Dawn Maloney, CDRS Elite

It's always good to hear from a happy client...especially when that person has become a dear friend in the process. Thank you, Norm! You were wonderful to work with and I'm very glad to know you!

"Hi Dawn,

Just wanted to drop you a long overdo note of thanks for your very effective work in getting my house in Hudson sold. While your marketing plan was good, your hard work and effort on my behalf both getting me a contract and then seeing it through to closing was special. With the housing market the way it was ,I did not think I would get 3 offers and a sale in three and a half months.

Please feel free to use me as a reference to any of your prospective clients. Selling a house is tough on the seller even in a good market but you got me through it in fine shape.

Best regards,
Norm Vernon"

"Dawn Maloney is one of the few realtor's who will take the time to work with 'short sales'. Her drive and determination to get the best possible settlement for her clients is unsurpassed! She worked with us for over nine months and challenged the bank with unwaivering determination to avoid foreclosure. She didn't stop there! She also negotiated a deal with a builder/contractor for us so that we would not have to move to low-income housing or live with relatives.

We would highly recommend Dawn to anyone who is facing foreclosure problems or just looking for a new home!"

Marg and Randy Simon

"Will I ever be able to buy a home again?"

Today I received another call from another homeowner in foreclosure. Burning questions that no one could (or would) answer were pouring out like lava, pent up emotions were finally being released in a meltdown of fear, frustration, sorrow, confusion, anger.

I just listened, acknowledged, and took notes, listening to learn if I would be able to help.

Eventually, in sharing with me, there was some relief from the pressure, and the courage to ask a question about the future arose: "Will I ever be able to buy a home again?"

Yes! As long as you can financially afford it with a steady source of income and a downpayment, YES. You will be able to buy another house in the future. Usually in about two years after a short sale, you will be eligible to purchase a home and get a loan.

If you opt for foreclosure, it will be seven years, but you will still be able to buy another home in the future, based on standards of the lending community as we know it.

A short sale will give the fastest return to loan eligibility. But even a foreclosure does not mean you will never be able to buy a home again.

The future looks better in time. Here's to your future homeownership and to your financial rescue today.

If you feel you have nowhere to turn for answers to your questions about short sales, loan modification and foreclosure, please call. I can point you in the right direction.

Boldly going where I have never gone before, I am hosting a "tweetup" this evening at 7 p.m. at 746 Hickory St., Akron, OH 44301. Beverages and snacks will be served and we may have a bonfire, weather permitting!

Boldly going where you (may) never have gone before, will you join me?

What's a "tweetup"?

It's a chance to meet and chat in person all those fun people you have been talking to online. Most of my twitter friends are also on facebook, so I invited them...so this might be a "Facebook/tweetup" after all.

Why would I go to such a thing?

Meet new friends, get to know people better, have a drink, do some networking, have fun, etc.

Who will be there?

Now that's the question...I wanted to get an exact count, and I can't! This has been shared with a loooong list of people, by retweeting, calls, and emails...so we might have 10 people, 40 people or ??? But it's going to be a good chance to get to know online friends better in person.

I hope you'll join me...call 330-990-4236 if you need directions!

Recently I was sitting at a stop light, checking my email. I glanced up, saw green and took off.

Only my light wasn't green.

It was the turning arrow for the lane to my left. I proceeded to run a redlight from a complete stop...because I was using my phone and went on autopilot. I couldn't believe it happened to me!

I'm careful. I'm a grown-up. I'm aware of how dangerous it is. Yet I did it.

Please do not text or read email when driving. Even if you are careful, one mistake is too many.

This video makes the point like nothing else you will see: