Matthew O'Shea - The O'Shea Group at Prudential - 402.310.5977 - Matt O'Shea

Everyone knows that your boat is supposed to stay on top of the water, not under it. But sometimes things just don't happen the way you planned it too. So Mr. Lender you financed me, and like the Titanic my loans market value sunk to the bottom of the frigid dark ocean floor. Well, maybe not that far, but it sunk under the book value. And if Mr. Lender decided to sell that loan on the secondary market, he would suffer a loss.

That is pretty much an underwater loan, but what makes it sink? Well, there are a number of ways to sink a loan.

• The borrower become delinquent on payments
• The Coupon interest rate is below the rate of similar loans
• The loan collateral is worth less than the loan principal

An example would be a Mr. Lender is holding a long-maturity home loan, a 30-year would suffice, and the market value of the home is below the remaining unpaid principal.

2009 holds much in store for the real esate industry, and I am anxious to see what will transpire over the course of the new President's first year in office. Are you looking for a turn quick turn around, or do you believe we will see a slower progression?

Matthew B O'Shea

PLEASE, Don't be a lurker! What is a lurker you ask? Let me explain...

A Lurker, in internet culture, is someone who reads blogs posts, messages boards, etc... but hardly, if at all, comments or participates.

Okay, I am not saying I have never lurked before, but I have since changed my ways. It is understandable if you are new to blogging to browse and get a feel for what is acceptable in certain discourse communities. But, the faster you jump in with both feet, the quicker you will overcome that fear of the first comment, and you will be blabbing your two cents all over the internet.

Whether you agree or disagree with a post, a simple affirmation or objection is all you need to leave behind to let someone know you read their blog. And since you're already there you might as well leave something, right?

Here is my way of thinking. If someone took the time out of there busy, or not so busy, schedule to conjure up something for your reading pleasure, let them know how you fealt about reading it. I particularly have fun playing devil's advocate when bloggers choose a particular side, irregardless if I agree or disagree.

And we can all see what kind of traffic our blogs get, so we know your out there lurkers! And believe it or not, we are interested in what you are thinking. Bloggers are equally delighted of comments, irregardless if you accept or reject their position.

"It's okay to look, but it's even more okay to comment!"

Can I get some feedback on this one? I need to know how my fellow bloggers feel about this one!

Okay, I heard this from a seasoned Realtor, whom I had the pleasure of sharing a wonderful dinner with atop Harrah's Casino at the 360 Steak House. I will try no to mess it up:

Good times, bad times...Agents will be advertising. In good times agents
advertise; in bad times they pretty much have to.

Two women were walking through the woods when a frog cried out to them and asked, "Help me, ladies! I am a real estate agent who has been curesed by an evil witch, and has been transformed into a frog. If one of you will kiss me, I'll be returned to my true self!"

One woman took out her purse, grabbed the frog, and stuffed it inside her handbag. The other woman screamed, "Didn't you hear him? If you kiss him, he'll turn into a real estate agent!"

The second woman returned, "Sure, but these days a talking frog is worth more than a real estate agent!"

While I may not agree with this, I do think its pretty darn funny...Feel free to share...

Being one to read a lot and say even more, I had to coment on some recent numbers of comparison.

If we look back to early 2008, there is an earthqauke type mentality being taken towards the economic state. There weren't a lot of people running out and getting home loans due to this unsteady time, so we saw a drop in the application for home loans. And as Economists continue to forecast a lull in the economy until late spring, did you notice that applications for home loans increased? Thats right! Mortgage Apps for last month for Convetional Loands were up 2.3%, while FHAs were up a whopping 19.2%. So what are people thinking as the economy sits at the bottom of the recession its currently in?

Can you say Stimulus Package? People are looking for Obama's Stimulus Package to cut rates, stimulate housing sales, lower mortgage rates, and reverse job losses. This all sounds wonderful, doesn't it? As we get closer, we will have to wait and see what actually happens. As for me, call me an optomist.

Good Luck in 2009!

Nobody cares about your story!

That's right, you might think I'm crazy, but when it comes down to it how many people are walking around telling your story. Okay, so maybe some people care about your story, but lets keep it real.

So, if nobody cares why should you keep reading? Because I am going to let you know how you can get people to tell you story. That's right. I have the answer.

And it's simple really. So here it is. Everyone loves to brag about what they have right? Little Johnny brags to his classmates about his fancy red scooter he got for Christmas because it is a Radio Flyer, and all his friends wanted one but didn't get one. Or maybe your husband bought himself a 60 inch Sony Plasma, and no one else has it on the block but him. Or maybe the wife got a new Toyota Camry Sport, bright red, and all the other soccer moms are driving ugly grey mini-vans. They all bragged about what they got. So what right? Why did all of Johnny's friends know it was a radio flyer? Why did your hubbies pals know he got a Sony? Who cares about the red Toyota Camry Sport? BECAUSE THEY ALL BRAGGED ABOUT IT!!!!!

Who is walking around bragging to other people about you? Do you have a service that you can give others that they brag about? You need to be that Radio Flyer, that Sony, or that red Toyota Camry! People want to tell stories about themselves. Its called self-preservation. People like telling stories about themselves, and you need to tag along on their stories. Don't try to be the main character or star of other people's story, that is way to hard. Get in to their story secondarily.

Ya following me? No one walks around telling your story. They like telling their own. So, why not tag along on their stories? Do something that will make your clients want to brag about themselves using you as that "Sony" or that "Radio Flyer."

For Example: After closing on a house, my client went to his friend who previously bought a house and bragged that he saved a few hundred dollars by his agent paying for his home inspection. His friends was a little disheartened because his agent didn't make him that offer. Word spread that I saved guy a few hundred, and I had 3 new clients that month because my client told his story about how he saved money.

So, I know first hand this works. Implement this theory into your personal marketing model, and I am sure you will thank me later! And for those of you who already use this theory, comment with your past experience and stories.

Matthew B O'Shea