Karen Monsour,REALTOR®, SSRS - SELLS FL WATER FRONT, SHORT SALE EXPERT!

What is an Amendatory clause? My customer asked. The mortgage broker called and told my customer that he needed her to sign an Amendatory clause for the borrower. Before my customer signs any paperwork, she always called me first to make sure she understood what she was signing and why.

Here is my response:

The HUD-92800.5B form is used to provide estimated property value to the buyer who is intending on a FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan. FHA loans are government backed mortgages for single and multi-family homes among several others. In the absence of the HUD-92800-5B form, an Amendatory clause allows the buyer/borrower with an "opt-out" clause since they have not appraised your home as of yet. The reason that this is important to the buyer is because the appraisal determines the maximum he/she may borrow and that FHA will back up. So, the buyer needs this protection. The FHA amendatory clause protects the buyer so that if the home does not appraise at the offer price, the buyer can cancel the contract without losing his/her earnest money deposit.

I know that you are going to be nervous about signing this form. Let's just keep our fingers crossed for now that the appraisal comes in at the offer price.

Best regards,

Karen

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Karen Monsour, 954-464-4194

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL

(Copyright© 2011 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)

Enough about Obama care, how about "a habitat" for a needy family?

There is so much concern about health care, however, after 25 years working in the medical field and 10 years being able to control the codes and prices in a Radiology arena, Obama care has to be the worst program ever. Fining people for not having insurances is rediculous - @ $750.00/ year? Geeze, this might feed a family for a few months.

Note to all: Hospitals are required to provide 10% of their services to indigent care per year...that is probably not enough.

Example, I had to go to the ER for what I thought was an allergic reaction a few weeks ago. I never saw a doctor while I was there. I was given a shot of benadryl (already had some on board), and Pepcid - which was supposed to help the benadryl work better. WHO DID I SEE? A nurse practitioner. Guess what? I got a bill for $425.00 for the MD, who I never saw...I'm fighting the payment.

NOW...Obama should worry more about people having a home or habitat to live in before he tries to conquer health care. He has no clue, nor do most of the people in Washington how to resolve the health care issue. If he would consult those of us who actually were responsible at one time to define CPT codes and the ICD9 codes (reason for the test), then maybe he could come up with a realistic plan for US citizens. DOCTORS DO NOT DO THESE THINGS, ADMINISTRATORS, DIRECTORS, and Billing Directors do this type of work.

First and foremost, the individuals who belong in the United States should be able to have homes to live in. They should not have to live with their parents, and parents shouldn't have to live with their children.

Home ownership should be affordable. We should take care of American born legal residents.

IMHO, Americans who have a family of 4 an have incomes of less than $25,000.00 a year should be able to get health care at a Federally run clinic for free. After all, senators are worried about getting funding for their states for things that do not help PEOPLE!

The health care of Americans, and their ability to live in a habitat is WAY MORE IMPORTANT, in MY opinion, than giving money to investigate [for example] why earthworms are dying in Alaska (not a real cause, but a silly example).

WHAT SAY YOU?

Karen Monsour, REALTOR(R), 954-464-4194

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL

(Copyright© 2011 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)

If you could ask only one question on AR, what would it be? Anyone? After having a conversation with my son tonight about AR, I decided to ask this question.

You see, both of us are looking for informational posts, rather than listings (blogged about this and it was featured a little while ago: U post recipes and listings...do you really like it here? The ARheisters!!!

So, if you were asking for information or had a question that you wanted an answer to, what would it be? I know lot's of people who are members here that just read. They are not bloggers and are not comfortable writing blogs either.

What would you like information about? [Sidebar: It is probably somewhere in Activerain University, then again, you may not find the answer there either.] Localism, do you have any questions...John Q. Public?

Would you like an opinion about a sales deal? Would you like information about short sales, closings?

Here is your chance to JUST ASK!

Karen Monsour, Realtor(r), 954-464-4194

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL

(Copyright© 2011 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)

What's a valet? my customer asked. I got one of those, "I guess this might be a stupid question to ask, but..."What's a valet?"

This question was precipitated by an email that I sent to a couple looking for a condo on the beach here in south east Florida. It was one of the great amenities included in a condo building where I found them a great deal in their price range. NOTE TO SELF: NEVER ASSUME. This could be because of a language barrier or just because they were young and never experience a situation where there was a valet to greet you at the front door.

While "VALET" is traditionally described by Webster's Dictionary as: 1. a personal manservant who takes care of a man's clothes, helps him dress, etc., 2. an employee, as of a hotel, who cleans or presses clothes, etc.

That definition [in my opinion] needs updated. In some of the finer condominiums that we sell in SE Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area's. we have valet service. The valet service encompasses many job titles for these fine people. From parking your car, to delivering groceries, to helping you with luggage - just to name a few.

Typically, these people work for a minimal salary and depend a lot on "tips" (gratuity).

Do you always assume your customer knows what you are talking about? I used to...don't anymore? And you?

Karen Monsour, 954-464-4194

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL.

(Copyright© 2010 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)

What is your Traditional New Years feast to bring luck and prosperity for 2011?

There are many traditional meals cooked on New Years Day that families hope will bring them prosperity, luck and happiness going into the next year. Many of these foods are traditional by virtue of ethnicity.

Here are a few that I know about:

1. Pork and Sauerkraut. My family always has pork, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, and fresh applesauce (and my father always loved to put chopped sweet onions on top and mix it up like a huge casserole mound). This has been our families tradition since as far back as I can remember. Because pigs represent progressiveness, wealth, and prosperity, it was thought that having this feast would ensure a fabulous new year. Many countries such as the United States, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, and Cuba also consider PORK or a variation thereof (ham), as a vital part of their New Years celebration.

2. Black eyed peas and collard greens. While this was not traditional in my families feast, it is a very popular dish in the south and the Virgin Islands. The "greens," also include sauerkraut (cured cabbage), kale and the like. These foods (know as folded greens) represented money as they are green in color as is the dollar bill.

3. Grapes. In Spain, they grapes represent good luck. They traditionally eat 12 grapes, each grape representing one stroke of the clock at midnight. Portugal also enjoys this good luck charm (so to speak) as do Peruvians. Peruvians, however, eat one "extra" grape for good luck.

4. Legumes. These too symbolize money. The Italians typically have sausages and green lentils after midnight. Germans prefer pork and lentils typically prepared as lentil or split pea soup. The Brazilians love the lentil soup as well. In Japan they enjoy sweet black beans, and as I said above, southern United States also have black-eyes peas and rice.

5. Cakes. Shortbread's, corn bread, oat and fruit cakes are enjoyed by almost everyone.

What are you going to enjoy to welcome in the New Year tomorrow and what traditional food do you enjoy the most?

Wishing you the very best new year ever in 2011!

Karen Monsour, 954-464-4194 cell

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL

(Copyright© 2010 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)