My New Blog

People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Sam Walton.

THE DEATH OF AN OLD FRIEND

Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, by the name of Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died recently in the United States. No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, and factories helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws, and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second. A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole language, and "new math."

But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentioned but overbearing regulations.

He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.

It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parent when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports.

Finally, when people, too stupid to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, were awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs, and stepladders.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two step siblings: My Rights, and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized that Common Sense was gone.

The Real State of Real Estate

      Positive Outlook from the National Association of Realtors

  "We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential."
                                                 ~Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist

        As we kick off another year “All Together,” it is easy to get caught up in news about what is wrong with the real estate market. The truth is that 2008 is shaping up to be a promising year for real estate, with plenty of opportunities to buy and sell in every market.

        According to NAR Research, there is significant pent-up housing demand that will begin to be unleashed into the marketplace in 2008. Many markets will see rising home sales and strengthening home prices. We believe that the worst of the credit problems are behind us. Great news for consumers and REALTORS®!

        Thanks to NAR, you have a distinct advantage when it comes to growing your business in the current environment. We are pulling out all the stops in 2008 to give you the information and resources you need to understand what is really happening in your local markets and to keep your clients informed. Check out our newest resources:

• Local Market Reports – In addition to our national indicators and forecasts, REALTORS® now have access to more than 70 local market reports. With insights on sales, prices and economic factors, these reports will give you everything you need to counter negative news and tell consumers what is really happening in real estate. They are available free of charge to all NAR members. Just visit www.realtor.org/marketreports to find your local market.

• Surround-Sound Media Outreach – NAR also has developed a new “Surround-Sound” media outreach toolkit for states and boards, which can help spread the word about all of the great opportunities to buy and sell real estate. This toolkit complements our national media outreach efforts and includes talking points, story ideas and tips for working with the media. The Surround Sound toolkit will be available online at www.Realtor.org in early February.

• Research Studies – In 2008, NAR will be producing several new research reports that can help you grow your businesses. For example, our Profile of Vacation and Investment Home Buyers can help you tap into new markets. The Homebuyer and Seller Profile also can tell you exactly what consumers are looking for in a home and what they expect from you in the transaction. All of our reports and surveys are available at www.realtor.org/research.

       Since 1908, REALTORS® have worked hard to earn a reputation as America’s leading community builders and dream makers. Today, the “Voice for Real Estate” is stronger than it has ever been, speaking for millions of consumers in neighborhoods across America. And, we’re just getting started.

       Thanks to your participation in our advocacy efforts, NAR made tremendous strides on the public policy front last year, passing legislation in three key areas that will preserve the long-term value of real estate and help you grow your businesses:

• Mortgage Relief – We achieved a major victory for consumers caught in costly mortgages, when President Bush signed the Mortgage Cancellation Tax Relief Act in December. We also are making affordable financing available to potential buyers through landmark FHA Reform. We expect this bill will go to conference early next year.

• Terrorism Insurance – NAR also worked with Congress to keep the commercial real estate market strong and stable well into the future. President Bush recently signed a bill that continues the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for seven years.

• Banks in Real Estate – For the first time ever, Congress also passed a two-year moratorium on banks entering the real estate business, which will take effect early next year. We also have record support for a permanent ban through the Community Choice in Real Estate Act.

       Thanks, again, to your hard work, REALTORS® are in a prime position to succeed on many other key priorities in 2008, including GSE Reform, Flood Insurance Reform, Natural Disaster Reform, Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Mortgage Reform. All of these issues are critical to our professional success, a healthy real estate market and strong communities. Please keep up the great work on both RPAC and grassroots.

       NAR is constantly working on your behalf, and we want to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your thoughts and suggestions. With your help, we will show consumers across the nation that now is a great time to invest in real estate. We are in this “All Together!”

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE YOUR HOME!

FHASecure Initiative

We are pleased to announce the roll-out of the FHA 203(b) FHASecure initiative. The FHASecure is a temporary program designed to provide refinancing opportunities to Homeowners who are currently delinquent on any Non-FHA ARM, Non-FHA Interest-Only ARM or Payment Option ARM as a direct result of payment shock due to a recent reset of their existing mortgage.

This is an excellent program to help those out who have arm loans expiring and are confronted with increased monthly payments along with being delinquent on their monthly payment. If the customer meets all of the program parameters, then we can refinance them into a fixed 30-year loan where the monthly principal & interest payments will not change for the 30 year loan term.

Awesome message:

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel!