Kevin Breeland

I told you so....how many times when you were a kid did you hear that from your brothers and sisters. Well, if you were anything like me you heard it many times. Even as an adult I have heard more than once.

Yesterday, like many Americans, I watched President Obama's news conference. As you know his news conference was about U.S. Home Mortgage Crisis. I don't want to write about the conference but one thing he said towards the end really got my attention and got me to thinking. Here is what he said and I quote "So solving this crisis will require more than resources-it will require all of us to take responsibility. Government must take responsibility for setting rules of the road that are fair and fairly enforced. Banks and lenders must be held accountable for ending practices that got us into this crisis in the first place. Individuals must take responsibility for their own actions. And all of us must learn to live within our means again."

Immediately after hearing that statement the first thing that came to mind was my Dad telling me the same thing, live within your means. If he told me that once he has told me a thousand times. Funny what comes to mind when you have a flashback like this, for me it was two things. first, on a visit to my dad's I had accumulated enough Budget reward point that I could upgrade without addition charge. So, I upgraded and rented a Lincoln Continental. When I showed up at my dad's home in the little town I grew up in he took one look at the car and said that it was not important to show off to the world that you can drive a Lincoln...all you are doing is wasting money and showing off. Ok, note to self, never visit Dad driving a Lincoln. Second thing, my dad once told me this, you know son, I can not remember the last time I gave you bad advise. Hummmm, I had to think about that one but you know, he was right. My dad is now 75 years old and he is astonished at the state of the economy. However, he has said that if you give away money you can't expect anyone to act responsibly. I think he might be right again.

My dad is my hero, as I have gotten older, raised my children, and now have a granddaughter I realize how lucky I was to have a father figure in my life that showed me everyday what it took to be honorable and responsible. I am so thankful for that and I hope I have done something close to that for my children. What I do know is this....what President Obama told all of us we will have to do, I know I can do. My example still does it everyday.

Kevin M. Breeland

General Manager

Residential Mortgage of South Carolina, LLC

427 Johnnie Dodds Rd.

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

breelandk@residentialmtg.com

www.residentialscdailyrates.com

Competitive by nature...the Best by choice!

Say it ain't so Joe! Well this is not about the Chicago Black Socks and Shoeless Joe Jackson. It does involve another famous Chicagoan resident, President Obama.

Yesterday, President Obama signed into law the largest spending package in American History. Depending on who you talk to some believe it was the right thing to do and some believe it was the wrong thing to do. Since I am a Republican, I join my Three Republican Senators who voted for it and believe it was just the first step in a number of steps that need to be taken.

This is not a debate about Republican or Democrat, right or wrong. When I was watching this morning news there was a story regarding Senator Lindsey Graham. Since I live in the "LowCountry" of South Carolina Senator Graham is my senator. Once again he had a camera in front of him and he was talking about the wasteful spending in the Stimulus Bill. That got me to thinking about a couple of things.

First, as a Republican I have to say I am more and more worried about the leadership of the party. I thought it was a great event with Michael Steele was elected party Chairman. It is obvious to me Mr. Steele has his work cut out for him. During the debate of the Stimulus I thought that Senator Graham and Representative Boehner did not do much to offer solutions but spent their time grandstanding. What a waste of time and the old example of partisan politics. Is this the leadership of the Republican Party? For me, no. While I have many concerns about economic crisis and the measures being taken to move us out of this recession I also have deep concerns about partisan politics during this process. Who is speaking for me and millions other like me who want to see something done, who want to see the leadership of party being part of the solution, not part of the problem? I don't know and that worries me.

Today President Obama will explain his next phase, the Housing Problem across America. The announcement is coming today from Phoenix, Arizona. Was Senator McCain at least trying to put a bipartisan front, no. He and one of his fellow Republicans were talking about they were not the reason housing is in the shape it is in. Who cares now...whats done is done.

So "Say it ain't so Joe" and start working together. I don't know about you but I can't afford anymore of this stuff.

Kevin M. Breeland

Genereal Manager

Residential Mortgage of South Carolina, LLC

427 Johnnie Dodds

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

breelandk@residentialmortgagesc.com

www.residentialscdailyrates.com

I don't remember how old I was the first time I heard "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink". I am not even sure where it originated, who said first, etc. The good news, or maybe not, this is not about horses....or is it?

