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Expectation vs. Value in Real Estate

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Hey, guess what? In case you didn’t know the economy is bad. There, now we are all caught up and on the same page. In spite of that, most of us still have bills to pay and need to put food on the table. It doesn’t matter if the economy is good or bad, there are some things that never change, there will always be people buying homes and there will always be people selling homes. For people in real estate it is important to be part of that process, even in a “Bad” economy.

 

I do not believe people are good at “cutting back” in a poor economy, I do believe that people expect their money to do more. They are working harder to make it, they expect us to do the same! As the housing market improves, the realtors who realize this are the ones who are surpassing the client’s expectations and giving them more value for the dollar. Exceeding a client’s expectation is completely voluntary, there is no formula, or book, or class it is just a decision one needs to make. The important thing to remember is not to stop. Today’s excellence is tomorrow’s norm. 

Gareth Beale is the Marketing Director for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact him directly Gareth@choicetitle.com

 http://twitter.com/gareth_beale

 His weekly Blog can be found here.

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Don’t let the Grinch take an Inch!

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Though this article came from Durham, NC Police Department it applies no matter where you live. Saw my neighbors putting out a bunch of boxes yesterday (computers, tv’s, bicycles, etc) that just screamed “Check this out!”, so I thought I’d share some safety tips that are good for us all. 

2011 Yuletide Tips For Holiday Safety

This holiday season “Don’t Let The Grinch Take An Inch”. The Durham Police Department Crime Prevention Unitoffers simple safety strategies that could lessen, or even eliminate, the opportunity for a crime to occur.

Whether in town or travelling, in general be aware of your surroundings at all times,be alert to suspicious people and vehicles, and avoid dangerous situations.

 

If You Are Travelling…

 

  • • Before your trip copy all credit cards, airline tickets, passports and important documents ‐ front and back.
  • • Jewelry, luggage and all valuables should be photographed prior to trip.
  • • Inform your Neighborhood Watch block captain and/or a reliable neighbor of your travel schedule.
  • • Remember to stop delivery of your newspaper and mail.

 

Home Security

  • • Utilizing good dead bolt locks can deter a forced entry into a residence. Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave home, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
  • • Don’t display gifts where they can be seen from the outside. Consider breaking boxes down and transporting to the recycle station instead of setting them at the curb.
  • • Conduct a holiday inventory. Take photographs or make videos of items and list descriptions and serial numbers. Keep photos/video in a secure place for future reference. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file. Make sure items like TVs, DVDs, DVD players, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment and power tools are on the list.
  • • If you are at home and you hear someone breaking into your residence, leave the residence as quickly as possible. If you cannot leave, lock yourself in a room with a phone and call the police.
  • • When you leave home, use at least two timers for turning on lights within the residence. Also turn on a radio or a television. This will give the appearance that the home is occupied.
  • • Upon your return, if something looks questionable such as a slit screen, a broken window or an open door, do not go in. Call the police from a neighbor’s house or cell phone.

 

  • • Report any suspicious activity to 9‐1‐1 immediately. When in doubt, call 9‐1‐1 !

 

  • • Neighbors watching out for each other can deter criminal activity in a neighborhood. Consider starting a neighborhood tradition by looking in on neighbors and reaching out in the spirit of the season by helping someone less fortunate or lonely.

Motor Vehicle Safety

 

  • • Never leave your vehicle running and unattended. Also, do not leave a spare key inside the vehicle.
  • • Do not leave valuables such as laptop computers, cellular phones and chargers, cash, loose change, radar detectors, detachable stereo covers, GPS, Palm Pilots, CDs, and sports equipment in view.
  • • Keep a record of all your serial numbers for stereo equipment, amplifiers, and other personal items.
  • • If you choose to drink alcohol at a party, DO NOT drink and drive.
  • • Do not create or send text messages while driving.

