Robert's Blog

Top Ten Funny One-Liners

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:46:01 -0600

10. What is the best thing about dating a homeless woman? You can drop her off anywhere.

9. What is the difference between in-laws and outlaws? Outlaws are wanted.

8. What should a woman say to a man she's just had sex with? Whatever she wants - he's sleeping.

7. Where does virgin wool come from? Ugly sheep.

6. How do you spot the blind man at a nudist colony? It isn't hard.

5. How can you make your wife crazy while making love? Call her from your cell phone.

4. What does the bride of a Polish man get that's long and hard on her wedding night? His last name.

3. What's the down side to a threesome? You'll likely disappoint two women instead of just one.

2. How do you know you're really ugly? Dogs close their eyes when they're humping your leg.

1. Why are hurricanes named after women? Because they arrive wet and wild, then leave with your house and car.

The Big-Talkin' Cowboy

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:26:12 -0500

A big-talking cowboy appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.

'Have you ever done anything of particular merit?' St. Peter asked.

'Well, I can think of one thing,' the big-talkin' cowboy offered.

'On a trip to the Black Hills out in South Dakota , why, I came upon a gang of bikers, who were threatening a young woman.

I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker and punched him. Why I smacked him hard too, right across his ugly face ....

Then I kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground.

"Now, back off!!" I yelled at the group, "Or I'll kick the crap out of all of you!"

St. Peter was impressed, "When did this happen?"

"Oh, just a couple of minutes ago."

Disorder in da Court - Funny Court Quotes

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:04:03 -0500

The following quotes are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts. They are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters who had to stay calm and not laugh while these exchanges were actually taking place.

--------
ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No, I just lie there.
----------

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
----------

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget.
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
WITNESS: I can't remember
----------

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, 'Where am I, Cathy ?'
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan !
----------

ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS: We both do.
ATTORNEY: Voodoo?
WITNESS: We do.
ATTORNEY : You do?
WITNESS: Yes, voodoo
----------

ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
----------

ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year- old, how old is he?
WITNESS: Uh, he's twenty-one.
----------
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Your honor, are you kidding' me?
----------

ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Uh.... I was getting' laid!
----------
ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None .
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Are you shittin' me? Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
----------
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Now whose death do you suppose terminated it?
----------

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard.
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Guess.
----------
ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
----------

ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All my autopsies are performed on dead people. Would you like to rephrase that?
----------
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
----------

ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy on him!
----------

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Huh....are you qualified to ask that question?
____________ _________ _________ ________

And the best for last:
____________ _________ _________ ________

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

A Role-Model for Public Figures?

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:29:14 -0500

A Role Model for Public Figures? By Bob Boog

Vince Young may always be remembered by USC fans as the tall Texas quarterback who in 2006 dashed their hopes for a national championship. In a game likely to be remembered as one of the greatest in college football history, Vince Young helped Texas defeat USC 41-38 in the Rose Bowl.

But in this time of immature behavior among sports figures,/celebrities/public figures Vince Young stepped in and did a nice thing for two kids that were hurting. The current quarterback of the Tennessee Titans surprised the sons of his deceased friend, Steve McNair, by taking McNair's sons to their school's "Dear Dads Breakfast" on Wednesday in Nashville. (McNair was shot and killed July 4, 2009).

Young said that he had often looked up to the older man, McNair, when he was a kid, and he didn't have to think twice about doing this for his sons, Trenton and Tyler.

"Those are my boys,'' Young told The Tennessean. "I wouldn't say it was to pay anyone back; it was just out of love. Steve would do it for me. He pretty much did it for me when I was growing up. "I have a history with the boys and I want to do anything I can. I am their big brother.''

"It was a great, great gesture,'' said Julie Dilworth, admissions director at St. Paul Christian Academy. "All the kids had been talking about the dads' breakfast and (Trenton and Tyler) were wondering what was going to happen with them. "They were thrilled ... the boys came to school with huge smiles on their faces.''

Young knew McNair, who quarterbacked the Titans from 1995 to 2005, long before entering the NFL, having attended youth football camps. He also spoke at McNair's funeral in Hattiesburg, Miss.

At the breakfast, Young gave jerseys and autographs to several students.

It often doesn't take much for sports/public figures to smile for pictures or sign autographs. We more or less expect them to do these things. But to step in and take two fatherless boys to the Dad's breakfast at the school? Vince Young stepped up and by showed that at least on that day and in that moment, he was not only a role model for two grieving boys, but a shining example for public figures everywhere too.

Do You Have Feelings of Inadequacy?

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:54:42 -0500

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?

Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Grey Goose.

Grey Goose is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself. You'll also feel better about your actions. Grey Goose can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world you're ready and willing to do just about anything! You will notice the benefits of Grey Goose almost immediately, and with a regimen of regular doses, you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living life the way you want to live it. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past, and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. So stop hiding and start living again with Grey Goose!

Grey Goose may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Grey Goose. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, fighting, vomiting, incarceration, screaming "Woo hoo", erotic dancing, lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of memory, money-loss, absence of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and desire to sing karaoke. Some patients have reported side effects such as feelings of wanting to play strip poker, truth or dare and naked twister.

Grey Goose.....Leave shyness behind.

Turning Back Time Before the Real Estate Meltdown by Bob Boog

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:23:14 -0500

What if I could turn back time and elect you as president of the United States. The date is now September 7, 2004, and you have been able to keep all your present day knowledge.

Question: will you do something to stop the zero-down, no income verification real estate loans? Or will you just let things run their course?

