jeff pearl homes: 83 Year Old Virginia REALTOR Attacked by Rabid Beaver in Lake Barcroft
- 09/06/12 07:28 AM
http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/09/06/rabid-beaver-attacks-83-year-old-woman That's one tough agent. Longtime REALTOR Lillian Peterson swam on a regular basis in Lake Barcroft in Falls Church VA. But looks like a rabid beaver attack might have ended her routine. Copy and Paste above link to read the story and I think you'll understand why, and I can't blame her. Lillian mentioned she has been a member of the Multi Million Dollar sales club for 45 years. She wants to heal up and get back to selling real estate. Lillian is actually lucky to still be alive thanks to the efforts of a good samaritan who witnessed the … (12 comments)
jeff pearl homes: 1rst Time Buyer or Not- Financing in Federal Targeted Areas in Virginia
- 06/17/12 07:32 AM
When you're a first time buyer , you will have to decide whether to contact an agent or lender first. In Virginia, I suggest that you interview and choose an agent first. You might have to interview a few agents before finding one with experience working with first time buyers, and one you feel that you will work well with together. Some agents are more familiar than others with lenders that offer the best loan programs to first time buyers. Some agents are more familiar with required home buyer education courses that buyers must complete to qualify for financing. Some are … (5 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Tips on Legally Using Images, Videos, and Text From Internet Without Violating Copyrights
- 04/05/12 08:02 AM
Before deciding to go to images.google.com, flickr.com, Youtube, etc to grab(aka stealing) some photos to use in your blog or on your web site, here are a few tips that might interest you. I actually don't take the time to insert a bunch of photos into my blogs, but I know others do. But when I do need a photo that is related to a certain topic, or just need a photo that I can use without restrictions, I start with www.creativecommons.org Here you can search several sites, set search criteria like: "Only search within creative commons licensed content", " Find … (2 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Print Maps Without Violating Copyrights
- 03/14/12 09:32 PM
Just thought I'd share this in case others haven't heard about it yet. Technically ( and legally) we're not suppose to copy maps from many places online or from ADC books for example. Many times I want a map of the surrounding area of my listings to leave at the house or in brochure boxes to show what's within a 5 or more mile radius of the property. I ran across this the other day, and I can zoom in or out and show my listing, plus the commuter train station in Brunswick MD, towpath, Potomac River, Public boat launches, Point … (44 comments)
The new weekly average 30 year mortgage rate is 3.88% according to GSA Freddie Mac. This is down from 3.90% last week and 4.88% one year ago. The National Board of Realtors Housing Affordability index now is at its best level since the 1970’s thanks to low mortgage rates and lower home prices. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported in its weekly survey that loan application volume decreased 1.2% from the previous week. The refinance share of the index fell to 77% of loan applications. The average … (0 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Don't be Offended if Your Loan Officer Asks For Your Race, Sex, and/or Ethnicity
- 12/11/11 12:58 AM
Many people will be insulted or offended when a loan officer asks for race, sex, and ethnicity when gathering information for a loan application, and will refuse to provide the information by phone or on line. Some think they are being discriminated against based on the answers they give to these questions, and feel lenders are charging higher interest rates to minorities. Rest assured, that is not the case. On the "Uniform Residential Loan Application", Page 4 has a paragraph titled " Information For Government Monitoring Purposes". Even though you are not required to provide this information, the government encourages you … (0 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Bank Request Rush Job on Short Sale. Not a Joke.
- 10/15/11 12:15 PM
Are some banks finally starting to get it? Maybe, but I don't see it yet. But out of the blue, I get a call from a out of country owner. "My bank wants me to short sell my house. It's been vacant for a couple years, and it's been stripped out inside."... "They want it listed by Oct 14th, and as soon as I have listing agreement signed, they will assign someone to my file withing 48 hours." ... ( The bank gave the owner my name and #). Anyway, they want me to look at it and price it to … (6 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Waterford VA Fair is Oct 7,8,and 9th. Beautiful Weather Expected all 3 Days!
- 10/05/11 08:53 AM
Click on, or copy and paste link below for more information. http://www.waterfordfoundation.org/fair/ This Fair grows in attendance every year. Variety of things to do for people with all kinds of tastes and interests. If you need help buying or selling a home or land in Waterford VA, or in surrounding towns of Lovettsville VA, Leesburg VA, Hamilton VA, Purcellville VA, Paeonian Springs VA, etc call Jeff Pearl / REALTOR with RE/MAX Distinctive. 703.727.4876 jeffpearlhomes.com / jeffpearlhomes@gmail.com / Equal Housing Opportunity Provider … (0 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Reading Text Messages While Driving Becomes Illegal in MD
- 09/30/11 12:55 AM
I noticed a story in the Frederick MD Post this morning mentioning that the Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley has signed into law that beginning this Saturday ( 10/1/2011) it will be illegal to read text messages while operating a vehicle. So time to put the cell phones down while driving in MD ( and many other States and DC as well). Safety is more important. I saw a version of this bumper sticker the other day: " Honk if you love Jesus- Text if you want to meet him" You can download the informational flier for the new law at … (10 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Dear Appraiser- Just what is " Average" Condition anyway?
