Wordless Wednesdays - Two Awesome Prizes - 07/27/11 12:47 AM

So, I have these two kids.  I have my youngest and my second oldest here in this shot.  My kids are hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was fun....truthfully a blast.  Our family rule is this.  You need to hike your age.  Needless to say, if it's a 4 year old, then they should be able to hike 4 miles.  My 4 year old, Tessa, was able to make the 4 mile hike.  A proud parent and a proud moment with a proud big brother here.
… (11 comments)

NFL Lockout is Over....Whatda-ya say? ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? - 07/26/11 11:21 AM
I don't watch TV much, but my sister in law told me today that the lockout has ended.  As I haven't watched any TV at all in over 10 days, I made the decision to turn on the boob tube to see if she was right and what the details were.  
Needless to say, I do watch football.  NFL as well as college.  For me....I wouldn't die without it, but it would be the death of sports for me.  I have no interest in Golf, MLB, or Soccer.....all very slow and incredibly boring.  NBA?  Unless my team is in it, why … (6 comments)

Why Inquiries Matter for your Credit? - 07/26/11 09:55 AM
Recently I wrote a post about credit scoring entitled What You Need to Know About Credit Scoring.  There were 5 variables that affect the credit score of the borrower.  Needless to say, I really think that while credit inquiries have the lest amount of weight towards your credit, it also happens to be the most misunderstood category. 
The 5 Categories that Specifically Impact your Credit are:
Payment History Outstanding Credit Balances Credit History Type of Credit; and Inquiries Like I said, Credit Inquries are the least impactful, but probably the most frequently misunderstood.  So... what's the 101 on credit inquries? 
What's … (74 comments)

Republicans, Democrats, Obama and The Budget - 07/25/11 11:54 PM
I watched both the Obama sell and the Boehner response.  I've been staying away from politics as a blogging forum, but was amazed at what I had heard.  I'm curious as to what others heard.  I really thought that what was said from both Obama as well as Boehner is that they both agreed that they have a working document in place for a plan to move forward.  Obama said no way.  Listening to the Dems later, they said that they indeed did have a working plan but felt that Obama wouldn't sign it. 
We may downgrade our rating, but we won't … (15 comments)

Friday Night Tunes - 1000 Ships by Rachel Platten. - 07/23/11 01:31 AM
Nothing overwhelming here, but just a really new and relaxing song. Has a different song and a different tune. Obviously, a tone to the top pop, but still, quite a fun song. We found it on vacation listening to Sirius Radio. Rachel Platten has her new song debut with a really funky and upbeat song entitled 1000 Ships. Enjoy! … (10 comments)

Stop and Think BEFORE TRYING TO CHANGE YOUR CREDIT SCORES!!!! - 07/22/11 09:22 AM
Credit is one of THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES IN getting a loan today.  Time and time again, I'm called by a client who says "I PAY MY BILLS ON TIME, BUT MY PEOPLE SAY MY CREDIT STINKS....or
Maybe I'll just pay off my credit cards today!!!!!" No, No, No, No Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!"  Truthfully, there is more to a credit score than just making your payments on time or paying off your credit.  In fact paying off all your credit today could be a bad move.  Needless to say, I've broken this down so that the complexities of mortgage credit scoring can be understood by the … (5 comments)

Mirror Mirror on the Wall..... - 07/22/11 01:12 AM
I hate this part of my year.  After the first 1/2 of the year I take a look at my business and see where I am against my pre-set goals.  This year I'm doing great.  But the analysis and the waiting is nerve-racking.  My January and February sucked.  Sucked worse that almost anytime in the history of the life of Larry Bettag, the Mortgage Stud, God, Rock Star or whatever I call myself at the moment.
WHO'S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL? This is the part that hurts.  Sure, I'm doing well, but measuring my January and February against prior years … (6 comments)

The Opposite of Localism is Active Rain's GLOBALISM!!!!! IT'S LIMITLESS! - 07/17/11 02:14 AM
GLOBALISM.....Oui, Oui!  Active Rain Got me a Referral from Paris! Here's a first for me!  Short Sweet and simple!  I received a phone call last night from a new client who is moving to this area.  He's from the States, but has spent the last 4 years over in Paris.....(or, as I say when I'm rhyming and rapping .....Pahreee). 
The client said that he's moving back to the States and was referred to me by someone from the Rain.  He then scoped me out on Active Rain, and found my blog to be "very amusing" and determined that I was the … (58 comments)

New Branches and New Opportunities in Illinois - 07/15/11 09:51 AM
THIS WEEK WE SIGNED ON A $100,000,000 branch up in Rockford.   The official announcement next week. But I want to put a ONE BILLION DOLLAR STAKE IN ILLINOIS! HERE ARE SOME FACTS! 1) First, and what I feel is most important. The culture IN CHERRY CREEK MORTGAGE COMPANY is the best BAR NONE!!!!! Our culture is such that people don't leave our company. We're a privately held company. Needless to say, we're owned by a few great leaders, but priomarily by ex- U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong. What makes us unique in culture is our PURPOSE....
b) Raise up those who work … (4 comments)

Active Rain creates Activity because of Localism! - 07/14/11 09:31 AM
Wow....so I get the call.... Hello Larry, this is Suzi Q at the Daily Herald Newspapers.  Joe Schmo said that you're somone in the mortgage industry whom I can talk to. 
I say, about what? 
We're doing a five part series on the state of the mortgage industry and we were told that we need to start with you?  They say you're honest and integrous and (more kissy comments that I just soaked in)
I say "who referred you?" 
Joe Schmo!!!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....Joe Schmo!  Now I'm with you.
I'm to kick off their 5 part series, We're talking about the state of … (6 comments)

Wordless Wednesdays - Summer Snow - 07/13/11 12:23 PM

Last summer we went to Colorado during the summer.  We were a bit up fall river road and the snow started a coming!  My wife was freaking out....until we got to the top, but once we go there....the snow stopped and it was beautiful.  We're in the midst of planning a return trip to the Rockies and we just can't wait!  A little taste of heaven!
… (9 comments)

Do You have Any Time that I Could Borrow for a Bit? - 07/12/11 11:08 PM
I have to say that as kids we had a blast. But sometimes those hot summer days would just wipe us out. 90+ degrees and 90+ humidity. Forget backyard football. We already swam outside for two hours, but the heat just dragged it out of you. The conversation would go: What do you want to do? I don't know....what do you want to do I don't know....how bout you What I wouldn't give to have a little extra time now. The business is flowing in and we're signing on branches and loan officers, but mostly the business is so darned busy! … (6 comments)

Speechless Sundays - A Church in the Rockies! - 07/10/11 11:07 PM

Very soon, very soon, I will be taking the family and returning to my old stomping grounds just out of Allenspark, Colorado.  Camp Saint Malo was a great camp that I worked at during my summers in college.  It shut down because of greed and stuff, but with the right people up there, this once again has re-opened, albeit not to the extent that it is supposed to.  I will say that we do have our family scheduled for a week there, and quite frankly, we can't wait.  The heart of teh Rockies baby!  This was the church that I … (6 comments)

The Big Myth or Misconception about the Reverse Mortgage - 07/09/11 11:18 PM
Misconception Senior homeowners forfeit the title to their home and all homeowner rights when they take out a reverse mortgage.  
Fact - A reverse mortgage does not affect the senior homeowners' rights.  Senior homeowners NEVER forfeit title to their home and they retain ALL of their homeowner rights.  Most people think otherwise.  Why? 
Two basic reasons.... Ignorance.  Frankly, Most people just don't know. Disinformation - I really don't know why but some in our industry actual try to dis-inform the consumer.  Maybe because they don't have the product or they don't know how to do it....I don't know, but it's true … (7 comments)

Friday Night Tunes - Ingrid Michaelson Unplugged!!!! - 07/09/11 12:12 AM
OK....I love this song. Saw her on a Saturday Morning show. Pretty Awesome. I guess she wrote the song for some British singer, Cheryl Cole, who went straight to the top with her dance version of the song. Her producer said that instead of doing it as a dance song, let's slow it down and make it more raw. This is the writer of the song. Me Likey Alot My Favorite Comment on Youtube is "Sure Cheryl Cole is Smoking Hot and a better dancer, but Ingrid Michaelson is the real deal and a better singer. I love this raw version. … (8 comments)

