admin on March 5th, 2010

To be successful, one has to embrace the concept of ‘winning no matter what’. If failing is a thought process, or the fear of failing, then that is what your mind is focused on. If winning is the thought process each day, then your mind and body do voluntary and involuntary motion toward that common goal. It’s a gift God gave us and Jesus actually talked about in the Bible. Most people never fully understand the concept because fear is something we give in so readily to, especially if we focus on the things we could lose if we do not accomplish. Most people live in some sort of constant fear. Fear hides in a room in the brain. If Faith can enter that room and remain constant and fill that room, there is no room for fear. Then, a person can accomplish tremendous things. There are no limits to what a person can achieve, any person. If we all could think like a 5 year old, the world is ours, everything we learn is tremendous, our possibilities are endless, then we could all take great strides with our goals each and every day without worrying what will happen if we fail….because we will never embrace failure. It won’t even be something we accept. I like this interview with Will Smith. Especially where he talks about not having a plan b. If we research and plan something, give it our 110% and not accept failure on any terms, then there is no need to even have a plan b. Also, something else that motivates me is hearing him talk about a treadmill. He says if he is on the treadmill beside you- one of two things is going to happen. 1- You are stepping off of it before him. or 2- He’s going to have a heart attack. Each day, I think about these things, fill my ears, eyes, mouth, body full of the good stuff like Zig Ziglar, read the Word, or motivational videos like the one attached. Then, I can be at 110% each and every day for my clients and know the outcome is going to be the right one.
Will Smith Video

admin on March 3rd, 2010

Recently, we just added another network page to our ever increasing list of office ways to reach out to clients, past clients, friends and family. We value your business and referrals and would love to have pictures of you in front of your house for the webpage! Or, call me and I’ll come out and take pictures for our webpage! Spring is finally springing and I’ve been covered in phone calls, especially for a good parcel of land. Many buyers from out of town coming in. There is a growing demand on the 1st time homebuyer front as well as the tax credit will end at the end of April! Don’t forget to tell friends that if they buy or sell with us before May 1st, they get a free home warranty on the house. Check this out for some … National Statistics

Involuntarily, I am still at it. Working hard becomes a habit. Can you believe that there are still real estate agents that are hard workers? Well, to be in this up and down market, you have to have the nose to the grindstone. Fortunately, our interest rates are still hovering around 5.5% which is phenomenal. The tax credit that was extended ends April 30th, for those who are writing contracts. We still have few months, loads a great inventory to choose from and a great market area to be living in! Who wouldn’t want to live within hours of anything major but yet, still in the country near one of the most Historical American sites ever, the McClean House. Check out our listings at www.appomattoxvarealestate.com and visit me at trnolen at twitter. If you know of anyone buying or selling, give me a call- I’ll give them the awesome service they deserve. After all, my family has been doing it for decades!

admin on October 26th, 2009

As I write this, I am filled with positive feelings toward the future.  I think if everyone in America could fill themselves with this feeling for one day, our economy would be transformed in a quick time period.  Chuck Swindol in “Attitude” said, “The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for the day….I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”  This is so true.  Zig Ziglar says, “Today is a brand new day and it’s mine to use in a marvelously productive way.”  Zig uses this in self-talk in front of the mirror.  It’s hard to not smile at yourself when you tell yourself these words.  :)  Make this your marvelously productive day.

admin on September 29th, 2009

I pulled the statistics from January 1st until September 23, 2008. I compared it with January 1st through September 23, 2009 and this is what came up as far as “progress” maybe??!!

In the Appomattox area, the average sales price of residential has dropped only $4,302 from $148,374 to $144,089. The previous year (from ‘07 to ‘08) it was close to $10k difference. This $4,302 is 2.9% drop as opposed to about a 7% drop from the previous year. I would say that is progress. This has happened in our area and also in the City of Lynchburg, Campbell and areas surrounding. The market seems to be stabilizing a bit.
Land definately has. In previous year, the average sales price was well below the average list price in the 70% range. This year in Appomattox, the figures are: $53,105 average sales price which is UP from last year’s $45,127. This is very positive and gets me fired up!!!!

admin on August 22nd, 2009

Goodness gracious to Betsy. The housings statistics are out for the United States and guess what? That’s right, a great piece of information from the Real Estate industry about the market looking up. Or is it? True, it “looks” like we are on the rebound but how many of those homes were investor buys? How many of those homes were dropped in price 20-30% or even more? I’m sure many of them were incentive buys for first time buyers who had been renting for the last few years and that is positive but until the larger portion of the homes that are being sold across the board are the consumers living in them, the turnaround is going to continue to be slow. In our area, we don’t have as big a problem with investors buying the majority of the homes. The reason for that is we are in a rural area and the outlining populated areas are doing pretty good as far as unemployment and job growth. We live in a bubble here in Central Virginia and that is good. Good for the seller because they aren’t taking as bad a hit, and good for the buyer because the property they are buying will continue to be of great value because of the superior location. What I think is the most important thing about this article is… consumers are thinking in more of a positive way because the “market seems to be going up” and stocks are rebounding. Whether the consumer feels positive or negative makes on the difference in the world on a recession being overcome. Check it out and see what you think. http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB125085108563549051.html

On another note, this is one of the best short videos I’ve seen in months. More about Generation Y and the Social Media movement. It goes along with some of my early posts. Enjoy.

