MomsWhoBuyHomes

New Technology Bolsters Smoke Detectors

2009-08-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

Too often, house fires are the dark side of holidays, fire officials say between 2003and 2006, US fire departments responded annually to an average of 240 home fires caused by Christmas trees, according to National Fire Protection Association data.

(Keith Srakocic/Associated Press) Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - The hand-held Nintendo was carefully wrapped and placed on the dining room table. Upstairs were the gifts that Santa would put under the tree on Christmas Eve. The tree was ready to go up.

Instead, while driving her daughter to a party, Lisa Cochran got a call telling her all had been destroyed in a devastating fire.

It remains unclear what caused the fire in Cochran's suburban Pittsburgh home, which flattened it and the house of her next-door neighbor, Teea Gantt.

What is clear is that winter - especially around the Christmas holidays, with the combined hazards of trees, candles, electric lights, and space heaters - is the hot season for house fires.

More house fires occur between Christmas Eve and Jan. 6 than at any other time of the year, and Christmas tree fires are especially deadly, with an average of one in 15 resulting in death, compared to one in 131 overall, according to the National Fire Protection Association, based in Quincy, Mass.

"This is always a bad time of year," said Chief Duane Dick of the volunteer fire department in Pitcairn, a town about 15 miles east of Pittsburgh. His company responded to the 10:30 a.m. call on Dec. 13 that the Cochran home was ablaze.

Fire officials urge consumers already out shopping for Christmas gifts to look at smoke detectors, as well.

But consumers may be surprised to learn the standard-issue ionization smoke detectors used in an estimated 90 percent of American homes might not alert them to a fire in time to escape. Gantt said the smoke in her home was thick by the time she was awakened by her barking dog, but none of her detectors had gone off.

The detector preferred by the US Fire Administration has dual ionization and photoelectric systems, alerting people to different types of blazes. The ionization systems recognize high-flaming fires, such as those caused by cooking grease, while the photoelectric systems have an optical sensor that is more sensitive to smoke.

One of the newest technologies is a wireless network that triggers all the smoke detectors in a building nearly simultaneously once a fire is sensed.

"Just making sure that people have a working smoke detector in their home makes a significant difference in the threat [of injury] that there is from fire at their home, especially at this time of year," said Gregory Cade, assistant administrator for the US Fire Administration.

Cochran and Gantt, both single mothers, lost thousands of dollars in clothing and furniture in the fire, as well as items, such as photos, that are irreplaceable. The American Red Cross provided both families with temporary shelter at a Holiday Inn.

Neither has insurance, and they are both hoping donations will help them buy clothing for themselves and their children, as well as recoup some of the Christmas gifts lost in the fire. Cochran has a 5-year-old daughter, and Gantt has three children, ages 7, 6, and 3.

"We have lost everything," Gantt said. "The only thing that we were able to save was my son's bike that was outside."

Between 2003 and 2006, US fire departments responded annually to an average of 240 home fires caused by Christmas trees, according to the most recent data collected by the National Fire Protection Association. These fires led to an average of 16 deaths, 25 injuries, and $13.1 million in damage each year.

Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones said Christmas trees should be watered and put far from a heat source that can dry them out or ignite them. Extension cords and other electrical supplies should have a UL or Underwriters Laboratories label so it is clear the product has been tested for safety, he added, noting that overextending the power supply of a cord can cause it to heat up and ignite flammable items nearby.

"Having a tragedy like this around the holidays is something you never forget. You always associate the holiday with that tragedy," Jones said.

Fire officials agree that smoke detectors are crucial to saving lives. But choosing one can be tricky.

Cade, from the fire administration, prefers models that have ionization and photoelectric systems, making them sensitive to smoky fires and flames.

In many cities, residents can contact the fire department and have them install detectors. Pittsburgh residents are able to get photoelectric detectors with 10-year-life lithium batteries as part of its giveaway program, Jones said.

Joseph "Jay" Fleming, deputy chief of the Boston Fire Department, has been on a nearly 20-year crusade to convince states, fire departments, and homeowners that they must replace ionization detectors with photoelectric ones.

Some states, including Massachusetts and Vermont, have already changed regulations to require photoelectric detectors in some areas of a home.

Wireless networks are also good because they ensure all detectors go off almost simultaneously, Cade said. But detectors can be hard-wired to go off together, he added.

What's more, most insurance companies offer discounts to people that have smoke detectors.

