The dissatisfaction with the HVCC ramifications have been loudly discussed on ActiveRain, now the other shoe drops with HUD's announcement yesterday that mortgage brokers will no longer be able to directly retain the appraiser for FHA transactions as of January 1, 2010.
"New Requirements
Prohibition of mortgage brokers and commission based lender staff from the appraisal process
Historically FHA prohibited mortgagees from accepting appraisal reports completed by an appraiser selected, retained or compensated, in any manner by real estate agents. To ensure appraiser independence, FHA-approved lenders are now prohibited from accepting appraisals prepared by FHA Roster appraisers who are selected, retained or compensated in any manner by a mortgage broker or any member of a lender's staff who is compensated on a commission basis tied to the successful completion of a loan. " Read the entire "Appraiser Independence" mortgagee letter here.
As a GA Certified Residential Appraiser (#6547) and Real Estate Broker, I am all for appraiser independence, however my relationship with my lender/mortgage broker clients has always been based on honesty and unbiased appraisals. It infuriates me that a few bad appraisers, loan officers, and lenders have created such a mess that all honest, ethical appraisers and mortgage brokers must be treated as dishonest and unprofessional.
This morning I, like many of you, woke up thinking about where I was and what I was doing 8 years ago. Below Alan May expresses most poignantly many of the things we all remember. I also remember how we all pulled together, the prayers raised and the relationships mended as we looked inward and loved outwardly.
I have closed comments on this post, if you wish to share your remembrances, please go to Alan's original post by clicking on the link below.
We remember all of those lost in the twin towers on that fateful day.
We remember all of those lost at the Pentagon on that fateful day.
We remember all of those lost in the planes on that fateful day.
We remember all of those heroes, who went against the flow, and pressed toward the twin towers on that fateful day.
We remember all of those heroes, who climbed the stairs in those towers, in full equipment, attempting to save those caught in the twin towers on that fateful day.
We remember those, who by the grace of God escaped from those towers on that fateful day.
We remember those families with holes in their hearts from that fateful day.
We remember those families devastated by the loss of a father, mother, brother, sister, child on that fateful day.
We remember when hate visited our shores on that fateful day.
We remember the victims, we remember the heroes, we remember the survivors.
We remember when September 11th, was just another day on the calendar.
We remember.
ALAN MAY, Realtor® Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate ------------------------------- Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com
Evanston Real Estate, Evanston Realtor, Evanston Buyers, Evanston Sellers North Shore Real Estate, North Shore Realtor, North Shore Buyers, North Shore Sellers
3846 Whitlow Ridge Drive, Bishop, GA - Oconee County, GA home for sale in swim and tennis community!
Wide Open Spaces! The Kingston Plan from Taylor Knox Homes, barely lived in!
Features:
4 bedrooms, one of which can be used as nursery, sitting or office with access from hall and from master bedroom
2 full baths & one 1/2 bath
Spacious formal dining room
Gourmet kitchen with island, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, walk in pantry
Breakfast area for informal dining
Mudroom with built ins
Super living room/great room with built in bookcases open to kitchen
2711 +- square feet of heated living area
Very open living plan and plenty of extra storage in this home. Relax on the large Southern front porch or patio. A beautiful two story entrance and L-shaped staircase with wrought iron is the first view from the front door.
The huge Master Suite has double trey ceiling and an option to convert 4th bedroom to a private sitting room, nursery or office. The master bath features double vanities, separate tub and oversized shower, and full length walk-in closet.
DIRECTIONS to 3846 Whitlow Ridge Drive, Bishop, GA 30621: From Highway 441, South (Watkinsville By-pass), take a right at the red light at mile marker 10 onto New High Shoals Road, take a left at the 4 way stop onto Union Church Road, turn into the 2nd entrance of Whitlow Creek Subdivision, turn left onto Whitlow Ridge Drive, house on right.
Additional Resources for Bishop, GA & surrounding areas of Oconee County, GA:
Girasoles in Watkinsville, GA serving Mexican- Italian Cuisine, or least that's what the sign says...all I know is that it is awesome and delicious! Recently Amy Coile and I had the chance to visit for a fine dining experience in Oconee County!
A sweet hello from award winning head chef Jose Zambrano at table side and a special salad with a four dressing sampler started the meal off perfectly.
Amy had the shrimp and grits that had the best texture and flavor I have EVER tasted, while I had my all time favorite - blackened tuna. The tuna was served with a mango raspberry salsa that was fabulous and sauteed baby vegetables.
And although we were delightfully stuffed, we made room to share a piece of Chocolate Passion Pie.
