Gene Mundt - Let's Talk Mortgages & Real Estate! : January 2011

Buying a condominium can be a challenging process.  Add  FHA  into the mix and things get even more so.  It becpmes so very important that you deal with a lender that has experience navigating buyers through these special transactions.

Deborah Garvin, Gateway Diversified Funding, Oceanside, CA does an excellent job of explaining and instructing condominium-buying participants, both client and professional, through the special steps that should be considered both prior ... and during ... a FHA condo/purchase process.

For assistance in the Oceanside, CA region when buying a condominium ... please make sure to contact Deborah Garvin.  She has the expertise needed to get you to the closing table successfully.

If in the Chicagoland/Illinois region, please  contact me  for your condo purchase and for answers to all your home buying and mortgage questions. 

These FHA condo transactions are a perfect example of where professional appraising experience strategically comes in play for clients.  Feel free to contact me at any time ...

Gene

      My wife has a friend, that as of these last few weeks ... you'd better not be found standing still around her.  If dormant even for a second, she'll clean and polish you, store you, or throw you out.         

    Every conversation Marilyn has with Lisa is peppered with the relatings of Lisa's lastest cleaning and purging adventures.  I guess that explains why the topic of storage and storage techniques was on my wife's mind when she discovered the handy-dandy website offered below.       

     While visiting one of her favorite websites, (Better Homes and Gardens - bhg.com),  Marilyn found the following  "personality quiz".        

     Being somewhat of a lover of these things anyhow, this  BHGStorage Personality Quiz  really caught her eye.  This quiz combines the topic of psychology with the art of de-cluttering.  Seems there are differing personalities regarding someone's zeal and tastes for storage and the art of de-cluttering.        

     So this got me thinking ...          

     If as someone hoping to sell your home, you take this test ... find out your "storage personality", and implement the information you tap ... can you make the storage, organization, and de-cluttering of your home:  

• Easier to accomplish?
• The task and outcome more psychologically appealing?
• Increase the likelihood of the sale of your home?

      Hmmmm ...  For those presently in the process of selling their homes and those considering it in the near future, there may be something of real substance to consider here!  (Stagers!  Weigh in!)  And, it might not a bad idea to consider for those of us just wanting to spruce up the homestead or make our lives more efficient either.         

      So, go to:  Better Homes and Gardens ... Storage Personality Quiz . Take the test to find out what storage techniques and solutions work best for YOU.  The  Better Homes and Gardens  site offers tips, photos, and videos that will help you accomplish your storage and de-cluttering tasks and goals ... all in a style that pleases your eye and fits your unique personality.          

      Enjoy!                         

      *  Just as there are many storage personalities and styles to be found, there are many mortgage programs available for consideration when buying or refinancing a home.  To find out what mortgage program suits YOU and your personal finances best, contact me at: http://www.genemundt.com/Contact-Me.html.    Together we will analyze, then work towards finding the  perfect mortgage for you.  

Gene Mundt, Professional Mortgage Banker NMLS  #216987 Chicago Bancorp -  NMLS #63483 

     In my previous post,  Ooooooo Baby .. It's Cold Outside.  Warm-Up by Planning Some Gardening,Part 1,  I mentioned and listed some great gardening topics and ideas to curl up with during these cold winter days in the hopes of transporting you to a much warmer frame of mind.       

     In Part 2, I continue within the same vein offering inspiration through these additional suggestions and websites so you'll flex your gardening muscles, physically and mentally.   Maybe this post will move warm weather and Spring a bit closer too, if only in your mind ...             

     Look no further than this site for helpful Midwest gardening "how-to's", tips, advice, photos, and more.  This handy website  covers almost any gardening topic, plant, chore, problem that you can think of or run across. Have a concern about your garden or lawn?   Definitely check this site out: http://midwestgardentips.com/sitemap.html.                   

