utah: Where should real estate values be in Salt Lake County - 12/29/08 03:17 AM
Often you hear different theories in regards to where real estate values should be.  The reality is often different then what one may hear.  For years I've been under the impression that real estate is a function of supply and demand.  You have a certain number of homes, and a certain number of buyers, and that will dictate value.  There may still be some truth to this theory, especially when you look at over built Florida, California, Nevada and Arizona.  But is it really just an issue with supply and demand?
Could the real issue be income?  That's right, what you … (1 comments)

utah: Great location for family vacation - 07/24/08 07:05 AM
Just arrived home from the Camelot Resort, which is located just outside of Fruitland Utah.  Here is the website link for Camelot Resorts.
Our extended family on my wife's side spent the last three days there, great environment for kids and families. Fantastic facility and the owners are very friendly as well.
We had 40 family members there and it didn't cost more then $1400 dollars to rent out the main lodge for two nights.  The resort is withing 20 minutes of starvation reservoir, and 25 minutes from Strawberry reservoir.  So if you like to water ski or fish this is … (1 comments)

utah: Should I increase my advertising budget during a recession? - 03/10/08 06:28 AM
Recession talk....I guess it's not "if" anymore, but how bad is this one going to be?  Recessions are scary words, but in reality many actually thrive.  The current credit crunch is hurting everyone in the mortgage and real estate industries, but like any market in the past, it will rebound eventually.  The damage however will be felt by everyone, and naturally people spend less during recessions.  So how do you get more loans or real estate deals during these times, the reality is you may need to spend more to acquire more deals.
Interesting quote I found while researching business to business … (11 comments)

utah: Is FHA the new subprime option? - 03/07/08 02:01 PM
The Fair Housing Administration as part of the stimulus package that has been just passed, has raised limits in some markets to fantastic limits.  In reality, how many of these home owners can qualify with FHA guidelines, and what type of credit do these borrowers need to attain these loans.  Both questions are important, because limited information that's been available is now suggesting that there will be a number of conditions imposed by the lenders.  But these same lenders will also benefit from the protection these loan provide through FHA and the government.
The real question is if that 620 FICO score … (2 comments)

utah: What advice should you give in these turbulent times ?? - 03/07/08 01:40 PM
I think it is safe to say that the recent market conditions are something most of us have never witnessed in our lifetimes.  For those of us in the mortgage and real estate industry's, it's been pretty scary since August of last year.  I've had a number of friends, relatives and old clients ask me my opinion in regards to the current crisis.  I can only relay what I'm witnessing, but I have few answer to give them.  Frankly we've not seen turbulence like our current market since before I was born.
Therefore a call I received tonight was an excellent example … (2 comments)

utah: For yea doubters of the Deseret News story - 02/15/08 04:23 PM
This blog post is a direct response to a number of comments I read from the following Desert News article..
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695253362,00.html 
It's interesting to read most of these comments in regards to this article.  Allot of doom and gloom and I wonder if some people post comments to just get a rise from other readers.  The fact's are the fact's though and what Mansell states in the article is actually true...LIKE IT OR NOT!
Here is the reality folks.  The Utah market didn't take off until the end of 2004, then we had an amazing spring/summer in 2005,  another great year in 2006, and … (1 comments)

utah: Real Estate Ponzi Scheme is shut down by the SEC! - 02/07/08 03:45 PM
If your getting any invitations to put your money into quick return investment programs that are secured by real estate. RUN!!!  If your pushing these programs, you better get a good attorney, this man in Ogden is going to be in jail for some time!
Ogden, Utah man arrested for real estate fraud! 
This is now the third major arrest in the last few months in Utah.  This is just the tip of the iceberg. Sadly we all pay for this type of fraud.  From higher fee's with the banks and more taxes to pay for the damages to the elderly.  This guy … (0 comments)

utah: More reasons to avoid the Mortgage Merge programs - 02/05/08 03:44 PM
Some whom read this article maybe aware there is a housing crisis in our country right now.  The fact is that we've never witnessed this type of slide in my lifetime.  Certainly not every market is the same, in certain regions the storm isn't as strong, but the effects can be felt never the less.  The problem is that our national economy does effect our individual markets.  The real estate in my state did not appreciate at the unrealistic levels of California and Arizona, but the collapse in these states has caused turmoil in the credit markets and this turmoil is … (2 comments)

utah: Home Equity Line of Credit holders beware! - 02/01/08 07:41 PM
I hate to say I told you so, but one of my new pet peeves are these mortgage acceleration programs.  They go by snappy names like, MMA, or Mortgage Checking account.  Never the less they are Home Equity Lines of Credit, and with falling market values the banks are beginning to shut them down.
Countrywide article
Why is this the wrong time to get an equity line?  Because hidden within the closing paperwork is a clause that allows the bank to freeze or reduce available credit or equity.  They are following through with enforcement of this clause as you have witnessed through my … (0 comments)

utah: Check out this new Freddie campaign....will it work??? - 01/31/08 03:57 AM
I knew it wouldn't be long but government is finally coming to the rescue!!!  We'll before you get too excited, check out the new proposal that Freddie Mac is touting.  New Proposal
My state in particular has been hit with every known investment scam possible.  But this proposal is another one of these "feel good we're doing something" campaigns.  The problem is fraud has occurred throughout the country in unprecedented levels, and often we do not find out until long after its perpetrated that there is even a problem.
This new proposal makes it sound if education will end fraud.  The problem is … (0 comments)

utah: Update on UFirst agents - 01/21/08 07:09 AM
Sometimes articles you write can become hot topics months after you've written them...Here is an example of one such blog I wrote some time ago.  No More Spamming,  it wasn't really very popular, but you can tell who's drinking the Kool-Aid, you can either go back and read the message through the link above, or I'll repost it below...
 karl;
 
your are wrong and your comments show your ignorance or lack of investigation before opening your mouth.  I sorry to be blunt, but the fact is this company is nothing like amway, Noni, etc.  This is a money management software system that if … (30 comments)

utah: FSBO LINKS FOR UTAH HOMEOWNERS - 12/17/07 09:18 AM
LINKING HOTLINE
   Top sites to link your listing
 
