taxes with and without exemptions.

A COUPLE OF THINGS TO REMEMBER:

If you are unable to locate a particular property on any of these sites, try typing the address in http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl to verify the county in which the property lies. In most cases where the proerty address cannot be located, the reason is that the home lies in an adjacent county.

Make sure you spell the street name correctly. If you are unsure, try typing in just the first few letters of the street name to see if it comes up.

If all else fails, try searching the property at www.taxnetusa.com

TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH YOUR MONTHLY ESCROW TAX PAYMENT WILL BE (FOR A MORTGAGE THAT ROLLS IN TAXES AND INSURANCE), DIVIDE THE ANNUAL TAXES BY 12. This should provide an accurate picture of the monthly cost of taxes for any particular home.

Keeping It Real in a Buyer's Market - What Buyer's Market????

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:56:25 -0500

This is a good post from Loreean Yeo and thought I would share it with you, in case you are not following her.

Via Loreena Yeo - Broker|Realtor(R) of www.Frisco-TX-Homes.com (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY):

In real estate, we call a Buyer's market when there are too many homes for sale than buyers. The news media paint the doom and gloom markets all over the country and speak very much in generalization. The public watches the news and believe what they hear.

However, as we have always said, Real Estate is LOCAL. One state differs from another. One city. One neighborhood. One set of price range too. No doubt that under $300K here in the greater Frisco TX area are selling like HOT CAKES.

But the buyers are hearing that the economy is bad, and the houses are going into foreclosures. Buyers want to take advantage of these "attractive" pricing. They play How Low You Will Go with the Seller and they act as if they are doing a favor for the Seller for buying their house.

In my experience, I have never got involved in as many multiple offer negotiations as I have been since 2003. In fact, I'm getting pretty good at it (fighting multiple offers for buyers and writing back up contracts). It's almost something I always prepare my buyers for. The "talk" about multiple offer situations. Some who may not believe me finds it surprising. They will soon find out the hard way.

With our local economy, my buyers are learning the real truth about the housing market in the area: Don't play a fool about the house you like - especially it is packed with emotions to house your family. Whenever you didn't put your best foot forward, and rather test how low the Seller will go, you may lose the house you really like.

But please don't take my word for it.

Read the comments below by real estate professionals ALL over the country on a Facebook status I followed over the weekend (mid-September 2009):

Brian Block of Northern VA & D.C. Real Estate - Is it 2009 or 2004? 3 good offers in 48 hours on a house I have for sale!

Rich Jacobson of Kitsap County Washington Real Estate - just had two come in on one of my listings...it's karma!

Chris & Stephanie Somers of Philadelphia Real Estate - Starting to happen more ! Same thing happened to us on a listing we had 2 weeks ago. It was great ! And the seller is very happy !!

Russ Ravary of Michigan Homes for Sale just wrote this hot off the press post about how busy this real estate market it.

A buyer for my listing had 3 offers to choose from in the 2nd week of listing.

A listing of mine had multiple offers in 12 days, and sold for more than asking price.

Another listing of mine sold for more than the Seller's expectation - quoted as per Seller.

BOTTOM LINE PEOPLE! It's happening even in a Buyer's market. What Buyer's Market???

If you are a real estate professional, please share your Good news here. I really do want to open the minds of Buyers the realities of losing the house you love.

So, keeping it real in a Buyer's market - Where's the Buyer's market?

*********************************************************************************************

All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY).
Keeping It Real in a Buyer's Market - What Buyer's Market????

Didn't Realize It's Been 13 Weeks... My Bells Palsy Update

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:22:58 -0500

The last time I wrote about Bells Palsy, it was 8/14/09 which was week #8. Well, its been 13 weeks as of tomorrow morning.

There is not too much to report, but I do like keeping track of any changes along the way so I continue to post. Since my last update, I have been back to the doctor to check in and also ask about his thoughts on acupuncture. I still have not done it and I'm not sure if I will. The doctor made it sound as though it would be a waste of time/money, but ultimately left it up to me. We'll see. I haven't decided one way or another just yet although it appears I am leaning towards not doing it.

Over the past 2 weeks I have seen more movement in my face. My left eyebrow moves slightly, but not to the extent of my right one. I can still make a mean Elvis face without trying hard. Also, I can smirk on the left side. At first I thought since my eyebrow was moving, maybe that meant I would get movement from top to bottom. When I realized I was able to move my mouth a little, I knew that was not right and apparently I would slowly get movement back in random areas.

If I were to put it into a percentage, I'd say I'm about 8-10% back and still WAY off from a full recovery.

