Questions, Questions, Questions, Do I Have MORE Questions!!! - 06/30/08 08:39 PM
Questions, Questions, Questions, Do I Have MORE Questions!!!
I researched as much as I could on AR with little results and everyone says, if you can't find the answer, just ask. So here  I am, in hopes someone will be able to answer me.
How does the tree (image/edit icon) work? I click my one, only to get a sound and nothing else. I even went as far as putting my pictures on Photobucket to get the img url and still nothing, so someone please help. With all this talk about Outside Blogs, is there a way to customize it with … (5 comments)

Mortgage Process Part I Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval - 06/30/08 07:02 PM
Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval
In today's market withmore stringent guidelines, if would be to their advantage for the buyer to get a pre-approval vs a pre-qualification.   What's the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?  Just a few years back, the terms "pre-qualification" and "pre-approval" were often used interchangeably. But they have different meanings. Today, Realtors are realizing that if a client has a pre-approval certification it gives agents and sellers confidence that you can hold up your end of a sales contract. It also gives you a big bargaining advantage.
What is a pre-qualification? A pre-qualification is an estimate of how much you can … (0 comments)

Mercer County Fireworks - 06/29/08 07:44 PM
5th Annual Mercer County Freedom FestivalSaturday July 5, 20083:00 PM until 9:30 PM




The Freedom Festival features a stellar lineup of live music, food, rides, crafts and games, and culminates with a fireworks display at nightfall - all free of charge. Festival opens up at 3pm with performances by The Nerds, The Fabulous Soul Cruisers, The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and The Dawgs.
Location: Mercer County Park Rink Area
… (0 comments)

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions - 06/29/08 01:48 PM

My husband and I are of retirement age, well, he is and it's time to start the search of where to move.
I want to be not too far from the grandchildren, two will be in New York, two in North Carolina....so far that's only with two of the children, two more haven't even started yet.
So we will be moving to Manahawkin, New Jersey for five months out of the year. Nice area, near Long Beach Island and close enough but far enough from the children and grandchildren.
Now the dilemma is where to move to the 7 other … (9 comments)

A Tribute to Our Friends - 06/29/08 11:32 AM
Friendship (definition from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings. This article focuses on the notion specific to interpersonal relationships. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affectionalong with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, … (1 comments)

Introduction - 06/29/08 10:06 AM

 
I would like to introduce you to Cynthia Walker of Waretown, New Jersey. She is a full time agent with 23 years of experience.
Member:Ocean County Board of Realtors N.J. Association of Realtors National Association of Realtors State of New Jersey Notary Public
Welcome Cynthia and I know you will learn so much from AR as I did.
… (17 comments)

I AM A NEWBIE.....I am a newbie part 2 - 06/28/08 03:43 PM
I wrote a post the other day in the Newbie Group and realized only the Newbie Group read it and I really think it needs to be addressed to all who write on their Blogs.
As my time states, I am a newbie. Not only to AR but to the whole online networking. I didn't know was SEO means, I thought it had something to do with a CEO. I didn't know once you bought a  domain name, you had to have it hosted it would work.
So please, think of us newbies when a post is written. "it's simple, just … (16 comments)

Learn and Save a Life - 06/27/08 08:18 PM
This blog is very long, but it's worth every word. This happened to me today and I am here writing this blog and sharing some important information with you.
Most of us work with the public and learning just simple things could save a life.
Insulin shock, is the common name for an extreme form of the medical condition hypoglycemia. Ais the medical term for low blood sugar. An average person has a sugar reading of 80 to 120 (measured in milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood). Any time a person's blood sugar level drops below that, they are considered hypoglycemic,  … (8 comments)

Business Etiquette and Dress for Success - 06/23/08 07:31 PM
Education, experience and intelligence are no longer enough  to succeed in business today. The years you have spent improving your job skills must now be enhanced with business etiquette.  As Warren Buffet quoted, "It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently". How true is that!
Send a hand written thank you note after a meeting with your client. Kiss, bow or shake hands according to the culture of the client you are with. We need to understand and respect others before we can build a relationship … (8 comments)

Easy Build Construction Loan - 06/23/08 08:24 AM
M & T's Easy Build Construction Loan Program features:
The ability to combine land, construction and end loan financing in a single loan. Downpayments as low as 5%. A wide range of end loan options: Fixed rate mortgages with the term to 40 years. adjustable rate mortgages that provide low fixed rates for up to 7 years Bi-Weekly loans that payoff years sooner and can save you thousands in interest. Interest-only options to minimize your initial monely payment Jumbo loans to $1,500,000 Financing for 1-2 family homes, second homes, log, modular, panelized and timerframe homes. Permanent interest rate protection that provides … (0 comments)

Newbies to the Industry - 06/22/08 10:02 AM
I started a Group today for Newbies to the Industry. I know most of you are all seasoned in your field of expertise. To the newbies, it's overwhelming. I want a place where they can come up with their cup of coffee, sit down, take off their shoes and just sit and ask for ideas on how to do this or that.
The group is opened to experienced folks as well, those that will help us grow stronger in our designated fields.
I started out in retail banking 18 years ago. I was a loan officer for one bank, but it … (6 comments)

