Today..April 2nd, 2008

The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day.  Sure it's a tad chilly this morning, but we know that spring is on it's way.   I don't have a crystal ball, but I have spoken to quite a few Realtors and potential buyers recently and I can't help but think that we are possibly in a turning point in our industry.  What we all have to do is seize the moment and run with it.  I have been encouraging all my preapproved buyers to get with their Realtors and make that offer.  The selection and price of available properties is tremendous.  Rates are attractive.    If you have sellers that will be buying another home when their home sells...now is the time to encourage them to start looking and maybe write a contingent offer.  If we get enough contingent offers going....we might be able to get that domino effect in play.   This is a time that we need to take an extremely optimistic outlook and wear that outlook wherever we go.  It's time to put the doom and gloom back in the closet and focus on a positive future.   Certainly the mortgage industry has suffered as well.  I have seen programs eliminated on a day to day basis as well as drastic program changes. I have also found that FHA mortgages are keeping me alive.  With increased purchase limits for owner occupied properties, less strict credit guidelines, and a somewhat relaxed review of the property (from what it was several years ago), FHA is an excellent way to buy with little or no money down.  And...we can close just as quickly as conventional financing.   Even though conventional 100% financing programs have gone by the wayside, we do have 97% programs.  I work with almost 30 lenders and feel that I have the experience (12 years in the mortgage industry as well as 5 years as a licensed Realtor) to know how to get the job done for your buyers (and sellers).  Just as the Real Estate industry has lost many Realtors to this economy...so has the mortgage industry.  The strong and knowledgeable will survive.  Please keep me in mind for any assistance you may need!   In closing, I have discovered two great websites recently.  The first is called ZIPskinny.  Check it out at http://www.zipskinny.com/ .  You will be able to input a zip code and find all sorts of helpful information on that particular zip code.   The second site is http://www.felonspy.com/search.html .  Here, you can type in an address and find the locations of convicted felons in your neighborhood.  It's certainly an eye opener.    Have great week..and have a positive attitude!!   jim