What I know about horses would not fill a thimble. At 6 years old outside of El Paso, Tx where we lived at the time I was thrown from a horse and I remember the thump I felt when I hit the ground. Then, when I was 16 and now living in the country in Southwest Louisiana I was taking care of my uncles horses. I was feed one of them and he stepped on my foot....oh the pain of it....I can still feel it and man did that hurt.

Well, my luck with people is about as good. The sad part, I interact with people everyday and only horses like once every 20 years. We have been working with our staff to increase their presents in Social Media Networking. I have to say I have had better luck with the horses. My wife, who really is into the Social Media Networking, does the training for our company with our loan officers. I am not saying she does a good job because she is my wife, I am saying it because it is true.

Today, we have a break through. I think I am getting emotional just writing this....well maybe that is too far.....but I am excited. Today, one of loan officers posted his first blog and here is the link http://activerain.com/blogsview/938142/My-Fir st-Blog-and-away-we-go....please leave him a comment and encourage him. Everyone has something valuable and I am glad to see Jimmy getting involved.

Kevin M. Breeland

General Manager

Residential Mortgage of South Carolina, LLC

427 Johnnie Dodds Rd.

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

breelandk@residentialmtg.com

www.residentialscdailyrates.com

Competitive by nature...the Best by choice!

I am sitting here at my dining room table composing this blog because I am waiting on the gas company. When I signed up for service I was told someone would call me in a few days to schedule connection. A few days later they did and we set a time a week and half out between 8:00am and Noon.

As I think about that now it comes to me how "ol school" this appointment is. First, with today's technology I can do almost anything right from my laptop. I don't have to go to the bank, in most cases I can pay my bills via the laptop, when you call a place a business there are times you don't even need to talk to a person (although I have to say that is my least favorite form of technology). Computers and robots preform surgery, computers and technicians can fly a man-less plane from thousands of miles away. However, the cable company, the gas company, and the water company can not set a time to come to your home. Amazing this still exist.

Why does it exist, to me the answer is simple. It is either a lack of competition or an overwhelming need for the service. I think both can be true in many cases. I choose this particular gas company because they were the most helpful over the phone. Half of the providers I called did not call me back. The ones I spoke to wanted me to do all the prep work so all they needed to do what just a connection. Although I could have done that I am not a certified plumber so it did not appeal to me to take that path. What is frustrating is this, none of us could operate our business that way and stay in business.

What can we do, well I guess we could chose not to use their services. I did not see that as an alternative. The other alternative as I see it is we could learn from these "ol school" processes and work more diligently in our businesses to make our people not only understand how technology can make them better at their job but also how it can be beneficial to the one who matters the most....our customers.

Kevin M. Breeland General Manager

Residential Mortgage of South Carolina, LLC

breelandk@residentialmortgagesc.com

www.residentialscdailyrates.com

JUST BECAUSE

I don't know about you but growing up in my house this was not an excuse I got away with. I have to say when raising my children I found myself saying the exact things to them my dad said to me.

Last Night President Obama spoke to the nation. I thought for his first news conference as President it went quite well. It also became clear to me that the President is having the same problem the rest of us are having.....that is we think this is the right action but we don't know for sure.

Today Treasury Secretary Geithner will be speaking to us regarding the remaining TARP fund and what the Obama administration has on tap for banks and financial institutions going forward. I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say and what the plan might contain.

Where is the "JUST BECAUSE"....simple...the MBS or Mortgage Backed Securities closed last night +16bps and opened +22bps and nothing has really been said. The President did not say for sure we have a stimulus package and the Treasury Secretary has not spoken. It is all "JUST BECAUSE". It is the same irresponsible actions that has helped us get in this position. There is nothing said or written that would not allow the markets to just remain claim while waiting on this news this morning.

I think it would be prudent just to take a "wait and see" position...not a "JUST BECAUSE".

Kevin M. Breeland General Manager

Residential Mortgage of South Carolina, LLC

427 Johnnie Dodds Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

breelandk@residentialmortgagesc.com

www.residentialmortgagesc.com