For those of you who are the do it yourself types and do not wish to list with a real estate professional (which in most cases I do not recommend), and need some help in terms of locations to list your home, the following sites are excellent for coverage within the state of Utah and in general for national exposure.  The key to listing you home online is to know which online sites get the most hits.  Often you can get suckered into purchasing some package with some glossy web page, but then find … (3 comments)

utah: Rivalry Week In Utah - 11/20/07 06:42 AM
Who's going to win the HOLY WAR!! Here's my prediction.... BYU will win this one in a close game. I'll be there, along with all my buddies, those whom haven't heard of this annual battle in the beehive state need to understand that passions run as hot at the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry. Sitting on the fence is not an option for this game. Go Cougs!! … (0 comments)

utah: Mortgage witch hunt? The media is not your friend!! - 11/14/07 03:37 AM
Well the witch hunt has begun in Utah.  The media has jumped aboard the mortgage broker snipe hunt.  KSL TV, which is the highest rated media outlet in the Utah market just came out with a story that perhaps is correct in some accounts, but also irresponsible in other respects.
Here is the link.....Mortgage fraud story 
The important point to remember is that often the "facts" in a news story are often put aside for the drama.  I personally know the owners of New Concept Mortgage.  I'm also an employee of Envision Lending Group, another mentioned company in the story.  The real story … (7 comments)

utah: The next big wave in Mortgage Lending - 11/13/07 03:09 AM
 Reverse Mortgages Are Red Hot
 All yea mortgage brokers take heart!!!  Our parents and grandparents may rescue us once again.  That's right, Reverse Mortgage's are now the product of choice for major investment groups like Lehman brothers.  Perhaps it's because there is really no downside to reverse mortgages.  You don't have to qualify the senior for the loan, credit doesn't matter, income doesn't matter. All that matters is the interest rate that is negatively amortizing on the loan, and how many of these programs you can sell.   It's easy money for the banks, because they just package these loans as long term … (3 comments)

utah: Will 2008-2009 be the Great Recession or Depression of our era? - 11/12/07 04:09 AM
I think the jury is out, and the question isn't if we're heading into a recession, but the real question is how long will this recession affect markets, and how harsh will it become.  This morning I read an alarming article about the impending recession, Impending Financial Hurricane, Now I know that you don't want to be overly negative because of some bad news you read on the Internet.  But neither should you stick your fingers in your ears and close your eyes when the train is heading towards you. I guess the question is the media over blowing the risks … (12 comments)

utah: Rubin~Prince~Mozilo Will they get their just desert? Or is Martha a bigger target? - 11/06/07 08:34 AM
Insider trading, something that Enron executives, and Martha Stewart know all about and have paid for it with real jail time.  But now the exec's at Citi and Countrywide are selling stocks day's before major announcements of doom and gloom, and no one is clamoring that they go to jail!
So why did Martha Stewart get hammered for a $60k stock indiscretion, but Anthony Mozilo, CEO of Countrywide, bail out on hundreds of thousands of stock during the summer, but at this point very few are calling for his head?  Now we find out that our former secretary of treasury, Robert Rubin … (6 comments)

utah: Why are you in the business of real estate? - 11/05/07 04:57 PM
Sorry to get deep, but you can have the most interesting conversation in the Jacuzzi at the local gym.  I ran into an old associate of mine from several years ago.  He's put together a great company called Sendoutcard.com.  His name is Cody Bateman and he has a great story in regards to why he started his business.  I helped in the beginning, but because of my other work I have not been following his success as much as I would have liked.
When Cody was younger he had a brother die prematurely.  He never had a chance to say goodbye, and … (2 comments)

utah: Can anyone get a loan now days??? - 11/02/07 09:16 AM
"Can anyone get a loan now days"?  Another great one is, "How am I going to get this guy to qualify now without stated loan programs?" I've been hearing this refrain now for over a month.  The desperation has increased as lenders ratchet down on their underwriting requirements.  But the dirty little secret is that their are plenty of loans still being closed, but you can't throw mud against the wall anymore and close files.
Bottom line, mortgage originators need to ask harder questions and work harder on their files.  People can qualify for mortgages, but your knowledge of the industry is … (3 comments)

utah: Bankruptcy Judge...is this the answer to foreclosure crisis.... - 10/31/07 06:39 AM
Interesting article on Reuters website this morning.....ARTICLE... Basically the suggestion is that Bankruptcy judges be given the same power to affect mortgage loans as they can adjust other consumer related loans, like auto and credit cards payments.   In effect, a judge could reduce the rate, increase the terms, or actually reduce the overall mortgage balance.
Critics think this will cause investors to flee mortgage backed securities....HELLO!!!!  haven't they been backing out of mortgage back securities since August 1st!!???!!!   Perhaps these banks are correct, and in the long run it would cause interest rates to rise to adjust to the risk of … (2 comments)