Jay's Blog

Have you ever noticed that there are no guarantees in life?  Just when you think something is certain to happen, it doesn't.  The popular expression "The only thing for certain is that there will always be change" seems to sum it all up pretty well, doesn't it?Selling a home can be one of those t...

Have you ever noticed a clothing sale which advertises the sale of "seconds" at greatly reduced prices?  The "second" merchandise may exhibit flaws like uneven seams and pulled stiches and capitalizes on the slightly lower quality in exchange for a lower price.Like clothing, a home being offerd f...

Can you imagine calling a travel agent and saying, "I want to take a great vacation.  Please make the appropriate reservations, then send me the tickets!"?  Imagine your surprise when you receive tickets to Upper Mongolia when you had a peaceful week at the shore in mind!This obviously ridiculous...

When you go grocery shopping, do you ever squeeze the melons before buying them?  Do you know exactly what you will find inside when you slice it, just by the results of the squeeze?Buying a home is a bit more complex than shopping for groceries.  It's not likely that you will make just one visit...

Do you have plans to buy a home soon? If so, has it occurred to you that some of the homes you look at may be overpriced? Given the recent history of the real estate market, they may be priced too high for today's market. How would you recognize that kind of situation? And if you did, what could ...

Historically, one of the greatest benefits of home ownership in the United States has been appreciation.  No, I don't mean the kind you get for a job well done, but the kind that brings financial reward over a period of years as the result of increasing home prices.Because residential real estate...

How lucky we are in this country to have the priviledge of owning real property!  Without asking permission from the government, we are free to purchase and sell property of all kinds - both personal and real property.When buying or selling a home (real property), you may also be purchasing or di...

For the homeowner planning to sell, one of the best sources of ready, willing and able buyers are the "out-of-town" purchasers.  They posess all the qualities desired in a buyer, i.e. the motivation to purchase quickly, sufficient dwonpayment to qualify them for a mortgage, and stable employment ...

Remember the old story, "The Emperor's New Clothes"?  It told how a wonderful new suit of clothes was woven especially for the emperor.  The suit of clothes was invisible and when he went out in public, he was always complimented by his subjects on the beauty of his new clothing.  No one wanted t...

Think back for a moment to your high school or college days.  Remember the one individual who always seemed to make high 90's or 100 on every exam?  That person rose above the rest of the crowd and always made straight "A"s.  But how did they do it?There is a phrase that explains those high grade...