I have a lot of tips that I can share with others about Countrywide Short Sales, BUT the one thing that I do not have is an address to mail in the package. 

Of course Countrywide (now BAC) only has one fax line to send the package in. No email. No address to give out.  I need to get my package in and acknowledged ASAP!!  I have sent packages in and it has taken 40+ days for them to acknowledge receipt. 

I'm needing a favor from whoever out there has this inside info! Trustee's Sale is just around the corner and I've got my one true buyer willing to wait this one out! Help!! 

I have been telling all kinds of people, customers, fellow agents, you name it about this incredible nursery.  You have to make an appointment to purchase so be sure to call ahead and make sure someone is going to be there.  I love this lady's motto, "If we don't have it, you don't need it." Honestly this is so true.  They have 30 acres of organic plants and their son apparently has another 30 adjacent.  Make sure you have good shoes on and plan to spend a good couple of hours making your way through the fields.  You cannot beat the deals here though.  Fruit, flowers, ground cover, you name it.  Have fun!!  Thanks!!  Susan Manning, Realty Executives

Does anyone else out there know what Mercury Retrograde is?  It happens about three times a year and it lasts for about three weeks.  It seems like I always find out when this is happening and I wonder if this makes a difference in my perception of what is happening. 

Basically Mercury, the planet of communications and trasportation looks like it is traveling backwards in the sky.  It even gives off a different color from our perception. During this time all communication and transportation seems to have real hiccups.  Basically, its life's way of saying - "Haha! Thought you were in control? Now I'm going to let you see what it means to review and recoperate and re-do things you thought were done.  Many people won't sign contracts during this time because they feel that they will have to go back and re-do the agreement at some point. 

Today, our internet server has been making any work on the computer and email extremely slow.  I've had to fax and re-fax and reschedule way too many things today! My cell phone has been acting up where I can't answer a call when I'm on one already. I'm just waiting to see what else is going to happen...!!! Oh, of course I've had clients be inches away from purchasing a home and then at the last minute decide to reneg on their offer. 

Mercury, oh Mercury.  You crazy little jokester! 

I was excited to get a call from Mark to Market to do one of their rush BPO orders.  Normally by the time I log in to see one of their orders, someone has already logged in a picked up the bid. 

Well, guess what? The reason why the original agent couldn't do the job was because they had car troubles.  Hmmm...

Cut to me in my little Ford Escape.  Yes, I've got 4x4.  Thank God. I'm listening to the GPS tell me I have two miles to drive to the landmark intersection.  A previous listing tells the reader to head south from Arcola and Powerline until you can see Vail Lake. Take the first dirt road and parcel is on the left.

About a mile and a half into the trek on the dirt road, I began to have a panic attack.  The sweet little dirt road suddenly turned into an obstacle course that went up and down and over corners where I couldn't see around.  I was scared to death. 

I'm coming down a very steep hill probably about the length of a football field, AND THEN I see another car coming up toward me! What? I can't stop!?! What is this guy going to do????

So finally I come close, very close to my destination.  I come to a road where I cannot see over the road and I cannot see the road after that drop off.  I'm super close. 

Guess what, I'm tenacious, but not stupid.  I got out of the car, snapped my shots and decided to call it quits.  Besides, I have to drive all the way back to get to solid ground. 

On my drive back, I'm wondering....hmmm....I wonder how many Realtor's cars are at the bottom of that hill???I mean, come on! There's no way that 9 out of 10 agents would have even considered going that far to do a bpo order.  The photo embedded is only a reinactment of what I felt like I was doing today, but seriously, its pretty close! Not kidding!!! 

A mid-century architectural tour showcasing architecturally and historically significant homes in Borrego Springs.

Friday April 24th - Evening Reception & Art Exhibit Opening.
The House of Borrego Springs hosts the Borrego Modernism III opening reception and presentation of the exhibit: "Borrego Springs Modern: Plans, Renderings & Photographs" featuring home plans, architectural renderings and photographs of selected homes on this year's tour, along with other local historical Mid-Century architecture. In addition, The House's entire Mid-Century home furnishings, accessories and vintage art collection will be available.

