Brenda Jackson

Two words....Get Prequalified! Before you go and look inside the home of your dreams it is a good idea to sit down with your lender and get prequalified. Lenders are asking for more documentation these days so be ready to show them copies of everything except your kitchen sink.

The process can be daunting but if you are working with a Realtor who knows your market and is a full time Realtor he/she will be able to assist you in gathering documents and talking with lenders.

It can be a real bummer if you find your dream home that cost $200,000 only to find out that you qualify for $150,000. So, talk with your Realtor and you lender/s and find our what you are qualified to buy. After all, you are in a much stronger position when you can submit your lenders letter along with your offer.

So...Happy House Hunting! and may you find your dream home soon.

As I watch the sun rise over Mt. Harris from my home office window the morning bird calls are music to my ears. We have feeders and nesting boxes all over our ten acres and are rewarded with a constantly changing array of our fine feathered friends. We've had more humming birds than in years past and they are simply amazing aerial acrobats!

So, HAFA...I was so excited. My last short sale with BOA fell into the HAFA guidelines. We had offer and acceptance. We had all the documents uploaded three separate times because they disappeared into cyberspace. My client, the Seller, also uploaded her documentation three times. Hundreds of phone calls, emails, login's and finally we are notified that we have MI approval for the sale.

My Seller gets a notice that their loan is being sold. I immediately get online and talk with my negotiator. No problem he says. I confirm and reconfirm that we have been notified the loan has been bundled and sold to "X". But we have MI approval now, we can go to docs, we have 3 weeks to close this so the Buyer gets his tax credit! No problem my negotiator says. I go home and even sleep knowing that this 3 month short sale will close.

Next day I check my email....BOA says loan sold and gives me the contact info for the new company. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. Here I thought Equator, as a tool for short sales, would be great but now I have another opinion.

Move to the next day...I receive an email from my Negotiator with Equator that confirms the MI approval and extends the closng date! I immediately email him directly (not supposed to do this) and ask what is going on. He says it was a mistake. In my opinion this system is not working up to par.

Of course I contacted the new company servicing the loan and yes, they have a short sale department but it will take about 6-8 weeks to move through the process depending on how quickly the valuation process goes. Don't these people talk to each other? I've been in the business for over 20 years and have enjoyed the heights of a good market and survived the down markets. I have completed many short sales and keep myself educated with the latest info on short sales but I am very disappointed in how this is working now.

The Buyer found a nice little home to buy that was not a short sale. The Seller has the home back on market, albeit a bit slower market. Our area doesn't seem to be hit quite as hard as some of you.

I'd love to hear your experiences with Equator. Or about the sunrise in your area...birds?

With little snow on the ground, the roads clear and the sun shining I have to remind myself that it is winter. This time last year we were knee deep in the white stuff (which I love)! My husband and I cross country ski from our back door onto our property and when we're really ambitious we head onto the National Forest and up the slopes of Mt. Emily. We definitely need more snow to turn our beautiful valley into the winter wonderland that I love!

I was born and raised in Mobile Alabama (but have now lived in Oregon for longer than I ever lived outside of Oregon) and heard from my niece this morning that it is snowing in Birmingham! Now that is just not right. I'm happy my niece and great nephews can play in the snow but am also a little envious. I just love the snow!

I was out showing some rural properties this morning and with the temperature in the low 40's the ground is softening and the mud thickening. I guess that is what boots are for, right?

Well, off to sell some La Grande real estate this afternoon if all goes well. Qualified, motivated buyers...just need the right piece of property to inspire.

Stay safe, stay warm and happy sales to you! Remember I love referrals and promise to deliver Service Beyond Expectations! Send me a note!

www.brendajackson.com

This is from the HUD site about Chinese or problematic drywall

This should be helpful for those who have questions about getting help with your home.

This is the post from HUD

www.brendajackson.com

Service Beyond Expectations!

If you know someone who could use my services in Union County Oregon, just give me a call! I love referrals!

877.359.9888

I just received this from a friend and thought it deserved sharing...so heads up! Not too many carjackings in La Grande that I know of, but it doesn't hurt to be aware of your surroundings!

WARNING FROM POLICE
THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN

BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--NEW WAY TO DO
CARJACKINGS (NOT A JOKE)'

Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating... You walk across
the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the > engine and
shift into Reverse.
When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking
space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear
window.
So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car
to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view.
When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out > of
nowhere, jump into your car and take off.. They practically
mow you down as they speed off in your car.

And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car.

So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, > and
your keys. Your home and your whole identity are
now compromised!


BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.

If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive
away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful that you read this
e-mail.

I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to
women.

A purse contains all kinds of personal information and > identification
documents, garage door opener, and you certainly do NOT want this to
fall into the wrong hands.

Sgt. Greg Hodgen
Rural Crime Prevention Unit
Umatilla County Sheriff's Office
Pendleton , OR . 97801
541-966-3643
ghodgen@co.umatilla.or.us

For all of your Union County Oregon real estate needs just give me a call! You can view all Oregon RMLS listings on my website www.brendajackson.com