It's going to hurt for a long time.It is with tremendous sadness today that I learned of the death of a good friend.Dave Hillman was a true inspiration to me.He was technically minded, he was warm hearted, he was soft and generous.Dave was a thinker, an intellect. Yet Dave was also an Artist.He w...

06/28/2007

Keller Williams Blog Class

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Today we're teaching a beginning blog class to the wonderful agents of Keller Williams in Berkeley, CAWe're at 1288 9th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710This is beginning blogging. A beginners guide or introduction to blogging.Today we'll learn How to post on ActiveRain, How to post on Blogger,Other bl...

06/27/2007

The Power of Blogging - Net Working

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In the last segment I discussed the Power of Blogging as it added to the Agent's Toolbox.This segment deals with Net Working.I separated the word to emphasize the Net from the Working.The internet is a vital part of the complete marketing package.If N.A.R.'s estimate of almost 80% of buyers start...

06/26/2007

Pre-Payment Penalties - The Bigger Picture

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This is a "sidebar" to " Of Puddles and Pools... "Good or bad.Right or wrong.Black or white.I know what your thinking, "There's no black or white about it. A pre-pay is a pre-pay!"Ask a room full of consumers, "Why do some loans have a PrePay?" and they'll pretty much all agree. "Pre-Pays are f...

06/26/2007

Will This Solve Anything?

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Or is it just another CYA form from one of my Lenders? NEW STATED INCOME BORROWER DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT Beginning July 2, 2007, a new disclosure requirement will be added on all stated income documentation loans for applications received and loan documents drawn. The disclosure, titled Loan Appl...

06/22/2007

Of Pools and Puddles...

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Long term mortgages and the rates and terms they carry are determined by a couple of different factors.While many people mistakenly think the Fed's control mortgage rates they are in fact determined by Mortgage-backed securities (M.B.S.).M.B.S.'s are created by pooling loans and selling bonds wi...

06/22/2007

Tip of the Hat

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Last week I taught a beginning blog class to local agents.It was held at a local title company's conference room.Any and all were invited to attend.My one request is that we collect an entry fee as a donation to local charity.The charity? I leave it up to the host. In this case it was once agai...

06/20/2007

Neg Am Disclosures - a little too late?

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I read an article the other day and was struck by the following quote. "The Federal Reserve Board is considering potential revisions to Reg Z, including: (a) simplifying and clarifying Regulation Z's adjustable rate mortgage disclosures, to make them easier for consumers to understand and use; (b...

06/20/2007

A little Friday Humor

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One of my favorite Real Estate Jokes from days gone by. A mortgage company was staffing up, crunched for time, and HR director devised a “one-minute interview” for prospective employees. The first candidate was an accountant, and the head of HR asked, “What is one plus one?” The accounta...

06/15/2007

I Read 40 Blogs a Day!

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Ok, maybe it's more like 47.I am not a speed reader.I wanted to share with you how I read that many blogs each and every day. (Remember too, these blogs are outside of ActiveRain)It's called the RRS Feed. RSS stands for Real Simple Syndication When I find a blog I like I will "capture" it's R...

06/14/2007