 

When Shopping…

 

  • • Park in well‐lit areas. Be sure to lock the car and to close all windows.
  • • Carry wallets in front pockets and purses close to your body. Consider carrying your wallet inside of a coat or pants pocket to deter purse‐snatchers.
  • • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or a credit card. Make sure that only one receipt is printed and that only the last four digits of your card are visible on the receipt.
  • • When returning to your vehicle (or home), have your keys in your hand ready to open the door.
  • • Do not store packages in plain view in your car.
  • • If you take packages to the car, but plan to return to the store/mall, drive to a new location. Criminals can be on the lookout for unsuspecting shoppers who simply drop their purchases into the trunk and then return to shopping.
  • • Most vehicles are equipped with factory car alarms. If you become startled or are approached in a suspicious manner, push your vehicle’s panic alarm or the horn button on your key fob.
  • • When shopping with children, teach them to go to the store clerk, information center or security guard if you get separated.
  • • It’s always best to have a second adult when shopping with small children. They can watch your surroundings when loading children into safety seats.
  • • Be careful of people who rush you into signing anything – a contract or sales agreement. Read it carefully and consult someone you trust for a second opinion.
  • • Be cautious of persons claiming to represent companies, consumer organizations, or government agencies that offer to recover lost money from fraudulent telemarketers for a fee.

 

Protect Yourself on the Internet

 

  • • Shop with reputable companies. When ordering from a new company, request a catalog and have it sent to your residence.
  • • Protect your personal financial information by using a secure browser — one that can encrypt or scramble credit numbers or other personal data. Consider using the company’s 800 number or using a check or money order to pay for your purchase. Always print out a copy of your order and confirmation number for your records.
  • • Think security! Be leery of persons asking for your password or social security information.
  • • A con artist’s website can look just as professional as a legitimate company’s. Always know who you are dealing with.

 Mitzi Anthony is the Marketing Rep for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact her directly mitzi@choicetitle.com    

 http://twitter.com/choicetitle  

 Her weekly Blog can be found here.

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Thoughts at Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Just wanted to say thank you to our many friends and clients that have made this year extra special. I know we are all busy getting ready for company or going somewhere to be “company”. If you would, look around the table and count your blessings.

  • Our families and those that seem like family
  • Our military families and the sacrefices they make
  • Our first responders who give up time with their families to watch over ours
  • Those less fortunate that next year will be a better year for them.

Stay safe on the highway and God Bless.

Mitzi Anthony is the Marketing Rep for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact her directly mitzi@choicetitle.com  

 http://twitter.com/choicetitle

 Her weekly Blog can be found here.

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IN HONOR OF OUR VETERANS

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Thank you to my uncles, cousins and son; for all you’ve done and continue to do everyday.

Mitzi Anthony is the Marketing Rep for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact her directly mitzi@choicetitle.com  

 http://twitter.com/choicetitle

 Her weekly Blog can be found here.

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How To: Clean the Garage

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Because I am down one marketing rep this week, I get to write a blog. Recently I looked around my garage and shop and thought about how much it needed a good cleaning. This is extremely pertinent to people selling their home. For one the house needs to show well, and also the new owners don’t want your old tennis racquets, or camping set. This particular subject hits home to me, because when we moved into our current house, the previous owners left us a neon green child’s bedroom set and a trunk full of broken toys. I remember telling my wife, “I didn’t realize we could just leave the stuff we didn’t want”. I soon figured out why, the garbage company refused to take it (must have been the color) so for almost a year I had a corner full of “stuff” sitting in the garage. You wouldn’t know it, because I parked a non-running car in front of it and took the wheels off, which in my mind was better. I had every intention of leaving it for the next owners, but as the subdivision was developed I was able to dump small portions of the pile in my future neighbor’s giant trash bins. I was tactical about it, dropping pieces of the bed each week in multiple dumpsters. I imagined the man at the dump anticipating this week’s neon green piece of furniture.

So at this point in the game you have realized the need to clean the garage, now it is time to plan (I wanted to say plan ahead, but that is redundant as there is no other way to plan). You should set aside 12 – 18 hours depending on the severity of the garage. If you’re like me, you wait until it is impossible to actually do work or even start a new project. For those of you that actually park a car in the garage you can skip down a few paragraphs. I generally send my wife away on a “girl’s trip” so that I can actually get this task done. The gulf coast works well, because you get a 2 hour warning call when she is own her way home, so that you know you need to stop admiring the technology of an old carburetor you found and get back to cleaning.

I have seen medically spotless shops that look more like surgical centers than garages. These places are mysteries to me, I am not sure I would be able to find my tools in a place like that, Plus you would miss the surprise when you find something. These people have never used a rusty spring to fix the return on a riding lawn mower, or asked their wife to standby with a fire extinguisher while testing the make shift gravity fed fuel tank on an old motorcycle (I wonder what on earth she is thinking while standing there waiting to see if her husband goes up in a brilliant blue flame as the house gets filled with the smell of un-burnt fuel and screams),  But back to the task at hand.

  1. I have found it is best to work from the top down, first hang the various flags and posters back up. They tend to fly off the walls when the garage door opens.
  2. Next use a shop vac to suck the cobwebs, and bug bodies out of the corners. Clean the nozzle first or you will leave oil stains on your walls. Be careful around those flags, or you’ll be pulling them out of the shop vac.
  3. Take down the bicycles hanging off the ceiling hooks and blow them off with compressed air, fill up the tires while the air compressor is out. (No one expects you to ride anytime soon, but flat tires on a hanging bike means you have completely given up on being healthy.)  
  4. Now it is time to focus on the work bench, this becomes time consuming but essential. Don’t get side tracked by anything shiny. This is usually where I lose focus and start cleaning brake calipers, or rewiring an electric winch.
  5. Be honest about spare car parts, are you really going to need that radio out of a mid 90’s mustang. Go ahead and toss it, and get rid of that VW hubcap you found on the side of the road (unless you actually own/ed a VW, then there is sentimental value there)
  6. Stack various race tires, and wheels in a corner. These are great conversation starters when the neighbors visit.
  7. Next I like to rearrange the various vehicles, this does two things, allows access to the piles of dirt and rust that have accumulated under the vehicles, and gives a feeling of accomplishment. Be creative, I tend to sort by fun factor. Atv’s and Motorcycles to the front, lawn mowers and cars to the back.
  8. This is also a good time to wipe down the motorcycles, unless there is a lot of chrome involved. (polishing can eat up time)
  9. At this point a neighbor will show up (because the heavy work has been done) use this time to catch your breath, enjoy a beer, and catch up on current events.
  10. Pick up the fishing tackle and various rods and reels that get stuck in a corner, you can hang up a small amount of fishing equipment (in my opinion this adds a touch of class, especially fly rods) The rest can be stored in the trunk of an unused car.
  11. Collect all the old motorcycle, and car batteries and place in a cardboard box for recycling (5$ each) keep the dogs away, don’t rub your eyes and try to keep acid burn holes symmetrical on your shirt.
  12.  Sweep up all the dirt, rust, dead bugs etc, if you feel the need you can mop at this point, but that seems snooty to me. I prefer to hose out the garage, with scrub brush and all green detergent.
  13.  Sit back, admire your work and wait for comments from visitors.

Gareth Beale is the Marketing Director for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact him directly Gareth@choicetitle.com

 http://twitter.com/gareth_beale

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Are we lucky or what?

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

“There’s blind luck, dumb luck and then there’s get up every morning at 5:30 and sweat the details luck.
Few people actually stumble into wealth. It takes persistence, tenacity and a tireless work ethic. In the end, luck has little to do with success. It takes experience and hard work. Pure and simple.” – SmithBarney CitiGroup (from their website)

I was going to take the easy way out and just post a link this week, but then thought better of it. I realized how lucky I was to be employed at a job I enjoy, in a market that was not the pits, among people that have some of the best work ethics I’ve ever witnessed. And being a farmer’s daughter, I’ve seen some pretty good efforts.