You know these loans are bad and you have the power to stop the practice of issuing them. Are you brave enough to use your power, knowing that by doing so, you will help avert the greatest fiscal crises in the history of the United States?

Or, will you back down, and cave in to the pressure of the media, or the powerful real estate lobbies? After all, you know that these loans are highly popular. Conservatives will argue for their use, stating that an unregulated loan industry should be allowed to police itself. What about the man on the street? Won't concerned citizens looking to purchase homes protest your decision? You'll probably be considered the most unpopular president in history. But you have seen the future and you know that it's the right thing to do - even though the decision will be considered uncomfortable and unpopular.

I feel a similar thing is happening with health care. The same market force - "baby boomer demand" that fed the past feeding frenzy for real estate - and helping to escalate home prices-- will soon be ratcheting up the costs for health services.

The writing is on the wall. As of 2006, there were 67 million baby boomers. That was three years ago, and these folks aren't getting any younger! The greater the demand for any product or service, the higher the price for that product or service: that's basic economics.

Fast forward to today. September 7, 2009. If you were president now and could affect lowering the costs of health care for millions of people, what would you do? If you say "nothing" that's the comfortable position. Take the "ostrich approach" and do nothing. Just hope that everything will work out okay and you'll be reelected. Or maybe wait until everything really gets bad, then try to bail it out!

Or do the uncomfortable thing. The unpopular thing. Work on meaningful reform. Swim against the current of negative media hype, conservative spin doctors, health care lobbyists, and concerned citizens.

I believe that its time to do something. What about you?

The US Health Care System Bubble

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:30:27 -0500

The US Health Care System Bubble by Bob Boog

I'm a real estate broker, and for the last four or five years people used to ask me when I thought the real estate market bubble would pop. When the bubble did pop, most experts looked back and attributed the red-hot demand to baby-boomers, (people born from 1940 - 1965). The demand for homes by baby-boomers, they said, helped caused prices to rise out of control- until the bubble popped. Similarly, another bubble is in the making in the health care system.

Back in 2006, it was estimated that there were 67 million "baby-boomers." It was estimated that for every day for the next 30 years, there would be approximately 10,000 retiring - every 30 seconds. Ironically, with all the talk about diet and exercise, according to the Washington Post, baby-boomers are considered to be in poorer health than their Depression-era parents!

Will aging baby-boomers put a bigger and bigger strain on Fed health services? Is it like another real estate bubble waiting to happen - only bigger? The good thing is that both Democrats and Republicans agree that reforming Federal healthcare programs is needed. The question is the "type" of health care.

75% of people who filed for bankruptcy because of a medical catastrophe had health insurance. The problem is, that the private health insurance company refused to pay their claims. For this reason, a Public Option is needed. Or legislation making it illegal for health insurance providers to deny claims.

But a Public Option, critics fear, might eventually become the "only" option. Critics figure that because a government proposal would cost less, more people would use it, which would cause private options to evaporate. But government programs do coexist with many private programs and haven't put them out of business.

The largest investment that most people make, for example, is the purchase of a home. In the real estate business, there are cheap government loans (think FHA and VA) and more expensive non-government loans called Conventional loans. Government loans offer a low down payment, easier credit qualifying and often lower closing costs than conventional loans.

So why aren't government loans the "only" option today? (After all, these loans have been around for 75 years!)

The answer is simple. Conventional loans may cost more but there is usually less red tape involved so they usually close faster than government loans. Conventional loan buyers and sellers often experience less problems too. Government loans usually involve appraisers who not only check to see that the property being sold is worth the value, but that the stove and heating systems also work. If the stove and heating systems don't work, for example, the seller must fix them before the sale can close. In addition, the government loan requires that the lender make a last minute check with the IRS to ascertain that the income the borrower claims on his tax returns has not been falsified.

Has using government loans stopped consumers from obtaining conventional loans? No. In fact, it has helped keep conventional interest rates competitive and has allowed borrowers with limited means to purchase a home that they might not have been able to afford.

The way a government loan works, the Federal Government does not loan or collect the mortgage payments. The buyer arranges the loan with a local lender. Then the federal government insures the loan - so that if the buyer defaults, the lender receives a percentage of his money back.

Could the federal government "insure" health care? Yes. This is how Medicare and Medicaid work. For this reason, when critics of health care reform argue that the government "test" health insurance reform first or include "tort reform" before moving ahead, the question is, why? The government already offers Medicare & Medicaid Services. There are also VA hospitals as well as State and County non-profit programs.

In other words, health-care reform involves changing and expanding the scope and depth of existing Federal/State/County services but does not involve putting private health care providers out of business. Don't be fooled by people who say the two can't co-exist.

Some conservative radio talk-show hosts claim that reform is not about health care - it is about political control. They talk about "socialized" medicine and losing a way of life for their children and grandchildren. They claim that reforming the health care system would also lower the standards for everybody. So let's review these concerns too.

We currently have many socialized services in our country, and have had them for many years without too many problems. Granted, nobody is perfect but you currently enjoy the services of brave fire-fighters, paramedics and policemen, don't you? These services are "socialized", aren't they? Think about it. Do you believe that the standard of service provided by our firefighters, paramedics and police personnel is poor or inadequate? No. So why would the care from professional doctors and nurses be any different?

Finally, some critics argue that reforming health care will cost too much. Our taxes will rise. For these people it is important that they realize that the current cost of US healthcare is five times the amount that the US spends on its defense. Without any significant healthcare reform, this amount will automatically double every four years - as aging babyboomers develop more chronic and serious conditions. So the idea of healthcare reform is to try to put a handle on it now, before costs spiral out of control.

