Laura Kombrink

Friday, I attended a closing with a client for her new home. Only 1 month ago, this same client did not believe she could own a home in this market. She is single, with very little money saved and just did not believe home ownership was possible for her at this time.

She spoke with Tammy Rister of Midwest Mortgage Capital. Tammy helped my client get approved for a loan with a program that helps buyers achieve home ownership with no down payment. My client was pleasantly surprised.

We began the search for a home. My client thought of herself as being very picky and told me she didn't think we could find a home in her price range that she would want to live in. I told her that I believed we could, however she would have to work with me and be completely honest about what she wanted.

She committed to looking and the search began. In about 2 weeks, we located the home that met all of her requirements and even exceeded what she expected. We wrote the offer and then began negotiations...3 weeks later we are sitting at the closing table and my client is no longer paying rent!

Of course, this is a condensed version of the events that took my client from paying rent to building equity in a home she will enjoy for years to come. Not only did we help her get into a home, we helped her achieve a dream that she thought was not possible. What a boost to her self worth and happiness.

At Kombrink Real Estate Group, we surround ourselves with experts to help people achieve their dream of home ownership. If there is a way to make it happen...we will help you find it! Knowledge of the industry and experienced people are the key to making it happen. Everyone involved in the transaction that I just described went above and beyond to make this dream happen for my client.

Then lender, the listing agent, the title company, and myself spent many late hours making sure that every detail and challenge were taken care of and resolved. I personally drove hundreds of miles to deliver paperwork and attend inspections for my client so that she didn't have to miss work or spend money on gas.

I believe in going the extra mile for my clients. I ask many questions, not only of my client, but of everyone involved in the transaction to make sure that things go smoothly.

If you are currently renting, or maybe you own an home and want to upgrade, or downsize...please give me a call. Let's talk. Ask the questions, if there's a way to make your dream possible, we will find it and I will work hard to make it happen for you! I love what I do and would love the opportunity to work with you!

Laura Kombrink
Kombrink Real Estate Group/RE/MAX Preferred

618-345-2111
618-363-2452

I have heard that the general public doesn't appreciate what Real Estate Agents do for them in general. I think the same thing is probably true for lenders as well. I have a closing tomorrow and everything was going beautifully...beautifully that is until 2 days ago. At the last minute the underwriter changed the terms for the loan. In the 3 weeks since the contract was signed, the loan went to a different company.

My buyer is using Amerdream, Inc. I think it is really great that she will be able to buy a home that she would not otherwise have been able to. My preferred lender is AWESOME at helping people realize their dream of owning their own home.

Anyway, as I said before, the bank handling the loan changed in mid-stream and required a few extra details that we didn't know about until 2 days ago.

On the seller's side they have a closing for this transaction and a closing for their new home the same day. The buyer has given notice to her landlord and needs to be out on time. A lot of people are counting on everything going smoothly tomorrow.

Here's where everyone involved, the lending officer, the listing agent, and myself have to kick it into high gear to make sure that all goes as planned. I have to compliment everyone involved for getting it done without...I repeat...without stressing out our clients.

Realtors, lending officers and title companies do many things behind the scenes to make a transaction happen as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. One of the things we do is stay awake at night going over what needs to be done, and just plain old fretting to make sure the client doesn't have to.

If you need someone in your court for your real estate transaction, I would highly recomend Tammie Rister as your lending officer. Of course...I recommend myself as well to act as your realtor! :) For more information about how I can help you visit my website.

One more sleepless night...and my client will be a happy home owner!

It is said that you can judge someone by the company they keep. I find that this can be true in most instances, yet we tend to be somewhat careless about the company we keep. The people that we include in our inner circles say a great deal about who we are. Take a moment and think about the people you spend most of your time with. Think about who you allow in your inner circle. What kind of people are they?

Are they positive, supportive, energetic people? Do they have dreams and goals? Are they go-getters? Do they make things happen?

....or are they negative and complaining, blaming others for the circumstances they find themselves in? Do they only talk about themselves and when the subject comes to you do they try to out-do your misery? Do they look at you like you're crazy when you tell them your dreams? Do that laugh at you and not with you? Can you share your dreams and aspirations with the people around you?

There are many things a person must do in order to achieve their goals. Life is full of challenges that we can choose to overcome or allow us to stop dead in our tracks. One thing we don't need in addition to the normal obstacles in our lives is negative people that don't reflect who we want to be, yet many times we allow these people in.

Maybe we believe we can help them to see their own potential. Unfortunately, some people count on others to feel sorry for them, or to commiserate their unhappiness. We must realize that we must limit the access of these people to our lives. I'm not talking about being rude, however we must make sure that these people are not part of our inner circle.

Who should be in our inner circle? People we admire. People who display the characteristics that we want to display in our own lives. Successful, busy, energetic, motivated, positive people. We must also be careful not to be the person that they wouldn't want to include in their inner circle.

In Real Estate, it takes a lot of self motivation, education, discipline and desire to make our dreams happen. We don't have the luxury of blaming the boss when things don't go as we had hoped. We are in charge of our business, money, lives and dreams. Make sure you are surrounding yourself and spending the most time with those that reflect your drive.

There will be times of failure, self doubt and just plain old weariness. Can you afford to go to the whiner when these times strike you?

Laura Kombrink
Kombrink Real Estate Group
RE/MAX Preferred
201-A Main Street
Collinsville, IL
618-345-2111
618-363-2452
www.KombrinkMetroEast.com
Laura@KombrinkRealEstate.com