In my posts, I always like to clarify how lucky I am that this is temporary, even if its been over 3 months now. It's not life threatening and is minor compared to what others have gone through with other major illnesses. I'm thankful that I'll make a full recovery and its just taking time. I'm also hoping that the movement I have is a sign that I'm on the road to full functionality. Its a real drag not being able to have a complete smile. I look so serious in so many pictures lately because I don't want to have a half smile. Instead I have some 'thug' look LOL. I tell people I'm going through a phase.

Thank you all for your kind words in my posts. As with everything in life, you move on and handle your business. For me, the only thing different is that I don't smile in pictures. All other things in life are back to normal (closings, parent meetings, sport functions, etc). Some people know I have bells palsy because I told them early on. Others have no idea and have just come to know me as a guy that can't move the left side of his face. I haven't taken the time to explain to people like I use to. I'm sure they notice, but we move forward. Eventually my face will have full movement and maybe it will come up. For now, I don't feel obligated to explain anymore.

Have a great weekend! And thanks again for reading my posts.

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

Updated Profile Pictures... why I like them.

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:13:13 -0500

Donna Harris wrote a post about the New ActiveRain picture options and requested that everyone change it back. Of course she just meant that it was taking her some adjustments to learn new faces. I have to admit I experienced the same thing. It took some getting use to, but I truly like the new look. I especially like the fact that I get to see my daughter each day I sign in to ActiveRain. That's who is with my in this picture.

Sure, I'll admit its not the most recent picture but thats because I still have a half smile (I'll be providing an update on that soon as well). But it is football season, so the picture still fits.

Anyway, the new feature is awesome because you can now crop a picture to include the portion you want. Many of you have updated your pictures and I like it. Much cleaner, brighter, and more friendly in some cases.

Additional Principal Reductions - Why Its Worth It.

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:18:45 -0500

You heard the radio adds, the television commercials, and your neightbor talk about the mortgage rates being at an all time low. Then you called your local mortgage company only to find out the rate was not much better than your current rate. Now what? Don't worry, you still have options and it wont take a refinance to do it.

Did you know that most mortgage companies will allow you to make additional principal payments on your loan balance? Perhaps you receive a larger than expected tax return, an inheritance, a non-taxable cash gift, or that work bonus you were not expecting. You could apply this money toward your loan principal which result in a signicant savings and shorter loan life.

For this example, I am using a loan balance of $150,000, a rate of 5.0%, and a 30 year fixed rate mortgage. Please note that these examples are useful on Conventional, FHA, and VA loan programs. The only time this will not apply is if you currently have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage.

Based on the above numbers, your mortgage payment (principal and interest only) would be $805.23 per month. If you made each payment on time, with no additional principal, then at the end of 30 years, you will have paid $289,885.27 in payments ($139,882.27 in interest).

Does your budget allow for you to make one additional mortgage payment per year ($805.23 per year) which would be applied directly toward your principal? If so, you would pay off your mortgage in 305 payments (25 1/2 years). This is a savings of $$24,524.59 in interest. Think you can save $805.23 a year? No? How about if you broke up the $805.23 in 12 easy installments?

Look over your budget and see if you could afford $67.11 per month to add to your mortgage payment. By making this additional principal payment each month, you have increased your overall savings to $25,453.13. Your mortgage would be paid off in as little as 303 payments (25 years, 3 months).

All of this without spending ONE DIME on refinance fees. If you already have a great rate, but would like to pay off your mortgage sooner, this is the best way without refinancing to a shorter term. For best results, apply principal reductions more often rather than making one time payments each year. If making a principal reduction once a year, or once every 5 years is your only options, still do it. The reduction should still save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

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Do you want to know all of your options? Call me today and let's discuss them further.

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata Reliant Mortgage p# 214.545.5604

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

"Twitterqueens" Founders Diane Guercio & Lesley Lambert Joining Us Tomorrow on Social Media Edge Radio!

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:23:58 -0500

Have you had the opportunity to listen in to Jason Crouch and Ken Cook on their radio show? If not, check them out tomorrow from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Tomorrow's guests are BIG twitter users and will provide some great tips and conversation.

Click on the link provided by Jason below and listen in.

Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC):

My co-host Ken Cook and I are happy to announce that the founders of the Twitterqueens community, Diane Guercio (@heyamaretto) and Lesley Lambert (@LesleyLambert) will be joining us as our very special guests on Social Media Edge Radio tomorrow at noon Eastern:

http://blogtalkradio.com/jckc

Diane & Lesley are both good friends of the show and avid users of social media. They created Twitterqueens to "Empower women in the understanding and use of emerging social media techniques". If you don't already know them, you should be in for a treat.

