Robert L. Brown~Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Michigan

Short sales /Foreclosures and the effects it has on the consumer.

Ever since the implosion of the sub-prime market we have seen so many people losing their greatest asset. Their homes. There has not been a day that goes by when you either pick up the paper or surfing on the internet that the reality of the economy truly hits you. I had written an earlier post concerning a client/friend (Well informed clients. What they need to know. That is my responsibility as an agent) who got caught up in this situation. There is not one economic group who has not been affected by this. I know people personally who have been or are in the middle of it right now.

The statistics at GRAR (local real estate board) have shown that a large part of our business will be in one or more of these categories. So you may ask who is to blame? Who shall save us? And at what cost? Those answers could be posts all unto themselves. As I stated before you can go to the internet and find just about anything concerning these subjects. One such article called" Homeowners who just walk away"(the link is below).

It is a lengthy read but a very informative and realistic one. It takes you through the lives of several families who have been affected. As you read the various stories I was shocked at the sales prices of some of the houses that people are literally walking away from. The stress of trying to keep up is wearing people down. In the article it says how there are people who left the keys right in the door, packed their stuff and drove off. The point of this post is this. If you find yourself in this position before you just ‘walk away" (which will literally wreck your credit) call a realtor. Call someone you trust. We are here to help and advise you. There is someone you know that has had a good experience with an agent that could give you a recommendation. I've been seeing several companies popping up out there saying they can help you through this for a fee.

Be very careful and check them out thoroughly. There are scammers who will try to get your money and in the end will do nothing to help you. So beware. As I stated before (in my other post) there was someone whose mortgage adjusted and they didn't know what to do. The mortgage company tried to add erroneous fees to the mortgage. I met with them and gave them some pointers of what to do and who to contact. I felt better because I was able to relieve some of their stress. The other alternative could have been a short sale. I will have to contact them to see how they are doing. I know for a fact that they are still in their home. So hopefully some can be saved. I know all of them won't be able to.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/HomeownersWhoJustWalkAway.aspx

For ALL your real estate needs please call:

Robert L.Brown

FlexIT Realty

616 366 7030

http://www.mrbrownsellsgr.com/

This will be a long summer..

As we all have seen recently the price of gas has gone to a level which will definitely affect us all. We have to change some of our long standing habits now because they will cost us much more than they used to. Something I do during the spring/summer months is to pick an area of where I've sold homes and I walk the neighborhoods to visit past clients. A great time to hand out cards and flyers also.

There were several times that in my travels to a former clients home that I got involved with helping them around the yard or cleaning the garage etc. (I try to keep ALL my good deeds on the outside of the home). That is a way to reconnect with them and meet new ones who may live in the neighborhood. We have to be energy conscious. Biking is a hobby I picked up last (even though last year I broke parts of my body trying to be younger then I think I am) year and I look forward this season to be doing much more of that. Winter has the ability to add more to you then you thought you had in the fall.

I've been seeing around here more people walking and biking because 1. Gas is too expensive or 2. They were cooped up in their home and were going stir crazy. When you live in a region like I do the first glimpse of 50 degree weather you see people you haven't seen for awhile. It's a great attitude adjuster. I feel so blessed when I can leave the house and I don't have to drive to an appointment. As a matter of fact I will be listing a property close to where I live. The sellers are vacationing in Florida so we will put it on the market when they return. I can actually see me walking down the street with my sign in one hand and my briefcase over my shoulder. If prices get worse you may see much more of that. Look at the upside. You get in better shape. Your car is better off from dodging pot holes and most of all the gas stations make less money.

So if you're looking for a friendly neighborhood realtor who wouldn't mind helping doing a little yard work (as I ask you questions about your home) give me a call. I'm right around the corner.

For all your real estate needs please call:

Robert L. Brown

FleXiT Realty

616 366 7030

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com

Photos compliments of Free Clipart

I know this topic has been beaten up in so many posts but it seems to me I have to add my two cents worth to it. There are so many ads around the country stressing to buyer's it's a wonderful time to buy (and yes it is) but we have to be very sensitive to the needs of the seller's who have had to watch their dream(s) go up in smoke.

