Diana Perez, B.S., Realtor® Asst. Mgmt. Executive

It is not the experience of today that drives us mad; it is remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring". Unknown Author

Continued From Part Deux - Buyers and Sellers Have Feelings Too

We all know someone that somehow seems to be unhappy with whatever they do or how they do it or actually never happy with us no matter how much we try to please them to make them happy. It could be our mom or dad, spouse, child, teacher, or boss...a home buyer or a home seller.

I once had a prospective buyer who was not happy with my services no matter how many 'extra miles' I went for them or how much time I spent with them looking for properties for them online. This included going to the premises and taking more images, acquiring floor plans...can you believe it? Not that I actually did it but, why did I even think of allowing this predicament? I was saying yes to my buyer because I felt desperate to ‘sell'. Give me anything, (single-family homes, residential income, commercial properties, bulk REO's) I'll do it!! Having experience with diversified real estate channels can be a blessing or can it be a curse?

The ethical and professional standards for a Realtor are to constantly seek self-improvement on an educational, social, and professional level to better serve their customers.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the worlds largest professional real estate organization encourages Realtor's to seek additional real estate educational classes and seminars to continuously further their education, and "...promote professionalism and improve ethical standards helping to mark the true professional". The NAR also discourages Realtors from dealing with specializations that they are not adept to.

Eradicating the thought that ‘one bad apple does not spoil the whole tree' arises a public morality that categorically defines the failure or success of a real estate professional. Ingenuity however refines an establishment that basically enforces action to act upon our character; otherwise it may become difficult to build our reputation on genuine professional standards including the way we handle our business.

Like a Beautiful Diamond, Character is Formed by Pressure and Polished by Friction

Building Character = Self-Respect.

It may have been written time and time again how the media justifies the real estate industry as a 'remarkable phenomenon' (unlike anything else) that evolves a destructive industrialist pattern in how we deal with buyers and sellers. In the past and until present, some real estate professionals were and are still offering castles in the sky to home buyers on home buying when in actuality most of the buyers from the 2005-2006 real estate/mortgage/financing saga erupted false loan applications. These were buyers where they were not supposed to be given a pen to sign with in the first place...

To Be Continued...Part Quattro - Once Driven, Forever Real Estate...

Did you know that there are over 200 varieties of mangos? Mangos are best known as a tropical fruit due to its naturally grown state in tropical weather. From the Angie (Florida) to the San Felipe (Cuba) which are abundant in Hialeah, FL, its delicious aroma and taste make your taste buds water.

Come and see the entire mango varieties at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden located in the city of Coral Gables, Florida at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156. Driving Directions: (305) 667-1651 or use www.mapquest.com - www.fairchildgarden.org

Don't just sample and taste, get educated! Bring your entire family. Fun activities for kids.

Video

Program and Map

Diana's Mango Tropicale Smoothie

1 Large Ripe Mango
Juice of 2 Oranges
Juice of ½ Lemon
½ Ripe Banana
½ Cup of Fresh Water
1 Cup of Ice
Dash of Cinnamon (optional)

Peel mango and cut to small pieces. Juice the 2 oranges and lemon and pour into a blender. Slice ½ banana, pour the ½ cup of water, add the 1 cup of ice and add a dash of cinnamon to taste into blender and blend until smooth. Makes 4 - 6 oz. cups. Delicious and Refreshing - Enjoy!

Saturday July 11th & Sunday July 12th - Hours are 9:30 am to 4:30 pm NO PETS unless it is a service animal.

Admission: Adults: $20 - 65 years and older $15 - Kids 6-17 $10 - Children 5 years and younger Free

Continued From I Refuse to Become Bitter - A Mini Series of The Daily Life of a Realtor: Part One

Who makes the real estate market? Buyers and Sellers. Do buyers and sellers mark a stance in the real estate industry as well? Of course they do! Without them, there would be no industry, no market, no foundation to build houses and homes, no real estate agents, or home loans.

But, what about buyers and sellers? Have we forgotten that it is all about them? Putting our fiduciary duties to practice? What about the silent screams from victimized homebuyers and homeowners that permeate through massive stacks of real estate loan contracts piled up on someones desk at a bank or lending institution awaiting foreclosure or their loans modified? These loans are documents that echo the frustrations from real estate loan contracts gone wrong.

A lot of mistakes have occurred in the past years and the damage is unquestionably done. Who is to blame for the mortgage crisis is a query that does not dissolve with a snap of a finger. It is going to take years to rectify the foreclosure saga that entails too many financial hardships and fingers pointed at in every direction, yet solutions seemed to be a parallel shadow of loan modification programs, yet once again, another one has bit the dust.

Real estate agents bitter? How about buyers and sellers? The ones that make our market, the market that we enthrall ourselves in to because we love what we do, sell real estate, help buyers and sellers achieve homeownership and investment goals?

Meanwhile, back in the real estate jungle, juggle and struggle...

I Refuse to Become Bitter...Part Tres: Building Character

The State of Florida Mortgage Frauds on the Rise: Fraudulent Loan Modification Companies

Florida mortgage frauds are an epidemic and are on the rise while vulnerable homeowner's that are being subjugated by up front fees are increasing in numbers as loan modification companies are making false statements and services for services not yet completed.

