Michelle Gordon

Are looking for somewhere to celebrate the holiday?

Well look no further...............February 12, 2009 Thursday, join WCR Western Michigan Chapter at Naya. What a blast we will have!

Chefs table of 3 courses and paired wine............then Salsa dancing instruction - then the Salsa DJ will play on for a night of dancing!

Now I know we are looking to shed some pounds after the holiday's............so this is a guilt free evening. Yes you will have a great dinner, but the dancing that will be had after wards will help take off the calories............

So you might say this dinner celebration is good for you!

So 3 wonderful courses.................. 3 wonderful glasses of wine and then dancing lessons and then a DJ for the rest of the evening ................ all this for $60.00 per person.

Proceeds will benifit WCR and F.L.O.W.

Come as a couple, come as a group or come single and meet some new people. Everyone is invited......Family, friends and/or your partner...........you do not need to be a member to attend.

Sponsored tables can be had..................If you sponsor a table a sign will be made up for that table. The sponsor table is the size of your choice.

R.S.V.P. to Naya by 02/09/2009

Hope to see everyone there.............as it would be nice to see some local bloggers that I have never met before. We have talked about gathering and meeting each other................this is good way to do this!

Today I spoke with several 1st time home buyers at my open house. Many were out for for the 1st time or in the beginning stages of buying a home.

All of them had already spoke with a lender, had a pre-approval and knew what they "wanted" to afford.

I was very impressed as they had educated them selves to do the 1st right steps.

So what is the next step???

The next step is narrowing down your neighborhood(s). I asked several who attended the open house if this is the area in which they want to be. Some were not sure yet................

I have to say winter in Michigan, does make this task a little more difficult..........as you are not going to see anyone walking the streets......the kids are not out much right now..............

However there is a lot of on line research you can do. I was explaining, I would much rather see someone buy a less of home in a neighborhood where they really want to live VS a great home, but not really the neighborhood where they want to live.

Believe me when I say.............the novialty of buying the home will somewhat go away once the mortgage payments starts and you better like where you live.

Where I live, all the neighbors get along and in the very cold months, (when no one really wants to go out) we have dinner together................we borrow sugar, we watch each others homes and feed the pets when some one goes away for vacation................

SO make a list what is important to you in a neighborhood, and in a home..................

Recheck this list before putting the offer on the home, make sure you are not buying emotionally and you buying wisely.

Part 2

Part 3

Today was the first meeting for WCR Western Michigan Chapter for 2009

We honored the officers from 2008 and swore in the new officers of 2009! What a great meeting this was. Emotional for some as some are stepping down and some are just starting their new duties. Mary Mishler of MLM Realty LLC, was our president for 2008, she worked very hard in a challenging market to keep us at status quo and to bring new idea's and stimulating meetings.

Linda Najar with Greenridge Reality is our new chapter president. She is very excited for her new role and has many great idea's for 2009.

Our education for 2009 will be bar-none............as we will attack the ever changing market, bringing guest speakers to the lunch meetings to keep us informed and educated on changes and how to deal with them.

February's meeting is going to be a date you will want to put on the calendar. February 12th, 2009 we will have a guess speaker from Keller Williams Realty - Kevin Allen is to talk about the "shift" book. We have all heard about this book. If you have not already read it, time to get one and then join us for the discussion at the WCR lunch. Kevin is a dynamic speaker..............he is positive, energetic and motivating.............

And if this is not enough, we meet at Naya Bistro..........the food was excellent today! My compliments to the chef! We had a tomato, cucumber and feta cheese salad with vinaigrette dressing, a choice of salmon or chicken with roasted potatoes and a cookie. So yummy!

Here is the inspirational that was read at the beginging of the meeting:

Beginning today, I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change.
Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today, I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make
the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today, I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.

Beginning today, I will cherish each moment of my life. I value the gift bestowed upon me in this world
and I will unselfishly share this gift with others.

Beginning today, I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter.
I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be
which hinder my quest for growth and self- improvement.

Beginning today, I will take life one day at a time, one-step at a time. Discouragement will not be
allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today, I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before.
I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

Beginning today, I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people.
I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world.
But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy...
admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath... Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.

Beginning today, I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life
has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.

Beginning Today, And Everyday.

(author unknown)

If you would like to attend the next meeting contact me and I will get an e-vite sent out to you!

Here is to a GREAT 2009

It has been a while sense I have sold a HUD home, and now they are just as much a part of our market as any other listing............they are not just the "cheep run down" homes anymore.

My 1st time home buyers and I went shopping for a home............so many to see, so much inventory! When we stumbled on this 4 bedroom 2 bath home in a very nice residential section of Kentwood.

What a great house! listed at $109,000, HUD appraisal 120,000 sold a few years back for $145,000, and I could comp it out easy for for $135,000, We purchased the home for $97,000 plus ALL closing cost and pre-paids paid for by seller (HUD).

We also used HUD's FHA $100.00 down payment FHA program. Now you still need the earnest of $1,000 on this home, and I was warned that HUD has restrictions of what Closing Cost and Pre-paids they will pay. So I warned my client, that they may not get that $1,000 back..............consider it an investment in your home purchase.

Well we placed an offer.............there were mulitble offers and they came back saying none of the offers quit reached their bottom line and giving everyone a chance to re-bid the home............so we did and WON!

Now the work really begins..............there is much follow up and attention to detail. Every "i" needs to be dotted and every "t" needs to be crossed. Follow up - Follow up.

This home was a little easier as it was a newer home and there were no lead base paint issues or any repairs needed per an FHA loan..............a very good home to start with.

Now I will skip to the closing....................we had a final HUD sent to the seller (HUD) as they review and make any corrections needed. The HUD that was approved by the lender showed my client coming in with $800.00. By the time HUD was finished..........my clients were getting a check BACK for $900.00!

We were soooooooooo happy! They really did buy a home for $100.00 out of pocket.

I am now on my 2nd one................more difficult, as it is an older home with some "issues" but I now know the direction I need to go, and who to talk to, and also feel good about HUD doing what is right for the buyer! They are very over worked, so I still make sure I do not fall through the cracks.........

However buying a HUD home may be the best deal out there right now if you are buying the home as owner occupied and using a FHA loan.

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