I had a conversation with a client (this morning) who just moved from her home last week because she had exhausted ALL her avenues to save her home she worked so hard for and to make matters worse she is a single mother with three daughters. That in and of itself is stressful enough much less the possibility of nowhere to live. I didn't know that the situation was as bad as it was until she told me she was a month or so from being put out of the house entirely. Sad but true. My question to her was why didn't she call me sooner? She knows where I live (she's been to my home office several times) and she's referred people to me in the past. What caused her (and others in this same situation) to not make the CALL.

Did she think I would have thought less of her? Did she think I would have thought I was better than she was? Both of those answers are a resounding NO. I became a real estate agent solely for the benefit of helping people. There are so many unfortunate people out there who definitely need and want our help. Sometimes ego steps in the way and we elevate ourselves above others. How can we help others with that attitude. Two of the most important things we can bring to this situation is our caring for our fellow man and a great attitude. We have to remain upbeat in the face of diversity. It can be extremely hard depending on the circumstance that is in front of us. It's our responsibility to be abreast of how short sales and foreclosures work to be of benefit to our client.

So now she's moved out and is currently in temporary quarters until she gets on her feet. There is a game plan in place so when she is ready we will implement it to get her where she needs to be. If you're facing this same situation there should be no shame in coming to a professional for help. This is what we do. There will be someone that you feel a bond with the moment that you meet with them and you need to be honest and straightforward with them. My name was also given to someone who thought they needed to sell their home because their payment had escalated dramatically over the past several months. It took a couple weeks before we were able to connect (their job schedule) and after spending some time with them I was able to give them some pointers and they are on the way to keeping their home. These situations don't always have to end up with someone losing their home. If you feel that you may be in a situation where you think you will not be able to keep up the payments call a realtor to give you advice on which way to turn. Ask for a referral from a friend or a family member who have used a realtor in the past. If they had great service they should have no problem referring someone to you.

For ALL your real estate needs dont hesitate to call:

Robert L. Brown

FleXit Realty

616 366 7030

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com

Photo compliments of Clipart

Going Green. The new world wide bandwagon..

I found this to be an interesting article where GRPS students are getting more involved in the environment that we all share. I can clearly remember when I was in high school this was clearly not on our curriculum. But with big buzz words (global warming and going green to name a couple) everyone is getting on the bandwagon to save the environment.

It’s good to read about students who are learning more about science and how it affects us on a day to day basis. We have been polluting the planet for so many years and now we see that it has been affecting our climate. I can remember when smoking was the “in” thing to do. As a matter of fact I’m into watching the old black and white tv shows and I’ve noticed how most everyone just lit one up.

If you go to the movies now or watch regular television (well with the advent of reality television in my opinion there isn’t much to watch) when was the last time you saw someone smoking. Another big change is the hybrid cars (that run on electric as well as gas) and the ones that take flex/fuel (ethanol as well as gas). I’ve noticed so many on the road these days even the large SUV’s. Can we turn back the hands of time and reverse the damage that’s already done? Maybe not. But we can improve our future. It’s not about us singally but about what we can do world wide to preserve what we have. This is the only world we live in and if we don’t take care of it what will we have to pass along to our children. I can do my part. You can do your part. And together we can make a difference.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8085229

Robert L.Brown

FlexIt Realty

616 366 7030

http://www.mrbrownsellsgr.com/

http://www.flexitrealty.com/

News just in. Down Payment Assistance Programs are still available.

I was just informed by several of the lenders I work with that the Down Payment Assistance programs are still in effect. As we all know there are viable buyers out there who are credit worthy but may not have the available funds to make a purchase on a home. The Federal judge in California has ruled in favor of continuing Down Payment Assistance programs. There are so many properties available whether HUD or otherwise that can now be sold.

This should help buyers in the long run. This can now jumpstart sales in your respective areas. So now when you are out there meeting new buyers you can tell them there is still funding available for them. Hopefully this can bring you in some more business. I will have to go back thru my files and see who I had to put on the backburner because of lack of funds. It’s always because of money. Now there is an alternative to helping a client. This is such good news!!!!

http://www.preferredprogram.org/HUD/Update.aspx

Robert L.Brown

FlexIt Realty

616 366 7030

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com

www.FlexItRealty.com