Scranton and NEPA Mortgage Man

We Need Credit Repair in Scranton and NEPA!

Universal Funding Partners — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:56:39 -0500

It's a simple fact that it is now harder than ever for most people to buy a home. Mortgage lenders have become frugal with their money and have been only lending to the best of the best.

It's all about credit scores. The truly unfortunate thing is that most people don't know the nuances of credit scoring. There are many aspects of credit reporting that just don't make sense. Not knowing these facts can cost you thousands in higher interest rates.

What you need to know is that there are ways you can get the credit bureaus to delete negative information from your credit report. They are completely legal because you have a right to have ONLY verifiably accurate information reporting on your credit.

Credit Repair Consultants, LLC was created to share this knowledge and do the hard work for you.

Working with Bob in Dunmore the past two months has been a blast! Credit Repair Consultants was able to increase his scores by 61 points in only two months! In the process, we've completely eliminated $5,821 in bad debts from his credit report!

The results are staggering. Feel free to call and I'll let you know exactly how it works and if it will work for you.

Credit Repair Consultants, LLC

(570) 941-0672

Watch Out Scranton Times. There's a New Dog In Town. The Scranton Post!

Universal Funding Partners — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:54:34 -0500

We live in America, the land of choice. We can choose our elected officials. We can choose whether to use a small mom-and-pop shop or a big store like Walmart. What we haven't had here in Scranton is a choice of newspapers.

One person, one company, one organization could never fill all our needs in NEPA. There are too many of us and our population is diverse. Could you imagine having one grocery store in town? One hardware store? One news show on TV? There are people who are ademant about their news shows, whether it's 16, 22, or 28. There's no reason to not have that excitement about our city's newspapers.

When I first heard about it, I thought what some of you may be thinking. What's the big deal? The news is the news. You either read it or don't, no matter who wrote it. It's factual so there can't be much difference between two newspapers.

Ted Brunelle put me at ease. He explained that The Scranton Post will have a different viewpoint. They are going for a more local feel and staying away from content that you can see anywhere. The Associated Press releases stories for local news media to use. The Scranton Post is going to get a locally written article about this content so that we can share our views, not the views of a national news service.

They also encourage readers to submit your own stories and announcements. The tagline of The Post is "The People Of Scranton's Newspaper" and I believe that is what it will be based on my conversation with Ted.

You may want to pay special attention to a certain section of the paper. There seems to be a section with a Q&A about Mortgage and Credit Issues. Brilliant! It's about time someone answered the concerns that have affected people's lives so much lately. Oh, wait. That person is me! Ted and Barbara have been kind enough to allow me to lend my thoughts to their newspaper.

I think the Scranton Times is a good paper. I'm just glad that there will be another option in town. I, personally, will be reading both. I suggest everyone do this to give a new viewpoint a try. It promises not to be too political while offering plenty of local content.

And don't forget about the guy giving free mortgage and credit advice! Email me to see your question in the paper.

Big Plans For Downtown Scranton Renovation

Universal Funding Partners — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:15:44 -0500

Here we go! Scranton is transforming.

I can still remember watching "The Implosion". A long row of businesses on Lackawanna Ave were blown up from the inside. My brother and I watched as the buildings folded into themselves and came crashing to the ground. In what felt like a moment, the Steamtown Mall was upon us. The transformation of Downtown Scranton was in full swing.

Here we are again. We're back on Lackawanna Ave, but this time there are no explosions. Just celebration for the ongoing renovation project. You can expect to see restaurants with inside and outside seating along the street. The area will be inviting for pedestrians that can stop for a bite during some shopping or after a movie.

Perhaps the more important aspect of the new buildings are the condominium units above. To turn the city around, we need to bring people Downtown. If they live here, they will work here, shop here, and eat here.

So let's toast the improvements here in Scranton. The accolades from national media, the medical school, the train line to NYC... these are all reasons to believe that Scranton is improving and will only become a more desirable place to live as time goes by.

"How Would 'House' Solve the Housing Crisis?"

