Understanding the Home Mortgage Loan Process in 2015   What are the steps that are taken in the loan process?The loan process changes in different regions and from state to state. The explanation of the loan process below is a basic overview of the steps that take place during the processing of your loan. Different lenders will have their own requirements. The outline below is meant to give you a general idea of what is required to go from applying to closing your loan. Visit 1.    The first step - the loan application:2.   Do I have to meet in your office?3.   After I fill out the application, what happens next?4.   What does it mean when my loan is approved "with conditions?"5.   What does "Close Escrow" mean?6.   What is a "Right of Rescission?" Visit my friends at Supreme Lending fo... 05/10/2015

This isn't a joke or cartoon; just something interesting to know..........     Please forward this on to others.......       On Monday, I played the Disney, Lake Buena Vista course. As usual the starters matched me with three other players.   After a few holes we began to get to know each other a bit. One fellow was rather young and had his wife riding along in the golf cart with him.   I noticed that his golf bag had his name on it and after closer inspection it also said "wounded war veterans ".     When I had my first chance to chat with him I asked him about the bag. His response was simply that it was a gift.   I then asked if he was wounded and he said yes. When I asked more about his injury, his response was "I'd rather not talk about it, sir".   Over a few holes I learned that ... 05/06/2015

Why not just get married on the web? Daughter: "Daddy, I am coming home to get married. Take outyour check book. Dad, I'm in love with a boy who is far away fromme. I am in Australia and he lives in the UK. We met on a dating website, became friends on Facebook, had long chats on Whatsapp, he proposed to me on Skype and now we've had two months of our relationship through Viber. Dad, I need your blessings, good wishes and a big wedding." Father: "Wow! Really!! Then get married on Twitter, have fun onTango, buy your kids on Amazon and pay through Paypal. Andwhen you are fed up with your husband....sell him on Ebay!”  05/05/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & Florida News Monday, May 4, 2015 TODAY'S TOP STORIES   Weak Canadian dollar drives vacation-home sales Some underwater Canadians with a recession-era home purchase may now break even thanks to the exchange rate – and long-time owners could turn a hefty profit. Read more.   MLSs increasingly a one-stop shop for new homes too A recent deal that brings more new-construction listings to real estate pros in Florida signals an expansion of data sharing between builders and MLSs. Read more.   Real estate Q&A: Perils of living near a golf course Buyers often pay extra for a golf course view, but does liability come with that? What happens if an errant golf ball breaks a window? Read more.   New technology could make all homes solar-powered A home... 05/04/2015

Understanding Closing Costs & What You May Pay To Settle Your Purchase    Closing Costs To The Buyer:Lender’s Policy:  $275FF9 Endorsement:  10% Total PremiumAdditional Endorsements:  $35Settlement Fee:  $395Doc Stamps (Note): $.035 per $100 of Loan Intangible Tax (Mortgage):  $.020 per $100 of LoanRecord Deed:  $19.10Record Certificate of Approval:  $10.60Record Mortgage:  $200Survey:  $295 -$400  Refinance:Lender’s Policy:  Promulgated RateFF9 Endorsements:  10% Total PremiumSearch Fee:  $150Doc Stamp (Note):  $0.35 per $100 of LoanSettlement Fee:  $295Intangible Tax (MTG):  $.020 per $100 of LoanRecord Mortgage:  $200 Closing Costs to Seller:Real Estate CommissionsOwner’s Title Policy:  Promulgated RateTitle Search:  $150Doc stamps on deed:  $0.70 per $100 of purchase price Payoff of... 05/03/2015

Citizens Insurance will shrink, but not due to Homeowner Rates  A legislative session wouldn't be complete without an insurance reform bill. The bill that crossed the finish line, SB 1770 , started off big and controversial, calling for substantial rate increases for many of Citizens' nearly 1.3 million policyholders and all new policyholders. The end product is still big -- 75 pages -- and includes a Florida Realtors priority: create a clearinghouse to enforce Citizens' eligibility requirements. But it does not include a requirement sought by Sen. David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs) that all new policies be actuarially sound. Simmons chaired the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee this session and negotiated a compromise between an ambitious Citizens reform bill passed by the Senate... 05/03/2015

