How to Hire a Real Estate All-StarYou wouldn’t walk into a courtroom without a skilled attorney by your side.Why enter into what could be the biggest financial transaction of your life without the right real estate representation? An experienced, market-savvy agent can help you buy or sell a home quicker and at a preferred price.In many areas, highly competitive seller’s markets – low housing inventory and appreciating home prices coupled with continued low interest rates – mean that house hunters and sellers alike need expert guidance, an all-star agent who can be counted on to knock one out of the park.“Buyers are looking for an agent they can trust, someone who knows the neighborhoods intimately but who also has the relationships and the proactive nature to find homes that aren’t yet... 07/05/2016

06/06/2016

  Payment History: Part 2 Did you know that the Payment History section of your credit score accounts for 35% of your credit-score pie? This is where all of your derogatory items hang out (except for inquiries which get their own piece of the pie). Here’s a question where you might be able to guess the answer...which derogatory account weighs the most: a judgment, collection, bankruptcy, 150-day late, or a tax lien? Well it’s just another trick question because with such limi...ted information, there is no clear answer. Would you need to know the balances of each one to better assess? In general, balances are generally irrelevant on accounts when it comes to credit-score weight. Your $0 medical collection could certainly weigh more than a $100,000 tax lien. Okay, so what the heck is imp... 03/13/2016

  The Early Years Were HardHigh school wasn't easy for Bill. He wanted to fit in; he wanted to make friends; and, he desperately wanted to play sports. Unfortunately, at that age, he didn't have an athletic bone in his body. He was taller than most, lanky, awkward and highly uncoordinated. But that didn't deter Bill from following his dream of playing sports. As a 10th grader, he decided to try out for the junior varsity basketball team.  The number of roster spots on the team was limited and it seemed as if the entire 10th grade tried out for the team. So, the coach had no choice but to deliberately trim the roster. He told the kids that after each practice, he would post a list of players that would advance to the next tryout.  After the very first practice, Bill ran to the bulletin b... 01/27/2016

The Impact of Extra Mortgage Payments   Why Make an Extra Mortgage Payment?   Many of us pay more than the minimum required on our credit card bills every month, saving us money by cutting our interest payments. But what about paying down a home loan? Is that even a possibility? The answer is almost always YES. If you’re interested in paying down your mortgage faster, saving thousands over the life of the loan, you can make just one extra payment per year — or even just one extra payment once. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save! Making a Difference How much difference can one or two extra payments make? Say you have a mortgage for $210,000. Your interest rate is 4% and your monthly payments are about $1,003. If you make just one extra payment of $1,000 on your loan, just once... 01/22/2016

   When it comes to investing in the stock market, you may lose your shirt, but you probably won’t lose your home. In fact, when the equity market gets rough, real estate tends to be a life raft for investors seeking safety.“Real estate is Americans’ preferred investment for money that they won’t need for at least 10 years and that hasn’t changed,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst with New York-based Bankrate.com. “Nervous investors always look to real estate rather than shy away from it in times of volatility.”While stocks around the globe are off to a rough start in 2016, it doesn’t necessarily mean déjà vu all over again, at least when it comes to a repeat of the real estate tumble that began in 2007 but accelerated sharply following the 2008 rout of the equities market, wh... 01/15/2016

  Have you noticed that people with a positive attitude enjoy life a little more? They're generally happier too. Why is that?  John C. Maxwell says, "People may hear your words, but they FEEL your ATTITUDE!"How is it that a sports figure can suffer through a terrible season, a major slump in their performance or a career threatening injury, and come back stronger than before?  A positive attitude starts with a sincere smile. Remember, borrowers can tell if you're not fully engaged with them, if you're just going through the motions, or pretending to care. Parting PerkspectiveBefore you engage in the tasks and issues of today, take a moment to stop. Be still. Then examine your attitude. It's the one thing today that you can control. Start with a smile and one kind word, then another, and... 01/08/2016