Scott Daniels Florida Real Estate 2.0. Agents Earn 100% Commission.

I spoke to a friend of mine yesterday who is looking to consolidate her credit card debt.

During her entire life she`s paid her bills on time but, like most of us got caught up in a downward economy, forcing her to make tough decisions we all face when raising our families.

She was interviewing different debt counselor's. Their job is to give recommendations on how to save your credit and pay down debt.

Don`t get me wrong, the concept isn`t too far fetched, except when these so called "Experts" make outlandish and deceitful statements to gain your business.Often, their unable to do anything you couldn`t do if you made contact with these credit card companies yourself.



Bad Credit isn`t a good thing, but it`s not so bad either. Not everyone wants an American Express Platinum credit card. Having an 800 Fico score does have it`s privileges. But, what if you`re credit score is below 500? Does that mean it`s the end of the world?



We work with people from all walks of life. Many are professionals who unfortunately, got caught up in the euphoria spending these past 10 years.

In the "Good Old Days" we could apply for a credit card without any problems.All you had to do was make a few payments in a timely manner and the credit card company would automatically raise your credit limit. For some of us temptation to spend your credit limit steps in and the spending spree sometimes raises it`s ugly head.Within months, you`re caught in the maze of shifting your debt from one credit card company to the other seeking lower interest rates.In the end, you still have to face the music and pay your bills.





Many of us were caught off guard when the economy shifted. Although, you won`t be able to purchase a home or a car with bad credit there are alternatives. Contrary to what the experts tell you, you can rebuild your credit again.

It won`t occur overnight but eventually within 5 years your should see an increase in your scores.Providing you begin to live moderately again.

My friend makes fun of me because I don`t like to purchase "brand name" clothing like Tommy. In my opinion why should i pay 30-40% more for an item?!

Although, i`m not recommending you neglect your bills, i am recommending you give yourself some breathing room to live again.

The world isn`t about Beacon Scores. It`s all about adjusting to what needs to be done.

Yesterday, a client who`s home we listed contacted me to tell us she received a letter from B of A.

Apparently, they sent her a letter indicating they`re willingness to help her "restructure her loan". She asked me for my opinion.

In all sincerity, Banks aren`t buying into President Obamas stimulus program of helping those who are trapped!

It`s easier to blame the middle class for this debacle, rather than the entire "Lending Institutions". Suddenly words like "Loan Modification" and "Short Sales" have become a "Four Letter Word"...

I asked the client to stop by my office and make the call from there.

The Conversation is as follows:

Client: Hello, I`m calling in regards to the letter that was sent to me in regards to saving my home!

B of A: Our policy is we`re here to help our clients. Let me take a look at your account.

Client: I can really use the assistance with our mortgage. I`m a single Mother with two children trying to save my home.

B of A: At BofA we don`t want you to lose you`re home either. We`re helping thousands of people like yourself everyday.

Client: I`m truly grateful for anything you can do to help us!

B of A: Humm, after reviewing your account, it seems you`re two months late on your mortgage. That's not too good. Also, you have alot of credit card debt. That's not good at all...

Client: Yes, I know, I`ve been steadily employed for 20 years now. If I can get some assistance on lowering my mortgage temporarily, than I`ll be alright. I`m looking for a second job as we speak.

B of A: Have you thought about finding a roomate?

Client: Excuse me? A Roomate? I`m calling you to see if we can adjust my mortgage payments per the letter you sent me and now you`re giving me advice on how to live my life!!??

B of A: Well we like to offer our clients advice in order to assist them. It`s part of our service.

Client: Are you joking me? You`re now telling me how to run my life and how to act? What kind of stimulus package is B ofA doing? This isn`t why i called you.

BofA: Were looking for alternative ideas to assisting our clients. Is there anything else we can do for you today?

With that the conversation ends. It actually really never took place. BofA has plenty of solutions in assisting those who seek help. Giving out tips on "How to live life" seems to be their idea of aiding clients and helping with the Stimulus program.

It`s great to know that lenders are so eager to give out ideas about "Saving one`s home" rather than doing what was intended to happen when President Obama was elected.

Amazing, how BofA took the time to send these letters to millions of people. I guess "Insulting" them is a better solution!

So much for Obama`s Stimulus program...

Using free weights for the purpose of mediation.

I started working out several months ago when it was apparent someone dear and near to me left me.

It hurt like hell! I didn`t know what to do or who to turn to for help.

A friend of mine suggested I commence going to the gym as a form of stress relief. I`ve been in and out of gyms since I was 18 years old. Truthfully, I went to a gym more as a choir than anything else. I thought toning your body was like a job,rather than a love of the sport.

Body Building is very hard work. It requires alot preparation each day.You have to sleep a minimum of 7-8 hours per day to recoup. You can`t drink, you have to watch your diet all the time! Your friends begin to think your crazy for not wanting to hang out with them and party! Forget going out on dates,who wants to be with someone who`s worried about their "food intake!?'..

My day starts at 5:00am. I have to begin to eat, take vitamins and by 6:30 head to the gym for two hours. Your mind has to be consumed with what you`re going to do, and what body parts you wish to sculpt.