A Few Fun Facts about, The City of Atlantis, FL 33462   Atlantis Population as of the 2010 Census was 2005Registered voters are 1651 or 82% of the populationNumber of those casting ballots in the last election was 950Total voter turn-out including absentee was 1,234 or 75%There are approximately 1200 housing units which include single family, townhomes, villas & condos. This breaks down to the following.631 Single Family Homes284 Villas101 Townhomes184 CondominiumsAtlantis City Hall (561) 965-1744Atlantis Country Club (561) 965-7700Atlantis Golf Club (561) 965-7600Atlantis Police Department (561) 965-1711www.atlantisfl.gov Search Atlantis Homes Click Here If you are looking to buy or sell please give our office a call for a no obligation consultation. 05/03/2015

Original Mother’s Day: no candy, no flowers as proclamation urged‘display the flag’  So much for fancy flowers, champagne brunches and new electronic devices. Ninety nine years ago, President Woodrow Wilson had a terse message for the American people when he designated the nation’s first official Mothers Day. “Whereas, by Joint Resolution approved May 6, 1914, ‘designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, and for other purposes’, the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the government officials to display the United States flag on all government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in may as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of... 05/03/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & Florida News Friday, May 1, 2015 TODAY'S TOP STORIES     Percent of owner-occupant buyers drops Institutional investors have cut down on cash purchases, but a RealtyTrac study suggests owner-occupants aren't filling the demand void - smaller investors are. Read more.     Average rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.68% FRM rates moved slightly higher, but half of the experts polled this week predict they'll go back down over the short term. Only 20% expect further increases. Read more.   RESPA violations result in settlements U.S. consumer bureau says a title company and some loan originators have settled allegations involving illegal kickbacks paid to title insurance companies. Read more.   Final Appraisal Management Companies rule issued... 05/01/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & Florida News Monday, April 27, 2015     TODAY'S TOP STORIES     Why buy a home? The reasons have changed HomeServices study: Post-recession buyers focus less on a home's size and location; instead, they want personal needs fulfilled as they build wealth. Read more.   Floridians' consumer confidence drops a bit in April The most significant part of the three-point drop came from households with annual incomes over $50,000; lower-income households remained stable. Read more.   Cash-out refinances on the rise A pre-recession refinance tactic appears to be making a comeback. In a cash-out, owners get a new mortgage higher than the last and pocket the extra money. Read more.   NAHB new-home forecast: Steady now, more next year The builders' ch... 04/27/2015

Understanding the Home Mortgage Loan Process   What are the steps that are taken in the loan process?The loan process changes in different regions and from state to state. The explanation of the loan process below is a basic overview of the steps that take place during the processing of your loan. Different lenders will have their own requirements. The outline below is meant to give you a general idea of what is required to go from applying to closing your loan. Visit 1.    The first step - the loan application:2.   Do I have to meet in your office?3.   After I fill out the application, what happens next?4.   What does it mean when my loan is approved "with conditions?"5.   What does "Close Escrow" mean?6.   What is a "Right of Rescission?" Visit my friends at Supreme Lending for more h... 04/26/2015

Buyers Are You Looking for Foreclosures, Short-Sales & Red-Hot Deals in Palm Beach County?  In today's real estate market we have completely flipped from a cold buyers' market to a red hot sellers' market.  With the low amount of housing inventory on the market and rising prices it can be a challenge to find the right house and if you do it's a challenge to get your offer submitted in time. Often when you do find the right property it already has numerous offers on it or is already under contract because another buyer beat you to it.  That is why it is so important to see properties immediately when it is first listed and immediately when there is a list price reduction. What if I told you I could do one better?  I'm sure you have read enough sales copy to know the answer and you are co... 04/26/2015