Let's face it. Reforming the health care system will not make everybody happy - but just as life went on after the real estate market collapsed, people will adjust after heath care is reformed. Let's quit squabbling about it and do something now before the bubble pops!

Actual Comments Made on Students' Report Cards

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:58:30 -0500

Supposedly, these are actual comments made on students' report cards by teachers in the
New York City public school system. All teachers were reprimanded :(

1.Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to
dig.

2.I would not allow this student to breed.

3.Your child has delusions of adequacy.

4.Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.

5.Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.

6. This student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all
together.

7.This child has been working with glue too much.

8.When your daughter's IQ reaches 50,she should sell.

9.The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.

10.If this student were any more stupid,he'd have to be watered twice a week.

11.It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others.

12.The wheel is turning but the hamster is definitely dead.

What happens in the pub, stays in the pub

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:13:11 -0500

Dear Bob,

I enjoy your sense of humor so I thought you might like this true story.

I was in the pub yesterday when I suddenly realized I desperately
needed to fart. The music was really, really loud, so I timed my
farts with the beat.

After a couple of songs, I started to feel better. I finished my
pint and noticed that everybody was staring at me.

Then I suddenly remembered: I was listening to my iPod.

-Randal

Sent to me via email.

God i love that dry British humor!

The Wisdom of George Carlin

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:28:33 -0500

The Wisdom of George Carlin

Enjoy these bits of wisdom from George:

Always do whatever's next.

At a formal dinner party, the person nearest death should always be seated closest to the bathroom.

Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.

Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time.

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Dusting is a good example of the futility of trying to put things right. As soon as you dust, the fact of your next dusting has already been established.

Electricity is really just organized lightning.

Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck.

Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

"I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence?

I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it.

I recently went to a new doctor and noticed he was located in something called the Professional Building. I felt better right away.

I think it would be interesting if old people got anti-Alzheimer's disease where they slowly began to recover other people's lost memories.

I think people should be allowed to do anything they want. We haven't tried that for a while. Maybe this time it'll work.

I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me - they're cramming for their final exam.

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.

I'm not concerned about all hell breaking loose, but that a PART of hell will break loose... it'll be much harder to detect.

If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little.

If we could just find out who's in charge, we could kill him.

If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten.

In comic strips, the person on the left always speaks first.

Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist.

Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town.

May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.

Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.

Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did.

One can never know for sure what a deserted area looks like.

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.

People who say they don't care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don't care what people think.

Religion is just mind control.

Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don't have time for all that.

Standing ovations have become far too commonplace. What we need are ovations where the audience members all punch and kick one another.

The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.

The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going.

A Really Bad Day

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:11:26 -0500

There was this guy at a bar, just looking at his drink. He stays like that for half of an hour.

Then, this big trouble-making truck driver steps next to him, takes the drink from the guy, and just drinks it all down. The poor man starts crying. The truck driver says, "Come on man, I was just joking. Here, I'll buy you another drink. I just can't stand to see a man cry."

"No, it's not that. This day is the worst day of my life! First, all night I can't sleep, and my alarm doesn't wake me. As a result, I arrive late to my office. My boss, outrageous, fires me. When I leave the building, I discover my car has been stolen! The police say 'There is NOTHING they can do.' Nothing. I have to take a cab to return home, and when I leave it, I suddenly remember that I left my wallet and credit cards there. The cab driver just drives away."

"I go home, and when I get there, I find my wife in bed with the gardener! I leave home, and come to this bar. And just when I was thinking about putting an end to my life, you show up and drink my poison."

Crystal Ball Predictions

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:49:44 -0500

Have You Gazed Into a Crystal Ball Lately?

Bob Boog

Some folks ask me where I think the real estate market is headed, and lately my answer has changed. At least slightly. I used to just answer: "My crystal ball is in the shop," but now I think I'll say, "The market is definitely looking greener."

The market is looking greener? What the heck does that mean?

Just that several home-shoppers have surprised me by asking questions regarding Eco-Friendly homes and "Green" features. Most of the questions revolve around some simple energy saving devices but when I stop to think about it, a few years ago, these very questions would never have been asked. Here are some examples:

How can we tell if these windows are dual-paned windows?

Does this home feature an energy-efficient air-conditioner?

How can we tell the energy efficiency of this water heater?

Are there any homes in this neighborhood with raised vegetable gardens?

Raised vegetable gardens?! Sorry, that was me!

So what does this mean for the future of real estate?

Besides giving realtors even more details to micro-manage, Green features may also offer a new marketing opportunity. Most house-hunters do know the three cardinal rules to follow when buying a home, Rule #1: location, Rule#2: location, Rule#3: location" but another important axiom to follow in real estate comes from the political arena where voters are often encouraged to "Follow the money" of political candidates and their donors.

Similarly, when buyers, sellers and builders realize that homes with eco-friendly features might help to sell homes faster and possibly for more money, then even more home-shoppers may start making their purchasing decisions based on homes boasting "Green" features. Here are some examples of what I mean by following the money.

I recently showed a client a home that offers solar electricity. This feature decreases the monthly electric bills by over 50%! Would this kind of savings be of interest to you? (YES.)

I recently received a bag of home-grown tomatoes. They were delicious. Is gardening something you might like to do? (YES)This home offers a brand-new energy efficient air conditioner that saves hundreds of dollars each and every year. Wouldn't this be a nice thing to have? (YES)
Who knows, it might take awhile, but with more and more house-hunters shopping for their own "little slice of heaven" this green thing could catch on!

What does July 4th really mean?

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:12:19 -0500

July 4th is just around the corner.

Yet what makes this day so special? What does the 4th of July really mean?

For some, it's a great time to take a four-day weekend in order to get out of Dodge. Or maybe we'll enjoy a "stay-cation" and stay home with family and friends to enjoy fun, food and fireworks! Most folks will have the day off, and so some of us will spend our time running errands and finishing items on our spouse's "honey-do" lists. Still others may view the local parade filled with marching bands, horses and beauty queens. But doesn't the fourth mean more than all that?

On July 4th, 1776 we Americans declared our independence from England and have held it ever since. So it's also a day to commemorate the great sacrifices of our military men and women. It's a time to honor current veterans, as well as give thanks to the many anonymous fallen heroes who deserve our deepest gratitude and respect.

So enjoy the day, but if you can, take the opportunity this weekend to seek out a veteran or active duty member. Visit the local parade and proudly wave the American flag. If possible, shake a veteran's hand and say "Thank You" for all they've done and continue to do.

Make it a safe and happy 4th of July!

Bob Boog is the author of Selling Homes 1-2-3 and Mortgage Modifications made easy. Visit his website at www.short-sales1-2-3.com

The Gender of Nouns - Humor only an English major would Love

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:05:30 -0500

What is a noun? A noun is a word used to denote a person, place, thing, or idea.
In the Spanish language, nouns are defined as being either masculine or feminine. Examples:

MasculineFeminine

el chico	la chica
boy	girl
el jardín	la universidad
garden	university
el libro	la revista
book	magazine
el miedo	la libertad
fear	liberty

English has masculine and feminine nouns too, but in English they are called "male" or "female" words. Here are some examples:

COPIER: Female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm up. Because it is an effective reproductive device when the right buttons are pushed. Because it can wreak havoc when the wrong buttons are pushed.

HAMMER: Male, because it hasn't evolved much over the last 5,000 years, but it's handy to have around.

HOT AIR BALLOON: Male, because to get it to go anywhere you have to light a fire under it... and, of course, there's the hot air part.

HOURGLASS: Female, because over time, the weight shifts to the bottom.

KIDNEYS: Female, because they always go to the bathroom in pairs.

REMOTE CONTROL: Female... Ha! You thought I'd say male. But consider, it gives a man pleasure. He'd be lost without it. Lastly while he doesn't always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying. ;-)

SHOES: Male, because it is usually unpolished, with its tongue hanging out.

SPONGES: Female, because they are soft and squeezable and retain water.

SUBWAY: Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up.

SWISS ARMY KNIFE: Male, because even though it appears useful for a wide variety of work, it spends most of its time just opening bottles.

TIRES: Male, because it goes bald and often is over inflated.

WEB PAGE: Female, because it is always getting hit on.

ZIPLOC BAGS: Male, because they hold everything in, but you can always see right through them.

Bob Boog is the author of Selling Homes 1-2-3. His latest book Mortgage Modifications Made Easy can be found at www.free-loan-mod-info.com

Mortgage Forgiveness - A Bold New Idea

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:19:33 -0500

One of the stories lost during the media frenzy concerning Michael Jackson's death concerns a new idea for homeowners. It's called "vesting forgiveness of debt". This new idea from Washington might allow homeowners to refinance their existing underwater mortgages with new loans from the government. Why is this important?

Currently many Americans are walking away from their homes, not because they can't continue to make their payments, but because of negative equity. Based on a recent survey, approximately 26% of all foreclosures are strategic, meaning that homeowners feel that they would be better off walking away and trying to buy later, as they feel that housing prices are going to slide further down.

Vesting forgiveness of debt might encourage those homeowners to stay. Here is how the plan would work:

Let's suppose that Mark Jones owns a home that is worth $300,000 in today's market. Unfortunately Mr. Jones owes $400,000 against it. In this case, the government would refinance Mark's property by making two new loans against it. Fannie Mae would create a new first loan for $300,000 and the US Treasury would issue a second loan for $100,000.

The new Treasury loan would be an interest only loan. Unlike a traditional loan, however, for each year that Mr. Jones stays current on both loans, one fifth of the Treasury loan would be forgiven. In five years, Mr. Jones would completely pay off his second loan!

The idea is to give an incentive to homeowners like Jones to stay current on their mortgages as well as return to a "positive net equity" position before they retire. The cost to the government is estimated to be around 75 to 100 billion dollars, and the government assumes that it would save approximately 1.5 million homes from foreclosure or complete abandonment.

So far the Obama administration has not embraced this new idea or any kind of vesting debt reduction, but hasn't rejected the idea either, preferring for the present time to continue to restructure and modify more than one million mortgages via the Making Homes Affordable program.

Good idea or bad? What do you think?

Bob Boog is the author of Selling Homes 1-2-3. His latest work is called Mortgage Modifications Made Easy and can be found at www.free-loan-mod-info.com

Doing the Mortgage Modification Two-Step

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:50:28 -0500

Doing the Mortgage Modification Two-Step by Bob Boog

If you are a homeowner who is dancing on thin ice, you may be looking at what others are doing to save their homes, and finding that many homeowners are modifying their mortgages. A mortgage or loan modification may not always result in thousands of dollars in principal being reduced, but it could mean a lower interest rate, an extension of the length of the loan (changing a 30 year loan to a 40 year term to reduce payments) or converting an adjustable rate loan to a low fixed rate loan.