MetLife Auto and Home, for example, offers a 10 percent discount if a homeowner has a fire alarm that is directly connected to the local department, said Ted Mitchell, a spokesman for MetLife. A 5 percent discount is offered to those who have functioning fire extinguishers, deadbolts, and smoke alarms in their homes, he added.

"SUMMER" BUYING

2009-07-18T04:50:00.000-07:00

Traditionally in real estate things slow down for the summer especially around the holidays but this year things are different. There are several explinations for this, one of the is weather. We as human beings are completely affected by weather. This unseasonably cold and wet "summer" changes our focus from usual summer activities and puts us more into the spring/fall mental timeframe. Add to that mix the fact that many foreclosures and short sales are coming through on wide range of homes and you have a recipe for deals and as George and Weezie used to sing, "Movin' on up!" Deals like the ones I'm seeing are some of the best deals I have ever seen! This is the time that most investors dream about. If you are about to enter into that world remember that the number one rule in real estate is still location, location, location!

TO MOVE OR NOT TO MOVE...THAT IS THE QUESTION!

2009-06-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

This week I had a number of clients call me and ask whether they should move or not. The challenge is almost always the same. They concentrate on the fact that (most likely) their current house is worth less. That fact seems to freeze people in their tracks. What they forget is that the home they are going to buy has probably also dropped in value, especially if they are moving to a bigger home. In this market it's all about #1 location and #2 is tied for amenities and size. When people are confused they freeze. It is one of the best times to buy right now because interests and prices are both the lowest they have been in many, many years. Rejoice in that and do your homework! This market is a blessing if you have the right perspective, knowledge and strategy.

Can't Afford to Buy a House? Now What?!

2009-05-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

A client-friend of mine, Stephanie, was distraught because she got tried to get a pre-approval and because of a nasty divorce situation her credit was shot. She was incredibly depressed about her situation. I sent her the following email. Hope it inspires you with your Plan B!

It's all about building a life to get to where you want to be.
You seem to be the type of person who knows with her whole heart
that we are spirits living in these borrowed bodies.

What you need is a plan. You are at Point A and want to get to Point B.
Does not mean you can get there overnight but if you don't plan you
will never get to Point B (and will miss tons of fun!)

To develop your plan B you need to write down all your HAVES, things you
already have. Start here:

-My credit score is__________, to buy a house it needs to be at least__________________.
-For me to raise my credit score I need to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
-I have $______________ to put for a down payment, to buy a house it needs to be at least _______________.
-For me to save that money I need to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
-What areas/towns am I willing to live in?
-Am I willing to be a landlord?
-Am I willing to live in a condo?
-Am I willing to have roommates?
-What kind of place am I looking for if money were no obstacle? (lots of detail here)

Have fun with this initial list and see how your soul flies with it!

Big hugs,
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

Upside Down On My House...

2009-03-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

Are you upside down on your house? (Upside down means you owe more to the bank thatn the house is now worth.) Well, I have heard from two people now who have had their banks contact them and ask them if they want to refinance to a lower rate. Not only that, but for those who qualify they will be able to get a reduction in the amount of their loan too! YES! It's true. Part of the stimulus package that Obama has created allows banks for those of us who have not defaulted on our loans but are upside down. They are allowing a forgiveness of 20-25% for those who fit their criteria too! People to have to get PMI insurance but who cares! My friend paid a tad over $620,000 for her home and owed about $550,000 at 8.5% on it when the market tanked. Now she had it reduced to 5% and $430,000!!! Not bad eh?!

If you don't understand something in this post let me know and I will do my best to send you an explanation. Just remember there is hope!

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

Signs of Spring...

2009-03-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Finally, some hopeful signs for the spring market

Last week the stock market began to rally. It’s anyone’s guess how long this spring thaw on Wall Street will last, but we have to take the good news as it comes. It's like the little green shoots that s-l-o-w-l-y start ripping through the winter's debris. Any good news at this point on the economy is bound to provide a boost of some sort to the battered housing market.

And the stock market is not the only thing to watch! There are other signs as well. Residential construction, after falling for countless months, rebounded by a surprising 22 percent in February. Apartment construction led the way – not surprising since the falloff in demand for new condos and homes has created renewed interest in lending.

Other signs are that residential sales have also slowed in their decline.

