Jeff Fulgham Broker E-Pro ABR

Wow. If you are in a buying position right now there are tons of deals to be had. Never before has there been so many foreclosures on the market here in the Notheast Mississippi area. While I still believe our part of the country isn't as hard hit as other parts of the country we are feeling the mortgage squeeze. Right now Investors in real estate should be jumping all over the many homes they have to chose from.

Remeber the past and make strides in the future. Some of the wealthiest people in our world today always buy when the markets are tanking. Those people who were buying stock during the great depresson were quickly made into very rich people when the markets picked back up. Just like the great depression this real estate market will pick up and hum again.

The problem were are experiencing right now has its root in the exact same situation that has caused many recessions over the years. In 2007 we had a negative savings rate. People are getting into debt and are not able to climb out of the whole they have dug themselves into. Now I am not blaming bankers or lenders for this problem. Although they had a hand in it. We all know that banks were throwing money at anyone with a pulse just 2 years ago but no one held a gun to the consumers head and made them buy more home than they could afford. I am also not asking the governement to get involved in helping people who bought too much and now cant afford to make there payments. Hard lessons learned are not quickly forgottten

So my advice is Investors jump in full force and start buying up those foreclosures.

Well I finally did it. I broke down and bought the i-phone. I was skeptical but I jumped in both feet first and took the plunge into the world of apple.

There are some things I love some I like and some I wish were better.

The email function is perfect. It automatically checks email and I can easily type and send email from the phone.

The sms text is great works just as it should.

I love the calander. It seemlessly syncs with Outlook calander and both update each other.

The camera is great and takes very good pics for a cell phone.

You tube is good. I like you tube as well as the next guy. The weather option is a nice plus as is the maps with google earth. The clock works great and the calculater is awsome just like a regular calculater.

The phone works as good as any other phone I have had.

The Inter net is awesome. It is the full internet no blacked out unfunctioning pages. The ipod is good. With ear phones it rocks but the speakers in the phone leave something to be desired.

THE BAD

No games.

Nope none nada. I can't sit in a closing attorneys lobby playing solitaire. You also can't use your music as a ring tone.

Just this week we have had news of another supplier for the future Toyota Plant here in tupelo. The particular supplier will be Toyota Auto Body. It will locate its 200 million dollar plant in Baldwyn just 10 miles north of Tupleo. This plant will employ another 400 people and bring a much needed boost to North Lee County. These suppliers are boosting wages and employment. This is just one in a long line of suppliers that will be locating in our area due to the highlander plant that will be located in Blue Springs just 15 miles northwest of Tupelo. The Toyota plant will bring 2000 jobs by itself but will indirectly bring in about 6000 jobs. That means many home sales and lots of growth for our area.

Thanks Toyota.

www.tuprealty.com

Did you know that all real estate agents are not Realtors? Realtor is a trade mark name for members of the National Association of Realtors. All Relators are real estate agents, licensed in thier respective states. However, all real estate agents are not Realtors.

So why choose a Realtor? We as realtors have dedicated our selves to the betterment of our profession. We are guided by a strict code of ethics. One that is much farther reaching then most state laws. We are dedicated to providing honest, fair dealings to our clients and working hard to protect their interests in a transaction and not just our own bottomline.

Now I am not saying we are all perfect. You must be careful when dealing with any realestate firm. Ask around about your agents reputation. I know Realors who are absolutly unscrupulous. All they are concerned about is making a dollar with no regaurd for anyone but their own pocket books.

So before working with anyone ask around and find out who you are dealing with. Check out the agents and thier broker. Remember that when you are working with an agent you are ultimately working with thier broker.

Above all work with a Relator not just a real estate agent.

Are you facing foreclosure. Is your lender breathing down your neck and you think it is inevitable that your home will be taken from you. Many others are in the same situation. They have Adjustable Rate Mortgages just like you and like you their payments have gone up so drastically that they can no longer afford the payments.

First thing you must do is not be embarrassed. Thousands of Americans are just like you. Do not be hassatant to ask for help.

Second you might wonder who you should talk with. Have you thought about talking with a realtor? Thats right a real estate professional. Some of us are very informed on things like short sales. A realtor will be more likely to give you good solid advice on what to do than some one trying to lend you money. They ca help you decide if you should seek a short sale, put your home on the market and sell it for what you owe, refinance and in some cases the best thing to do may be just walk away.

If you are facing foreclosure give a call to a realtor you know and trust. If you are in the Northeast Mississippi area call me and I will be glad to help you any way I can.

Do you guys see a trend with the people you attract through your website. I do. I am not complaining and I have come to really love the first time home buyer. I see a definite trend that I attract the younger people through the website. A majority of my clients are first time home buyers. I think this is probably the case for most of us.

