Monday, August 25, 2008

SHORT SALE - BEWARED

If you are thinking of buying a property listed as short sale, BEWARED! I personally do not recommend this to my first time buyers. In most cases the lenders have a realistic dollar amount that they are willing to sell the property for. The waiting period is not realistic because unless the listing agent has a direct relationship with the lender.

This is a process that have always been difficult to handle. As sellers, you are so attached to your home. The sellers want to walk away, take any offer that sounds reasonable. But then, there is the bank, not too quickly to settle for any price that is less than 85% of there loan.

If you were the buyers, hoping for a great deal, helping the sellers out by offering them a low-ball price. And then you may be upset because your agent had submitted your offer more than two weeks and no answer.

That's just the way it is. Be patient and realistic if you are interested in a short sale property. Or, go look at other properties that are on the market that are not a short sale.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

McDONALD'S CHICKEN BREAKFAST COMMERCIAL

Okay, the commercial for McDonald's chicken breakfast commercial was kinda cool, just what America has been waiting for! Each time I watched the commercial during the Olympic, I questioned myself even more. Are the actors real athletes? I kept thinking they were part of the Olympic athletes, doing a yummy chicken sandwich commercial right?

The more people I spoke to about the commercial and if they knew if the actors were real athletes, the more disappointed I was. I wanted them to be real people, real athletes eating a McDonald's chicken breakfast sandwich - you know, like people like you and maybe me.

I came to acceptance of all that I have been fooled with the Beijing Olympic so far. I should just look at it like any other commercial and move on. Really, do I have the time to keep pondering over a commercial? Yes, as soon as moved on, I see it again the next evening when I am back at the television watching the "Olympic". Just for that, I am not going get up at 6:30 in the morning to try the darn sandwich!

OLYMPIC IMPRESSION

Trying to keep my bias from mixing with the influenced feelings. I didn't think the headline news of the little singers switched, "the Millie deal" would bother me - it did.

I would be less offended if they had explained the cute little girl singing on the ground, and just show the other cute little girl doing what she was doing - giving the world a look and approval of how adorable she is.

After having kids of my own, and seeing my friends kids, I find it very disturbing how society puts a label on children for just their look. I understand that it's human nature to behave that way. I can't stand it!

I will conclude by saying shame on those who went through with the whole process, was there not one person who might have pointed out that it was wrong? I guess I wasn't there, but then again, I am not Chinese!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

PASADENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

There are more families in Pasadena who send their children to private schools than the one who send theirs to public schools. Both of my kids are at a Pasadena public school, and my family is very happy with that decision.

It really comes to being involved and making a difference at the school the children are at. I volunteer a lot, both with time and money. I am happy with the school system and their school. The teachers are wonderful, and the parents who are there are such nice people.

I mean with the budget cut and so limited funds available for the district and the school, we are doing pretty good. Of course, if we have more funding, our kids would be so much better off with more art, music, and language.

Until we have some more money, our children will have to do with what resources we can provide.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

LOANS NOT CLOSING ON TIME

If you are in escrow and you are beyond your closing date...call the lender! It has been very frustrating for my clients having to wait for the lenders to close their loans.

I have noticed lenders are taking between 10- 20 days longer to close the loans. The best part is the excuses the lenders come up with for the reason why they can't close on time.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Help Repair Credit Scores

So, the new in-thing offered for Realtors now is getting into the next market niche - "HOW TO RUN YOUR OWN CREDIT REPAIR BUSINESS".

Wow, another way to take advantage of the current situation and the people who really need the help. Have you ever been to any of these FREE seminars or classes? They are so full of it, and I think the same people who are running this businesses, don't even have excellent credit scores themselves. Who is helping who? But, don't forget, the classes are FREE, but there is a charge on helping you improve your credit.

The best way to do is looking at your personal situation and make a commitment on when to start. There are so many websites out there that shows you how to improve your own credit, how to improve your FICO scores. A good one that I repeatly check out is on BANKRATE.com. Check it out!