Universal Funding Partners — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:51:42 -0500

There have been hundreds of posts about the current crisis of massive foreclosures. Most of them focus on firmly pointing and shaking a finger at one of the parties of the real estate transaction.

I love watching the TV show, "House" on Fox. I appreciate the way he handles problems. He attacks them logically and methodically. What would he do here? Well, he certainly wouldn't waste time complaining. He wouldn't devote any of his time or resources to whining about how this could have been avoided. He would have his team working on ways to fix the problem.

We all know that mortgage brokers were offering risky loans. These loans were being offered by lenders that set those risky guidelines. Those guidelines were set by the amount of risk the wall street investors would take. It's an old story that we all know quite well by now.

So, what would Dr. Gregory House do? Differential Diagnosis! Time to get our whiteboards and black markers out. Let's list the possible causes.

Mortgage brokers? Let's get rid of them! Wait a minute. That doesn't solve anything. The same loan products will be available to the consumer, they just won't have easy access to a mortgage professional. That doesn't help anybody. Besides, the market is correcting and those risky loans are no longer available anyway.

Lenders? Well, the market is taking care of them. Subprime lenders are almost extinct. Prime lenders are adjusting their program offerings to match the new level of acceptable risk. Higher credit scores and higher down payments are now needed.

Investors? The market is going to dictate what they do. Mortgages are a less desirable investment, so the lenders have been forced to change their programs to make their product more attractive.

What we have learned is that it doesn't help to blame and remove any of these individual parties. So, as "House" would wonder, what would cause all of these problems? Anybody?

Let's look at the big picture. It all comes down to risk. Lenders took large risks and only now realize that they misread borrower's ability to repay. What about the borrowers? What if borrowers were less risky? What if they managed their credit efficiently and made smart decisions? What if they knew how to shop for a mortgage and what loan would satisfy their needs?

I'm having one of those epiphany moments where the answer becomes clear. Quick! Start treatment right away. One-hundred CC's of borrower education, stat!

The government is going to waste a lot of time trying to "fix" the mortgage problems. Let's divert our attention to educating the American public. Let's show people how to create and stick to a budget. Let's show them how to choose a credit card and how to shop a car loan and mortgage. Let's show them how credit reporting works and how to use the bureaus' rules to their advantage.

It will take some major overhauling, but we need to add these subjects to public education at the high school level. We can't stop there. The wound is too deep. We also need to educate America's adult population. Government funding can help us mortgage and real estate professionals set up free classes.

These are deep fundamental changes, but they will heal the patient. We can focus on the problem, or we can focus on the solution. What will we end up doing, and what affect will it have on our future?

Newly Updated FSBO Two-Story in a Great Carbondale Neighborhood

Universal Funding Partners — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:50:21 -0500

View the Virtual Tour

Tasha Brennan | (570) 281-2550

150 Green St, Carbondale, PA

Newly Updated Two-Story in a Great Neighborhood

3 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $159,900

Year Built	1935
Sq Footage	1,200
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	5,000 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

NEWLY UPDATED 2 STORY SINGLE FAMILY HOME IN WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD CLOSE TO PARK & BUS STOP. GREAT VIEW! 3 BEDS 1.75 BATHS FINISHED BASMENT. HEATED DETACHED 2.5 CAR GARAGE WITH ATTIC STORAGE. PERFECT FAMILY HOME.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Tasha Brennan

(570) 281-2550

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 2, 2008, 5:38pm PDT

Spacious FSBO Ranch Near The Water Gap - East Stroudsburg

Universal Funding Partners — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:08:06 -0500

View the Virtual Tour

John | (570) 223-7784

10 miles from Water Gap, East Stroudsburg, PA

Poconos ranch with finished basement. 10 miles from The Gap.

3 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $198,500

Year Built	1988
Sq Footage	2,000
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Covered spaces
Lot Size	.5 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Twenty year old home consisting of a Great Room (living, dining and kitchen), three bedrooms, (two with king size beds) three full baths, converted gas fireplace, wrap around deck with large carpeted screened room off the dinning room.