     Live in a condo, townhome, rental, or just need to keep your gardening to a limited space?  Think container gardening. This site will provide instructions and tips on how to get started ... what containers to use for best results ... what plants or flowers will thrive in containers ... and how to care for them.  The site is blooming with ideas ... http://www.gardenguides.com/685-guide-container-gardening.html.       

     This website is a little gem I found.  I was looking for a site that addressed those gardeners wishing to plant more "natural" or native Midwest plants and flowers.  This is definitely it!  It's a great site chock full of Midwest information to check out for many reasons ... for those beyond gardening too.  http://naturalmidwestgarden.com.       

     Have most of your florals, trees, and plants in place already?  Looking for ideas to lift your garden to that next level? Want to give your lawn and garden more "pizzazz"?  Click on this link and find out what garden décor  will "reflect your style and personality".  Then have some fun finding those perfect items for your personal garden ...  http://www.homeworkshop.com/2010/09/07/garden-decorating-to-reflect-your-style-personality.       

     And if after all that reading and planning, you need to get out of the house, move around, and SEE the latest flowers and actual garden designs ... what better place than a Garden Show?  Here's some shows/gardens to consider visiting in the Chicagoland/Midwest area:       

     Billed as the largest event of it's type in the area, the 2011 Midwestern Herb and Garden Show, held this year on February  11, 12, and 13, at Time Square Mall in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, promises to be spectacular ... and provides you that opportunity to get out of the house and get moving and planning!             

     Exhibitors will be showcasing all sorts of plants, herbs, flowers, shrubs, seeds, cookbooks, birds, and gardening ideas.  Perhaps the greatest benefit of attending is the sheer beauty of knowing Spring is just around the corner.        

     Another great benefit is that exhibitors and experts are available for seminars and to answer all your gardening questions!   And oh ... it's FREE to attend the show!  Get out of town ... and enjoy. http://www.midwesternherbandgardenshow.com.             

     Another great option is the Chicago Flower and Garden Show being held at Navy Pier, March 5 - 13.  Check the link out below for further details about this amazing show and another great opportunity to see first-hand all the plans and innovative gardening ideas that are new for the upcoming gardening season.  http://www.chicagoflower.com.        

     Like scenic drives?  Consider taking a drive along the Mississippi to historic  Galena, Illinois  to attend one of the garden shows held at  Murphy's GardensGreenhouse and Garden Center located just outside of town. Free gardening classes are also available many Saturdays at this family-run nursery.   Located in therolling foothills of the Galena region,  there is a host of other activities and sights to visit while in the Galena area.  Check Murphy's out:  http://www.murphysgardens.com/murphysgardensclassesandeventschedule.html.       

     These are just a few of the many options and opportunities you have at your disposal to learn and then plan with for the upcoming spring planting season.  Hopefully this information, the sites offered, and shows mentioned (and others you may find) will assist and motivate you with your own personal plans for beautifying your property.  Please share what you find and post pics of your successes here on the "Rain" ...         

     Enjoy!      

*  If you'd like to PLAN and DESIGN the perfect mortgage program and credit for yourself or your client, please contact me at Chicago Bancorp,  http://www.genemundt.com/Contact-Me.html ... Cell/Text:  708.921.6331, or Email at:  gene@chicagobancorp.com.   I'll be happy to hear from you and we'll get to work landscaping your brighter financial future right away!

     It's the dead of winter and we're now past the excitement of the holidays.  Here in the Chicagoland area and more northern climates, we're settling into the months of more severe cold.  These cold days and nights bring blistery winds and temperatures that make us shiver ... and finds us dreaming of the warmer spring weather ahead.       

     About this point in the winter, many of us begin to check our mail and search the internet for new gardening magazines and websites showcasing inspirational gardening ideas.           

     We then hunker-down on the couch flipping through the catalogs and magazines we've received.  Computer on our lap.  Pen and paper in hand, so we can make notes off the internet regarding the latest variety of flowers and new landscaping ideas that will brighten-up our property.          

     Especially now with the challenging economy, many of us are searching for ways that we can:  

• (A) Save Money while landscaping and gardening  
• (B)  Improve the overall appearance of our home. 
• (C) Increase the value of our home.  