The goal is to help a homeowner stay in his home, but homeowners should be wary. The current economic situation has also helped create unscrupulous loan mod specialists who prey on naïve homeowners. Some of these scammers will just take your money and never do a thing - allowing the house to foreclose. So here are six red flags to watch out for when doing the mortgage modification two-step:

•1. Specialist demands a large advance fee. A request for a large advance payment should alert you to the possibility of fraud, as some homeowners have learned the hard way after handing over their hard-earned money.

•2. Makes a 100% guarantee of success. Example: "We have saved thousands of homeowners, and we can help you too. Free consultation. Money-back guarantee! Note: there is no guarantee that any loan modification will be successful as it is up to the individual lender to modify one or more of the terms of your home loan.

•3. Too good to be true testimonials. "We reduced Terry Lee's principal balance from $350,000 to $85,000." Run, don't walk away from this one!

•4. Request that you grant a Power of Attorney to the specialist. A Power of Attorney allows the scammer to lawfully evict you from your home, and then collect the rent he charges to another tenant. Many times the person requesting the Power of Attorney represents a loan modification company that is attorney-backed, affiliated or attorney-based, but in reality the entity sending the letter has no such affiliation and is just skirting the law.

•5. Lease or rent-back scams, this is where the homeowner is told to transfer title via a Quitclaim or Grant deed to a third party, so that the homeowner can rent the property from the third-party, and buy the home back later. Transferring the title to a third party, however, is a dangerous thing to do because it gives a con artist the opportunity to evict you and then resell or rent the home.

•6. Just "sign prepared documents" without reviewing them. Be wary of specialists who don't allow you to take documents to your attorney or any trusted friend for review. Be especially concerned if a salesperson tells you that "they're just a bunch of boring forms".

Another red flag to watch for might simply be the high-pressure sales tactics of some salespeople who threaten that "you must act today" and/or instructions NOT to contact your lender, attorney, accountant or non-profit housing counselor.

The loan modification two-step is a popular real estate dance that many homeowners are doing. If you are not able to refinance your home because of the present market conditions, do your research and contact a non-profit housing center for referrals. Or you can just carefully follow the instructions from your lender, and you too may enjoy the benefits of lower monthly mortgage payments!

Bob Boog is a real estate broker and author of Mortgage Modifications Made Easy: a 50 page "do-it-yourself guide" $29.95 for homeowners who want more information, tips and tricks for successfully modifying a home loan. www.free-loan-mod-info.com

Six Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:44:37 -0500

Are you behind in your house payments? Here are six tips if you are unable to make your mortgage payment:

1. Don't take the "ostrich approach" and ignore the problem.

The further behind you become in your mortgage, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your house. Contact your friends and family members to see if you can borrow money. There are also online places where people have successfully found "angel" donor such as www.craigslist.com and www.prosper.com

2. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem.

If you find out on Friday that your company is going to be "downsizing" soon, call your lender. Lenders really will work with you because they do not want your house. The government is presently working with lenders to offer them options to help borrowers through difficult financial times. So you may find that your lender will work with you.

3. Open all mail from your lender.

Some lenders may seem harassing with their constant phone calls, but sometimes they do this because they can offer good information about foreclosure prevention options. Good news to weather financial problems may also come in the mail, so don't throw it away. Important notices of pending legal action may come in the form of registered mail, and failure to open the mail will not be an excuse in foreclosure court.

4. Call a Credit Counseling Service or Visit One Online.

Credit counseling services are available to those who know that they can't make their payments. Call 1-800-569-4287 to find a counseling service located in your state. You can also find more information about the foreclosure laws and timeframes in your state (as every state is different) by contacting the State Government Housing Office, or by visiting: www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm

5. Beware of Foreclosure Prevention Companies.

Many for-profit companies offering to negotiate with your lender are rip-offs and will just take your money and not provide any service. While there are some legitimate businesses, some will charge you as much as two or three month's mortgage payment for information. Your lender will provide the same services for free and may even be willing to modify your loan for free if you contact them and provide them the necessary financial information.

6. Don't EVER sign a Power of Attorney Form without Understanding its Ramifications!

If any person claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a Power of Attorney appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property. With this document properly recorded, you can be evicted from your own home! Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and conditions. Get professional advice from an attorney or a trusted real estate professional first.

Foreclosure prevention counseling and homeless counseling services are available free of charge through HUD's Housing Counseling Program. Housing Counseling agencies participating in HUD's Housing Counseling Program are not permitted to charge consumers for these specific housing counseling services.

More more information, please visit your local HUD office. You can find a branch nearby by visiting their website at http://www.hud.gov/localoffices.cfm.

Bob Boog is the author of three books on selling real estate, Selling Homes 1-2-3, Real Estate Sales from Hell and How to Find a Killer Real Estate Deal. His latest masterpiece is titled Short-Sales 1-2-3. Visit his website at www.short-sales1-2-3.com

Three Reasons why Loan Mods Cost So Much

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:08:58 -0500

Many homeowners interested in reducing their monthly payments are turning to their trusted real estate agent, lawyer or mortgage broker to help them modify the terms of their mortgages and won't blink an eye when learning that the average loan mod fee is between $2,495 -$8,500. (Actually, the fee in California may be even higher - the maximum allowable fee is 10 percent of the loan balance.)

Hold on a minute. If you stop to think about it, ten percent of the loan balance is a lot of money! If the loan balance is $500,000, for example, ten percent is $50,000! That's a lot of money!

So as Joan Rivers would say, "Can we talk?"

Why is a loan modification fee so high? I believe there are three reasons, but I bet you already know the answer to reason one.