So if you are looking dining options that are uniquely different, visit Girasoles (which means sunflowers in Spanish) on Main Street (Hwy 441 Business) just at the split of Highway 15 in Watkinsville, GA - you won't be disappointed!
Classic City Mortgage in Athens, GA - home loans made easy as possible in these days of economic turmoil. Although there is a lot of gloom and doom in the news every day about the housing market and how hard it is to get a loan, it's my opinion that a good mortgage broker is still worth more than their weight in gold.
As a real estate broker, I have had the opportunity to work with many different mortgage brokers and I've had a long and happy relationship with Amy Anthony Coile of Classic City Mortgage. Amy has extensive experience, and possibly more importantly, the drive and patience needed to smoothly process mortgage loans even in a rough market.
Many of my past clients and I can testify that Amy gives straight answers and exhaust all efforts to get her buyers in a loan that suits them and will benefit them long term as homeowners. Recently, I referred another client who was very satisfied, stating:
"I was so happy to move back to Georgia and you referred me to the perfect lender for my mortgage. Everything was handled smoothly, there were no surprises, and I would never hesitate to send any business to her." P.T. recent relocation to Athens, GA from CA.
What more could a home buyer want? Just as value added freebies a borrower can also expect:
Promptly returned phone calls and emails
A positive, "can do" attitude
Program still offering 100% financing through Rural Development (in certain geographic locations)
FHA loans with as little as 3.5% down payment
A central office location on Milledge Avenue
Friendly, non judgmental counseling and advice on mortgage options
So if you are searching for an Athens, Georgia area home (or looking for the best mortgage refinance), I highly recommend you start the process with a call to Amy Coile at 706-559-4482. You'll be thrilled with the service you receive.
Classic City Mortgage in Athens, GA - home loans made easy!
Blonde boutique in Five Point of Athens, GA - althought the door calls for "blonde" - brunettes and redheads are welcome also. According to Brandy Chandler Blonde "was the only name that seemed perfect from the first moment it popped into my head". Inspired by a visit to a boutique in Colorado, one of Five Points fabulous finds is the boutique located at the Hodgson Terrace building in the heart of Five Point, Athens, Georgia.
Opened in February of 2008, blonde has forged ahead offering clothing lines rarely found in Athens including:
Robert Rodriguez
Kara Janx
Built By Wendy
Diane Von Furstenberg
and other clothing lines inspired to create what Chandler calls " typical, everyday play and work clothing for young and older women".
If you realize blonde is an attitude, not necessarily a haircolor, you'll love a trip to Blonde Boutique in Five Points of Athens, Georiga.
Owners: Brandy and Josh Chandler
Type: Women's clothing boutique
Address: 1260 S. Milledge Ave., Suite E1
Phone: (706) 353-6196
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Rosario's Trattoria in Watkinsville, GA - what casual Italian Dining should always be like! Does the photo below make you go "Yum"?
Tiramisu is my absolute favorite desert and Kim & Carl Burdette at the newly opened Rosario's Trattoria in the heart of Watkinsville, GA do an excellent job of preparing it along with many other fabulous deserts.
The proud owners love to share how their dream developed: "Carl and Kim Burdette had a vision to share their love of family and real Italian cuisine with their neighbors in Watkinsville, a bedroom community of Athens, Georgia. Out of that dream was born Rosario's. Created in memory of Kim's beloved grandparents, and especially, her paternal grandfather Rosario Vicchitto. Rosario's, so aptly named, offers a unique blend of homemade dishes from various regions of Italy where Kim's heritage began".
Rosario's features a cozy indoor dining area with tables or high backed booths, but they also have a great covered outdoor deck, perfect for Georgia summer evenings! Kim (above) gave us the grand tour!
Good food & good friends...recently Amy Coile and I had a chance to visit Rosario's and speak to Kim for a few minutes. Carl was super busy in the kitchen preparing for a busy night ahead. Lunch was delicious and I had the opportunity to get some photos of the awesome food to whet your appetite.
Most importantly, "Carl and Kim's wish is for you to enter as strangers and leave as friends ...and never leave hungry"at Rosario's Trattoria in Watkinsville, GA!
Rosario's Trattoria 2061 Hog Mountain Road Suite A Watkinsville, GA 30677 706-705-1367 Info@RosariosTrattoriaInc.Com
Five Points is a fabulous Athens, Georgia community that has historically been one of the most desired neighborhoods near the University of Georgia. Five Points is know to be a "walking community" convenient to shopping, restaurants, entertainment and historically appealing homes.
