The Brainerd Lakes Real Estate Blog

Helping make real estate dreams come true        Fannie Mae has implemented a new policy which will go into effect on  June 1, lenders are responsible for certifying  that the borrower's monthly obligations have not increased from the time of when credit was initially pulled  through the closing date. This is effective for new conventional applications only and is not applicable for VA, FHA or Rural Development loans at this time but traditionally they will soon follow.        The goal is to reduce the number of loans that default because of new, non-disclosed debt. Lenders have the freedom to verify in whatever manner they wish, but in most cases, the verification process will amount to a credit re-pull made just prior to closing. A credit report will be pulled at the beginning of the application and will also be pulled 5 days prior to closing.        What does this mean...

I Got You Out of Owing $100,000 — Say Thank You! Helping make real estate dreams come true Have you received a Notice of Default on your property? What are your plans? Do you plan to walk away or do you want to try a Short Sale which has much less damage to your credit and helps you save face? You need a plan of action and if you want to buy some time, stay in the home until it sells and save up some money - then contact: Kathleen Lordbock REALTOR/Staging & Short Sale Specialist Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes Don't just walk away - there is hope, there is help!

Taking Some of the Emotion Out of the Short Sale Decision Helping make real estate dreams come true Have you received a Notice of Default on your property? What are your plans? Do you plan to walk away or do you want to try a Short Sale which has much less damage to your credit and helps you save face? You need a plan of action and if you want to buy some time, stay in the home until it sells and save up some money - then contact: Kathleen Lordbock REALTOR/Staging & Short Sale Specialist Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes Don't just walk away - there is hope, there is help!

Helping make real estate dreams come true   Dear God, I thank You for this day,  I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.   I'm blessed because You are  a forgiving God and an understanding God... You have done so much for me  and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything  I have done, said or thought  that was not pleasing to You.... I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.  Help me to start this day  with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.  Let me make the best of each and every day  to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind  that I can accept all things.   Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray,  You listen to my heart. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Kee...

Helping make real estate dreams come true RISMEDIA, February 22, 2010—As a first-time home buyer, Jessica Garcia was excited last April to officially begin her home search. She found a home within her price range, completed the lengthy paperwork and paid for the appraisals, only to later be told after four months that the deal would not close. Out of luck and out of money, Garcia was frustrated, but not defeated. She went back to her Realtor to start the search again. It was then that she found the home she would later purchase. Upon first glance, Garcia liked the home and saw its potential, but didn’t have the upfront money it would take to rehab the home the way it needed to be done.      After some discussion, Garcia’s lender, Kevin Roy with Wells Fargo, realized that she might be able to take advantage of HUD’s 203k program, specifically designed to rehabilitate and repair single-family homes. The 203k is a single mortgage loan that provides funds to purchas...

Helping make real estate dreams come true NAR Frequently Asked Questions Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes National Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Division 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20001 Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house? Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit. Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit? Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for pu...

Helping make real estate dreams come true

Flexiblity and streamlining the short sale process wil decrease the foreclosures. in reference to: News Releases ( view on Google Sidewiki )

Around the Home – 8 Cheap and Easy Costume Ideas | RISMedia Helping make real estate dreams come true

Helping make Brainerd Lakes real estate dreams come true Saw this advice posted and thought it would be good advice to share, A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor , and in the back seat B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side... If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

I really do just work because money is necessary to be able to eat, pay taxes and all those other things we need to do. Don't get me wrong, I love working with buyers and sellers. I get to use my creative and technical talents in helping clients prepare their property for the market, so their listing stands out (in a good way) amongst all the others. I love all this so much that I would do it for free, but I don't and I can't. There are great organizations that I volunteer with (hence no pay), Among some of them are Habitat for Humanity, Susan G. Komen, the Children's Miracle Network, and the Miss Brainerd Lakes Pageant. So if you hire me to be your real estate consultant - just remember I am worth it. I will help you get the best value for your dollars, work hard to keep your expenses down and advertise your listing all over the internet. That is where over 85% of the buyers are now looking. I offer a complimentary staging consultation for every one of my listings ...