Finished walk-out basement with family room; office; laundry; workshop; large walk in pantry, plenty of closet space and a large storage room.

Entire home (both levels) has wall-to-wall carpeting, central air, central vacuum. Vacuum also in carport.

All appliances including washer & dryer.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

John

(570) 223-7784

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 2, 2008, 4:58pm PDT

FSBO Dunmore Three Story Home in Move-In Condition

Universal Funding Partners — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:43:54 -0500

View the Virtual Tour

Gary | (570) 941-8922

1116 N Irving Ave, Dunmore, PA

Move In Immediately - Completely Renovated

3 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $139,900

Year Built	Unspecified
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	3
Parking	4+ Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This 2-story home has a full, finished, and dry basement for extra living space. The entire home has been renovated and is optimal for a first time homebuying family.

Seller is also including an adjoining lot with space for 6 parking spaces and a large yard. Fenced-in portion of the yard is perfect for young kids.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Gary

(570) 941-8922

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 2, 2008, 10:16am PDT

FSBO Roundup! Scranton and NEPA's Source for Homes By Owner

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:59:57 -0500

Welcome to the Scranton and NEPA FSBO Roundup! Yee haw!

If you're looking to buy a home, I highly suggest you speak to a local Realtor. They have a large inventory of homes available to them 24 hours per day. A Realtor can also give you professional advice that can help make the process easier, or even save you thousands of dollars. Contact me and I'll refer a responsible Realtor located in the area where you plan to move.

Beyond the MLS, there is also a whole other market of homes out there that is rarely seen by anyone. That's because you have to be looking in the paper or in the neighborhood to see any of the marketing being done for these FSBO homes for sale.

My intention is to help everyone out. Homeowners could always use more exposure for their FSBO. I offer this additional exposure at no cost at all. I'll advertise on various real estate web services and create a cool Virtual Tour for your home.

I'm also making these unseen homes for sale more visable to Realtors. If you are a Realtor and you have a client that wants a home like the ones I have, it may be worth it to start a conversation with the homeowner.

I'm also helping by exposing these homes to local investors that are always on the lookout for income-producing properties.

I hope that my efforts have an effect on the entire NEPA housing market by making more homes available to the homebuying public. Please feel free to contact me about any of these properties. I'll promptly put you in touch with the owner.

Realtor Listings

If you'd like to see your home here, drop me an email. Realtors, feel free to contact me and I can add your listings here for more exposure.

P.S. Most sellers and Realtors prefer a PreApproved buyer.

FSBO - Split Level Home in Upscale Dunmore Development

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:40:40 -0500

View the Virtual Tour

Kevin Blasi | (570) 342-2444

143 Swinnick Dr, Dunmore, PA

Split Level Home in Upscale Dunmore Development

3 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $279,000

Year Built	Unspecified
Sq Footage	2,100
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	1 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This split level home is located in the upsale Swinnick Development in Dunmore. The 2100 square-foot home has been completely updated and remodeled.

* new roof
* new granite countertops
* new tile
* new hardwood floors
* new central air system

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Kevin Blasi

(570) 342-2444

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 29, 2008, 6:20am PDT

FSBO Three-Unit Multifamly in North Scranton Providence Section

Universal Funding Partners — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:07:31 -0500

View the Virtual Tour

Kevin Blasi | (570) 342-2444

1124 Diamond Ave, Scranton, PA

FSBO Three Unit Income Property in Providence Section of North Scranton

5 Bdrm Multi-Family, 3 units

offered at $105,000

Year Built	Unspecified
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	0 full, 0 partial
Floors	3
Parking	2 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This three-unit home is located in North Scranton's Providence section.

Each floor is an entire unit with a one-bedroom unit on the first floor and two-bedroom units on the other floors. The major systems have been updated including a new furnace, new water heater, new plumbing, and new bathrooms.

Taxes are affordable at $1700/year. Let your tenants pay your mortgage and profit with this updated investment property in Scranton.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Kevin Blasi

(570) 342-2444

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 26, 2008, 10:58am PDT

The No Closing Cost Mortgage and Other Mythical Creatures

Universal Funding Partners — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:17:03 -0500

I've written blogs about this in the past and feel very strongly about this subject. But, I just came across this online video that backs up my feelings about "No Closing Cost Mortgages".