We'll be discussing some of the social media training that they offer, along with a mysterious new site that Diane is working on currently.

This one should be a lot of fun, because none of us take ourselves too seriously. :)

As usual, we will also be joined by Mike Mueller, Jeremy Blanton, and TS Elliott, our crew of regulars. Mike will have some valuable tech info, Jeremy has a couple of interesting social media-related stories (who is the oldest Twitter user?), and TS will bring her energy and enthusiasm to discuss lifestreaming.

If you have never listened before, this would be a good time to start!

Our show is broadcast every Tuesday at noon Eastern. If you aren't able to get online at that time, you are also welcome to call in at 347-215-7478 and just listen along.

Don't forget to come a little early and join our very active chat room, too. That's where the magic happens. :)

I hope you can join us - we remain the top-rated social networking program on BlogTalkRadio. Check out our Facebook page to see the show archives if you want to hear one of our previous episodes:

http://facebook.com/socialmediaedge

If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me in these other communities?

Absolutely Freakin' Amazing...........

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:40:35 -0500

I have seen this a lot with paint, but never with sand. This is amazing!

Via Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.):

Amazing Sand Drawing @ Yahoo! Video

Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine's version of "America's Got Talent."

She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret Germany's invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII

It just absolutely amazes me how our definition of art form is really limitless if you stop to think about it.

And unlimited by borders, language and culture apparently..........

It Takes More Than Just Saying You're an EXPERT to be ONE

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:39:11 -0500

OH SO TRUE.. this was featured, but if you have not had the chance to read it, please do.

Via JL Boney, III Columbia, SC Real Estate (Russell and Jeffcoat):

There's no doubt in my mind that one of the most overused words in the world today in EXPERT. It seems that everywhere you turn there are tons of people in every field imaginable that are experts. But the truth is that it takes more than saying you are an expert to actually be one. Unless you are an expert at making claims and running your mouth, just making the statement won't really do you any good. But, if you want to be one, the answer is simple, work and learn.

Know your contracts and paperwork - What ever brokerage you work for, or where you are a lender, or appraiser, or anything else related to this business, you have paper work. Never ever have someone fill out paperwork that have not read from top to bottom. As far as a your contract is concerned, the one you use needs to be a reaction more than formality. You need to know it that well. The difference between an expert and someone who just claims to be one, is an expert has done what they need to do and learned what they need to know to succeed. So know your paperwork and your contracts, that way you don't look incompetent in the process on trying to convince someone that you're a big deal.

Know your area- There's nothing worse than someone trusting you to take them around and show them an area, and you don't know it that well yourself. You need to know off the top of your head as much as you possibly can about the area or areas that you service. Clients may want to know where the closest grocery stores, shopping malls, hospitals, or even Pizza Hut is from what may be there future home. If they want to be close to the interstate, then you need to know the communities that will put them within a close proximity to the interstate in question. It's your job to provide answers and take care of your client's needs, so you need to know your area in order to do that.

Know your market- The best way to know your market is to become an active part of it. Even if you have no clients to show around at this current moment, you still need to be ready for them when you do get one. That means staying on top of the current market trends. Study your MLS and check on communities for various price ranges. You need to know what's moving and what isn't. This helps you with both buyers and sellers. If a buyer comes to you and wants a home in a community that's flying off the shelf, then you need to make them aware of it. They may not believe you, but once that house sells out from under than, they will know you were serious. If a seller comes to you to list their house, then you need to be sure you can speak knowledgeably about what price range is moving well, that way you can immediately tell them what to expect.

Know what buyers want- This again will help you with buyers and sellers. If you list a house and you know that it's outdated because buyers are no longer into the bright, orange shag carpet, then you can explain to the seller that they need to be willing to make some upgrades in order to compete with the current market. If you are working with a buyer and you know what's popular in today's market for your area, then you can usually put them closer to a home that suits their needs sooner than if you are taking a shot in the dark. It just makes things run a little more smooth.

Know that you can't fake it- This is a hard one for people to except, but the days of fake till you make it are pretty much over. You may be able to fool a few, but eventually you will end up with a savvy buyer or seller and then the gig is up. If you don't know an answer, don't be afraid to admit it, just say you don't know but you will find out. They have Google too, so if you make up a lot of crap in an effort to make yourself look better, you going to look like a real idiot when they make it back to the laptop and they find out you lied. So just don't play that game. With the wealth of information available at the world's fingertips, you better be honest and upfront. Just do the right thing and work hard to learn the things you need to know. That way when you claim you're an expert, you can actually put your money where your mouth is when the time comes.

www.jlboney.com