Reason One: This reason is incredibly simple. Everyone knows it. The reason a loan modification specialist charges so much is because that most homeowners expect to pay an exorbitant amount. After all, many modification firms are headed by attorneys, and we all know that an hour spent with an attorney doesn't come cheap. By the way, do you know the definition of an attorney? An expensive lawyer. ;-) Also, most mortgage specialists will tell the owner that he should skip a few mortgage payments to show the bank that the owner earnestly needs help, so the owner will have ready money to pay the loan modification specialist's high-priced fee!

Reason Two: The second reason the fee is high has to do with kick-backs and referrals. Did you know that loan modification companies typically pay referral fees of between $500 -$1,000 to real estate agents and others who refer clients to them? It's true, yet most people don't know this. Most owners simply want to have a lower house payment so they'll blindly follow the recommendation of a local authority (real estate agent or accountant) to help them come to the right decision. Advertisers have known about the "expert factor" for some time now. That's why they use actors who play doctors on TV. So if your local tax preparer or real estate expert suggests that you contact Steinman & Sons law firm to modify your home mortgage, you may do so because that's what a local knowledgeable person advised you to do - not knowing that the "expert" would then be paid a referral fee of between $500 to $1,000 dollars!

Reason Three: The third and final reason that a mortgage modification fee costs so much is because homeowners have been led to believe that modifying a loan is difficult and that a homeowner cannot possibly do it by themselves. Not true. The truth is that loan mods are not all that difficult and if you do your own modification you can be assured that your best interests will be represented. After all, even the top-ranked attorney loan modification company cannot guarantee a 100% success ratio. And in a worse-case scenario, if an owner signs an agreement with a law firm to modify the owner's mortgage and the law firm cannot modify it, the owner will now owe an attorney money PLUS be billed by the lender for his back payments! Ouch. That's a double whammy!

A better approach is to just do it yourself; then if that fails contact a lawyer or modification specialist. The reason that many owners don't initially do this is because most people are often motivated by the fear of losing something than the thought of gaining something. They are more afraid of doing something wrong than just trying. Remember: even the top-rated loan modification company cannot guarantee with a 100% certainty that they will be able to get you the payment that you want. Plus, if you do your own modification you may be able to request that the lender reduce your loan by the amount of the high-priced modification fee. Who knows? Your lender may be willing to give you a break.

There you have it. Three little-known reasons why loan modifications cost so much. An often quoted passage, "the truth shall set you free" should be revised to "the truth shall help set you financially free" because many homeowners are saving big money by doing a loan modification themselves - without having to hire a high-priced specialist. Who knows? Maybe you'll be next.

About Bob Boog

Bob Boog is a real estate broker who started selling real estate in 1978. He and his wife Roxana own a small real estate company (Bob Boog Realty) located approximately one hour north of downtown Los Angeles. telephone (661) 259-9723

http://www.short-sales1-2-3.com

Short Sale Poems

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:23:38 -0500

Okay, just for fun, write down your feelings about short sales in a short poem or haiku. I realize that you're probably busier than a one-legged Riverdancer and can't rhyme like a rap star, but that's okay. Jot down a haiku. What is the proper haiku format? Haiku: a Japanese lyric verse form having three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. You can give the poem a title, or not!

Example:

Poem
I gave up my home
Trying to do a short sale
All was for nothing.
Wish that loan rep was in jail!

Haiku#1
Mystery bank lady
working on my short sale
Never calls me back.

Haiku#2 Mystery bank lady
I am so tired of waiting
I want to kick your ass

Haiku#2
Faxing the same things
Offer,prequal and HUD-1
This short sale game sucks

Haiku#3
Another two months
It will be a short sale year
I still hope for "yes"

Haiku#4 I like my short sales/ just as I like my women/ -- short,sweet,successful

Okay, I admit it, these were all lame... let's see some of yours

Wanna know how to use the $8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit?

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:07:13 -0500

The new Obama homebuyer tax credit has launched out of the starting gate and rather than get left behind, I thought I might find out more about it. Like a lot of real estate people, I don't quite understand it. So I asked my friend and mortgage broker professional, Eric Larsen to help clear up some of the mystery. And maybe my stupidity and his answers will make things clearer for you!

Bob Boog: From my understanding, homes purchased in 2008 are eligible for a $7,500 tax credit, right?

Eric Larsen: Yes, but unfortunately, this 2008 credit has to be paid back over 15 years.
Homes purchased in 2009 are eligible for the new $8,000 tax credit and the 2009 credit does not have to be paid back as long as the buyer lives in the home for at least 3 years.

Bob Boog: So, are we gonna go back and forth between 2008 and 2009, or just talk about 2009 here?

Eric Larsen: Sorry, all of the rest of this information pertains to the 2009 credit:

Bob Boog: Let's think backwards for a second, cuz that's me. I always do things that I'm not supposed to do first and then people will say, um, you don't qualify for this. You didn't read the fine print. So what is the fine print? What CAN'T a buyer do?

Eric Larsen: A buyer may NOT file a tax return BEFORE they close escrow, hoping to get the credit to use for the purchase they are about to make. This would be filing a false tax return! A buyer CAN file an amended tax return AFTER closing to get a quick refund from their 2008 tax return.

Bob Boog: So I guess it pays NOT to do your taxes and file for an extension?

Eric Larsen: Not really. I'm just referring to an amended return.

Bob Boog: Okay, so here's the million dollar question, the one that people keep asking me. Can I use the $8,000 credit for my down payment?