I watch you, my friends and colleagues, show up early, work late and weekends. Go out of your way to be kind and generous (with both your time and money) just to make sure folks get in the home they love. That of course, in turn, makes you successful, some might even say lucky. I say you’re determined. Determined to do your best and be your best.

The realtors have had to find creative ways to connect with a public that is more elusive every day. You put yourself out there on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, Twillow, ActiveRain and heaven only knows what others. You’ve learned to be faster, smarter and more knowledgeable than ever. The lenders have had to endure more rule changes, mortgage mergers and underwriting snags than ever before in your industry. Yet, every day, I see a smile, hear a kind word or a suggestion of another program that might get that young couple into a home. Or a better way for the fella to get his home sold so he can take that new job he just got….that’s somewhere else. Or sell her the perfect home, in a great neighborhood that she had no idea was there because she just got transferred here from out of state.

The changes we’ve seen since Hurricane Katrina, and the boom that followed, I think lulled us into a momentary sense of plenty. It may seem like hell now, in comparison, but remember….

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” - Winston Churchill

 

We’ll eventually come out the other side and most will be the better for it.

Louisiana is gaining ground on many fronts and our area is gaining more than most. We have plant expansions, NuCor, port expansion and more construction than we’ve seen in a while. Keep up the great work my friends and great success will follow. Aren’t we “lucky”??

Mitzi Anthony is the Marketing Rep for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact her directly mitzi@choicetitle.com  

 http://twitter.com/choicetitle

 Her weekly Blog can be found here.

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Are Rentals the New Hot Market

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

With the number of foreclosures increasing and new downpayment requirements should your investors be looking for property to add to the rental inventory? Should you be looking for clients that want to rent out properties? At least until our market recovers some more of it’s value? Check this out, I found it interesting: http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/30/real_estate/rental_property_investing.moneymag/

Mitzi Anthony is the Marketing Rep for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact her directly mitzi@choicetitle.com  

 http://twitter.com/choicetitle

 Her weekly Blog can be found here.

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Remembering September 11th – Differently

Monday, September 12th, 2011

We all know where we were that fateful morning. How shocked and appalled we all felt. More importantly we remember how we treated each other for a long time after the towers fell. Our words were kinder, we were more patient, we made more of an effort to help our neighbors and reach out to our loved ones.

It’s been ten years now and some of those memories and emotions have faded. There are some that I think we should hold on to, forever.

I used to call my sisters and brothers every once in a while, when I thought of it (my parents have been gone a long time). Since 9-11 I’ve made it a point to call them every two weeks. It has made a huge difference in our relationship. Same thing with my children and grandchildren, I make the effort to speak/email/text at least weekly. I always tell them I love them and if I can get my hands on them they’ll either be hugged or kissed! (The boys HATE kisses right now, LOL!). Thank goodness for FaceBook, it’s allowed my whole family to reconnect.

 

I know what you’re thinking….this is all a one way street. Shouldn’t they be calling or hugging? Well, yes, I suppose so, but the most important thing I learned ten years ago is they can disappear in a heartbeat. Not that I didn’t understand that in some rather abstract way prior to then, but that day brought it home in a most profound manner. I don’t want to wake up some day, having lost someone I neglected or took for granted, when I could have taken a MOMENT to reach out to them. I’m not talking about long diatribes or being paranoid, just reaching out. Tell your kids you love them as they jump out of the car at school, or as you send them out the door to the bus. Maybe a note in their lunch bag or in your husband’s coat pocket. Call your friend just to touch base or say you’re sorry, especially if you’re sorry.

So here’s the point of all this, don’t let daily life get in the way of letting those closest to you know you care. Family or friends, just a note or a call, maybe a quick text, it doesn’t take much and can make a profound difference is someone’s life.

Mitzi Anthony is the Marketing Rep for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact her directly mitzi@choicetitle.com  

 http://twitter.com/choicetitle

 Her weekly Blog can be found here.