Saint Charles Gets Chosen as Best Place to Raise a Family - 07/08/11 10:08 AM
Family Circle Magazine puts out their list of best places to raise a family.  Saint Charles, Illinois gets the #1 this year.  In the magazine, they rate the student teacher ratios, the median income, and the median house price as well as things to do.  Saint Charles has made it's mark before with a lot of historical facts, but this is a big boon.  Check out:
http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/travel/best-towns-for-families/  Of course, I used to have a Saint Charles address, but now some idiots voted to parcel off some of Saint Charles and create a new village called Campton Hills (to most of us … (4 comments)

Do You Have a Referral to Spare? - 07/07/11 08:54 AM
For Years I've been coached by some of the greats.  I spent a few years being coached by Buffini and Company.  I was coached by Rich Brennan and The Brennan Method, I was also coached by who I consider the grand puba or the PhD. program of coaching, Steven Scanlon of Building Champions...check out www.buildingchampions.com.  I enjoyed being coached by all of them, but this past year, after 7 years, I've taken the year off. 
Now, it's all about getting back in the game.  1 Year away is great, but really, its truthfully time to go from really good to really … (42 comments)

Wordless Wednesday Part II - Tessa's 4th Birthday!!!! - 07/06/11 11:40 PM

OK....today my youngest turns 4.  Yikes!!!!!!  Blows me away.  Her favorite is Dora!  Yes, she likes Dora probably even more than me, mom and her 4 siblings.  However, since she's only 2 years away from her "golden birthday," we thought we'd splurge and bring her best friend to the party.  It's not often that Dora can make the cameo, but we pulled a few strings and got her here!  Lots of fun for all!
… (7 comments)

Wordless Wednesdays - Literally - Wordless Peeps! - 07/06/11 04:26 PM

I know, I know, I know....I'm violating the code of "Wordless Wednesdays."  However, two of my kids are not breaking the code.  Both of them are adhering to the code and being incredibly wordless.  Needless to say, 4th of July weekend with all 27 cousins took it all out of them.  The first day was adrenaline...the second day was running on gas, and the third day was all exhaustion!  Simply amazing!  They had a great time.  I became that picture when I got home....late on the 5th.
… (12 comments)

I need to hire a telemarketer and I need some help - 07/06/11 12:21 PM
Short and sweet.  I'm looking to hire a telemarketer to help my business grow.  I need to find someone who is agressive, pleasant and tenacious.  But, as I've never hired a telemarketer before, I'm thinking that I don't know where to begin?  I need someone who would take their job seriously and who would look for greater opportunity. 
I'm looking for some great ideas.....anyone been down this road before?
Anyone interested?
… (10 comments)

The Problem with Lending Tree - 07/02/11 09:38 AM
So.....big bad Lending Tree swears that they are the best of the best.  The problem is that the process takes so long and they play the shell game with rates.  I've taken a number of deals from Lending Tree because they haven't been able to deliver on what's been promised to the customer.  One of my clients gave me the letter that the were sent...
In Their Engagement Letter, They Say..... "Note that Home Loan Inc., dba Lending Tree Loans does not lock the interest rate on an FHA loans until later in the process.....then it goes on to explain underwriting … (13 comments)

Only 1/2 Of 2011 is Left....How's Your Business? - 07/01/11 08:44 AM
This always blows me away.  2011 is more than 1/2 way over!  Soon we'll be talking Thanksgiving and Christmas (and I haven't even begun to shop!). 
My personal goals in business have started off way too slow for 2011.  However, a gut check part way through the second quarter helped me to realize that I needed to have a laser like focus and the persistence of a rabid bulldog.  I have kept true to my goals and think that 2011 will be one of the best years of my career, and given the new changes in Dodd-Frank, I will continue to lay … (11 comments)

 
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Larry Bettag Illinois FHA Specialist

Saint Charles, IL

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Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage

Address: 40W310 LaFox Road, Saint Charles, IL, 60175

Office Phone: (630) 524-9677

Cell Phone: (630) 417-7172

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 1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
(John 14:1-4, New King James Version) I review for BookSneeze

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