Shauna's Blog

Regentrification in Atlanta

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:54:47 -0500

You know ,when I decided to get into investing I started riding around checking out neighborhoods to see what was going on out there. Well I drove around this particular neighborhood called Kirkwood. As I was driving around I noticed something very strange. While one house would be your typical grandma's house. Older looking but comfy, another would be a brand new home with a porshe parked out front. You would see the "guys" hanging out on the street corner, and then you would see a suburban mom running with a stroller. I have heard of this but I have not ever seen this type of thing. To actually see this seems like you are in the twilight zone or something. Everyone who lives in these neighborhood seems to be just fine with it. Atlanta is calling this "urbanism" the clash of the classes. In a way its a beautiful thing to see everyone living together in harmony....but something tells me one of the classes are not going to be there long.

I wanted to bring some pictures to this blog. Its a thing to see, really. So I will get some to share with you all.

Its happening all over. Is it happening in your town?

Back into blogging

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:58 -0500

Well I have not been active on active rain for the last few months, and I have to say that I miss it. I just commented on a posting about caring and giving and that is one of the things that keeps this site unique. There are many sites, believe me I have signed up for about 5 of them. And just reading posts on the different site it is refreshing to come back to this site. Its like visiting a networking group and the people are unfriendly and you never feel comfortable. Then you go to a group that you instantly feel like you belong. That is what I get being on this site.(

I have also decided to really put my personality in my blogs. I really love this city I live in (Atlanta) and I love the business of real estate. So now I will be taking my camera and crazy experiences in the mortgage industry and releasing it on the web. I think this business has to have a humor to it. It can be so stressful at times, I just want to bring humor to everyone as well as great information. So I look forward sharing with everyone.

Final Four 2007 in Atlanta, Ga

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:05:20 -0500

Its going to be a wild weekend here in Atlanta!! I remember when we had the Allstar games, Its crazy here!!!!!!

Come join us.

Fill out the application............PLEASE!!!!!!

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:43:03 -0500

One of the most frustrating things to me besides not returning calls, is filling out applications. You get a lead from a realtor, friend, or coworker. You ask them to either go to a website, follow a link, return an email or meet you for coffee to fill out an loan application right?

The next step would be fill it out. What happens at the point of wanting to get a loan and filling out an application that nothing happens. I have to call and call and call.

I love people I will say that I completely understand getting caught up in life and forgetting, but what else do I need to do? I am willing to go to the house, take you out for a cup of coffee. I don't mind it gives me a chance to get to know you and you me. Thats my favorite part of the job, but just fill out the app.......PLEASE. I have to know your info to give you a rate. Rates are not one size fit all.

What is the overall feeling you get from clients if you are the realtor and the loan officer?

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:07:44 -0600

I have often wondered how consumers feel when they decide to buy and the realtor says " Oh, I can do your mortgage as well" I know in the past I have been an appraiser and I would never associate the appraisal with my own loan. That's not allowed. But do you think it should be allowed for this circumstance? We have a realtor in our office and she says that sometimes her clientes give her the shifty eyes when they find out she's also the loan officer. You have to be a expert in one category it makes people feel safe. Like my grandfather always used to say " A jack of all trades a master of nothing"

How do you all feel about it?

Sub-prime market is changing.....Get ready

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:59:39 -0600

All this week and last week I have been getting e-mails about our sub-prime investors changing their requirements. Have you? Most have changed their credit limits to 600-620. Whereas, it used to be 500 and up. I am also noticing many mortgage companies closing their doors because of all the changes. With scores of 620 a consumer can just go conforming and get better rates and prices, versus the controversial sub-prime market. The sub-prime market has lost lots of money taking on challenging credit issues.