Why It's important to know what you hear, it could be the difference between life & death? Morris , an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm. A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to Morris and said, 'You're really doing great, aren't you?' Morris replied, 'Just doing what you said, Doc: 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.'' The doctor said, 'I didn't say that.. I said, 'You've got a heart murmur; be careful.' 04/20/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & Florida News Monday, April 20, 2015   TODAY'S TOP STORIES NAR study: Return buyers to boost housing demand Fla. to be one of three states to see the largest share of post-foreclosure buyers over the next decade. Almost 1M previous U.S. owners have already returned. Read more.   Credit unions: A not-so-secret mortgage source A credit union often offers great mortgage terms, but many buyers don't think they qualify. However, a website will check to see if they're wrong. Read more.   The real reason millennials aren't buying While young adults do face ownership challenges like school debt, many have simply postponed big events that kickstart buying, such as marriage and children. Read more.   The pros and cons of changing brokerages A large f... 04/20/2015

 Should you buy a fixer-upper in this market of 2015?   April Buying Advice: With fewer houses to choose from, more buyers are considering purchasing homes with problems. Here's what you need to know, and which issues might be too much to take on.With housing inventory tight and many bank-owned homes on the market, some buyers are starting to consider homes that they previously would have dismissed as problems. (Bing: How tight is housing inventory right now?)How much of a project should you take on? We asked real-estate agents and a home inspector what buyers should consider when evaluating a home that needs work.In this month's Buying Advice, we'll also check in with the latest housing statistics and help define a real-estate phrase that's commonly used but not universally understood.... 04/19/2015

How To Rate Yourself From 1-10???  What can I improve on in the next week or month? Superstar salespeople are always looking for ways to improve their business along with customer service. When you do so, your results improve right along with it. Here are several topics that can be made into separate programs that will keep you focused, improving both you and your business. Time Management and how to improve itHow to get more sales through Lead GenerationHow to set-up PrequalificationsLead follow-up systemImprove my Listing PresentationPricing Property more effectivelyCapturing BuyersHandling those nasty ObjectionsImproving Negotiating SkillsImproving Closing SkillsAdding more Social MediaAdding Administration to my business modelBusiness planning and trackingRole Playing my developing ... 04/19/2015

The Dreaded Phone Call from the Boss.Thinking back in a time of your younger working days, has this type of scenario below ever happened to you? My boss phoned me today. He said, "Is everything OK at the office?"I said, "It's all under control. It's been a very busy day.  I haven'tstopped to take a break all day.""Can you do me a favor?" he asked.I said "Of course, what is it?""Pick up the pace a little -I'm in the foursome behind you."  04/16/2015

Keep this list and send a copy to your senior friends and relatives. As I was waiting in line behind an older gentleman at Wendy's recently, I heard him ask for his senior discount.  The girl at the register apologized and charged him less.  When I asked the man what the discount was, he told me that seniors over age 55 get 10% off everything on the menu, every day.  Being of 'that' age myself, I figured I might as well ask for the discount too.  This incident prompted me to do some research , and I came across a list of restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, travel deals and other types of offers giving various discounts with different age requirements. I was actually surprised to see how many there are and how some of them start at the young age of 50.This list may not only be ... 04/13/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & Florida NewsMonday, April 13, 2015  TODAY'S TOP STORIES Will lenders take foreclosed owners back? On paper, many foreclosed owners can again qualify for a home. However, some larger lenders hurt during the recession aren't yet willing to take a chance. Read more. Secrets buyers should know about new construction A new-home purchase is more complicated and intimidating than most resale transactions, and buyers need a Realtor to represent them in the deal. Read more. Expect closing problems around Aug. 1 change date For title companies and lenders, the mortgage system changes radically Aug. 1, and it will take time to adjust. Be prepared for unexpected problems this summer. Read more. Anonymous letter accuses Zillow of illegal activity Lette... 04/13/2015

What Every Buyer Should Know Working With An ABR in 2015  FOR BUYERS: WORKING WITH THE BEST  As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), I’ve become a top resource for buyers. I came across this article that helps explain my role in the real estate process and how I can help you achieve homeownership. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you. 8 Reasons to Hire a Home Buyer’s Agent © 2013 First Team Real Estate By Nisreen Breik. FOR BUYERS: BEING A REALISTIC HOME BUYER  When looking for a home, you are bound to have certain expectations. I found this article on how to stay focused on what you can afford and how to best approach the home searching process. I look forward to helping you find your perfect home. Helping buyers is my business and I ... 04/12/2015