     Elevating your home's  "curb appeal"  will definitely help accomplish that.  But with money tight, professional landscaping sometimes just isn't in the cards.  With some research and knowledge, the right tools, smart plant purchases (or sharing), and hard work ... you can save yourself some money by performing landscaping upgrades and improvements on your own.        

     So what I've done, is a little research on my own.  It will help you get a jump on Spring.  The information and sites I offer will provide you some good reading, lots of great web surfing, and lots of gardening inspiration.  And oh yes, perhaps while you're sitting in front of your fireplace or enjoying a few warm blankets ... a few thoughts of beautifully warm weather ...          

     The following website offers some suggestions and tips as to what you can begin planning and doing right now ... so you're ready to rock come warmer weather.  Ask any true gardener, half the fun of gardening is in the planning. 

       Knock yourself out folks viewing and considering options within this site: It's custom-made for garden dreaming.  http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/midwest/march-tips-the-midwest/.       

       If you live in the Chicagoland area ... you may find that the soil surrounding your new home has a pretty heavy concentration of clay.  Most gardening experts will advise you to prepare and improve your soil to make it better for the flowers you wish to plant/transplant.  But that obviously can raise the cost of beautifying your property.         

     There are those flowers that will grow well even in clay soil.  Consider these 25 hearty plants in some of the areas you're hoping to spruce up and cut down on the costs of black dirt and soil preparation.  http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/best-plants-to-grow-in-clay/        

     Here's a website that will provide some inspiration and motivation.  It will help to change dreams into concrete ideas you can work with.  The information contained within this site addresses all aspects of landscaping and has loads of great pictures and garden layouts provided too.s http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/gardendecor/       

     For my fellow Illini, our very own University of Illinois' extension services are far-reaching.  The University sponsors workshops of all kinds in many locations throughout the State.        

     If adding a fresh vegetable garden to your home is in your plans for this spring, here's a University of Illinois link you'll want to check out. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/directory.cfm.   And ... if you're looking for a natural and inexpensive way to fertilize your garden soil ... think manure.  That's right!  Manure!  The U of I extension service can help you with that too!  Check this page out:  http://web.extension.illinois.edu/manurecentral.  They've got the topic covered ...       

     In Part 2 of this post ... I'll offer some more great websites, ideas, and information for you that dream of green thumbs.        

     Make sure you check it out!        

     DuPage County in Illinois, like many other counties, offers many helpful forms of assistance to the senior residents living within its borders.  One such program, is the DuPage County Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. 

     Each year from January 1st to March 1st, the County opens application for participation in this beneficial program.  The program assists its senior residents by allowing them to defer the property tax payment on their principal residence.

      The deferment of a tax payment is similar to a loan against the senior's property market value.  Deferrals are borrowed from the State of Illinois, who in turn pays the current property tax when due.  The State of Illinois ensures repayment of the deferred amount through a 6% simple interest rate "loan".  A lien is also filed on the residential property.  Special Assessments taxes levied by your village or their water and sewer district may also be deferred. 

      To qualify, DuPage County senior residents must fit the following qualifications:

•      The residential property must be their primary residence and used exclusively for residential purposes.
•      The senior resident(s) household combined income cannot exceed $50,000 annually.
•      Senior must be 65 years of age or older by June 1, 2011.
•        Senior must have resided in deferred tax property for minimum of the last 3 years.
•      Senior must have NO delinquencies of payment on their property taxes.
•      Senior must have NO special assessments on said property.
•      Senior resident/said property must carry current and adequate Fire and Casualty Insurance.
•      Senior must Own the property, share joint ownership with a spouse, be the sole beneficiary of said property, or be the sole beneficiaries of a land trust for said property.

      Application forms (Form IL 1017 and IL 1018) for participation in this year's DuPage County Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program have automatically been mailed to those senior residents that took part last year. 