This a time for people to get their credit right, and start educating themselves about the lenders they use. Everything that sounds good is not good. This is why I love the company I work with. Southeast Mortgage is a direct lender as well as a correspondent lender for Suntrust, Citimortgage, Gmac, and other big banks. We also have sub-prime lenders that we can process. Everyone is in house. Our processing dept, underwriting dept, approval, you name it we have here. And we function well with each other. Meaning I can go and talk with them if there is a specific issue, or we need to close promptly. We have closed loans in 2 days thats how well oiled our machine is. We are also the mortgage resource for the Northeast Association of Realtors. Which means whenever a realtor goes through their ethics class they are introduced to us first. We also offer a mortgage class for new realtors interested in broadening their knowledge of mortgages. So all in all we are a complete package of professionalism, and products. I am available 24 hours a day at 678-791-6059 and shauna.smith@semonline.com

Marketing to pet owners...

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:41:38 -0600

Recently I have taken a look at some of my marketing and wanted to break it down to a few niche markets. When it comes to niche markets the marketing experts say it should be something you have a love for. For me besides kids, I am a proud pet owner. I know owning a pet is a great motivator for buying bigger, or buying period. I also believe in my area it is a huge market base. Most single couples go and get a pet before they have children. Then they realize quickly that walking the dog every 2 to 4 hours isn't going to work. Especially if you work. That made room for the newly popular business of doggie day care. C'mon. I recently visisted one of these businesses and its actually really cool. One of them had birthday parties for your dog. With a real cake (doggie cake) and the party has only your dogs favorite friends. Its crazy but it is making money. This country spends millions on their pets. I am one of these people. So I will keep you all updated on this new venture for your future marketing experiments. By the way I live in Georgia where a dog park pops up every 30 seconds(LOL) Really we love our pets here.

You gotta love em!

My first official blog......Real Estate Agents how do you do it?

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:27:24 -0600

Since I have been in this industry I have gained an appreciation for realtors. I have a realtor in the office with me and her daytimers is on fire. Appt. after appt. She is so busy I wonder how she does any loans. She manages. When I went to school to be an appraiser one of the guys in my class told me " I am not going to become a real estate agent so I have to pick up some family take their kids to Mcdonalds, fit 5 kids in a honda accord, show them around to 50 homes for them to hate the color of the door" I always thought that was funny and it has stuck with me. I am in mortgage now and I love open houses, love helping clientes, and I love shopping. So it would seem to be a good fit for someone like me. So my question how do you do it.......... is geared towards how do you balance being busy with so many clientes showing homes, doing closings, dealing with other agents showing you properties, all at the same time know your markets and affording gas. I give it up to you. Especially you all that are extremely busy. You REALLY have to be a people lover and a time manager to do this business? Wouldn't you agree.

I am in need of Speakers for an upcoming seminar I will be doing throughout Ga

Georgia Mortgage Financial — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:36:15 -0600

How much would you pay for a live lead? That's right a person sitting right in front of you ready to listen to what you have to say. With all the opportunities for you to gain trust and a forever referral. (Its priceless) Attn: Real Estate agents, financial and Retirement Planners, CPA's for tax knowledge, Insurance salespeople, Credit Repair Specialist (Only those who have a real service), and Home Inspectors. If you have a passion for what you do and would love an opportunity to educate consumers, you do not want to miss this opportunity. This will be a free seminar and a 60-day trial basis for you. We will collaborate as professionals to put on a unforgettable seminar. This seminar will be interactive and fun. Ideas for presentations will be given in the meetings prior to the start date of the Seminars. We will have 2 to 3 meetings together to ensure we all are within the guidelines fo the Seminar Coordinator. This will be a phenomenal way to network. We will share stories and information so that we become 110% informed with all the knowledge in the group. There do not have to any affiliations if not permitted with your company. Just a perfect format to entertain and educate. I feel this will be a hightly recognizec event, and there will be internet advertisement exposure. There are so many benefits I cannot name them all. So please email me at realestate101girl@yahoo.com <mailto:realestate101girl@yahoo.com>. I will then email you the guidelines and format to confirm you interest.