The State of Florida was ranked #2 in foreclosures with 245,000 foreclosed homes in 2007 alone while it was ranked the highest in mortgage fraud. In the meantime, unscrupulous scam artists encumbered vulnerable homeowners into deceptive ‘foreclosure avoidance' by charging illegal up front fees, an act punishable by law according to Florida Statutes s.501.1377.

More than *50% of homeowner's who are or think they will be behind on their mortgage payments fail to contact their lender directly and feel that they need to contact a third party to rescue them of their defaulted mortgage payments, according to the Office of the Attorney General's website in Florida.

Homeowner's that are facing difficulties in making their mortgage payments are encouraged to contact their primary lender before contacting any ‘mortgage rescue companies' who claim that they can stop foreclosure or modify their mortgage by paying up front fees until services have been rendered from such acclaimed mortgage rescue companies. Your lender may be able to help you at no charge and have workout options to help you save your home.

But, if you feel that you have already fallen prey and have been victimized and scammed by a disreputable mortgage loan modification company, you may file a complaint by calling 1-866-9-NO SCAM or go to www.myfloridalegal.com

The following are current Florida investigations with accusations by the Office of The Attorney General in the State of Florida from companies that are being investigated in various cities of Florida by the Economic Crimes Division.

"Giving appearances that they provide federal government funds"

"Unfair and deceptive trade practices (most common complaint)"

"Utilizing client contract not in compliance with Florida Statutes s.501.1377"

"Collecting up-front fees from homeowners facing foreclosures s.501.1377"

"Continuing monthly withdrawals from consumer's bank account from collecting up-front fees and claiming to be a non-profit organization"

"Charging up front fees with a lawyer referral for loan modifications"

"Loan Modification Company operating under a fictitious name: (Fictitious Name Registration Act 865.09 FS.)

"Misrepresentation in deal documents"

"Using form contracts that do not appear to comply with disclosure and refund requirements"

"Soliciting and securing fees prior to completion of services in violation with s. 501.1377"

"Failure to perform services"

"Unlicensed practice of law"

"Unethical lawyer referrals in violation of Florida Bar Rules"

"Making performance guarantee, which guarantees actions of third parties that cannot be guaranteed"

"Overstating success rate, excessive fees F.S. Chapter 817 Part IV - Excessive Fees for debt management services"

"Deception to avoid invocation of due on sale clauses"

"Misrepresenting relationships with lenders"

"Falsely advertising the presence of an attorney "

Consumer awareness and education is a prevalent key to preventing a homeowner's dream into a nightmare. Help spread the word.

Consumer Resources:

Florida Statues s.501.1377 What you need to and should know about your rights as a homeowner seeking mortgage loan relief.

It is highly advisable that you hire an attorney before signing any documents regarding your mortgage loan:

Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-342-8060 http://www.floridabar.org

If you are not able to afford an attorney, a HUD representative may help assist and direct you to the program(s) best suitable and available for you.

Go to the HUD website for additional information concerning mortgages or the Housing Counseling Agency to help you find a HUD approved housing counselor nearest you. 1-800-569-4287.

*Florida Avoidance Research by Freddie Mac

Florida Foreclosure Avoidance Counselor Agencies

Mortgage Borrower's Rights

Protect Yourself and Your Home! Tips on Avoiding Mortgage Foreclosure

Mortgage Fraud Blog by Rachel Dollar - Ms. Rachel Dollar is an attorney, certified Mortgage Banker, and a nationally recognized speaker on mortgage fraud, and handles fraud recovery litigation for lenders and secondary market investors nationwide.

Related ActiveRain Blog by Christopher and Natascha Tello of Pembroke Pines, Florida
Two Large South Florida Loan Modification Companies Have Been Closed Down by the Attorney General's Office

The above defendant accusations are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

One of the biggest complaints of buyers and sellers in the real estate business is that their Realtor (or their Realtor's) does not communicate with them enough, an attribute that Realtor's should acquire from day one of setting foot in the business. In essence, some Realtor's have become desolately bitter from the business. Regardless of the circumstances of today's uncertain real estate market and saga, maybe it is time to quit or, go with the flow. Uncertainties does not make or break an industry or a market, only individuals who choose to live, act, and think that it does.

I just wrote on my Facebook status two days ago how rude and cold real estate agents can be and how they have seemingly lost their finesse in the business. One person replied, "Yeah, its true", and another, "Not at EWM!"

Not that I discredit the philosophy of any brokerage's agent/client/customer relations. It is not the real estate firm/agency/broker that can shape an agent's business character per se (or so it is), but to me, it is the agent that makes a name for themselves while representing the real estate brokerage firm that they work for.

Although a broker's business' mission, vision, and philosophy reflects the identity of their business with professionalism, integrity, reputation and respect within a particular company and their agents, the majority of the times brokers have a company policy that helps to personify professional ethics within this industry, a practicality that should remain that way. But not everybody is on the same page of how professionalism and ethics plays an imminent role in the real estate business.

Our attitudes can make or break a company but most importantly, our reputation as real estate agents. There is one agent that I would NEVER call. My apologies for Mr. / Mrs. Buyer for my indirect/'unprofessional'/'unethical' behavior, but I cannot tolerate the fact that another Realtor has offended me or treated me with so much disrespect that they devalue my persona and discredit the hard working years of experience as a Realtor. I refuse to become bitter...

Part I of a A Mini Series of the Daily Life of a Realtor - I Refuse to Become Bitter...