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I woke up this morning to an email from an agent who shared the experience she had been through over the weekend. I laughed so hard, I cried. This is every realtor's nightmare but it really happened. Here goes:
"Ok, did I do a complete blunder.... I showed xxxxxx street this weekend. I drove up, saw the for sale sign at the end of the road, turned left, was waved to by the owner weeding at the front of the long driveway. I parked my car and proceeded into the unlocked back door because after looking around the whole perimeter of the house for an unseen lock box, I thought I remembered the listing agent saying the back door would be open (which it was). Much to my dismay, I was in the wrong house and the naked husband that was upstairs was pretty startled by my clients and I standing in his kitchen commenting on the lovely appliances...Ok, I didn't see complete frontal nudity but it was obvious he was in the buff. Let's just say he wasn't too please with us! And to add to my horror, he bellowed out his disgust with the fact that both my client and I had our shoes on and they NEVER allow shoes in their home! I had not taken my shoes off (which I always do) and didn't put on the booties in the box by the front door because I came in the back door and it was a wood floor. AND, just the fact that they had blue booties in a box by the front door added to my delusion that I was in the appropriate house.
The point is, the listing agent needs a directional pointing to the right, under the for sale sign because The naked man and then his wife who I met on my way out the driveway (still don't know why she waved at me turning into her dirveway and didn't question me getting out of the car, scurrying around her house looking for a lock box, then disappearing for 5 minutes?????) said that many times people have turned down their driveway and realized they were at the wrong house. But of course, no one ever went as far as venturing into the house. Too funny now, but needless to say it was a startling and embarrassing situation at the time! Thank goodness my client has a good sense of humor.
Agents, please give us clear directionals, Nuff Said.
Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
If you're working with an agent, be honest and don't have anther agent do your agents job! Your agent deserves a commission only if he/she does their job, if they're too lazy to show you the house, maybe you should re-think your relationship with that agent and hire one that's willing to work for the commission. Via Debe Maxwell - Search Charlotte Homes for Sale - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods (iCharlotteRealEstate.com Savvy + Company Real Estate):
So Your Buyers Agent Doesn't Want To Show You Properties?
 Here's my opinion of agents who request that their buyers contact the listing agents to show them homes...
A user on our website who had been 'with us' on our site for a month indicated that she and her husband are in the market to buy a home in one of our specialty areas. The buyer sent contact information, including phone number. When the time was perfect, they decided that they wanted to see only one house. That house was not our listing but, as you know, was on our site due to our IDX feed.
The couple and their family had driven by the house to check it out from the street and fell in love. They simply MUST see this property before their family leaves town. I get the call--"Okay, we're ready to see it!"
After several conversations about agency and confirming that this couple is NOT working with an agent, I referred them to one of our agents--ready to go! Pre-qualified, no agent representation and a home to show in her area of expertise. A perfect fit, right?
During their visit, it was discovered that the potential buyers know the neighbors, who wound up buying one of the referral agent's listings. They parted on good terms, excited to forge a nice working relationship. Following the showing, the potential buyer emailed our agent to thank her for showing the property but, kindly refused to sign a buyer's agency with her because she ALREADY HAS AN AGENT! As a matter of fact, it's the same agent who sent a buyer to our agent's listing that they discussed earlier in the day.
 Their agent NEVER laid eyes the home that she sold next door for those buyers! She lives 35 minutes away and has her clients phone the listing agents to view the properties in our area! Rather than refer the clients out, she expressly complains that she knows nothing about the area and that she won't make the trek to Charlotte to show homes so the listing agents can do her work for her. She also does NOT attend inspections with her buyers--again, she allows the listing agent to do her work for her! Also, she's obviously not even sending her clients listings because they're searching for homes on OUR SITE! (And, what do you find there? Every IDX shared listing in our MLS.)
This is just wrong on SO many levels--not even to mention the burden on the other agents. This MIA agent has completely neglected her fiduciary duties to HER clients. If she does not know the area, how does she oversee the due diligence for HER clients?
How are her clients okay with this type of service? We're paid well to do what we do. How can any client accept this type of far-less-than-full-service?
I can tell you one thing, I refer out to her area but, will never refer a client to her--NEVER. Who knows how she manages clients in her own area? Perhaps it's not that she doesn't know the area, maybe she's working full-time at the mall!
Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
Did you change jobs in the middle of your home buying process? Were you employed when you started the process and then became self employed? Even if you're in the same line of work, the bank will most likely not finance your loan. Via Karen Burket-Bank of Oregon Home Loans Conventional, FHA, VA, mortgages (Bank of Oregon a division of Willamette Valley Bank ):
Did I commit fraud on my mortgage application?
I was having my weekly meeting with a circle of Realtors this morning and some discussions were going around with regard to potential buyer fraud during the course of the transaction. After our meeting, I forwarded this blog post to all of the agents who were involved in this discussion. Because of the timing, I thought what better time to repost this here.
Did I commit fraud on my mortgage application?
It came to my attention recently that it appears many folks possibly aren't being coached or taught properly as to what you, as the borrower should be, and more importantly, should NOT be doing, before, during and after the mortgage application process. In this post, let's get into some important information with regard to potential fraud on a mortgage application.
It's important for borrowers to understand that any change they make to their current credit, financial, or employment picture could very well have a negative effect on their ability to secure the financing they are seeking. I'm sure the last thing that any borrower wants to hear is that several weeks into the lending process, their loan was declined due to lending policies and protocol they weren't even aware of.
In light of this, I'd like to offer the following in hopes this will save anguish and grief to those who may be seeking to obtain a new mortgage loan and want to avoid any potential fraud with regard to the mortgage application. 
I just recently spoke with a potential client who was unable to secure financing with the lender she had been working with for the past few months because in this case, her employment status had changed. Just weeks before the close of escrow date on the purchase, it was learned that this borrower had gone from being a salaried wage earner, to now being self employed. You may ask yourself, "So, what's the big deal? If there's still a job, why can't the bank still lend the money?" The answer to that may not be as simple as one would think.
In this case, the client remained in the same line of work. So simple, right? Actually, no. The typical rule of thumb when lending to a self employed individual is that the lender will want to evaluate two years worth of tax returns in order to determine income eligibility. So in the above case, because this client just recently put themselves on a self employed status, of course, there aren't tax returns available to determine what newly self employed earnings even exist. Again, you may ask yourself "I don't understand the problem. If the client is in the same line of work, and they've been doing that job for a significant period of time, why won't the bank lend the money?" Well, let's look at it this way.
Let's say you are a baker for a local grocery store in their bakery department. At the beginning of your loan application you provided your mortgage lender with current pay check stubs and your W-2's for the previous two years. So, sometime during the mortgage approval process you think to yourself, "heck, I'm one of the best bakers here at the bakery, I bet I can make more money selling my cakes and cookies on my own rather than just working for the bakery department!" While you may be the best cookie and cake baker out there, merely having the skills to bake a cake, doesn't necessarily mean one has the ability to run their own business. There are licensing requirements, food safety and health issues, and all of those things would currently be on the shoulders of the grocery store. That is their liability issue, not yours as the employee. So, from a lender's point of view, they have no way of knowing or verifying how well this business is going to succeed, since there is no documented history of it. Make sense?
So, with regard to the actual client I cited. After they understood the "why" obtaining financing would be most impossible due to the newly self employed status, I offered suggestions as to how we could possibly proceed in still obtaining a loan approval, providing they went back into a W-2 status. The lender would require a very good letter of explanation regarding this. In this case, unfortunately, the client wasn't willing to proceed as per my suggestion. Instead, they gave me reason to believe (verbal information they provided to me over the phone) that documents could in essence be "manipulated" to indicate they were still salaried. They wanted no one to be the wiser they were really self employed.
So, several problems occurred because of this. Falsifying of any credit documents or providing misleading or false information on the mortgage application can be flagged as fraud. Regular pre-closing and post-closing audits are conducted on mortgage files. Should an audit determine fraud on the mortgage application was involved, not only could the lender call the note "due and payable", but parties involved in the transaction could face prosecution.
Consumers should also be aware of that many lending and bank institutions' employees are required to report any suspicious activity through the SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) or similar, reporting system.
I believe it's the goal of all lending institutions and their employees to make the mortgage process as easy and seamless for all parties involved, and I believe the best way to achieve that is for the borrower to be educated in what's involved. In addition, I feel it's important for the lending professional to successfully coach their clients as to potential pitfalls that may occur during the process, or even after the transaction has closed.
Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
Excellent post, before you ask to see a home, please make sure you are ready, willing and able to purchase a home. If you need the name of a lender, give me a call, there are several I work with and recommend. Via Liz and Bill Spear RE/MAX Elite Warren County Ohio: Cincinnati to Dayton (513.265.3004 www.LizTour.com):
 "But It's Your Job To Show Houses!!"
That's a quote we'd NORMALLY agree with! But there's an important condition that applies, the buyers MUST actually be able to purchase the home.
We're not here to just show homes willy nilly! It's got nothing to do with gas pushing $4 a gallon and EVERYTHING to do with our obligations to our clients.
Our sellers expect us to bring QUALIFIED buyers through their door. Otherwise, would YOU want to be asked to leave your home for an hour or two just so someone can take a guided tour? Wouldn't really appeal to you if you knew those "tourists" couldn't actually purchase your home would it?
And as much as we'd PREFER to not show homes until we know the buyer has a preapproval letter, in the interests of not discouraging buyers from looking at our listings, we typically WILL make that first showing "for free". There are too many competing homes on the market for us to bypass what might be a valid opportunity. So we and our sellers will permit that initial disruption to our schedules to make sure the opportunity is created. But after that, a preapproval letter is required. If you're able to be financially qualified, they're actually pretty quick to get from a reputable mortgage company. And if you don't have a trusted mortgage loan officer, you bet we can help with that!
And you know what else? It protects YOU as the buyer! The LAST thing we ever want to do is take you into a home, have you fall in love with it, and THEN realize it's just a bit above what you can afford! It's a heart breaker to all of us, and we HATE to break hearts. So a little preliminary work truly is in YOUR best interest. And that mortgage check might tell you NOW is not the time to buy your home. We're patient individuals, whether you're ready to go today, or a year or two from now, we'll be ready and happy to serve you!
So if we tell you "NO", we're not going to show you any more homes until you get a preapproval letter, it's not just to be mean! It's our job to guard both the seller's and YOUR best interests, and getting you that preapproval letter is a critical component!
Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz
The Liz Spear Team
Elizabeth & William Spear
RE/MAX Elite
Two locations: Lebanon & Mason, OH
Office direct: 513-248-3660
Liz direct: 513-265-3004
Fax: 866-302-8418 
MailTo: Liz@LizSpear.com Visit: http://www.LizTour.com
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Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
New Taxes Just Keep Rolling In. When Is It Going To Stop? Via Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty):
One of the forums in which I participate has had stories on both sides of this issue for a couple of months… with the more conservative members saying that there is a 3.8% sales tax on the sale of homes, and those that are more supportive of the President and his policies saying that there isn’t.
Neither side was real specific about their information source… talk radio for some, blogs for others… nobody seemed to be going to the source… the 20,000+ page law signed by the President. In all fairness, there is a LOT of room in 20,000 pages to hide a lot of little Easter Eggs like this. And being fair to the other side, if there isn’t a tax, the bill isn’t going to say “there is not a tax” anywhere…
I have an answer…
There is indeed a tax on the sale of real estate. It doesn’t apply to many people, but it WILL apply to some people that have profit from the sale of their homes. Starting in 2013, those with incomes over $200,000 will have to pay a 3.8% tax on profit from the sale of their primary residence or investment properties. The exact amount will be based on a formula that includes the profit from the property and the income above $200,000. The tax is not an income tax, but rather it is a “payroll tax”… officially it is a Medicare Tax.
It does not just apply to real estate, but also applies to investment income and dividends.
The bottom line is that both groups are right… and both are wrong.