Local and online banks have been touting these "No Closing Cost Mortgages" as a way to entice buyers and borrowers to take an application. They are feeding on the general fear in the industry right now. Charged by all the negative news in the media about mortgage brokers, they are stealing away market share using scrupulous tactics.

You see, there's no such thing as a "No Closing Cost Mortgage". Why would someone, let alone a bank, want to work for free? They are trying to perceive themselves as the lowest cost alternative when, in reality, a "No Closing Cost Mortgage" costs much more than any other kind!

There are two ways to pay for a mortgage. You can pay an upfront, one-time, fee. This is how mortgage brokers mostly work. The other way is by paying in the interest rate. By increasing the rate they are offering you, banks are collecting more money from you every month for the next 30 years!

It feels nice not to bring money to your closing, but the sad reality is that you are paying a higher rate and higher payments because that bank tricked you into thinking a loan is free. Please do your research! You'll find that the rate those banks offer is much higher than you should be paying.

Need a Vacation? Learn to Sail on the Chesapeake Bay!

Universal Funding Partners — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:17:50 -0500

We can all use a vacation. It's been a tough year so far. We've had to deal with constant bad news, a draining war, a dwindling economy, and an exhaustive Presidential Campaign. Wouldn't you love to get away?

Escaping to the Caribbean is not an option for most. Sunny blue waters sound great, but you can get an exotic experience without traveling far at all.

The Chesapeake Bay is a mere 4-hour drive away from NEPA. Sailing is an incredible exerience and it can be very affordable.

Captain Dave and Penny Renollare retired Pennsylvania school teachers from Wyoming County, here in NEPA. He and his wife run a Sail School and Charter business from their two sail boats on Kent Island in Maryland. Kent Island is a quaint place right over the Bay Bridge, only a few miles from the Capitol of Annapolis.

They run beginners through advanced classes for individuals, couples, and women-only classes. Besides classes, they also run cruises to various ports along the Bay.

Visit their Sail School and Charter website to hear what their students have to say about their exciting experiences.

There's Only ONE Truly Free Credit Report

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:10:05 -0500

You've all been mesmerized by the catchy commercials for companies that offer free credit reports. Their jingles stay in your head for days. You may find yourself bobbing your head to the tune hours after you've heard it. They're clever and downright infectious. But, are they free?

Please.. please.. please don't sign up for this service if you are looking for a free credit report! Just like way too many good things, it's a gimic. Here's how it works:

You hear that tune bounce around in your head for 3 days and decide to finally visit the website. You type it in your browser. It's something like www.absolutelyfreecreditreport-reallyitdoesn'tcostanythingatall.com. They promptly ask for your credit card information.

Red flag!!! Why in the world would they need money to give you something for free? Eh. Maybe it's just a formality, so you continue. You get your "free" credit report and are happy with the service. Your credit card bill comes and hopefully you've noticed the fact that they have just charged you $30 for a monthly service fee. They'll continue charging this fee to you as long as it takes for you to notice.

The service that they offer on those websites is NOT a free credit report. They offer a monthly subscription of fraud prevention service. If you are looking for a service to alert you to unauthorized credit checks, then go ahead and apply. But, if your only intention was to get a peak at your credit report, don't do it! There's a better way.

The only place that really gives you your credit report for free and no gimics is: www.annualcreditreport.com

This website was a joint collaboration of the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and Transunion. You can get each report once per year. This setup gives you the option of pulling all three reports at once or pulling one at a time at regular intervals. This strategy of timing your credit pulls is an effective way of monitoring your credit report over time.

This website allows you to get your credit report for free. It's a great way to verify that everything on it is correct. However, you will have to pay a small fee if you decide that you'd like to see your credit scores.