      For new senior participants, the following information/documentation must be provided at the time the completed application is submitted:

•      Social Security Number
•        Proof of property ownership
•       Copy of current Homeowner's Insurance Declaration page
•      Proof of age
•       Other qualifying information

       To receive or download an application, you can call the DuPage County Treasurer's office at: 630.407.5900 or visit its website at:  http://www.dupageco.org/treasurer/.  Additional information or questions may be addressed through either contact, as well.

     Completed application forms can be returned by mail, or dropped-off in person, at the DuPage County Treasurer's office located at:  DuPage County Treasurer, 421 No. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois, 60187.

     Please note that the applicant's signature must be notarized.  Notaries are available at the DuPage County Treasurer's office, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4 pm each day for its residents' convenience.

*     For information regarding Reverse Mortgages, regular residential and small property lending, and Financial Planning, please Contact:  Gene Mundt, Mortgage Banker at Chicago Bancorp, Cell/Text: 708.921.6331,  Email:  gene@chicagobancorp.com.   Thank you! 

 Pretty much everyone knows the children's story about "Goldilock and the Three Bears".  It's become almost mandatory reading for any child and their family and it's been made repeatedly into children's movies too.  You most likely know the storyline.

     But just in case, the tale goes that a little girl named Goldilocks enters the home of "The Three Bears" and wanders around testing things out in their house.  Precocious little thing, this Goldilocks.

     Goldilocks is a picky little thing.  Something she tries is always too this or too that.  Too big ... too small ... too cold ... too warm ... and then finally the third option is always "just right".

       Now being the opportunistic parents that we were, Marilyn and I used to tell this story to our sons when they were real little.  For the Mundt children, there always was a lesson to be learned from the story of good ol' Goldilocks, to be sure.

      As the kids got older, we obviously dropped reading the story of Goldilocks to them ... but we did not abandon what we saw as one of the morals of the story.  Okay ... again I'll admit to being a little opportunistic on this score, perhaps stretching the use of storytelling a bit.  But as parents we tried to use every means and chance we could to drive home what we saw as valuable lessons. 

     Thank you Goldilocks!

     Higher education was always stressed as an important goal for our kids.  We simply told them they had a job to do well each day just as certainly as their parents did.  Their job was to go to school, to learn, and reap good grades.  We told them if they did this, when the time came to choose a college or career, they then would have options at their disposal. 

      They would be in charge of their final school choice because they would have multiple schools from which to choose.  Simply put, they'd be just like Goldilocks ... only they'd be investigating and scouting schools of their choice out until they found the one that was "just right".

     But what does all of this have to do with mortgage programs??  It's really pretty simple. 

     As a consumer, you want to have options available to you too.  That's true no matter what you are "shopping" for.  Whether it's food, clothes, cars, or mortgages ...  it's the same.  Having options frees you to make comparisons, assists you in finding the best product for your needs, saves you substantial money. 

     And to make sure you have multiple options available to you as a home buyer, you must make wise preparation.  You accomplish this by establishing good credit in advance. Paying bills/rent/house payments on time.  Limiting the credit, and number of credit cards, you apply for.  Establishing a savings account.  Making wise financial decisions.

     YOU, just like Goldilocks, then have choices ... options at your disposal.  YOU have earned the right of having multiple options from which to choose when it comes time to mortgage your home purchase or when refinancing.  YOU have earned control over your financial destiny through thoughtful financial preparation.  YOU choose.

     YOU then have earned the right to say ... "my FICO scores are high. I have money down.  My finances are in good order".

    "THIS excellent mortgage program and interest rate is "just right" for me". 

     *  To find out what options you have earned and are available to you when buying or refinancing a home in the Chicagoland area, please CONTACT ME at:  http://www.genemundt.com/Contact-Me.html

     There's been alot of chatter here on AR as of late regarding the making of '2011' New Year marketing efforts/focus and Business Plans.  It's the perfect time for reflection in this direction and I've seen some pretty great suggestions offered up for consideration within many recent posts.