Join us for Housetinis, wine and hors d'oeuvres graciously catered by The French Corner of Borrego Springs, sponsored by The House of Borrego Springs and free to tour goers in town Friday evening.

The House of Borrego Springs is located at 2420 Stirrup Road in the Art & Design District of Borrego Springs.

Please RSVP by April 19 to houseofborregosprs@sbcglobal.net or (760) 443-3300

Wow! I have a listing from this event just down the street and you cannot beat the price!!  Come check out the art exhibit and then go see my listing at 2547 Stirrup Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004.  Make sure you call me to schedule a showing at 951-551-7790. Thanks! Susan Manning

My clients who were able to take advantage of the market in December of 2007 and get the house of their dreams decided to just keep their current home and rent it out.  At that time lending standards had not changed and really it made sense on all levels at the time.  They would have barely been able to break even on the sale of their home at that time.  Current rent would easily cover their payment.  So it was a no brainer for the family of five to move from their 1600 sq ft, three bed home into a 3000 sq ft, five bedroom home that was one of the first bank owned properties on the market at the time.

Flash forward to March of 2009.  The current tenants in their home have been paying rent every other month.  One of the renters is disabled and the other is missing a leg.  They seem to be lawsuit happy when it comes to feeling as if they have been discriminated against.  My client is calling me asking me what he can do.  He can't make the mortgage payment without being paid rent regularly.  Mind you, this home was their principal residense for around seven of the past eight years. In my mind, I'm thinking loan mod or short sale. Unfortunately loan mods are so questionable out here, I don't have anyone I trust that I can refer them to for that. 

So now I'm faced with a possible short sale, which I am happy to help on. But my clients, the sellers, can't do anything without the permission of the tenants who won't call them back or answer the door.  This is all happening of course in the face of possibly being sued for discrimination.  They have considered evicting the tenants but are worried about any repercussions in court.

I'm wondering what, if anything, can I do to help my clients at this point.  Obviously I would need to get the tenants signed permission to enter the property. Most agents understand that if you can't show a property easily then it makes it very difficult for you to sell a home.  I'm just waiting to hear if I get a call back any time soon.  I wish there was something I could do to help my clients. the homeowners.

Boy, I thought I had seen it all and then this happened.

I had a short sale with Wachovia as the one and only lender.  I faxed over the package including the estimated proceeds.  I called several times to see if a negotiator had been assigned.  No updates were given. 

Then out of the blue, I received a two page approval. I did not receive a phone call or any other contact info other than an email on the approval.  The biggest shock was that there was no cover page on the fax.

Good thing I had provided my eFax number for the fax number.  What if the approval had gone into some lost fax land and I never received the approval? Its pretty crazy the way the banks operate. And then we wonder why they need to be bailed out. 

This past holiday, I was fretting about a gift for my almost 15 year old son at the time.  Most kids today seem to have everything they need and want pretty much as it becomes available, so what was I going to get him that he would really enjoy?

Then a neighbor of mine recommended I see some photographs that a local photographer and fellow Golden Bears parent had shot at some of our freshman football games.  I was blown away at the emotion and movement in the photos! I felt like I was there at the games all over again! I knew this was going to be the perfect gift for my son, but I didn't know exactly which picture to purchase.

Chuck came to the rescue with his poster size mural that brought together a collage of all the best shots he had taken from the season.  I had it framed and it now sits as the centerpiece in my son's bedroom.  It was the perfect gift and reminder of the excitement we had shared that season.  I definitely will be waiting to see the pictures from our next season. 

Today I received an email from Chuck stating he now has an online gallery where you can see some of his "poetry-in-motion" if you will.  I highly recommend Chuck's work as it is great quality at budget friendly prices!!  Thanks for your work Chuck!

You can check out some of his work (and my son, Daniel Manning #1) below or visit www.cbrenkussportsphotos.com for more information!