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NAMB Seeks Reduction in Fed Overregulation

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
AUGUST 30, 2011

Contact:
Eric C. Peck
NMP Media Corp.
(516) 409-5555, ext. 312

NAMB feels lifting of LO compensation rule will boost mortgage related jobs and stimulate the economy through less overreaching lending regulations

AUGUST 30, 2011—As the federal government continues to seek new ways to create jobs and reduce burdensome regulation, the Association of Mortgage Professionals (NAMB) recommends that the Administration and Congress encourage the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to rescind its loan originator (LO) compensation rule. Ever since the early April implementation of the Federal Reserve Board’s (FRB) Regulation Z; Docket No. R-1366, Truth-in-Lending on steering and LO compensation, consumers have experienced a dramatic increase in costs on their mortgages, in addition, the expenses have increased for all mortgage companies and a great impediment has been placed on the vital service of mortgage lending throughout local communities.

“Over the past three years, more than six different federal agencies have implemented new regulations and rules to try to help regulate and protect the consumer against unethical lending practices,” said Michael J. D’Alonzo, president of NAMB. “This has resulted in a further drain on our economy through overlapping and overreaching regulations.”

According to NAMB, regulations placed on the mortgage industry by the Federal Reserve and other regulatory bodies has resulted in good people being denied loans, in addition to the burden of increased consumer costs and a drastic reduction in the base of local mortgage professionals nationwide who provide homeownership opportunities in their local markets.

“When you take away consumer choice, you take away what has made this country great which is healthy competition,” said D’Alonzo. “This regulation, in essence, has established fixed pricing in the mortgage industry causing pricing to go up.”

As with many new regulations coming out of Washington, the new rules and regulations out of Dodd-Frank are overreaching and have slowed down the housing recovery and job creation, as housing remains the backbone of the national economy.

“Instead of really determining the root cause of the mortgage crisis, like loan type, Washington instead has issued new rules and regulations at individuals, rather than tackle the loan type scenario,” said Mike Anderson, vice president and Government Affairs Committee chair of NAMB. “Like the example NAMB used in its testimony before Congress on July 13, 2011, ‘Did the lawmakers legislate, regulate and impose stricter guidelines on pharmacists, doctors or drug stores after the discovery of harmful prescription drugs like Vioxx?’ No, they did not … they simply pulled the product from the shelf. It was loan type that caused the mortgage crisis. By no means is NAMB advocating going back to the days of reckless and irresponsible lending practices; however, with credit overlays, laws and new regulations, the housing recovery is extremely slow to any substantial recovery. LO compensation has caused hundreds and hundreds of small business to shut their doors and countless layoffs of support personnel in the mortgage industry.”


###

 
The National Association of Mortgage Professionals (NAMB)—The Association of Mortgage Professionals, is a trade association of mortgage professionals with membership in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NAMB provides education, certification and government affairs representation for the mortgage industry. For more information, visit NAMB.org.

Once again the government seems to have thrown the “baby out with the bath water” in trying to correct the flaws in the housing sector. Let’s hope they “get it” and back off some of these overreaching regulations so business can grow instead of stagnate.

Mitzi Anthony is the Marketing Rep for Choice Title, Inc., you can respond here or contact her directly mitzi@choicetitle.com.

http://twitter.com/mitzi_anthony

Her weekly blog can be found here.

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The simple truth about Short Sales

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

Mortgage servicers bypass foreclosure delays with more short sales
Mortgage servicers contending with attorney general investigations and extended foreclosure delays turned more to short sales in the past year. In August 2009, short sales accounted for 8% of all liquidations of distressed properties. That number grew to 25% by the middle of 2011, according to research from Moody’s Investors Service. Meanwhile, the time it took from [...]  

According to Louisiana Realtors Association, those homes that are in some stage of foreclosure sold in the second quarter of this year for approximately 30% less than other homes’ price in the same market. – Mitzi

This article was sourced from www.housingwire.com

Mitzi Anthony is the Marketing Rep for Choice Title LLC, you can respond here, or contact her directly mitzi@choicetitle.com  

 http://twitter.com/choicetitle

 Her weekly Blog can be found here.

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