Eric Larsen: Yes and no. By this I mean that No, at this time, you cannot hope to use it directly for a down payment, however, FHA is allowing buyers to get a loan for the $8,000 credit from FHA approved lenders and non-profit organizations (think Nehemiah type agencies) which then can be used for down payment and closing costs (so yes, it CAN be used for down payment). However, while FHA has said it is OK, implementation at the lender and non-profit level is lagging. I am sure plenty of agencies and
lenders will be jumping into this "short term financing" option of the tax credit soon!

Bob Boog: So this is a good thing, right?

Eric Larsen: Yes definitely. This is the final piece we need in our industry to really make
this tax credit "pop"!

Bob Boog: So how exactly will it work?

Eric Larsen: The loan can either be paid back when the borrower
gets their refund or the small loan can have monthly payments (if the loan
does have monthly payments it has to be included in the qualifying debt
ratios!).

Bob Boog: Are there any other stipulations?

Eric Larsen: Yes, the home purchase MUST CLOSE prior to December 1st, 2009!

Bob Boog: Why do they call this credit "refundable?" This confused the heck out of me. Doesn't it mean the buyer has to pay it back some day?

Eric Larsen: No, but that's a good question. Refundable does NOT mean a buyer has to
pay it back, it means a buyer gets the full tax credit even if they have no tax liability (WHY they use the word "refundable" for this is beyond me. Must be government speak).

Bob Boog: What if I make $300,000 a year? Can I still get the tax refund?

Eric Larsen. Sorry, but NO. The tax credit phases out if a buyer makes more than $75,000 per year and disappears entirely if they make more than $95,000 per year ($150,000 to $170,000 is the phase out range for married couples).

Bob Boog: How about if I buy the house from my Uncle Harry?

Eric Larsen: That's another thing. A buyer CANNOT use the credit if they are buying a house from a close relative.

Bob Boog: Okay, what else haven't you told me?

Eric Larsen: That's it. Oh, if you are doing business in some lower-priced areas ($40,000 - 80,000 homes) keep in mind that the tax credit is $8,000 or 10% of the sales price, whichever is LESS!

Bob Boog: See? I knew there was a catch. Holding out on me again. You bastard.

Bob Boog: Let's get back to having somebody do your taxes...

Eric Larsen: You mean filing an amended return?

Bob Boog: Right. My question is, how long does this take?

Eric Larsen: How long does it take for the accountant to file the return, or how long before your buyer gets the money back from the Treasury Dept.

Bob Boog: Um, you know what I mean.

Eric Larsen: Knowing you, Bob, you want to know how quickly a buyer can expect to get their money from the Treasury Dept. So to directly answer your question, this takes about three to four weeks.

Bob Boog: Wow. That's pretty fast!

Eric Larsen: I even made a copy of one buyer's Treasury check, so I'm pretty confident that it can be done in that time frame.

Bob Boog: So here's another question for you, and it's not really a question, more of a proposed scenario. You know, one of those "what if" scenarios?

Eric Larsen: Oh not, not one of those.

Bob Boog: Well, I'm just thinking aloud here, ok so what if I'm a buyer and I borrow $8,000 from one of my solvent friends or family members, then I might be able to pay them back pretty quickly, couldn't I? I mean provided that I can get my accountant to file the amended return right away?

Eric Larsen: Sure, I don't see why not.

The Making Homes Affordable Program

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:19:46 -0500

One of the things you’ll find when doing the Making Homes Affordable plan for homeowners is that you’ll get a letter back from the bank stating how much they will want the homeowner to pay on a “trial” basis. Sometimes the lender returns a three month “Forbearance Agreement”, while on other occasions it’s just called a “trial” period. Recently, for example, a client received a letter from his lender stating that the buyer was to make a payment each month in the form of certified funds in the amount of $1,045 per month – which is about half of what he used to be paying. People will often ask, “How do banks come up with this payment amount?” The answer is simple. Under the Making Homes Affordable Plan, the lender will look to see that the payment falls into a 38% total debt ratio. From here the Making Homes Affordable Plan may reduce the debt even further, depending upon other factors including the number of dependents, income and the buyer’s other debts. Example: In order to qualify for a mortgage for which the lender requires a debt-to-income ratio of 28/36: • Yearly Gross Income = $53,000 / Divided by 12 = $4,416 per month income. o $4,416 Monthly Income x .28 = $1,236 allowed for housing expense. o $4,416 Monthly Income x .38 = $1,678 allowed for housing expense plus recurring debt. o $4,416 Monthly Income x .31 =$1,369 allowed under the Making Homes Affordable Program o So the Making Homes Affordable Program may reduce the homeowner’s debt by about $309 per month

Commitment and Consistency Helps People to Say "Yes"

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:09:13 -0500

Most salespeople would like to be more consistent at sales, and sometimes forget to use consistency with their customers. By this I mean that there is a basic psychological principal that states that most human beings like to think of themselves as being consistent. After all, if you had a choice, would you rather be known as "Mister Wishy-Washy?" Or "Mister Consistent?"

My guess is the latter.

So if I can get you to make a stand, and go on record for President X, for example, I will have set the stage to ask you to post a sign in your front yard. Once you have posted a sign in your yard, I can then ask for a small, additional campaign donation, couldn't I? Once a stand is taken, there is a natural tendency to behave in ways that are sbbornly consistent with the stand, and most people will agree to the request.

Commitment and consistency helps to explain why writing down goals is more powerful than just thinking about them. Because once a person takes a solid stand on an issue, they are more likely to be consistent with it - in both their thoughts and in their actions.

