Seconds come, seconds go.  Some move fast, some move slooooowwwwww.  That is life and the time we keep of it.

When it's all said and done, I'd rather not go to this place.  Then again, rumor has it that the company is good;)

But I'll be honest (strange concept, I know) most folks want to make their lives better right now.  If you just walked into a Real Estate Forum via the progressive entity we know as the Internet, you're probably trying to make sure you are educated as you can be about buying or refinancing a home.  I'd even go so far to say write that you want the latest news on loan products, government mandates, what your home is worth, and the fact that there is "only so much land, invest in Real Estate".  I'm here to tell you the latter is pretty damn true.  All the other stuff can be found on (cheap plug ahead)activerain.com.

If you want to make your life better right now, I have a solution.  Now, I'm well aware that most folks reading this have probably read me before.  I'm certainly not a demi-god or a picture of righteous self-fulfillment, or a Tony Robbins knock off for that matter.  I'm pretty honest about shit stuff.  Like marriage, for better or worse.

Avoiding mistakes in a Real Estate Transaction is becoming a passion of mine.  That solution I mentioned earlier, comes from knowing them and avoiding them.  Mistakes can be like a persistent zit commonly placed just below the jawline.  As much as you want to pop it, the zit will show again if you do.  This is about prevention:

• How many of you have heard the term, "Cash Is King?"  Well, that's accurate if you have the type of cash that allows you to buy a home outright.  Let's face it, though.  Not many can do such.  If you are inquiring to a Lending Institution (Mortgage Broker, Mortgage Banker, Local Bank, Mortgage Company, etc) they want everything documented.  The money in your bedside jar doesn't typically count.  If you do have that stash, they want to see it sourced (where it came from, ie... a bank) and seasoned (available for 60 days).  They want to see canceled checks, proof of funds, documented transactions along the way.  Right or wrong, that's the way it is... for now.
• Your home's worth can be a tough nail to hammer down these days.  The best way to interpret an accurate value of your home is paying attention to other homes in your area (like yours) and what they sell for.  Notice that I didn't say "Listed for" ... but rather sold for.  While I believe the market is about perception and participation, know how that affects your greatest asset... that roof over your head.
• If you are renting right now and don't already pay your rent by check, start doing so immediately.  Unless your landlord is a Management Company, very few lenders will take a private (Joe The Landlord) verification of on-time rental history.  Generally, they want to see 12 to 24 months of canceled rent checks.  This establishes a housing payment for you.
• When you are refinancing, keep paying your mortgage on time until your loan closes.  I've heard nightmarish cases of someone who was told to not worry about paying their mortgage because their loan would close and then there is a delay, hiccup in the transaction, whatever.  Simply put, keep paying your mortgage on time as if you weren't even thinking of refinancing in the first place.
• Hire a Buyer's Agent when buying a home.  If you want your best interests looked out for, hire somebody to do just that.  It doesn't cost you a dime to hire a buyer's agent.  It may cost you some time to find one you jive with, yet a quality agent is worth more than the monetary eye tends to see.
• The pre-approval process is often debated around these parts.  When you are looking to buy a home and don't have the cash to do so, a firm pre-approval is necessary to make sure the seller is confident you can get financing to buy the home they are selling.  For me, not only is a complete 1003 Application & Tri-Merged Credit Report needed, but supply all your supporting documentation to ensure that your pre-approval isn't a meaningless piece of a now fallen tree.
• Have money in the bank after you close on your home.  I don't say this too often, but just trust me on that one.
• Don't buy what you want, buy what you need.  Especially when first starting out on the path to owning a home(s).  Then again, never forget what you want.  That's something to shoot for and part of what this strange life is all about.
• Your Credit Score & History are more crucial these days than they ever have been.  At least, that's my take.  Click here for some information to keep you in the know and the flow.  Forgive the gadget at the end, only my email has changed:)

I stop at nine, rather than try to provide a perfect ten.  My reasoning is that I've made mistakes in life and Real Estate... you can expect another post outlining other things I experience along my merry way.

If you've read this far, you're a trooper.  I will leave you with this.