     Because they view it so very important and element to success, my company, Chicago Bancorp, insists that each of its LO's completes a formal Business Plan each New Year.  Monthly meetings are then conducted throughout the year between managers, marketing team, and myself to analyze the successes currently being realized, revisiting the current plan, its effectiveness, and whether changes (or what changes) should be made moving forward.  I find it very helpful and it keeps me on track and focused.

     One facet of my personal Business Plan is emailing.  I've found that emailing still works best for me with certain clients.  That may be becoming less and less true with the younger set (texting is a MUST with that age-group), but emails still perform the function I need in many scenarios.  In any case, I have found that emailing still gives me some options for messaging that I find very useful .. and I can accomplish much in bulk "blasts" too.  

     Because of the size of my database(s), I have chosen to handle the email campaigns I conduct through Constant Contact, a service outside of Chicago Bancorp's company email services.  Besides typical email services and functions, Constant Contact offers up additional services to its subscribers as well ... some of which are more informational/tutorial in nature.

     After viewing my latest report received regarding my most recent email "blast", I admittedly was a little disappointed in my "Open" and "Click-Through" rate for this message.  Yes, it was a Holiday Message delivered in a busy time, but I still did some investigating.  After viewing the following information in regards to my latest and past emailing efforts, I was somewhat relieved to find that I was performing well above industry levels.  Good ... but ... 

     What I found regarding our real estate industry's overall level of performance versus other industry's was interesting to me ... and I thought you might find it interesting and informative too.

     Below you will find a chart indicating the "average" results for emailing as they pertain to "Open Rate", "Bounce Rate", and "Click-Through Rates" for the Real Estate Industry ... and other industries too. 

     Although not at the bottom of efficiency or perception of industry, I found that our real estate industry did not favor well against many other industries in the above 3 components.  I see definite room for improvement overall.  My personal stats didn't seem so wonderful anymore after reviewing this either.

     So I ask, in comparison to what YOU find here ... if you are conducting email services ... how do YOUR personal emailing efforts/statistics measure up to the statistics you find within this chart?  If you are finding success in this manner ... do you have suggestions or tips that you can offer others within our industry that are also pursuing this marketing that will improve their success rates?      

     Anything that YOU can share is welcomed ...

     *  Should you wish to be added to Gene Mundt, Chicago Bancorp's email contacts, please go to the Guest Book on Gene's website, www.genemundt.com and request to be added to future mailings: 

http://www.genemundt.com/Guest-Book.html

Whatever city we're based in, professional home stagers do so much more than make our clients' homes look amazing and irresistible to potential buyers so that they sell faster ...

What other Hats do we wear?  Here are just a few of them ....  

NEIGHBORHOOD EXPERT:  Home stagers need to be familiar with the neighborhoods in their cities, so that they know the types of architecture and styles of homes they'll be asked to submit staging proposals for.  The best home stagers have the ability to stage many different types of homes, whether they're modern and contemporary, traditional, mid-century, Victorian, ranch, Craftsman, or whatever style is popular in their area.

DIPLOMAT:  Sometimes, the client who hires the stager is the homeowner, and sometimes it's the listing agent.  Occasionally the stager is caught between both parties, and it's important to be very diplomatic whoever you find yourself dealing with.  Discretion is another excellent and important quality to have when working in people's homes (especially when they're still living there!)

HANDYMAN:  Professional stagers are always fixing things that they come across when they're staging a home.  We carry a variety of tools to repair household items, and usually we don't even charge our clients anything extra for this added service.

SECURITY EXPERT:  Home stagers learn quickly to make sure that all windows and doors are secure and safe when they're working in a client's home.  Our eyes and ears are always on alert to make sure that everyone -- and everything -- is safe inside the home.

ABILITY TO STAGE EQUALLY WELL IN SNOW OR 108* HEAT:  Even when heat or air conditioning isn't in the best working order, home stagers will work under the worst conditions ... not because we want to, but because we want to get the job done for our clients!