Who Sets Mortgage Rates? Why do rates change? - 06/20/08 08:30 PM
WHO SETS MORTGAGE RATES? WHY DO RATES CHANGE?
Who sets mortgage rates? Why do rates change? How often do rates change? What is a Mortgage Backed Security (MBS)? These are some of the questions we are often asked by clients. Following is a brief explanation of the MBS market and how it works.
Mortgage loan interest rates, and the corresponding fees or points charged for various rates, are driven by the prices of Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS). While lenders, in effect, set their own mortgage rates, how those rates are set is driven largely by the current rates of Mortgage Backed Securities and … (5 comments)

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS IMPORTANT - 06/17/08 10:43 AM

                                                                          Understanding What Is Important
And to everyone person I asked what that meant to them, it meant something totally different. To one it was..."What's important to me is my family. My family is why I am here and why I work hard to provide for them. Everything else is second."
Another person stated, "I think the term is self explanatory. It's a matter of disctinction. What is important to learn, as opposed to something that has no impact on a life."
Then another friend stated "what it means is to take away all the trivia and understand what the … (0 comments)

SHOCKED - 06/16/08 08:08 PM
I went into a new territory for me today and I asked how can I assist you with your clients. What can I do for you?
My answer was get me business and then we will talk. I was shocked. What happened to what was right for the client?  Not every mortgage is right for every client, this realtor would not even chat with me and discuss what I had to offer.
Please tell me this isn't the norm!
Is it more important for you to build up a client base or to ensure you client has a seasmless transaction? Wouldn't … (8 comments)

Positive Words Change Attitude - 06/15/08 07:30 PM
Put a smile on your face...............a skip to your step.............and that wonderous feeling that you are on top of the word.
So many things can change an attitude with one sentence.
Today  m husband receieved phone calls from all his children, but two of them gave him that smile on his face aand that skip to his step.
Our oldest daughter called this morning to say.....Dad, You're going to be a Grandfather again. I'm due on Dec. 29th. His smile was from ear to ear.
The other phone calls came with well wishes for Fathers Day and then the last phone call, … (3 comments)

A Cry for Help - 06/15/08 12:08 PM
Being a Newbie of 4 days, i am still trying to work my way around this site. I requested where I could purchase the ActiveRain for Dummys Book, the ones they have out for almost everything else, those black and yellow books, and no one has responded.
I tried putting a picture on my blog and it wouldnt't take.
I tied making a separate blog and moving it over, that didn't take.
I am a stand out type of person and my blogs are way too boring, sooooooooooooo someone please tell me how to do this.
My email address is nlarson@mtb.com … (11 comments)

M & T Bank - 06/15/08 11:00 AM
I'm sure a few of you are wondering who M & T Bank is.
In 1856, it stood of Manufacturers & Traders. Founded 152 years ago. It has built a reputation for provideing outstanding customer service. It's a tradition we are proud of and one we pledge to continue.
We stand for so much more today. We offer so many home financing programs which include Conventional, FHA, and VA Mortgages. We have Adjustable Rate Mortgages and our Bi-Weekly Mortgages, as well as our Jumbo Loans. We have a great New Construction to Perm loans that the Builders like our convenient draws.
… (0 comments)

True Bi-Weekly - 06/15/08 10:40 AM
I have heard the different stories on how best to pay down your mortgage earlier,  but with the Bank I work for, we have a product that really's assists customers into paying down their mortgage in 7 earlier earlier.
You can save $118,000 dollars on a 30 year mortgage by using M & T's Bi-Weekly Program.  Simply pay half of your mortgage payment every two weeks. You dont have to put it in a line of credit or some other source, just from your checking account to the bank and you will save $118,000 on a $300,000 mortgage. You'll pay if … (3 comments)

Open House Assistance For Realtors - 06/14/08 01:39 PM
We at M & T Bank have so many marketing ideas to help you, the Realtor, with your Open Houses.
This is something I do.
I visit every realtor in my area. I introduce myself and tell them we have something in common, to get your client to the closing table. But in order to do this, you need to work with me as I work with you. And I leave them something to read, cause we all know we are all busy in some way and promise I will be in touch.
I give them a week and I send … (4 comments)

New Days Ahead - 06/13/08 09:04 AM
Happy Friday the 13th!
The sun is shining....you woke up and was able to read this...off to a good start already.
We had our morning coffee, which means our legs are working , so with our arms and other body parts, so far so good.
We take for granted the things we do every day. It's just habit.
Well our jobs have sometimes become habit as well. Not a good sign.
We have to remember to starrt each day a tad bit differently from the rest. Add an except skip to our steps. Put on the biggest smile on your face … (4 comments)

Some Help for the Realtors - 06/11/08 11:08 PM
With the rise multiple births...I would suggest newspapers announcements of the birth of the double blessed famlies. Some how that 3 bedroom house is just not big enough when you are bringing three newborns home from the hospital.
As a mother of mulitples....but time to knock on the door....never, but do so anyway, with a little treat for mom and an empty hand to hold one of the babies.
The parents are overwhelmed and any good Realtor could go in there and become their best friend for life, from one move to the next as their family grows, no so much … (6 comments)