If you are working towards getting approved for a home mortgage, I would hold off. Checking your credit yourself does not effect your score in any way. However, your Mortgage Professional should be able to provide you with a copy of your credit report and your score. See if you can get it from your Mortgage Professional before you waste one of your annual credit pulls.

I hope this post encourages you to continually monitor your credit. Fraud can ruin your credit in a heartbeat. Besides that, you will find that credit bureaus often make mistakes. You may find your credit is intertwined with one of your family members, or worse yet, a complete stranger. Be vigilent and keep those credit bureaus honest. It's your right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Tobyhanna FSBO With Many Upgrades and Private Pocono Setting

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:29:52 -0500

View the Virtual Tour

Kevin Blasi | (570) 342-2444

17 Huckleberry Ln, Tobyhanna, PA

New Home with Many Upgrades and Private Setting

4 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $309,995

Year Built	2007
Sq Footage	2,600
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2
Lot Size	1 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Home located at the end of a dead end street on just under 1 acre. House has a very private like setting. House has a stone front and a large porch. Custom kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Ceramic tiles and hardwood floors throughout the whole 1st floor. 9ft ceilings on 1st floor. Stone fireplace. Georgeous vanities and light fixtures. Extra large deck.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Kevin Blasi

(570) 342-2444

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 22, 2008, 7:26am PDT

FSBO and Realtor Listings Roundup: Scranton and NEPA Real Estate

Universal Funding Partners — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:45:04 -0500

There are many beautiful houses available right now on the MLS. Your local Scranton area Realtor can help you narrow down your home selection to find the home that's right for you.

However, there is also an entire market out there that you can't see on the Multi List or Realtor.com. You can only see them by riding up and down every street in the neighborhood.

I'm doing my best to coralle these home listings together in one place to save you some money on gas mileage while also getting extra exposure for people that wish to sell their home without a Realtor.

So, here is the very first FSBO and Realtor Listings Roundup!

If you would like to see any of these homes, contact me and I'll forward you to the owner or Realtor. Best of luck with your house hunting!

Beautiful New Construction Home In Throop

Universal Funding Partners — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:57:26 -0500

View the Virtual Tour

Angelina Lubeck | LIBERTY REALTY & APPRAISAL SERVICES, LLC | (570) 614-6341

410 Champion Circle, Throop, PA

New Home In Throop

4 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $365,000

Year Built	2007
Sq Footage	2,300
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	.47 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Heatilator 42 in. wood fireplace. Family room wired for 7.1 home theater system. Dining room and master bedroom have surround sound.Yorktowne spice cabintets. Oak stairs. Washer connected to sump pump. 9 ft. ceiling in basement. Permit for deck and patio. Concrete and grass will be completed shortly. Taxes not yet verified.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Angelina Lubeck

LIBERTY REALTY & APPRAISAL SERVICES, LLC

(570) 614-6341

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 11:13am PDT

Olyphant Income Property for Investors

Universal Funding Partners — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:54:10 -0500

Angelina Lubeck | LIBERTY REALTY & APPRAISAL SERVICES, LLC | (570) 614-6341

409-411 Susquehanna Ave, Olyphant, PA

Olyphant Income Property for Investment

6 Bdrm Multi-Family, 2 units

offered at $142,900

Year Built	1940
Sq Footage	2,514
Bedrooms	6
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	3
Parking	1 Car garage
Lot Size	.03 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Income Property. Taxes are estimated-not yet verified. New roof, replacement windows, new carpeting, new wood vinyl flooring, kitchens and bathrooms are new. Long term tenants. All measurements are approximate. 409 has a bonus room on the third floor. Both sides have full walk up attic. All utilities are separate.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Angelina Lubeck

LIBERTY REALTY & APPRAISAL SERVICES, LLC

(570) 614-6341

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 17, 2008, 11:00am PDT

Closing Costs? Let the Seller Assist You!

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:28:13 -0500

Homes aren't cheap! The purchase of a home involves a transaction in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. We talk about abstract theories such as payments, interest rates, and points. It's easy to lose focus on the big picture. All this negotiating and maneuvering takes place to put into a service a mortgage that you will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on over the years.