Psychologists once ran a consistency experiment that went like this. They placed a poorly lettered sign in the front yard of a house that said "Drive Carefully," and found that most people didn't even slow down to notice it. Then the experiment was moved to a different neighborhood and run again. This time a full 76% of people agreed to the request. What was the difference between the two similar houses? The second group of neighbors had consented to displaying a three-inch square sign that said, "Be a Safe Driver." The second group felt obligated to honor their commitment.

What this means to you is that any small commitment step that you can ask a person to agree to, will help with bigger requests. That partially explains why a customer who has just purchased something from you (even something small) would be an ideal candidate for another more expensive product or service.

If you liked this post, please visit my website at www.short-sales1-2-3.com

A Cool Website for Crime Stats

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:30:37 -0500

If you are thinking about purchasing a home in a neighborhood, or just plain nosey about the petty thefts, sexual assualts and shoplifting arrests in your neighborhood, check out this website:

http://www.crimereports.com

About seven in ten female rape or sexual assault victims stated the offender was an intimate, other relative, a friend or an acquaintance.
Seventy-four percent of males and 48% of females stated the individual(s) who robbed them was a stranger.

Intimates were identified by the victims of workplace violence as the perpetrator in about 1% of all workplace violent crime. About 40% of the victims of nonfatal violence in the workplace reported that they knew their offender.

For murder victims, 43% were related to or acquainted with their assailants; 14% of victims were murdered by strangers, while 43% of victims had an unknown relationship to their murderer in 2002.

Two thirds of murders of children under the age of 5 were committed by a parent or other family member.

Do You Follow the Rule of Fair Exchange?

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:50:38 -0500

One of the ways we get people to say "Yes" is by following the rule of fair exchange in both our business and personal lives.

In business, give more value than expected. Give more value than money exchanged. Give more value in hand-outs, phone calls, and other marketing efforts. For example, in real estate it's more than just handing out a flyer that announces, "Jeanni Jones closed another short sale. If you need help with short sales, call Jeanni Jones at 555-5555." Not that it's bad...

It's just that a better flyer might be: "Jeanni Jones closed another short sale. If you need help with short sales, call Jeanni Jones at 555-5555," and then include a "Market Update" listing 10 properties for sale, and 10 "recent solds". Plus 20 area "Bank-owned" Properties. A person receiving such a flyer might actually keep it to give to a friend or family member who might be interested in finding a home in the area.

The rule of fair exchange in business also means amping up the positivity, speaking good words, taking good actions and showing gratitude.

Likewise in your personal life, the rule of fair exchange means you give back what you have received. If you have received compliments, pass them forward to someone else. If you have received support from others, at a time when you needed it, and then someone asks you for support, be sure to give back the support you have received.

The power of this principle can usually be seen around Christmas time. A year ago, for example, my wife suggested that I send out the Christmas cards, and so I did. I went wild and sent out a few thousand. I sent Christmas cards signed "I love you" to people that we didn't even know - and what a surprise when we unexpectedly received "we love you too" cards back from people whose faces we didn't even recognize. It shows you the power of fair exchange (also called reciprocation).

How can you use this principle in your sales career? One way is to simply offer a free sample. Costco and Sams Club are always giving out free samples. Why? Because these freebies generate millions of dollars of revenue. People feel obligated to later purchase the product.

Keep it in mind when designing your next hand-out masterpiece!

Do You Bring Up Objections Before they Surface?

Robert Boog (Bob Boog Realty) — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:28:47 -0500

A psychological technique that helps to motivate people to take action is this one: Answer Objections Before they Surface.

When a salesperson does this properly, it lowers resistance and makes it easier for someone to purchase.

Why does it work? Because a lot of salespeople think that if they don't bring up an objection, a prospect won't be thinking about it. WRONG!

Whenever you are trying to sell a product or service, there is usually a flaw in it. After all, most things are not perfect. Sometimes the flaw is obvious, like a property that needs carpet and paint. But sometime's it's not so obvious, for example, the house is located near a school and every day there is a steady stream of cars from parents picking up their kids. You could be silent about the traffic issue, because maybe this is something minor, or you can chose to bring it up. What should you do?

Most veteran salespeople would agree that it's usually better off to bring objections up sooner than later and hopefully resolve the issue right away. Oftentimes people may be thinking it anyway. A nice way to handle this is by including it in your marketing material or disclosure statements: "traffic from school can be a hassle when school is in session."

Here's another example: A purchaser for a house in the countryside might have questions about the schools and the available financing for the property. So an agent might create a marketing brochure that contains information that answers these questions. The brochure will attempt to answer some of these objections in advance:

-------------------

You may have some unanswered questions, so before we go on, here are some frequently asked questions and concerns.

Q. "What are the schools for this area, and how are they rated?"

A. School information for our area can be accessed online at www.blah,blah,blah.com

Q. "What kind of government financing programs are available for this home?"

A. Government financing depends upon the individual credit of the purchaser, amount of down payment and other factors. The rates for government financing programs vary depending if you are purchasing in a major city or out in the country, but rates in the country are usually very competitive with city financing.

----------------

One idea is to write down a list of objections a prospect might have and try to resolve most of them in your marketing material. While you are brainstorming for things they might object to, be sure to include some believable reasons WHY purchasing is in their best interests, too.

Owning a Home	Renting an Apartment
Mortgage Interest is Tax Deductible	Rent is not tax deductible
Each month's payment goes into building equity for your family	Each month's rent check fattens your landlord's wallet
Your children play in a yard	Your children play in a parking lot

Why we say yes to people is often because the salespractioner has done his/her homework, and has made it easier for us to purchase!