Social Media Networking

admin on August 5th, 2009

Awesome Investment Property

Awesome Investment Property

Dillwyn Lots

Dillwyn Lots

Wow! Being in a bubble can be a great thing! The Lynchburg area seems to be in a nice bubble compared to a lot of other towns and cities in and around the U.S. I talked to a friend of mine in the Northern Neck of VA that said the inventory was 7 years! In other words, it would take 7 years to sell everything on the market at the current “sales rate”. The Lynchburg area’s is only 9 months based on the “solds” during the month of July, 2009. I’m working on 5 contracts right now and just listed 12 properties in the last two weeks! That’s the market update and here’s a picture of some sweet new lots in Buckingham for sale as well as a CHEAP investment property that won’t last long- only $49,900!

admin on July 14th, 2009

Blane Stewart
(Blane Stewart, Mortgage Guru and Kayaker)
Recently, I’ve been working with some couples looking to get Rural Development or USDA financing. My Loan Guru buddy Blane Stewart from SLS Mortgage wrote a great breakdown on the differences between the two most used 1st Time Home Buyer loans for our times: FHA and USDA. This has the pros and cons and is one of the most educational short reads on financing I’ve ever encountered. Enjoy.
USDA will fund 100% of the purchase price of a property with no down payment. This loan product is only eligible for areas not located in metropolitan areas. USDA has broken all areas down into eligible or non-eligible areas based on population density. This product also is only available for clients that fall in the median income level for those designated areas. Main purpose of this product is to promote affordable home ownership. In terms of qualifying for this loan product a borrower must have close to a 620 credit score to be eligible for this product. If you have a prior bankruptcy you may have problems being eligible for this loan product until the bankruptcy is discharged for 3 years. Non occupant co-borrowers cannot help borrowers qualify for this loan. If you have a prior foreclosure you may be ineligible for this product. This product is completely backed by USDA so it does not have MORTGAGE INSURANCE equaling a lower monthly payment for the borrower. In a purchase transaction this product allows the sellers to pay up to 6% toward the buyers closing cost. USDA allows borrowers to have their application and income documents be underwritten and approved for home loans before identifying an exact property. This means that the borrower’s income and credit is completely underwritten and approved before they even search for a home with a realtor. This assures the USDA client will be able to buy the right home with certainty. Rates for USDA and FHA are the same and generally put on a 30 year term. USDA IS ONLY USED FOR PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS. All government backed loans need appraisals, title work, termite, well and septic if applicable to fund transaction.

FHA financing will fund only 96.5% of the purchase price of a property equaling a 3.5% down payment (all of which can be gifted from a family member equaling NO MONEY DOWN from borrower). This product is eligible in both rural and metropolitan areas. This product is not driven by median income for area (no income limit). The main purpose of the product is to promote affordable home ownership. In terms of qualification for this loan product a borrower can have as low as a 500 credit score and be eligible for this product (much less strict than USDA). You can apply for this loan product just 2 years after filing, not discharging, a bankruptcy. If you have had a foreclosure you can apply for this product just two years after being foreclosed upon. This product is backed by private banking groups and federally chartered investment vehicles so it does require PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE. This insurance can be calculated by multiplying the loan amount by .55 percent (139,000 times .55 equals $764). This insurance continues to be paid by the borrower pays on the loan until the 181st payment is made on a 30 year mortgage (15 years!). FHA allows non occupant co-borrowers to help borrowers who cannot qualify with their own income and credit to help them buy a home. In a purchase transaction this product also allows the seller to pay up to 6% toward the sellers closing cost. FHA can be used for purchase, construction, debt consolidation and refinance loans, not specifically for purchases. This product also will not underwrite or review a file until a ratified contract has been signed so a seller/realtor/bank or relocation company cannot truly know they are approved until after a contract is ratified by both the seller and the buyer. This means they are solely relying on a pre-approval for their stake in the transaction. Rates for USDA and FHA are the same and generally put on a 30 year term. All government backed loans need appraisals, title work, termite, well and septic if applicable to fund transaction.

Blane Stewart, SLS Mortgage, bstewart@slsmortgage.com
Thanks to Blane for that tidbit.

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admin on July 7th, 2009

There’s a difference between “naked” and “naakkeeed” (You have to draw the second out when you say it). He said the first naked meant: you don’t have any clothes on. The second naked meant: you don’t have any clothes on and you are up to something. :) It’s all in how you say or hear or comprehend something. Everyone understands things differently. A client asked me yesterday- “how is it you are selling property and I see sold signs everywhere?” I said, “I don’t watch the news so I don’t know that I’m not supposed to be selling right now.” Big smile. Make this week the week you open your ears, eyes, and feelings and close your mouth. Amazing things will happen if you just focus your energy toward your goal.

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admin on May 20th, 2009

Alright, alright, alright! So much buzz about buying a new home and so many questions on how to qualify for the tax credit. Here is the ad/flyer I’m sending out to everyone for Saturday, May 30th at my office. Be there!
seminar-ad-tax-credit