But…
It will drive another nail into the luxury real estate market. It has been in the doldrums for a while. Adding new taxes will not get it going again. And if you are thinking that this only affects ‘the wealthy’, think again. Those homes are not built by ‘the wealthy’. Those homes are not renovated by ‘the wealthy’. Those consumers are more likely to hire contractors to do improvements. And they are more likely to update more often… They are a driver in the housing sector. This added tax is NOT putting gas in the tank…
from LaneBailey.com
Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
July 8th: Brown Bag concert series's from noon to 1:30 in the US Bank Plaza on the corner of Northeast Third & Davis Streets. For More information, call the McMinnville Downtown Association @ 503-472-3605
July 8th: McMinnville's Farmers Market is from 1:30 to 6:p.m. On Cowls street between Northeast 2nd and 3rd. Cana's Feast will offer wine tasting and Nancy McCann & Corine Manroe will perform. For More Info: call the McMinnville Downtown Association @ 503-472-3605
July 9th: Dunk Tank! From 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Raising money for the Mac High Grad Night. County Commissioner Mary Stern can be dunked from 4:30 to 5:30, MHS principal from 5:30 to 6:30 and Mac Mayor Rick Olson from 6:30 to 7:30. Part of Turkey Rama, the tank will be at the corner of northeast 3rd and Cowls streets. Two balls for $1.00. For more info, contact Nicole Obrist at 971-237-2658 or nobrist2@wsi-insurance.com
July 9th: Portland Groove Collection will play Jazz from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum off Hwy 18, Admission is free; refreshments will be sold. For more information, call 503-434-4815 or e-mail events@sprucegoose.com
July 9th: Yogis of McMinnville invites children ages 2 and older to a yoga pajama party so their parents can enjoy a night out. From 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the studio, 540 NE 3rd St. Kids may dress in their pajamas & bring an extra pair in good condition for a child in need. Sheets, towels, linens & new other household goods will also be collected. Cost is $15.00, additional $5 per sibling in same family. Preregistration is required; contact Kristi Strong @ 503-537-3871 or kristiemell@gmail.com For more information, visit www.yogishathayoga.com
July 9th: Teen Movie: Newberg Public Library will show "Lightning Thief" from 8:00 to 10:00pm at: 503 E Hancock St. . Film is rated PG for violence, scary images, suggestive material and mild language. Admission is free. For more information, call K'lyn Hann at 503-554-7732.
July 9th -11th: Powwow; The Grand Ronde Tribes will hold its annual Veterans Powwow at the Uyxat Powwow Grounds. Grand entries will be at 1 pm Saturday and Sunday and at 7pm Saturday. Arts, crafts and food vendors will sell their wares. Parking is Free. No pets, drugs or alcohol are permitted. For more information, call Chris Tinney at 503-883-3610 or 1-800-422-0232.
July 10th: Scout Fundraiser: McMinnville Boy Scout Troop # 266 will hold a bottle and can drive from 9:30am to 3:00pm Saturday July 10th in the parking lot at Columbia Bank, 723 NE Baker St. McMinnville. For more information call 503-434-8661
July 10th: Rummage Sale Benefit from 9:am to 4 pm. in the fellowship hall parking lot at St. John Lutheran Church 2141 NE McDonald LN. Proceeds will be divided between the scholarship fund and school curriculum for St. John Lutheran School & Little Lams Preschool. For more information, call Kathy at 503-883-9045 after 7 pm. (or leave a message)
July 10th:Run/Walk: The annual Turkey Trot, 8k run and two-mile walk will raise money for the Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation. 8:am at 417 NW Adams. cost is $15.00 for the run, $5.00 for the walk. For more info, call 503-472-6196 or visit www.mcminnville.org/turkeyrama/trot.html.
July 10th: Book Sale. Friends of the McMinnville Public Library will hold a book sale from 10:am to 2:pm in the library's Carnegie Room 225 NW Adams. Books are usually sold for $1.00 or less. For more information about the sale on the second Saturday of each odd numbered month, call Duane Bond @ 503-435-1053.
July 10th: Star Gazing: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum will hold a stargazing party featuring Mars at 7 pm. General Admission is $20.00. For more information call Kasey Richter at 503-434-4006 or kasey.richter@sprucegoose.org.
July 10thWine and Art Fundraiser: McMinnville Rotary will hold its annual Oregon Wine & Art Auction "Uncorked" at Methven Family Vineyards, 11400 Westland Lane, Dayton. Beneficiaries are the Virginia Garcia Foundation, the local Cancer Foundation and other Rotary Charities. Admission is $125.00. For reservations or more information, visit www.theoregonwineandartauction.org
July 10th & 11th:Lavender Festival: The Yamhelas Community Resource Center will hod its annual Yamhill Lavender Festival with live music, art, handmade crafts, live art, food, beverages and lavender from 10am to 9 pm. and Sunday the 11th from 10am to 5pm. at Beulah Park in Yamhill at the corner of Hemlock and 3rd ST. Admission is free; canned food donations will be accepted. For more information, contact Jennifer Hurley at jennifer@ycenter.org or 503-927-7041
Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
Looking for something to do in Yamhill County for the first half of July? Here's a list of events and happenings around Yamhill County. There ought to be something here that grabs your attention. How about the Newberg Art Walk? Tunes on Tuesday? Looking for a fireworks show on the 4th of July? What about the Lavender Festival? No, well then, what about a Wine Maker's Dinner?
www.mcminnvillejaycees.com
IMPORTANT - Evergreen Museum has chosen to instate a $4 mandatory parking charge for all event goers this year. None of this money is going to the Jaycees, and no Jaycee will be handling any of the money gathering. Please come prepared to pay to park.
