Gwenn Tanvas-Mortgage Pros of Wisconsin - FHA Loans - VA Loans - USDA Rural -

While walking through his corn field, Ray hears a voice whisper, "If you build it, he will come"... This is the conception of Real Estate Facebook fan pages, but nobody likes me!

So, you have built this amazing Fan Page... now what? In order for your page to be successful, you are going to have to be a bit strategic. What is your objective? Is your vision clear as to the purpose of your page?

Below are 5 Tips to help turn your fan page into a success:

Tip 1: Change Your Identity and Be Your Page
After logging into your Facebook account, click on the Account link to change your profile from you, personally to "Real Estate Agent", your fan page.

By making this simple switch, you have now transformed your personal profile to your Real Estate Business Page. In doing this, every time you post, comment or like another status update or page, you are doing so as your business. This is a great way to get your name blasted out beyond your fan page, and bring attention to your Real Estate Business.

Tip 2. BIG NO NO... DO NOT SELL

Contrary to popular belief, Facebook is NOT the place to be advertising your listings. I know it is tempting, but do not cave into it! People search online for listings, but they do NOT go to Facebook to search for homes. Do you really want to look like a talking head? People on Facebook are interested in you, not your latest listing. Remember it is all about them and the value you can bring to them as a professional and a trusted advisor.

Tip 3. It is all about Giving

A true gift has no strings... Giving with an ulterior motive is not a gift. Providing true value to your prospective clients, without wanting something in return is key to building trust and relationships. So often the mindset is to sell, sell, sell... This may be a hard one to wrap your head around, but if you truly make this switch, you will find that you will create a win, win for all. With that being said, what is your gift? KNOWLEDGE. By providing information on your market area - whether it is upcoming events, area attractions, market reports or promoting or reporting on a new or existing business in town - you will be seen as knowledgeable and giving; a valuable source for local information that can be relied upon. What a great way to build relationships!

Tip 4. Let you Hair Down and Be Yourself

Transparency is key... Go ahead and share your personality. People are truly interested in you so open up and get real! It is human nature! People gravitate towards others who are transparent and relative. Share your life... Post a comment about an amusing situation at the restaurant last night, or the wonderful silly things your kids say or do - remember - unlike you; everyone doesn't live and breathe Real Estate 24/7.! (big smile) Simply remember to talk about things that will show your personality and allow others to get to know you.

Tip 5. Be a Good Listener

Have you ever heard the saying... "Your Actons Speak So loudly, I Cannot Hear What You Are Saying"... Communication it is not just about talking. It's about listening too. If you listen, you will hear what your potential audience is saying to you. Listening will allow you to get into the mind of your prospect. Once you know what is on their mind, you can respond with valuable information that is of interest to them. If you just continue to spill out what you think they want, you'll never have the opportunity to really learn what it is they TRULY want. Deliver what they want and they will LIKE YOU. Do a little research to find out where you're prospective new FANS hang out on Facebook and go listen to them. Try Facebook's search tool to find people that are talking about moving. Chime in and let them get to know you.

I truly hope this information provides you with value. I would love here your comments, so please do not be shy... Make it great what ever you choose to do...

To Your Success...

The snow has melted and the Wisconsin landscape is beginning to show its beauty after the long winter. This is my favorite time of year. The home buying season is gaining momentum and with the renewed activity, First-Time home buyers are emerging and looking to take advantage of the great interest rates and affordable home coming on the market.

It is important that first-time home buyers prepare for the process. With that being said, I have put together a list of ways to prepare for the Wisconsin home buying opportuities. I hope you find this information helpful...

1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.

2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.

3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.

4. Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don't forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs - including taxes, attorney's fee, and transfer fees - average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price.

5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.

6. Determine your mortgage qualifications. How large of mortgage do you qualify for? Also, explore different loan options - such as 30-year or 15-year fixed mortgages or ARMs - and decide what's best for you.

7. Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan. You might need W-2 forms, copies of at least one pay stub, account numbers, and copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements.

8. Weigh other sources of help with a down payment. Do you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs? Check with your state and local government on down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. Or, if you have an IRA account, you can use the money you've saved to buy your fist home without paying a penalty for early withdrawal.

9. Calculate the costs of homeownership. This should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, and association fees, if applicable.