- 09/25/11 04:31 AM
The new appraisal guidelines highlight property condition and its importance for financing. A property must be reported by the appraiser as in at least “average” condition. If a property is reported as “below average”, it must be brought up to “average” with repairs. Dear Seller, since 3 other home sellers in your neighborhood with homes similar to yours, spuced up, painted, and improved their properties, your home is now " below average." Therefore, you must now paint, improve, and spruce up your home so that the appraiser can report your house as" Average". Otherwise, buyers will not be able to … (2 comments)
jeff pearl homes: New Law Affecting Property Managers Pulling Credit Reports
- 09/23/11 08:52 AM
Copy and Paste the link below to read full story. More from Dodd-Frank and FTC New Disclosure Requirements for Landlords Using Credit Reports The Rules only apply if the “adverse action” is taken pursuant to the consumer’s credit score. The notice that the landlord must provide to the consumer will need to include the following: The credit score that the landlord used in making the decision and the entity that created the credit report The range of possible scores within the model used All of the key factors that adversely affected the score, not to exceed four factors; however, if … (1 comments)
Jeff Pearl / RE/MAX Distinctive / Lic in VA, MD, DC / Equal Housing Opportunity Provider / &703) 727-4876 / jeffpearlhomes@gmail.com / Visit Jeff Pearl Homes on Facebook and receive a FREE list of 12 Property Marketing Ideas that will help get your house sold faster.
jeff pearl homes: Short Sales and Property Marketing Ideas to Sell Your Home Faster
- 09/22/11 02:05 AM
Home Sellers- If you think you are going to be in a Short sale situation, contact Jeff Pearl with RE/MAX Distinctive to explore your options, get you questions answered accurately, and understand the Short Sale process. Each lender is different, and the Short Sale process is different for VA, FHA, and Conventional loans. If I can help you keep your house, I will. But if default is imminent, you should plan early and be ready to proceed with the Short Sale process when the time comes. To review some of the marketing stategies I use to get your home sold faster, … (0 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Real Estate Back in The Day - Are We Too Distracted With Technology Today?
- 09/15/11 02:58 PM
I've been meaning to write this post and Suzanne McLaughlin's post today about silouetted photos motivated me to get busy on it. I would say that the majority of agents and general public prefer to see a picture of the person they are communicating with. Suzanne was wondering why so many agents just have a silouette on their blogs, cards, and/or web sites. These silouettes were somewthing our parents did back in the 60s. We had them hanging on the wall going up the stairs when we were kids. My mom had 7 kids. I think she still has those silouettes, … (4 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Deer Season Started Already in Virginia - Stay Alert- Don't Get Hurt
- 09/13/11 07:27 AM
We have an huge abundance of deer in this area, and hunting laws change every year to try to control the population, control disease, control deer ticks, keep herds and habitats healthy and at at some sort of balance, and reduce traffic accidents and injuries. This year Bow season started on Sept 3rd in Loudoun county VA for Doe only, except most Doe still have fawns with them so not many hunters hunt this early in the year. But I have already seen several doe, bucks, and fawns hit by cars. I keep our Sheriffs non emergency # on my cell … (6 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Webinar Note Taking and Time Saving Tip
- 09/13/11 01:16 AM
I was on another short sale webinar yesterday for 90 minutes. It was mainly about explaing to short sale buyers what is involved and what advice we should share about types of loans involved, when you can and can't ask for closing costs, and what is the max you should ask for, how much to offer, etc. It all sounds basic, but there are still many listing agents out there that just shouldn't be doing short sales. And there are many buyers that just shouldn't be thinking about buying a short sale. Sometimes it's easy to determine up front that there … (2 comments)
jeff pearl homes: Evidence of Open House Junkies (aka Timewasters) Continues to Increase
- 09/12/11 10:05 AM
We've probably all seen the same people more than once attending our Open Houses even when one house is priced at $280,000.00, and another is priced at $$650,000.00. Why would the same " buyers" be looking at houses priced so far apart? Because they are " Open House Junkies." Maybe they think I don't remember them, or maybe they go to Open Houses every weekend the same way some people go to yard sales every weekend? Just something to do to get out of the house, or kill time. They never think that it just gives owners false hopes or is … (7 comments)
jeff pearl homes: I Only Want to Pay Taxes on the "Sold" Price, Not The Appraised Value.
- 09/05/11 01:29 AM
I ran into another recent homebuyer last week that said she wanted to contest her real estate tax amount. She and her husband bought a foreclosure at more than 25% discount from what the appraised value came back at. You would think they would be happy since the house didn't need too much work? No, the county was taxing her on the appraised value of the real estate, not what it sold for. She didn't agree with that. She wants to only pay taxes on the amount they paid for the house. I told her that assessments flucuate, but the county … (10 comments)
Hurricane Irene’s after effects on mortgage lending are being felt this week. Lenders are requiring re-certifications on appraisals in FEMA listed areas of higher damage. This means an appraiser must re-inspect the property for condition and soundness. Real estate transactions in affected areas up the east coast are seeing settlement delays as these inspections take place and properties are cleared to close.
FHA and Veterans loans are now priced with sizable lender credits for closing costs. For example, at 4.25%, the lender credit can be over 1%-1.5% of the loan … (2 comments)
jeff pearl homes: And You Thought MARS Was Bad. FTC is Back With New Rule MAP, Agents be Aware!
- 08/22/11 10:39 AM
"MAP is Mortgage Acts and Practices - Advertising." It prohibits misrepresentations and imposes recoredkeeping requirements on anyone who provides information about mortgage products to consumers. " Providing information" can mean something as simple as giving a consumer a lenders rate sheet. " The MAP rule prohibits misrepresentations in a commercial communication about any term of a mortgage credit product." It covers any oral and written statement designed to "create interest in purchasing goods or services."..." The FTC includes interest rates, amount of taxes, variability of interest rates, prepayment penalties, and products sold in conjunction with a mortgage such as credit insurance." … (47 comments)
http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/09/06/rabid-beaver-attacks-83-year-old-woman
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