Dealing with the first time home buyer is most assuredly different than dealing with seasoned buyers. I have come to really enjoy working with the younger folks. Once the learn that your job is to get them in the house they want and you don't use high pressure tactics on them you have a client for life with all the referals you can handle.

If you are a first time home buyer and are looking for a home for sale in Tupelo, MS call me today. I will make the process smooth and worry free for you.

Once you have decided to purchase a new home You should follow a few simple steps to help locate your dream home.

Step #1

Start by compiling a list of features that you want in your next home. When you write down a feature explain in writig why you want that particular feature. Put these in the order of priority. As you go through the buying process you may have to make some compremising so prioritizing is key. Also talk with your Realtor about location. This is the biggest decision you will make. Have your Realtor share local information about each area of interest.

Jeff Fulgham

Helping buyers and sellers of real estate in Tupelo, MS.

As some of you know I posted a blog entry on the Immigration Bill that was before our Senate this week. I can say I stood up and let my Senators know what I thought about the bill. Thank God it was defeated

Now I understand this can be a touchy subject and let me explain. I am not against legal immigration. I am also realist in the face of having 20 million illegals here. I do not expect those illegally here to be picked up and deported. I am for simplifying the process of becoming a citizen.

I was however against this bill. The main concern I have is for the security of our nation and our sovereignty. While good hard working people are coming over our borders illegally terrorist are coming with them. If we can not secure our borders we will be faced with having to fight terrorism here in America. If you think I am crazy just "click here" and read this report prepared by Congressman McCaul form Texas. It is an in-depth report about what is happening at our border.

My request from our leaders is for them to stand up and force local, state, and federal officials to enforce the laws we have on the books now. If you were not familiar with this bill there was not a single new law in it to secure our border. The only think that was guaranteed in the bill was that all illegals would be granted instant legal status after a 24 hour back ground check. Now if you are a traveler they have suspended the requirement fo Americans to have passports to travel to the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico. Why? because they were taking 6 months to process one passport. Are we supposed to believe they are going to be able to do back ground checks on 20 million illegal aliens? ( have you been to the DMV lately?)

I know some think it is not good for business to be politically active but I disagree. I think people like those who stand up for what they think is right. I don't know about you but I am fed up with our government not accomplishing anything. I am fed up with all the investigations they waste our money on while arguing amongst each other and trash talking about each other on national TV. I am a Republican but I am sick of the Republicans as well as the Democrats.

Another disturbing thing is why do they all decide to agree on this bill? They never agree on anything but all of a sudden they get back bones and stand up for something. They all decide to stand against a majority of the American people. Are we not the people that sent them thier? Are they not suppose to stand up for what the majority want?

I hope everyone of you who read this will start standing up for something. Even if you disagree with me get involved. Go out there and let your voice be heard. Not just at the polls. A simple vote is not enough anymore. You need to be aware of what is going on in your government and write your senators and let them know what you think.

I am rapidly becoming a seasoned expert in dealing with first time home buyers. I have been blessed to work with some great folks over the last few months. It seems since I am working so hard on my web presence I am attracting the younger crowd which is fine with me. Not to say I don't enjoy working with seasoned home buyers but the first time home buyers is challenging and rewarding. I would like to offer some general advice to the first time home buyer.

* If you are looking for real estate in Tupelo, MScall me. :) Just kidding. while I would love to work with you the most important thing you can do is find a Realtor who you can trust. Find one that fits your personality, that you feel comfortable with and that calls you back when you call.

* Take your time but when you find the right home move quickly. Homes can sale over night so when you find the right one for you make an offer immediately.

* While this is a buyers market don't think you are going to low ball the offer and get the home. In a market that is slow you can bet that the house is usually priced right.

* Listen to your Realtor. We are trained professionals with experience in the negotiation process. If we tell you that the offer is too low then usually it is too low.

*Listen to your Realtor but make sure your Realtor is listening to you. If you tell them that your top dollar is 140,000 and the insist on showing you 200,000 dollar houses it might be time to find a new agent.

*Get approved for your loan before you go out looking. When you find the home of your dreams you want to be able to move on it right away. If you are not approved you might not be able to move on it especially if it is on the weekend.

*Don't think any question is silly. Ask any question you want and if your Realtor doesn't take the question seriously it might be time to find a new Realtor.

*This one wil probably get me in trouble but I would suggest not calling the Realtor on the sign. I would explain it this way. If I were suing you, you would not hire my attorney to represent you.

If you are a first time home buyer and want information about the buying process feel free to email me any time.

Jeff Fulgham

T.U.P. Realty

2202 West Main

Tupelo, MS 38801

662-322-5674

http://www.tuprealty.com/

fulghamj@comcast.net