10. Contact a REALTOR®. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help guide you through the process.

If you need any help and are located in the Greater Fox Vally area including Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Oshkosh, Green Bay and surounding towns, please feel free to reach out to us... We are here to help.

Stop Paying Rent Forever!
Six Tips To Help Save You Money...And Anxiety!

As interest rates continue to hover around their thirty-year lows, a multitude of flexible and low cost loan financing programs are still available as well as a wide variety of assistance programs that can help virtually anybody experience the joy of Home Ownership. In short, the time is right for buying a home.

However, if you have always been a renter then you probably aren't as well informed of the intimate processes of obtaining a home mortgage as you'd like to be. To guide you through this exciting but often confusing time, this report details six tips that will help make your purchase a much smoother experience, save you money and eliminate your anxieties.

1) Get Pre-Qualified Before Starting Your Search

Before you begin looking for the home of your dreams, before you make one single decision regarding a home purchase, get pre-qualified by a mortgage professional. This is a FREE service offered and will give you a definite advantage in the buying process.

During the evaluation stage, we'll look at your financial situation and help you figure out how much home you can afford. This may influence your decision for size, amenities and location, which will help narrow your search.

Pre-qualification will also give you a step up on your competition. Home Buyers that are pre-qualified have increased leverage over buyers who are not. Essentially a pre-qualified buyer becomes a "cash" buyer.

2) Shop Around For A Mortgage Professional

Like most industries, the quality of mortgage professionals can and does vary significantly. So don't immediately settle on the first lender you talk to. Shop your mortgage around to until you find someone that you completely and unconditionally trust. "I think you will find that just may be me" BIG SMILE!!!!.

While rates are certainly one of the most significant factors in choosing a lender, there are other things to consider as well. Compare closing costs, whether there are "points" involved or not (the percentage of the mortgage that the originator takes as commission), and how long your pre-qualification is good for are all things to consider.

3) Don't Become Fixated On The Interest Rate Alone!

Be careful! The lowest interest rate does not always translate to the best deal. Look at the total loan program that is being offered, not just the rate. There are several factors that have to be taken into account when evaluating programs: the loan type (fixed or adjustable), the loan term (15 year or 30 year), the closing costs and the down payment requirement.

4) Clean Up Your Credit

By getting pre-qualified, you will be made aware of any potential credit problems in your credit history. Don't despair if the credit report is not stellar. I work very closely with an attorney group that has had great results with credit restoration. Our average client sees an average 127 point increase in as little as 6 months.

Review your credit report carefully. It is very common for non-payments to be listed that are not even yours. This is something I can help you with. Many times, a simple letter to the creditor explaining the circumstances at the time of the incident will rectify the situation. However this may take a few months, so start early. If the challenge is more serious, we can work with an proven credit restoration association.

5) Use A Realtor

When buying a home, the biggest mistake you can make is believing that you can save money if you do not use a Realtor. Although the seller pays the commissions, some listing agents will tell you they can represent both you and the seller fairly. While in some cases this may certainly be true, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Get a real estate agent that represents your interests solely. A buyer's agent will make sure the home is inspected properly, be diligent on any hidden discovery, and most importantly, save you money by negotiating the price of your new home. The money you save will more than off-set any reduction in price due to the commissions not being paid by the seller. If you need help selecting an agent, I would be happy to recommend one.

6) What Do You Want In A Home?

There will be many decisions as you start this process. Your real estate agent will take you to several different homes, some of which you will like and some you won't, but most will land somewhere in between.

"I love this home except it doesn't have..." or "That home would be perfect if it only had..." will be common phrases during this process.

Decide now what features you feel are "necessities" in a home and which features are items that would be "nice to have." This list, will no doubt change the further along you go but the list will be extremely useful as you begin to look at homes. It will also be useful to the agent so he/she can better qualify the homes you see.

Most importantly, enjoy the process. Buying a home should be a very exciting time. Rely on a team of professionals to make the process as easy as possible. If you are buying in Wisconsin, please feel free to give my office a call for a FREE consultation. If you need a recommendation to a "Trusted Lending Professional" outside of Wisconsin, we are happy to make a recommendation... Remember IT IS ALL ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BEST INTEREST.

I sincerely hope these tips are of value to you. If there is any way I can be of service to you please contact my office. I would consider it a privilege to be of service to you!