I envision what I want to accomplish before I ever reach the gym!

For the next two hours we`re hitting the weights at a grueling pace.I`ve learned if you want to gain muscle mass you have to concentrate on one or two body parts the entire time you`re in the gym and forget how many sets you`re doing. It`s meaningless.

When I workout I do it for shear exhaustion. I want to leave the gym knowing I gave 100% of myself.

During these workout I`m actually meditateing.

I`m relaxed,focused and happy after I leave the gym. It carries over to my work enviroment! Working out has helped my blood pressure go back to normal without medication, my entire appearance has changed radically.

My oldest daughter and her friend gave me the ulitimate compliement yesterday. Her friend wanted to know "How old I was?"...I asked her to guess my age. Her response was I looked like I was in my mid 30`s....She told me out of all of her friends Dad`s I was by far the "best looking Dad" she knew!

My daugther than chimed in and told her "Yeah, my Dad has gotten younger, you should have seen him 3 years ago when he was an old man!"..

I don`t really know if Body Building is akin to the search for "The Fountain of Youth", I do know it sure as heck makes me feel damn good!

Back to the lost love for a second. We had dinner on Sunday, I`m attempting to clear the air with her.... Although we`re a long way off, we`re actually talking to one another which trust me is something I never dreamed would ever happen again....

Two weeks ago we sent an offer for a home in Cooper City,Florida which was listed for $275,000. On the MLS remarks section it stated the home was "Bank Approved @ $275,000.

That's all well and good for the lenders,but what if your client thinks otherwise?

Surely, in this hectic market of uncertainty, wouldn`t a lender want to be presented all offers?

There are many Realtors out there who have forgotten what our job as professionals are.

We "Present all offers' no matter what and allow our clients to make a decision.

It`s very simple.I called the other Realtor yesterday to find out whats happening with our offer. I was shocked to learn they had yet to present!

The Conversation is as follows:

Me: We`re confirming that our offer was sent to the lender for approval?

Realtor: OH! I haven`t presented it. I told you it`s not going to fly!

Me: Our offer is for $265,000 with 30% down. This is a no brainer!

Realtor: The lender won`t accept your offer!

Me: How do you know this? Did you actually present our offer?

Realtor: Why no! I`m waiting for an offer for $275,000 to come in!

Me: You`re waiting for an offer to arriv that's great! You have in your hands an offer which we can close in 30 days and you`ve wasted two weeks pretending to understand you`re making decisionsns for a bank! That's a fresh approach to complete disaster!Whats with you?!

Realtor: I thought that's what the lender wanted. The last offer we received 5 months ago, the bank countered at $275K. I figured they won`t take less!

Me: Would you do me and yourself a huge favor? Let the lender decide for themselves what they want to do!

With that, the light in the other agents head must have turned itself on! I think they finally realized they have nothing to lose by sending the offer in!

In our profession, no matter what we as Realtors believe we`re never in a position to make decisions for anyone! It`s not in our job description!

www.bankapprovedproperty.com

Yesterday, I had an enlightening experience. A client who`s daughter I helped with a job came into my office upset! I didn`t pay her daughter what she deserved!

To be quite honest, I gave her a job as a favor to her parents because they`re in the midst of losing their home. The daugther came to my office with the intentions of IM`ing and texting her friends, she also decided that napping in our office was a good thing as well!

She worked a total of 6 hours for which I compensated her.

When I gave the young lady her paycheck, she was enraged claiming I cheated her!

She wanted to be compensated for 10 hours worth of work! I explained to her that Im`ing and texting her friends on my time didn`t equate to working. Upset, she told her Mother who in return was upset with me!

Looking back, I began to realize, so many people nowadays believe their "Entitled" to everything without earning it!

I had an incident the other day in which I was working out in the gym, doing cable exercises. I go to the gym with one thing on my mind and that's to "workout" I don`t go to socialize, which a gym is really good for. This man wanders over to me and asks me if "He could jump in?"... I looked at him and told him "No", I would be done in 5 minutes. Visibly upset he mumbled something under his breath and walked away, clearly annoyed. When I was finished I signaled to him he could have the machine,but he was busy chatting with his friends.I guess he felt at that moment he was "Entitled" to "Jump In" because he wanted too!

Last week, we`re dealing with a client who`s looking at homes for rent. The area they want to live in is in "high demand'. We locate a 3bedroom, 2bath,Home for $1800 a month. They want to offer $1500. I explain to them the mortgage payment on this home is $2000 per month as it is. The landlord can`t afford to take a $500 a month loss on their home. They insist I call the landlord again, and explain their "hardship". They just lost their home to foreclosure, and need someone who will give them a break!?! Total "Entitlement".

I contact the landlord in front of them on the telephone, he`ll go to $1700 with a security deposit,1st, and last months rent! The tenant gets upset at this ridiculous counter and bails! Turns out they don`t have enough money to rent a home, but feel someone needs to cater to them!

I don`t understand what`s happening in the world, but I`m seeing a pattern where people expect to be rewarded on the merit of who they are! It`s getting very weird out there!

Are we as Realtors the blame for everything our clients have going wrong in their life?

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