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GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR A POTENTIAL CLIENT....

By Valerie Osterhoudt

Real Estate Agent with Johnson Real Estate, Inc. RES.0761759

January 22, 2010 04:30 AM

The company I work for is Johnson Real Estate, in Cromwell CT, and we are a full serviced independent real estate company. I'm sure most of you are away of this.

From time to time, we receive calls from potential clients (that might be looking down the pike to buy a home) but are looking to rent for a while, looking to come in and interview us or have questions. Being a full service I try to give them the most reliable information I have.

Today, I received a call but have/had no idea how to help this person. Being there is a vast group of people here, with much experience I thought I would see if someone on ActiveRain could assist me.

The person I spoke with this morning is having problems with their credit cards. They are not delinquent, but the bank or banks are making changes to the interest rates and minimum payment requirements that they will no longer be able to keep up with them. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there with this problem.

They are not looking to claim bankruptcy and want to work with the banks.. they would like to buy a house down the road.

Are there businesses out there that came help them? I'd like to call them back with some advice, other than speaking with a mortgage consultant. I don't feel this would be the correct avenue.

Has anyone else run into this? If so, who have your referred them to that are legit, and not scam artists.

FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION ON REAL ESTATE... CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT

valerie osterhoudt

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.cromwellrealestate.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

For real estate.. all you need to know, is VALERIEO

If you're thinking about buying a home in Cromwell CT area, there are plenty of great buys in today's market. There is no better time than now to take advantage of these homes while interest rates remain at an all time low. For more information on Cromwell CT real estate's homes and/or condos please visit Johnson Real Estate to access the newest listings.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.883.8889 cell - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

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Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Consumer Credit Counseling. I've had clients use this service before. They helped a young couple I eventually sold a home to with negotiating rates and having some fees removed and were quite helpful. Hope this helps. Don't know if they have a local office, but they do have a toll free number on their site.

It's important to make sure they are non profit and check with the BBB in your area for rating.

Jan 22, 2010 04:56 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Tammy... Thanks for this information. I will pass this information along once I check out the site myself so I know what I am talking about with them. This company Consumer Credit Couseling is non profit? Am I understanding this correctly?

Jan 22, 2010 05:05 AM

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Associate Real Estate Broker

Valerie, this has been a topic of much conversation the last few months with banks changing rates on credit cards if the people miss or are late with a payment. Maybe a call to the banking commission in Hartford because they were trying to get this blocked in CT.

Good Luck,

Psst, where's the celebratory blog?

Jan 22, 2010 06:15 AM

Hi Ed...

Thanks.. I will give them this as an option as well. Never thought of the banking commission, I appreciate you help.

The celebratory blog is in the works. I'm creating a 300,000 artwork to go with the blog.. this is what is holding me up. I *PROMISE* I will be doing this blog.

Jan 22, 2010 09:12 AM

Toula Rosebrock

Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ

Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Valerie:

Did they try calling each of the credit card companies?

They may as well go to the source and ask for a lower rate first, if possible.

Jan 22, 2010 10:28 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Valerie, unfortunately there isn't much they can do, except for maybe transferring their balance into a credit card that is being offer at a lower interest rate, and there are some card companies still making those offers, like Chase.

I would be very careful not to go to a counseling agency that has you go late on the cards in order to negotiate lower limits. They might be able to get the balance down, but they ruin their credit in the mean time.

Jan 22, 2010 11:04 AM

Toula.. That was one of the first suggestions I had for this couple. They informed me that they tried, but since they were NOT behind, the banks would not want to work with them.

Jan 23, 2010 01:15 AM

George.. With the way the economy is, and people loosing jobs, you would think that the credit card companies would want to work with people (instead of having them go bankrupt) and not getting anything at all.

Also, since there are (I'm assuming) a lot more people facing this problem, that some sort of business would be opening up in hopes of helping them.

Jan 23, 2010 01:18 AM

GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR A POTENTIAL CLIENT....

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