Closing costs aren't cheap either. You can expect to use the services of a broker, title company, appraiser, inspector, etc. to help close your loan. When you see all the work being put into the loan, and the magnitude of the financing, you can start to see that your monetary obligation in all of this is justified. You may need a lot of money out of pocket to close on a home.

For many people, their main concern is a lack of funds to close. This is understandable because I know that closing costs are a large obligation among many others that you have on an ongoing basis. I also know that our salaries have not increased along with the price of real estate. So, people will ask me the most important question to them: Can the seller pay my closing costs?

Yes they can. We are in a buyer's market. There is a much higher supply of homes on the market than there are qualified prospects to buy them. This puts pressure on sellers to compete against each other and bring the price of their home down. You can use this motivation to get the seller to cover your costs, but there are limits.

Instead of negotiating for a lower price, you can ask them to include a seller's assist. The assist that the seller is giving you is simply allowing you to buy the home for less than its full appraised value. The seller agrees to walk away with less money than he had planned. The extra money is credited towards your closing costs resulting in less strain on your wallet at closing time.

Even in the seller's assist, you can lose sight of the big picture. Your loan amount doesn't change. Only the seller's net proceeds changes. Therefore, you are really financing a portion of the closing costs. You should always research to see if you are better off paying the closing costs up-front rather than financing them for 30 years. However, if the seller's assist is the only way to get you into the house, it's something worth considering.

My disclaimer here would go something like this: Use your common sense! The sellers assist can help you get into the home. But, then what? What if the furnace breaks? What if your car needs new brakes? What if you get demoted or laid off? If you spent your very last dollar on your closing costs, you've just become the next victim of home foreclosure. You need to maintain a reserve account at all times. Talk it over with your Mortgage Professional for more information and more thorough analysis based on your particular situation.

NEPA Realtors: Scranton Mortgage Man Offers Free Marketing For Your Listings

Universal Funding Partners — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:11:22 -0500

The job of a Realtor can be quite difficult. There are many facts and figures you've got to keep at the top of mind at all times. A talented and successful Realtor is a person with an outward personality. Most of your day is spent talking to all kinds of people. You've got to relate to buyers, relate to sellers, and then be skilled enough to bounce between the two to create an agreement that satisfies everyone. A Realtor's day can be truly exhausting!

Relating to people isn't the only skill you need. A thorough knowledge of your market area is a must. You'll memorize, not only your own inventory of homes, but also the ever-changing inventory on the MLS for Scranton and all of NEPA. You'll need to keep Real Estate laws and regulations in your mind at all times. Clients will also expect you to stay on top of both national and local news regarding the Real Estate Industry.

There's one big piece of the Realtor puzzle missing here. It may be the MOST important piece not yet mentioned! You must constantly market your listings.

This may be done for you by your Broker to a limited degree. You may get some exposure on newspaper inserts and magazine ads. You may use your own ideas to market, like postcards or working your farm face-to-face. What many agents are missing in this mix is the use of Internet Marketing.

Your Broker may be taking care of you here as well. They may have a website with a link to the MLS or to the company's listings. They may even have pleasing virtual tours set up. Unfortunately, many Real Estate Brokers do not have just these simple things.

I have spent much time and energy trying to find ways to bring attention from internet users to NEPA Realtors. I believe I've found a winning method. No matter who you work for and what they do for you, your listings can ALWAYS use more exposure. I will market your listings online for free.

Well, they say that there's no such thing as a "free lunch", so I'll put a very small price on it. I will agree to market your listings online in multiple ways at no cost. I'm in the business of meeting Realtors and creating profitable relationships. Allow me at least 10 minutes of your time at your office to explain the system and to introduce myself.

That's it. Free marketing for any and all of your listings. Ten minutes of your time. Sound good? I'll be patiently awaiting your call or email. In the meantime you can check out our NEPA Mortgage website and feel free to read the rest of my blog.

Best of luck to everyone!

Scranton Hill Section Looking Up

Universal Funding Partners — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:08:25 -0500

The Scranton Hill Section is one of the most incredible areas in the country. Or maybe that's my biased opinion.