One of my personal favorites in 5 Points is Jittery Joe's Coffee (photo above) where "Each little brown bean is a labor of love". They also win my "Success Star Award" for "Best Adaptive Use of Real Estate". The Five Points location is housed in a former gas station that was (in my humble opinion) an eyesore. The building is now attractive, funky, fitting and a delight to my eyes!
The community of Five Points borders the south & southwest sides of The University of Georgia and is home to many student rentals and many single family residences. The Friends of Five Points is a association of homeowners from the area whose mission is "... to further the safety and quality of life in the 5 Points area".
The Five Points community is also home to one of Athens Georgia's premier shopping districts. Visit Five Points to view a list of businesses with links and learn more about some of the fanciful boutiques, exclusive interior appointments, great outdoor merchandise and more that abound in Five Points!
There are awesome restaurants in Five Points including:
Five and Ten - home of Athens, Georgia celebrity Chef, Hugh Acheson
Five Points Deli - Their desserts aren't listed on-line, but their cakes, cookies & bar treats are worth the visit and there is free street side parking!
Earth Fare Athens is situated in the heart of Athens, Georgia in 5 Points. They are "...committed to bringing delicious specialty, gourmet and health foods to the University of Georgia (UGA) Campus and the Athens community in a friendly environment". Earth Fare has a huge selection of everything! The deli, cafe and bakery all feature excellent & delicious choices for dining.
The housing styles in Five Points range from eclectic to elegant, below are some examples of Five Points in Athens, Georgia architecture.
Five Points Is A Fabulous Athens, GA Community -
where charm & convenience meet!
(Start your 5 Points in Athens, GA home search by clicking above - choose Area 6)
Bishop, GA - the best of Oconee County offers small town living, just minutes from Watkinsville, GA! Oconee County, GA has been named "One of the Best Place to live in Rural America, by Progressive Farmer, for 2 years in a row.
You can find Bishop, GA in Oconee County just down the road on Highway 441, South of Watkinsville, GA. The offical population of Bishop is only 146, however many more claim home to this town, living in the surrounding area.
Bishop, GA is the home of several farm stands....specializing in locally grown peaches and offering much more!
Bishop is the smallest incorporated community in Oconee County, and bustled during the early 1900's. Today many move to this area for a small town community convenient to Athens & Watkinsville, GA. Bishop is also well know for its'pottery stores, antique stores, and a great used book store.
Below is an example of one of the gorgeous historic homes that can be found in and around Bishop, GA & throughout Oconee County, GA. Although this home is not on the market, you cansearch for Oconee County, GA real estate here.
Additional Resources for Bishop, GA & surrounding areas of Oconee County, GA:
If you decide that Bishop, GA - the best of Oconee County, Georgia is where you would like to call home, please feel free to contact me or begin your home search below.
Colbert, GA offering the best of Madison County, GA with convenience and country charm!
Whether you are looking for newer construction located near Madison County's only golf course - Sunrise Golf Club, or a home with historic appeal, you'll find what you are searching for in Colbert, GA.
Within the city limits, Colbert's population is 527 people, with an 8.2 percent growth since the 2000 census. There are many areas surrounding the city limits that consider themselves "Colbert, GA" also.
Colbert, Georgia's official flower is the Red Canna Lilly and you'll spot gorgeous plantings throughout the community from late spring to mid summer.
Colbert, Georgia's City Hall is located in central downtown, just off Highway 72, in the former SCL Railroad Depot and is also the site of a Red Train Caboose.
Several towns in Madison County grew up along the railroad when the South was King of Cotton!
Incorporated in 1900, Colbert, Georgia is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has become famous for it's Fourth of July Parade and Crafts Festival, with 10,000+- people attending annually.
Colbert, Georgia, offering the best of Madison County - Additional Resources & Quick Facts:
Average Annual temperature of a mild 63 degrees
Located just 11 miles from downtown Athens, GA - "Classic City of the South"
Located approximately 70 miles from Atlanta, GA
Near the Broad River, a favorite for canoeing with category 2 rapids
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
As a GA Certified Residential Appraiser (#6547) and Real Estate Broker, I am all for appraiser independence, however my relationship with my lender/mortgage broker clients has always been based on honesty and unbiased appraisals. It infuriates me that a few bad appraisers, loan officers, and lenders have created such a mess that all honest, ethical appraisers and mortgage brokers must be treated as dishonest and unprofessional.
Classic City Mortgage, Inc.
County grew up along the railroad when the South was King of Cotton!
;)
;)
