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Fred Thomas, III / VP, CB, Broker of Record

Happy Tuesday AR's - Check out today's show 1pm PST

Today's show will start at 1:00pm Sharp rather than 12:00pm as previously announced. The show will last approximately 30 minutes and if you are new to BlogRadio - the good news is you can participate (listen & call in) from your computer.

To access the show's link

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Realfaqs

Call-in Number: (347) 215-7038

Real Estate professionals need RIGHT NOW.........before it's too late!!!

As economic news continues to lead most discussion these days, an issue which appeared very innocent has Going Downcrept into economic and credit news and just when you thought things might turn around Real Estate professionals must protect general consumers, otherwise their market will continue to disappear....right before our eyes!!!

Credit scoring controlled by FICO and their scoring model is reeking havoc for customers whose credit is greatly affected for various reasons. FICO proved beneficial and received wide acceptance starting in the mid to late '90's and is a great tool as long as credit is flowing. The manual system previously used was literally dumped as being "out of step" as economic models called for the need to integrate technology which brought on many automated systems with the bottom line goal of making credit more affordable.

HERE'S THE ISSUE...........FICO is based on various components. One critical component is the percentage of credit used in consideration of the respective loan/credit limit. Seem simple enough - right? No one would argue with prudent credit management.......on the consumer end, as well as the creditor end. Unfortunately as the economy has spiraled out of control and the credit markets hammered resulting in many creditors going out of business or invoking provisions of their various customer agreement to generate additional interest/payment income AS MORE CONSUMERS THAT YOU WOULD THINK - ARE BEING STUNNED AND HIT WITH THE DOUBLE-BARREL BAT:

  • Reduction of their Credit Limit.
  • Resulting in their proportion to credit being higher therefore affecting their FICO score.

FICO

We're not arguing that creditors should not take provisions to protect themselves by controlling their exposure, nor are we arguing that consumers should not be graded on accurate data from their credit profile. What we are suggesting is we are Real Estate professionals should lobby whoever we need to so that FICO in particular amends their scoring model to the relative economy, not necessarily components used while the economy was booming. In other words, a simple handicap is suggested to either reduce the percentage of the "Credit Used" or adjust the component, so a clearer picture can be provided, without arbitrarily moving a otherwise good credit candidate into a deficient category. Obviously this is just a quick stab at the problem but the facts are clear if consumers are affected by their credit being eroded, it will affect their ability to participate in the market, currently or when it turns around because after all, it will be the consumers spending money which will get the economy moving again.

Talk to your local Board or Association of Realtors, your local consumer groups, your political representatives about this issue because while we have come to realize that FICO is here to stay, we simply want grading to be fair and adjusted accordingly as components change.

That's if you agree. Either way, what's your 2 cents????

More Loan Mod info.........

as the process continues to allude those in need. Is this another Bait/Switch???, Smoke/Mirrors??? or other type of scheme that produces none, if any results for those who could geniunely benefit from the program???

http://modifypro.blogspot.com/

Loan Mods & The Bailout

uncle sam looking for bailoutWith the timing of the

foreclosure crisis resulting into Loan Modifications as the solution to resolve the crisis homeowners are experiencing, the results were paltry at best and coincidentally criss-crossed with the now infamous discussion of Bailouts.

Now we're really in a jam!!!!!

Paulson intimated using a "Bailout" to help homeowners as a ploy to game the politicians in approving the plan, when in fact that was never the intention as how could you possible justify starting the game with AIG's boost?

Months later the very homeowners who were the topic of discussion in getting the bailout approved have been left stranded, and in fact many have lost their homes as the clock simply ran out.

Anyway, now that Bailoutmania has started you might as well heal all those in need, otherwise you most certainly will leave a group disenfranchised. Many colleagues and clients I speak to are asking - "where is the bailout for folks who make their mortgage payments on time - - why are people who took a mortgage out and who are experiencing tough times be the only one receiving help?????"

Our economy is built on consumers ability to spend and if that ability is affected, what we currently are experiencing (as an economy) will be our reality. Therefore we are in support of whatever measure is necessary to get this economic engine moving - bailout, grant, gift - it doesn't matter as evidenced by the long line of companies with their hands out seeking bailout assistance. Also, on a side note, some or perhaps I should say most are the very culprits reeking havoc, as they are reducing payrolls at an alarming rate, and unfortunately those people at the middle to lower will die, if they do not have the ability to earn income - hence A JOB.

Anyway, stay tuned as this issue will be hot fodder well into 2009.

Bailout news continues to lead discussion

Since we started................when should we end it?? or who gets what????and how much????

Is this socialism? Is socialism a bad thing? The bottom line is WE THE PEOPLE own the treasury and can bail out whoever we wish. It was pretty refreshing to see President-elect Obama roll out his economic team and bring this issue to the forefront - EVERYONE NEEDS BAILING OUT!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, however you define it......most of us on Activerain are business owners or tied to providing services to consumers, so unless the consumers have the means to purchase what we are selling - we will continue to die on the vine. In addition the the much pronounced "Jobs Workout" program which is desparately needed as our infrastruture could use some improvement, we need to create incentives for people to be able to earn money (from the bottom to the top) - as that is the gas which keeps our economy rolling.

Paulson unfortunately pulled a hat trick and misrepresented his intention of getting the bailout approved. Maybe they should drag him into federal court for lying on his loan application??? Finally, they need to cut the bull and work out a solid plan to help those in foreclosure who have shown a solid desire to keep their home. We simply cannot afford any more blight as the neighbor who is paying his mortgage on time and whose home is in good shape is in jeopardy if the neighborhood goes up in smoke!!!!!!!!!