Just take a walk! You'll stroll through a quaint college campus at the University of Scranton. Step off campus and you'll find a mix of new and older commercial buildings with small shops to enjoy.

Start climbing up the Hill and the first thing you'll notice is abandoned properties, empty lots, and multi-family homes that have seen the wear and tear from the abuse brought on by wild college parties. Not the kind of place you'd want your small kids growing up. But keep walking.

It's unbelievable, but in just minutes and before you break a sweat, you'll be gaping at huge mansions from the turn of the century! They are spectacularly maintained and are architectural marvels. The conglomeration of the old and the new, the beautiful and the ugly, the pristine and the scary is just surreal.

The Hill Section clearly has a way to go to clear it's bad name. Even though there are large sections with homes and neighborhoods you would dream about, the overall connotation of "The Hill" still sends a shiver down the spines of many people. If they could see past this, they would find beautiful neighborhoods, like the Upper Hill, east (and uphill) of Harrison Ave.

An article in The Scranton Times brought my attention to The Hill today. I'm glad that the city has made the restoration of The Hill Section a top priority. It was no surprise that Mayor Doherty's master plan centered around the revitalization of Nay Aug Park, situated at the very top of Scranton's Hill Section.

After reading the article you can see that there has been a concentrated effort to enhance the appearance of The Hill. For years, the District Attorney's office has been sending convicted criminals to clean up vacant lots that used to look like mini-landfills. I'm glad to see the effort and the commitment from the D.A.'s office.

Now if we can only figure out what to do about South Side and West Side while maintaining the other sections of the city, we'll be just fine. I'm looking forward to the renaissance of Scranton and NEPA (Northeast PA).

Dalton FSBO Home With Lots Of Land and Priced To Move!

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:18:02 -0500

Kevin Blasi | (570) 342-2444

106 Cherry St, Dalton, PA

Cozy Cape Cod Home Priced To Move and Ready For You

2 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $199,000

Year Built	1945
Sq Footage	1,500
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	3
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	1.9 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Cozy Cape Cod home was completely remodeled in 2004, which means old-fashioned charm with all the modern conveniences! Located minutes from town in the Borough of Dalton, Lackawanna County, Lackawanna Trail Schools. Includes an office space in the basement. Taxes are reasonable - about $2,500/year.

The home has all NEW windows, siding, roof, septic tanks, wood floors, ceramic tile floors, custom-made wood blinds, Jacuzzi tub in upstairs bathroom, Whirlpool kitchen appliances, crown molding, large screened-in porch, entryway with French doors and slate floor, laundry on first floor and pellet stove in the spacious living room that keeps heating costs very low! (We spent less than $850 this year on pellets and oil).

The property of this home is very large and beautiful. There is a newly constructed 22'x16' slate patio with gazebo, custom-made wood shutters, mountain stream, many beautiful trees and assorted perennials and huge back yard. This house is priced for quick sale, so make your appointment with us to see it - 570-563-1483

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Hardwood floor	Tile floor	Basement
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard	Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Kevin Blasi

(570) 342-2444

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 25, 2008, 5:24am PDT

Multi-Unit With Plenty of Income - Scranton West Side Investment Property

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:16:09 -0500

Heather A Luklanchuk | Liberty Realty and Appraisal Service | 570-291-0070

807-809 S Ninth St, Scranton, PA

Great Investment! Plenty of Living Space.

6 Bdrm Multi-Family, 2 units

offered at $132,500

Year Built	1940
Sq Footage	3,200
Bedrooms	6
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	3
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	.06 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Updated, low-maintenance lot. Updated, kitchens and baths. Hardwood floors. Separate utilities. Both sides have finished third floor for additional living space with electric heat. Great investment. Lots of living space.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Attic

Basement

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Financial Info : Gross Income$: 15,300; Trash Removal$: 356; Taxes$: 2,200

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Heather A Luklanchuk

Liberty Realty and Appraisal Service

570-291-0070

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 25, 2008, 3:46am PDT

Beautiful Home in a Small Town - Dalton PA FSBO

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:13:44 -0500

Kevin Blasi | 570-342-2444

412 N Turnpike Rd, Dalton, PA

Beautiful Home in Great Small Town

2 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $169,000

Year Built	Unspecified
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Plenty of space in this beautiful home. Public water, sewer, and gas.