STATISTICAL WIZARD:  Home stagers are clever enough to track our home staging statistics for our clients so that they can see our average Days on Market of our staged properties.  We love to share this helpful information with potential clients!

PEACEMAKER:  Occasionally, nosy neighbors who don't like all the activity next door, or contractors working on the property exhibit short fuses for various reasons.  Home stagers need the wisdom of Solomon to keep the peace!

MAGICIAN:  As professional home stagers, we wear this hat every day!  Clients are always telling us how "magic" our transformations are!  (This is one of our favorite hats, by the way...)

SHOPPER EXTRAORDINAIRE:  Home stagers know all of the best places to shop for furniture and home decor, and we're famous for running into our favorite haunts 15 minutes before closing and filling up carts faster than Olympic sprinters!

PHOTOGRAPHER: We offer our clients quality photos for the online listing -- which is critically important in getting buyers to visit the home in person.

~ HOME STAGERS, WHAT OTHER HATS DO YOU WEAR?  Tell us your stories, please! ~

***                    ***                    ***

Room Solutions Staging offers help to Portland Oregon homeowners, real estate professionals, builders, banks, trustees and investors in preparing homes for the market.  Our home staging clients love our service and our home staging statistics!  Our home staging services in the Portland OR metro area include consultations, staging for both vacant and lived-in homes, and interior redesign  projects.  For a complimentary home staging proposal, please contact us @ 503-246-1800.

There's not much I can add to the following post from  Claudette Millette, Metrowest Mass Buyer Broker,  as its' message is clear and concise for those selling (or thinking of selling) their home.

With so many homes on the market ... inventory being what it is ... and competition for buyers being at an all-time high ... your home needs to be as crisp as new cotton sheets and shiney as a newly-minted penny when buyers view it.  Otherwise you will have a disappointing outcome.

Absorb the wisdom found within this article that Claudette Millette offers ... and apply it to your home prior to .. and during .. the sales showings.  Paired with a realistic sales price, you will definitely increase the chances of a beneficial and more speedy sale.

Please remember to contact Claudette Millette, should you be in need of sales/buying representation in the Metrowest, Mass. area.  Should you be in need of a referral for real estate professionals in the Chicagoland area, please contact me.  I will provide you the names of the area's finest professionals.  I will also be happy to assist you, should you be in need of mortgage services for your next home purchase.

Best of luck to you during the sales process of your home ... 

Gene

     The internet has become an invaluable source of information for the vast majority of Americans.  Type in a few words for almost any search and you get pages and pages of information, facts, and figures.

     Still, nothing beats the special resources, attention, and touch that can be given and received only between caring humans.

     That human "touch" will be evident and in play on Tuesday, January 18th when Valley View Community Unit District 365U and Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 co-host the "FREE Community Provider Resource Fair". 

     This beneficial Resource Fair will be hosted for area individuals and families at the Romeoville Recreation Center located at 900 W. Romeo Road located in Romeoville, IL.  (Click for Location/Directions).

     Some of the 100+ resources and service providers on hand for the January 18th Resource Fair will be:

• Health Experts
• Housing Experts
• Financial Experts
• Counselors
• Homeless Liasons
• Mortgage Counselors/Experts
• Governmental Agencies/Resources  (Local, County, State)
• Social Workers
• More

     Those that attend this Community Provider Resource Fair will receive a resource manual filled with information from a plethora of community agencies that offer guidance and assistance.  Helpful child care services will be available for $1 for those families in attendance.   

     This Community Provider Resource Fair will be a great way for area resident's to learn about those many resources available to them and their families, plus it will provide good opportunities for initial contact with these resources.  Those in attendance can leave the Resource Fair having been able to establish those very important first contacts, comforted by the fact that they have actually started the process initiating real help for themselves and their families.

     Attendees of the Resource Fair will be able to enjoy the music and entertainment offered-up by the Bolingbrook High School music department that day.  Free popcorn will be available as well. 

     Should additional information be needed regarding this Community Provider Resource Fair, please call 815.302.3895 or 815.886.2700, Extension 244.