Mike Chung

I'm looking to unload some of the burden that goes along with doing short sale listings. Can anyone recommend a short sale negotiator that does business in the Northern Virginia area? I'm basically looking to have someone that can interact with the client and help them put together the short sale package for the bank and someone that has a good track record of being able to CLOSE these transactions and see them through to fruition.

If anyone in the Active Rain community can recommend someone to me then it would be much appreciated!

I've received this comment a couple times from buyers that I've been showing homes too. Unfortunately, in our market, with the $8,000 tax credit on the verge of going the way of the dinosaur (barring an extension in the next couple weeks), there's a flood of buyers that are trying to purchase and settle before the credit expires. The clients that I'm working with find that they are constantly going up against multiple offers... especially in the lower priced market which is where most of the first time home buyers are looking.

I wonder though if its not so bad for these clients if the tax credit does expire. The credit has artificially increased demand which has many of these properties selling for above list price. Once the credit expires, I would think that the demand will go down bringing prices down along with it... effectively offsetting the loss of the tax credit. Who knows... the buyers that miss the $8,000 tax credit might actually come out ahead! =)

With Ameridream and Nehemiah down payment assistance programs going the way of the dinosaur, no money down programs have quickly followed suit. For those in the Northern Virginia area, there is still an option that will allow no down payment and that is the VHDA FHA plus program. There are some restrictions that apply such as income and first time home owner requirements but nevertheless, it still is a viable option for those that don't have much money to put down.

For additional information, you can go to vhda.com . If you or someone you know is a first time home buyer in northern virginia and might be interested in seeing if this program is for you, feel free to contact me at mikechung@exitadv.com .

Mike

In these tough economic times, its always good to infuse your minds with positive thoughts. Here's a few quotes that I've used over the years to keep me going:

Thomas A. Edison: Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

Vincent Lombardi: Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.

Thomas Edison: Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

Unknown: Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

Abraham Lincoln: Things may come to those who wait, but only things left by those who hustle.

Christopher Morley: Perseverance The big shots are only the little shots who keep shooting.

Chinese proverb: The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

Thomas Paine: The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

Roger Bannister: The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.

Babe Ruth: It's hard to beat a person who never gives up.

Bruce Jenner: I learned that the only way you are going to get anywhere in life is to work hard at it. Whether you're a musician, a writer, an athlete or a businessman, there is no getting around it. If you do, you'll win - if you don't you won't.

African Proverb: Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

Decide carefully, exactly what you want in life, then work like mad to make sure you get it! You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.

Great thoughts to live your professional life by... and my personal favorite:

Timid realtors have skinny kids =)