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

 

 

     Compared to some of the pros found within the Mortgage Pro Week in Review group, I'm a rookie here at AR, even though I've been in the mortgage and real estate industry for almost 35 years.  I'm deeply honored that I've been asked by these longer-term AR professionals to take part in this Review.  I'm hoping to live-up to the bar of standards they have set and that has consistently been shown before me.

     I personally think it's great that Mortgage Pro Week in Review is all-inclusive and contains contributions from all the different professions that make up our real estate industry.  Just like our real estate transactions together, we work more effectively, benefit far more greatly, and proceed more smoothly, if each arm of the industry contributes to the other and the over-all good.

     The real plus of having multiple writers contributing to Mortgage Pro Week in Review is that the range of prospective highlighted AR writers is definitely broadened and deepened.  With 193,027 AR members (as of last posting), no one person could possibly discover and know all the great writers and postings here in the Rain.  But with multiple contributors out "mining" AR talent ... the potential for striking "AR Gold" is just mindboggling!  We get to appreciate more great talents through this method of review.    

     The following posts are my personally mined "AR Gold" for the week of   9-27-09 through 10-03-2010.  If you don't know these individuals yet, please take the time to go to their posts, read, comment, and introduce yourself.  I'm sure you will be glad you did.

     The Gene Mundt "AR Gold" mined for Mortgage Pro Week in Review:

 

     Karen Cooper, Mortgage Consultant in Oregon & California, offers up some great advice in her post entitled ...  "What to Do When Your Bank Stonewalls Your Modification Request ... Tips from a Housing Counselor".

     Given that Karen also does housing counseling, you couldn't get a better guide to follow when in this situation.  She provides links to additional help-sites that will assist whether in the states she represents (Oregon & California) or across the nation.   

     I've known Karen ever since I first joined AR.  She was one of the first AR members that offered her personal support and assistance to me here.  I've always found her to be caring, knowledgeable, and committed to serving her customers with excellence.  I believe you will find the same qualities ...

 

     Home inspections are an integral part of most home sales taking place these days.  They provide security and peace of mind to home buyers, plus they can also save buyers from making a grave error that would end up costing them huge dollars in the future.

     Recently, Rich Edgley of Greater Chicagoland Home Inspection, out of St. Charles, IL, has been offering a running-post of tips for those preparing a home for an inspection.  The specific tip I found most interesting this week was contained in his post, "Preparing Your Home for an Inspection, 50 Tips in 25 Days ... Tip #4". 

     This tip speaks of the importance of the grading of the land surrounding your home ... and what can occur within and to the property should that grading be sloped incorrectly.  Extremely timely given all the rain and flooding that took place this last few months ... and very important stuff here!

 

 

     Larry Bettag of Cherry Creek Mortgage, St. Charles, Illinois, wrote about an option for mortgage approval that sometimes confuses borrowers and those that are capable of assisting them when they are looking to purchase a home.

     His clear and concise explanation of the ins-and-outs of        Co-Borrowing for another's mortgage is a great roadmap for anyone considering taking this step.  It lays to rest some of the myths that many fear upon entering into such a transaction too.

     Larry's "Non-Occupant Co-Borrowers Can Help Buyers Finally Get Their Home!!!!" is a must-read for those trying to understand this helpful mortgage option ... or in a position to offer this assistance to another person. 

    

     In the current challenging market, sellers must consider what they can do to make their home standout from all the other homes on the market.  Increasingly, professional staging services are being utilized to assist sellers achieve that ultimate goal ... a sold home.

      The BEFORE and AFTER photos in the posts of Maureen Bray of Home Stager Portland OR ~ Room Solutions Staging ~ Portland Oregon are visible proof that staging can perform miracles. The transformations she and other stagers can offer sellers are simply amazing.

      To prove that point here, I offer Maureen's post ... Vacant New Home on the Market since 2006, now Staged ~ Will Staging Help it Sell?   They say pictures are worth a thousand words.  Maureen's photos are worth that and many more.  We all should know and spread the word regarding the many benefits of utilizing these talented professionals ...

    

     As self-employed real estate industry members know ... getting approved for a mortgage loan as a self-employed person can prove challenging.

     Nevin Williams of First Priority Financial, San Diego, California offers a mini-textbook and roadmap for those of us that need to secure this particular lending scenario. 

     Nevin stresses the importance of finding a mortgage professional that understands how to navigate this form of lending to its' successful conclusion.  Read the post ... "Home Loans for Self-Employed People Can Be Frustrating".  You'll be better informed and prepared to enter into a transaction of this type ... or help someone through it.

 

     Perhaps one of the most interesting continuing stories being told here on AR, is the one that Elliott S. Topkins Massachusetts Real Estate and Title Atty, Boston, Massachusetts tells regarding sisters that own property together ... but now find themselves unable to agree about the property.  Property depreciation, usage concerns, and more have contributed to the fray between the sisters.      

     Who amongst us has not been in a family situation similar to this ourselves, or had a friend or someone they know suffering through this scenario?  Elliott's post, "Massachusetts Tenancy-In Common Agreements .. The Rest of the Story and What I Have Attempted so Far to Preserve a Family Thanksgiving", points out the difficulties that can result from these co-ownerships, if planning, communication, and care are not taken prior to buying. 

     With many presently considering investment and co-investment purchases because of the opportunities that exist in today's housing market, this is a very timely and important post to be following.  The post offers a great opportunity for learning and conversation.  Double-click on Elliott's post ... especially if contemplating an investment or family co-purchase of this nature now or in the future.

      AND ...

     **  There is an open invitation to ALL within the AR real estate industry to join the Mortgage Pro Week in Review Group and to take part in the group by volunteering your writing talents to this post.  Your views and professional insight would be greatly appreciated.  We all have something to offer one another ... and learn from one another.  Help us all to learn and grow ... join Mortgage Pro Week in Review today! 

    Mortgage Pro Week In Review - Copyright 2010^© 

      MORTGAGE PRO Week in Review:    A repository for the Mortgage Week in Review.  Please think about joining the other real estate professionals already members of this group. If needing further information regarding MORTGAGE PRO Week in Review, or wishing to volunteer for this group, please e-mail Jeff Belonger at:   jbelonger@ihmci.com

     There will be no recreations of any type regarding the titles or content of this group or Review without the permission and expressed written consent of the Group's founder.

     The next  reviewers for the Mortgage Pro Week in Review :

     Gerry Suarez          10/04/2010    through    10/10/2010

    Volunteer             10/04/2010    through    10/10/2010

   

     ** If seeking information regarding Gene Mundt, Professional Mortgage Banker with Chicago Bancorp, please go to Gene's website at: www.genemundt.com or see his profile here at ActiveRain:  http://activerain.com/genemundt.  Thank you!