Relax on the large front porch, the screened in back porch, or bbq on the concrete patio. The large backyard is as big as two lots and includes a storage shed. Off-street parking.

Plenty of room here. Enjoy the Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, and a room for your home Office. Full basement includes a workshop for those who like to tinker.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Office/Den

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Kevin Blasi

570-342-2444

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 29, 2008, 12:28pm PDT

Lackawanna County Homeowners: Beware Equity Strippers!

Universal Funding Partners — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:09:22 -0500

I recently spoke to a man in Scranton who had been a victim of this atrocious act. I only wish I had met this man a year before. He had lost his house in the worst way. He and his family were driven out by an evil man who got away with it.

Just like so many others, Dan got behind on his mortgage payments when his Adjustable Rate Mortgage matured. The mortgage payments were late for so long that no one, not even his own mortgage company, could help him. He had to sell.

He was approached by a man that seemed competant and knowledgeable about the real estate market. He touted himself as a Private Investor who helps people out of disasterous problems. He can help Dan save his house.

The plan: The masked stranger would buy the home from Dan and rent it back to him. When Dan was able to, he would buy the home back.

The reality: This evil man took possession of the house for $0. He then refinanced it for every dollar he could. At the closing table he walked away with thousands of dollars. He then up and split.

Nobody could track him down and make him responsible. Everything he signed was under the name of a dummy corporation. The house foreclosed and the bank took possession, putting Dan out of his house.

The warning to take heed is to not deal with these people. Get referrals from anyone you work with and verify who they are, making sure everything is in writing and is seen by a real estate attorney.

The easier solution it this: avoid this situation altogether. Run! Grab your mortgage papers from their special hiding place. Maybe you put them in a drawer, a shoebox, or a safe deposit box. Grab them and read. Better yet, grab them and bring them to me. I'll help you decipher the code to find out the exact terms of your mortgage. Do it before you go late on even one monthly mortgage payment. It may be the only way to truly save your home.

Cute Old Forge Home With Plenty of Family Room FSBO

Universal Funding Partners — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:49:26 -0500

This home looks cute and cozy from the outside, but offers plenty of space for a growing family to be comfortable. Located in Old Forge, the pizza capital of the world! Old Forge is a small town just a short drive from Scranton and Wilkes Barre with access to major highways including Route 81 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Kevin Blasi | (570) 342-2444

321 Orchard St, Old Forge, PA

Cute and Roomy Family Home in Old Forge

4 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $145,000

Year Built	Unspecified
Sq Footage	1,250
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	.13 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This cute but roomy home includes the following renovations and improvements:

** CUSTOM BUILT RADIATOR COVERS (2006) ** REMODELED KITCHEN (2002) WITH ALL NEW APPLIANCES (2005) ** NEW CERAMIC TILE IN KITCHEN AND HALLWAY (2002) ** REMODELED BATHROOM WITH KOHLER SINK AND TOILET, ITALIAN TILE FLOOR AND SHOWER SURROUND 2006 ** NEW WALL TO WALL CARPET IN LIVING ROOM AND STEPS LEADING TO SECOND FLOOR (2006) ** NEW WALL TO WALL CARPET IN BASEMENT FAMILY ROOM (2005)

Exterior improvements: ** NEW LANDSCAPING WITH RETAINING WALLS (2006) ** NEW VINYL SIDING (2005) ** NEW GUTTERS WITH SIDING MATCHING DOWN SPOUTS (2005) ** NEW FRONT PORCH WITH HIGH END CARPETING AND VINYL RAILING (2005) ** NEW WINDOWS (2003)

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Family room

Living room

Basement

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Kevin Blasi

(570) 342-2444

For sale by individual owner

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 14, 2008, 7:31am PDT