Social Media...BAM!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8&feature=fvst Ok I hope you watched that!? If you are in business, you really have to take part in this newest and fastest growing of "Branding". If not you will be left behind, I'm afraid.......

On another note, I am going to TRY to keep this BLOG current- UGH:)

Where Is the Reward?

Reward...well we probably won't see one? You may ask for what, Jay....why should we receive an award? Well, you are probably like me and over 90% of mortgage holders in the U.S.. We, you an I, and the other 90+% of us....we pay our mortgages!

Our mortgages that we work so hard to pay to our lenders, many of which also have "other" customers....yes, you know the ones. These are the customers that don't pay their mortgage's, the same people that were approved a few years back (in the good 'ole days), of course through "no fault of their own". Of course they didn't know that a combined salary of $50,000 a year couldn't support mortgage payments on a home valued/bought for $600,000...of course they didn't realize that they along with deceptive loan officers and underwriters, may have "just mistakenly" slipped a "1" in front of the $50,000...in the application.I do understand that ARM's (not in the anatomical) in lending terms can be confusing on the surface, and maybe a thorough understanding of such a "magical" loan should have been explained/explored....maybe even read by the borrower? I understand there are/were less than professional real estate sales people, many unethical mortgage brokers...and a whole lot of home buyers that are now pleading ignorance/confusion/being "hoodwinked" and or all of the above.

Well, the government believes you, and we (the other ones...the ones that pay our mortgage(s), and pay our taxe(S)will support you ,all the while paying for the mistakes, lies, poor decisions, illegal practices of others.

President Obama, Speaker Pelosi....Representatives and Senators I...WE, ask where is our reward for playing by the rules?

1st Time Buyer Tips!

Home-price adjustments in markets around the country have opened doors of opportunity for many renters. If you are transitioning from renter to homeowner, the prospect of making such a large investment may be exciting, while at the same time overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are six common mistakes to avoid.

1. Not understanding the homebuying process. Educate yourself. Find a homebuyer seminar that you can attend or research online. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Web site (http://www.hud.gov/) has an entire section devoted to homebuyers with common questions of first-time homebuyers, mortgage and home-buying programs information, downloadable tools such as a wish list and home-shopping checklist, tips on selecting a real estate professional, etc. Likewise, Prudential Real Estate’s popular Web site, prudential.com/realestate, offers consumers brand-new tools for the homebuying process, such as free home environmental reports, Value Range Estimates and Property Profiles, among other resources.

2. Not asking questions. There are many facets and intricacies to the homebuying process, so although you may gain a basic knowledge, you will still have questions. Don’t hesitate to let your real estate professional know that you are new to the process. Make sure you choose a sales professional who is willing to spend time with you and walk you through the entire process. He or she will expect you to have questions at each step—from house hunting, to making an offer to the closing. Remember, this is one of the largest financial transactions of your life, so you want to have a clear understanding of what’s going on.

3. Buying on impulse. Don't feel pressured into making an offer on the first home you see. Buyers, especially first-timers, may be impressed by the first two or three homes they view. Look at a good selection. List the positives and negatives about each home. Narrow the prospects to three or four and then return for a closer look. When you decide to make a bid on a property, work with your real estate professional to get all of your questions answered before making an offer. But don't wait too long to make an offer. The longer you wait, the greater the chance other prospective buyers may place offers, making it harder for you to negotiate a good deal.

4. Looking outside your price range. Before beginning your home search, consider getting pre-qualified to so get an idea of how much you may be able to borrow. Use this information as a starting point in determining your price range. Then take into consideration other factors that will affect your monthly budget once you are a homeowner, such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, private mortgage insurance (PMI) and maintenance.

5. Not planning ahead. Think about personal changes you are planning in the next five to seven years. For instance, are you starting a family, and if so, is the home large enough and will it continue to be? If this will be a starter home or if you think you’ll be relocating in a few year, you’ll probably want to pay closer attention to appreciation and resale value. If a double-income is necessary to qualify for financing and to make your payments, do your plans foresee an income sufficient to continue making payments?

6. Failure to focus on location. Don’t just focus on the house. Examine the community. Does it suit your lifestyle? Is the area safe, well-maintained, close to work, stores and schools? Find out about zoning and what new construction is planned on vacant land in the immediate area. Also consider the property marketability when it’s time to sell.Above all, remember knowledge is key. No question is a silly question. Your real estate professional can be an invaluable asset throughout the process. Making smart home buying decisions will make the home-buying process less scary and your first home purchase a rewarding experience.

Classic Nor' Easter in OC

Here a Pic from my office today...yuck..lookin North on Coastal Hwy

Eiyy yii yii, what a slog it has been since Saturday night. The onset and typical stall of a strong Nor' East wind.

As I watched the news (all of 'em) Fox, Weather Channel, the local Eastern Shore stations...., had the same forecasts. They were for rain for a day or so....then sun and warmer weather. Ah, the thought was nice- and I certainly am a fan for seeing the glass as half full at all times. BUT, now heres a big BUT, the wind had shifted offshore from the Northeast. Well, I am noooo meteorologist/weatherman or qualified as anything close....BUT I have lived on the coast for a long time. And , everyone I know who has lived here any substantial amount of time- can tell you- when this happens we're in for a stretch of cold, rainy, dark and miserable days. This is a Nor' Easter.

I know I shouldn't infer that I can forecast weather ('cause I can't) BUT, this scenario usually happens- and it seems the forecasters always blame the mountains....I blame the Mountains to the west and the Strong Northeast wind holding the fronts? I'd love to know if this makes sense.

Well, for my glass half full part....it has been four days and counting (we Ocean Cityers usually say these last five) soon there will be SUN, FUN and Spring to be enjoyed! So, come on down.

Easter Egg Hunt!

We had a fun day this past Saturday at our (Prudential Carruthers REALTORS) West Ocean City Office. The fun was watching at least sixty kids run around during our 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt! We also had a yard sale that ran in conjunction with the Easter Egg Hunt.

I quess the highlight for me was hangin' out with "Sherman" the Shorebird.... Okay, I know "who" and "what" is Sherman. Sherman is the mascot for the local Baltimore Orioles Class A minor league team...The Delmarva Shorebirds. The kids loved his appearance as did all the motorist driving east on Rt 50 (horns honking and grown men shouting, "GO SHERMAN!!". I know I had a great time...I'm pictured with Sherman and a knit cap I was attempting to sell....but considering it was chilly, I wore it to keep my bald head warm.

This was just a quick post to keep me in line...and posting, I'll have some more interesting stuff lata'...so lata' Jay