July 2 Newberg ARTwalk
Downtown Newberg will hold an ARTwalk from 5–9 pm on the first Friday of each month. A number of shops stay open for shoppers during the ARTwalk. For more information, contact Sally Dallas at 503-538-0888 or sally@newbergallery.com
July 9-10"Fifty Years of Turkey Fun!" - Turkey Rama
One of McMinnville's oldest traditions, Turkey Rama is celebrating its 50th year in 2010. Turkey Rama is a community festival to observe the historical importance of the once thriving turkey business in the surrounding county. The McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce and the McMinnville Downtown Association are partnering once again to present the 2010 festivities which will feature the "World's Largest Turkey BBQ," the Downtown Festival in Historic Downtown McMinnville, the Turkey Trot (8K Race/2M Walk), the Biggest Turkey Contest, a Community Sock Hop, and much more! For more information, visitwww.mcminnville.org/turkeyrama or call the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce 503-472-6196 or the McMinnville Downtown Association 503-472-3605.
www.mcminnville.org
A thriving, sustainable, connected community… IN McMinnville! In the heart of Oregon wine country. Striving to be the premier resource for business programs, services, advocacy and networking.
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Yamhill Valley Lavender Festival
COME RELAX WITH US AT THE OREGON LAVENDER FESTIVAL JULY 10 - 11, 2010
Yamhills Community Resource Center (YCRC) presents the Yamhill Lavender Festival in historic Yamhill. Live music, extraordinary art, exceptional handmade crafts, live plants, and lavender in myriad forms. Spend a lazy summer day in Yamhill's Beulah Park, just off of Hwy 47 on 3rd Street, while you feast on lavender-based cuisine along with a glass of local beer and wine. Admission is free. Join us Saturday 10 am - 9 pm and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm For more information visit www.OregonLavenderFestival.com.
July 13th, Tunes on Tuesdays
The Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce is currently planning the fourth season of The Tune’s On Tuesday free outdoor concert series.
The 2010 season will kick off in Rotary Centennial Park on Tuesday, July 13 through Tuesday, August 31.
The concerts are held from 6:00 to 8:30 pm and feature a different band every week for eight weeks. The concert series entertained over 3000 people. Contact the chamber for more information at 503-538-2014.
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July 15
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Farm To Fork Winemaker's Dinner
Winemaker's dinner featuring Natalie's Estate. Five course meal with wine pairings on from 6-9 pm at Farm to Fork Restaurant, 1410 Hwy 99W, Dundee. $75/per person (includes wines). Reservations required - 503-538-7970; visit our website for details:www.innatredhills.com.
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Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
Great news for those borrowers (not to mention all of us) who need to close their transaction before June 30th! It's been extended to September 30th!
WASHINGTON June 17 - The U.S. Senate voted on Wednesday to give homebuyers another three months to settle on their contracts and take advantage of a popular tax credit that sparked a rush of activity in the housing market.
The Senate, with a vote of 60-37, accepted an amendment by Democratic Leader Harry Reid that extends the closing deadline to Sept. 30 for buyers who met the April 30 deadline to have a signed contract.
The current deadline requires buyers to close by June 30 to get the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. Existing homeowners buying a new primary residence are eligible for a $6,500 credit.
Reid offered the measure as an amendment to a bill that would extend some popular business tax breaks and extend unemployment insurance benefits for jobless workers.
The proposal would not have a significant impact on future home sales as the extension would be only for home buyers who already had a contract in hand by April 30.
Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
Stay up to date on what the Real Estate Market is doing in Yamhill County Oregon!
Sandy Mitchell, Buyer's Agent
503-502-6408
The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Portland Premier
215 N Blaine St.
Newberg, Oregon 97132
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Sandy Mitchell
Newberg,
OR
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The Kelly Group, Keller Williams
Address: 215 N Blaine St., Newberg, OR, 97132
Office Phone: (503) 502-6408
Cell Phone: (503) 502-6408
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