Green Bay, WI

Just when you think that there can't be anymore changes that government can introduce to us lenders, they hit us with MORE and MORE! The lending portion of the home buying process is very tight and law oriented. I have been having more and more people coming to me to refinance their homes, but am able to do anything about it. The HVCC rule has thrown everyone for a loop. How does the government expect everything to get better, when they took control of 90% of the appraisal business? I've been getting very frustrated in the fact that a home, that is FULLY capable of refinancing and getting the value it is worth...can be absolutely impossible. OR, if I do get the value through a 3rd party appraiser, the lender will schedule a field review, which they shouldn't have to since we are supposed to TRUST whatever value that THEIR appraiser comes up with that they hired. That is another $150-$200+ charge that we either take out of our YSP or have to charge to the customer. Between all the hits that the lenders are charging, it is starting to become next to impossible to do a refinance or purchase with closing costs under $2,000. For all of you brokers, L.O's, agents and home bueyrs who are tired or the government making these obsurred rules and regulations, please sign the HVCC petition. It can only do good. I believe that it would be a good enough change if we could still hire our own appraisers and if the lenders would still liek a field review on the appraisal, so then be it.

To take action please sign the petition! http://www.hvccpetition.com/

INDIVIDUALS WITH POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDES ARE NEVER FOUND IN A RUT. A Rut as Earl Nightengal said, "Is Nothing More than a coffin with the ends kicked out".

Individuals with a positive attitude are those who somehow always manage to find something new and interesting even in the most mundane tasks. They don't allow themselves to be bored, because they are always seeking ways to do things faster, better, and more efficiently. If you make it a practice to find better ways to do the same old things, you will soon be marked for advancement. You will be supervising others who are performing your old job because you've proven that you are a person who can be counted on to take the initiative and do what needs to be done without being told.

This positive message is brought to you by the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Visit them at http://www.naphill.org

I cannot speak for anyone else, but I need to be inspired. It is like a shot in the arm; a refreshment that keeps me moving in the right direction. I hope this inpires you too!!!! Have a great week ahead....

Gwenn Tanvas is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialists who specializes in Credit Restoration and Government Programs such as FHA, State and Federal VA and USDA Rural Housing Loans. Visit her website for more information, on-line calculators and a secure on-line application. She is able to assist with transaction throughout the state of Wisconsin. Her offices are located in Appleton, Oshkosh and Green Bay and offers the convenience of one-stop shopping. http://www.WisconsinLoanTips.com or http://www.MortgageProsOfWisconsin.com she can also be reached for comment or to answer questions via email at gwennt@centurytel.net

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There is a change in the air. Can you feel it? What kind of change you ask-a change in the real estate market, a slight change in the markets natural adjustment of supply and demand. And, without government intervention I might add. Anyway, yesindeed, there is that feel, from an experts opinion, the real estate market is tweaking itself in trying to attain some balance. Looking closely at MLS statistics and hearing the publics plans and opinions gives credence to an effort of the markets natural desire of balance. Usually, at least in the midwest, the market doesn't sway to far to the left or right like you find in other highly volatile markets like California and Florida, just to name a few. The peaks and valleys in the midwest are relatively moderate. But the peak experienced in 2004-2006 were significant and so was the valley beginning in 2007. It was a sharp an unpleasant change. But, that's the markets natural flow-high peaks followed by deep valleys, sometimes abruptly sometimes slowly but it always happens one way or the other. So now a few of us are feeling a sway in the real estate markets momentum and that's a good sign for us all. Believe me, and the professional economists will agree, a balanced market is what we all hope for. This will bring some sunshine to this economic slump. So what happens when the market is balanced-prices are moderate, more positive, and good things begin to happen all around. There's less speculation and more stability, and that makes for less foreclosures and increased help needed advertising. See, everything takes on a new look, a new feel, a more positive outcome takes place. Now, I'm no Pollyanna, and this takes time for the momentum to get going, but the indicators are there. And while there will be some swings up and down as there usually is in a market adjustment, the slight nudge has occurred. By the way, history does repeat itself, at least in the real estate market. And in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Mark Hilgenberg Group, at Coldwell Banker, has witnessed this same thing in the early 1980's. I guess that's the beginning to a good silver anniversary. (25 yrs) With summer right around the corner the timing couldn't be better. While winter is in the distant there's plenty of time to get the momentum moving. Just keep moving forward.

If you are a 1st time home buyer and want to know about the benefits to home ownership, the home buyer tax incentive, or want to know how much home you qualify for you can reach Mark Hilgenberg at Coldwell Banker real estate 920-469-4696 or email him at Mark@MarkHilgenberg.com.

If you are a home buyer moving up to your next home and need information on: your existing home, your new home, or both, market plans, or, coordination from your existing home to your new home call Mark Hilgenberg at 920-469-4696, or email him at Mark@MarkHilgenberg.com.

If you plan is selling your home and moving out of the area, need a Good Realtor in your desired location, need a marketing plan on your home to capture the highest price, in the shortest period of time, with the least amount of inconveniences, then you should call Mark Hilgenberg at 920-469-4696 or email him at Mark@MarkHilgenberg.com.

Mark Hilgenberg is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI) and an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR).

If you've ever listened to most real estate agent they talk about their websites (this is a bare minimum for being in the business), for sale sign, newspaper advertising (it doesn't work anymore), open houses (little effect), blah, blah, blah. Truth is you need to be able to reach the masses through effective online marketing and price it at orbelow market. Period. Sure, for sale signs still help, but they don't sell houses. And neither do websites. Whatever you do, price the house correctly. And then, spread the word. While all these efforts can be expensive, selling by owner will only delay your efforts and then, if you happen to snag a wandering buyer, you might be lucky to "net" the same amount of money had it been listed with a professional Realtor. Brokerage fees can look like a lot of money, but in the end, what counts is getting the home sold and netting the most amount of money in your pocket, While it's true, there are a lot of real estate agents, almost as many as licensed automobile drivers, there are only a few real good professionals. So, make sure your agent is well versed in the jungle of internet marketing, utilizes proper pricing strategies, is a good negotiator, and pocesses strong work ethic. So how do you know? If the agent has been actively selling for the past 20+years (we went through this mess in the early 1980's-been there don that), maintains a good success record, and is well versed in technology and the internet, chances are you have a good agent to represent you and get your home sold in today's housing market.

I think it is amazing that we have the Government offering this fantastic Stimulus to First Time Home Buyers and Those who have not owned a personal residence in 3 years-The $ 8000 Home Buyer Tax Credit but that few Home Buyers understand it. Through the premature news reports when this Law was just a bill, Many people are confused with amounts, the terms, and truth. Just the other night I was showing a home to a couple who were first time Buyers and they were under the impression that this tax credit was just some kind of write-off on their income taxes. They were told by a mortgage broker that they would not be getting the $ 8000 in any monetary form. I also still here Buyers talk about how they have to pay back the tax credit-like it was set up in the old $ 7500 Buyer Tax Credit. One Buyer, who wasn't a first time Buyer, was possitively sure they would receive a $ 15,000 tax credit. Even had one older lady who owned a home, but didn't buy a home in three years, think that she qualified as well.

This is a great offering that anyone who is renting should try to take advantage of and those of us in the housing profession: REALTORS, Mortage Brokers, Title Companies, and others need to first educate ourselves and then educate the public. I think the Government could have done a little better of a job educating the public. Bottom Line: First Time Buyers will receive 10% of the Purchase amount of their home, up to $ 8000 as a refundable tax credit. This amount will be a direct dollar-for-dollar reduction of their tax liability and the remainder will be refunded to them. Any way you look at it-They will get up to $ 8000 as a reward for Buying a home before December. Let me say that again. YOU NEED TO BUY AND MOVE INTO THE HOME BEFORE DECEMBER 1st, 2009 !

There are some income limitations that may reduce or eliminate the Tax credit. Check with the IRS for details or call 920-265-0320 for a FREE Information Packet.