The latest nudge to the economy is the Fed’s equally surprising move to infuse an addition $1 trillion into its campaign to warm up still stagnant lending markets. The Fed will buy an additional $750 million in government-guaranteed mortgage back securities and another $300 billion in longer-term Treasury securities.

All this should further lower interest rates on all loans, including mortgages, the NY Times reports in its story on the Fed’s move.

For those of you who are looking to buy, the water is getting warmer...seems that a lot of your fellow buyers have stuck in their toes and are now jumping in!

Mariaaaaaaaaa
:)

Mortgage Lifeline For Those Who Are Current WithTheir Mortgage! YEAH!

2009-02-20T18:07:00.000-08:00

Here is some exciting news from one of our mortgage broker friends, Mona Wong, mom of adorable twins...

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

Hi-

March 4th is when the guidelines will be rolled out for the housing plan. This will allow some of those who are in a situation where they are current with their mortgage but can not refinance because of the value. If you or someone you know who can benefit from this please have them contact me so that I can help them get their documents together and ready for march 4th. It may not be able to help everyone, but it looks promising….

Any questions please contact me.

Thank you!
Mona

Thank you for your business!

Mona SooHoo Wong
Mortgage Consultant
mwong@village-capital.com
c) 617-818-7430
f) 877-504-8357

2009-01-03T18:38:00.001-08:00

I often search other websites for helpful information. I oftentimes find myself visiting www.http://massachusettsmom.blogspot.com/ Last week's post was quite interesting... I would suggest going there too because she has additional comments in the next post that is worth reading too!

Mariaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Divorce and the Housing Crisis

There's one more story I can't resist commenting on and that's this one about couples who are having a hard time splitting up in this economy. In some cases, the couples were counting on the equity in their homes to start anew but now there's no equity. In other cases, each partner is trying to stick the other one with a house that can't be sold.
But it's Josh Kaufman of Cleveland who really caught my attention. It won't be real hard to figure out why Mr. Kaufman is getting a divorce after you read this. It seems Mr. Kaufman viewed the whole split as a "business" arrangement and, as his wife couldn't afford to buy the house from him, he just waited her out until the house lost so much value that eventually he didn't have to pay her a thing. Not one dime for the house that was appraised at one time at $1.5 million. There was "no emotion involved" says Kaufman. And, after all, he was just looking for a way to turn a "negative situation around." Now that's a real prince of a guy.
Here's the full story on Kaufman:
"Josh Kaufman and his wife bought a new 6,500-square-foot house outside Cleveland on five and a half acres, with four bedrooms and two three-car garages, that was worth $1.5 million at the height of the market. When they divorced in June, Mr. Kaufman knew his wife could not afford to carry the home. The longer the divorce process continued, the more the house depreciated; by the time he assumed the house, its appraised value was half what the couple had put into it; he did not pay her anything for her share.
“From a negotiating standpoint we knew that she couldn’t afford to stay in it,” Mr. Kaufman said. “It appeared as an opportunity to turn the negative situation around. There was no emotion involved. It was a business decision on what made most financial sense. It wasn’t an attempt to take advantage of someone.”
Still, his lawyer, Andrew A. Zashin, said, “He bought this house at a bargain basement price.”

Here's hoping the next Mrs. Josh Kaufman reads the New York Times, either that or has the sense to keep the house in her name and hire a really, really good lawyer.

Suze Orman Visits MOMSWHOBUYHOMES

2008-12-05T07:26:00.000-08:00

It is with great pleasure that we feature Suze Orman who had these important reminders about real estate. As always remember to take a deep breath and read on...

Real Estate Reality

By Suze Orman

The incredible rise in home prices over the past few years has made real estate the "it" investment. We're looking at homes as if they're ever-rising stocks that will never decline in value. But thinking like that can land you in big trouble.

Don't get me wrong: Real estate is a terrific long-term investment, but the key is long-term. Your house is a place in which you and your family will live. Over time you should also expect its value to rise at about the rate of inflation, not at 15 percentage points above it. Even Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, who fueled the current real estate mania by keeping interest rates low, has said that he expects the hyper-growth to end and that we could even see a decline in prices.

Condos are especially vulnerable. People have been buying up units they'll never live in, hoping to sell them quickly for a profit. But recent sales data shows that condo prices are already beginning to slip. Condos are also spending more time on the market than in previous months.

The only reason to buy now is if you intend to live in the condo or house for at least five years—otherwise, you're taking on a huge risk if we slide into a down market.

If you do have long-term plans and decide to buy, be very careful with the type of mortgage you choose. Steer clear of short-term adjustable rate mortgages or interest-only options. The only types of mortgages that make sense are traditional fixed-rate mortgages or longer-term adjustables (often called hybrids) with an interest rate set for five, seven, or 10 years.

If you're itching to take a risk, buy a pair of avant-garde designer shoes. But when it comes to real estate, you'd be wise to play it conservative.

Another deep breath and you are on your way!

Warm regards,
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

FEAR VS TRUST - which will YOU "buy" into?

2008-11-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

I have a very different background than most other real estate agents mainly because of my degrees (Boston College-BA & Simmons College-MBA) and my almost 2 decades working for some of the largest public relations firms in the world. Additionally I've also developed a deep passion for studying human behavior. With that kind of background it is incredibly interesting to see people's reactions to what is happening in real estate.

The media focuses on what sensationalizes. They do this because it hooks people and that is how media outlets survive. For example, if you're flipping through channels and you hear, "dangerous storm coming" you are much more likely to stop on that channel, then if you hear, "beautiful weather expected". It's human nature, part of our genetic makeup linked to helping to keep us alive. We don't live in the same dangerous world as our great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents but we still pay attention to those triggers.

When it comes to selling or buying in this market, fear is what is still selling papers. What I see happening is that people are so fearful that they FREEZE. They let the fear override every fiber of common sense they have. One of my clients Steve (not his real name) was going to help out his daughter and her family by buying a bank-owned property. This property was in great shape and listed for less than half of its value, even for these times. Steve is the rare person who saved a significant amount of money and could buy this house oughtright with no mortgage and it would still only affect a small portion of his money. After much back and forth, Steve decided to follow the advice of his financial planner and keep his money in stocks/mutual funds. (BTW, the person he went to for advice is also the same person who would be benefitting from his keeping his money in the markets.) Four days later the market crashed and he lost a large chuck of it. Had he bought the house he would have lost none of it and would actually have built equity because it was being bought way below market value. In the meantime, that house sold for even less that it was advertised for. That FEAR helped Steve make a decision that was not in his best interest. Even if the markets had not crashed he still could not make as much money in the markets as he would have from this deal.

When decided what to do for your specific situation, use your breath, relax, write it down, talk it out. See what makes sense and what feels right. Always remind yourself that you are always safe and that everything is happening in divine order.

LISTING 101

2008-11-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

In this HGTV-loving society what is acceptable in a house has dramatically changed. When buyers look at a home they want it to be like they see on tv. The smartest thing potential sellers can do is spiffy up their home. Yes, it can be a pain in the butt, BUT it is part of how smart people sell their home. While you live in it you can do whatever you want. When it's time to sell it you need to move it from the status of HOME to HOUSE and market it like you would a product. Not fully addressing this issue and swimming in the emotional attachment of a property will cost you BIG money. Get rid of all of your personal stuff, stage it, de-clutter. It is a form a semi-moving. Most of my clients have a really hard time with this. Many do nothing and it costs them time and money, even if they eventually do it. The people who make the most money are those who take this step seriously.

Warm regards,
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

www.brickhouserealty.com

A Challenge Out There...Moms Grab Your Hammers!

2008-08-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Moms!

Thanks for coming back and getting another dose of fun and informative realty reality. Most real estate agents cover only a specific area so they get stuck in just the info for that area. I like to shake things up a bit so I did a seach today for ALL single family homes in Massaschusetts that are FOR SALE and found some interesting information:

-There are 28,521 for sale.
-429 were listed in the last 3 days.

Ooops! Just to show you how crazy the market is, this morning I started writing this blog, went to a long meeting and went back to check the stats a few hours later and now the numbers are:

30,361 for sale!!! WOW! THAT IS NUTS! This is only in Massachusetts which again proves that it is a FABULOUS time for buyers!

Ok, so with these new results can you guess what the lowest priced home in Massachusetts is this week? (drum roll)

166 Brombach St, Pittsfield, MA
6 room, 2 bed, 1 bath Ranch
$35,000 (isn't that the price of a car???)
Approx. Living Area: 1294 sq. ft.
Approx. Acres: 0.19 (8276 sq. ft.)
Heat Zones: Forced Air, Gas
Parking Spaces: 2 Off-Street
Needs a lot of TLC.

For explore more fun properties like this go to http://www.brickhouserealty.com/ and sign up to view properties. Don't worry we won't sell or give your info to anyone not even to our own moms!

Have a fantastic week!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

A Visit From Our Mortgage Momma and Friend, Mona!

2008-08-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I will invite trusted friends and colleagues to guest blog. Their wisdom helps all of us lead better lives. Our very first guest is the wonderful Mona Wong who is the mom of two of the cutest twins you've ever seen! (just had to throw that in ;) My clients who work with her have overwhelming loved the experience. Today she has honored us with a bite of financial wisdom. Remember to chew on it!

Big hugs,
Mariaaaaaaaaaa
:)

Gone are the days of 0% down, you see the price of homes falling but can’t put down 20%, 10% or even 5%, BUT you CAN ask to get prequalified for an FHA loan and put down just 3%. FHA loans were popular and a savior back in the days before there were home equity lines or loans and then of course the 0% down days, these are government sponsored loans. They allow buyers to put down just 3%, a reduced PMI payment, and prime rates! (You get the same rate as Joe Schmoe who is putting down 20%!!!) Or perhaps you don’t have the best credit...with a conventional loan you may be subject to very high rates, if you can qualify for one at all, however you MAY qualify for an FHA loan. FHA loans have a rep for being difficult, however they have been made much easier now and friendlier for the borrowers. There is no income limit, however your loan amount is limited depending on the county you are purchasing in, please check out what they are for the counties you are looking in. If you need help getting prequalified feel free to give me a call.

Mortgage Mama Mona
:)

Mona SooHoo Wong
Mortgage Consultant
c) 617-818-7430
f) 781-547-4921

QUICK MOM TIPS FOR HOW TO QUALIFY FOR A GOOD MORTAGE

2008-07-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

Qualifying for a mortgage is certainly not as easy as it used to be. The actions of the money-hungry folks who put money before their humanity is affecting all of us. It has led to lenders tightening their approval standards. But while it is more difficult to qualify, it is important to know that it is still very possible to get a loan.

Here are four quick tips to help you immediately improve your chances of getting a mortgage:

1. Put money aside for a down payment. Stash at least 5% to 10%. BTW, no-down-payment mortgages, a staple of the housing boom, have virtually disappeared. To qualify for a government-insured Federal Housing Administration loan, you’ll need to put at least 3% down.

2. Get REAL about your budget. Your mortgage payment should be about 25% of your monthly household income. Choose a price range that fits this. If you make $4,000 a month, don’t take a mortgage out for much more than $1,000 a month. This will ensure that you have adequate reserves to make your payments.

3. Check your credit reports. The three main reporting agencies are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Make sure that all the information on these reports is correct. You would be amazed at how many mistakes they make. For me they listed my student loans twice! NOT FUN! My credit score went up after that was cleared up. If you too find some information that is incorrect, report the discrepancy immediately to all three reporting agencies. Anything negative on your credit report will hurt you, even if it’s not right.

4. Boost your FICO score. Mortgage lenders use the FICO score to help determine the chances of you defaulting on a loan. Because the score measures your ability to repay a loan, there are simple steps you can take to improve it. These will show that you are serious about becoming a homeowner.
*Pay down your debt
*Pay all your credit accounts on time

Remember that simple actions over time create the biggest change. Grab a friend and your calendars. Mark a day that works for you and start implementing these simple steps in no time at all you will see some very incredible changes...Be the change you want to be! Once you have these and other successful habits set up you are on automatic pilot for success. It feels sooooooo good! Come join us! You can live happier and more meaningful this way.....Now go grab!

Wishing a fantastic day!
Mariaaaaaaaaa
:)

Mother Who Committed Suicide Because She Was Being Foreclosed On....

2008-07-24T08:11:00.001-07:00

I am totally crying as I write this because I just heard the news that a mom, Carlene Balderrama in Taunton, Massachusetts killed herself with her husband's high-powered rifle because her house was being foreclosed on! Her husband did not even have a clue they were being foreclosed on. Seems Carlene told no one. What a pressure situation Carlene created for herself! She left a note saying to use the life insurance money they would collect to pay for the house! Now Carlene's child has no home, no mommy and a very distraught father! There are better solutions!!!

Being in real estate I see a lot of very sad stories lately. It breaks my heart that someone would be so desperate, so disconnected, that they would think that there was no other solution!

PLEASE! If you feel desperate talk to someone, reach out. Ask for what you need. Go to a hospital and tell them you need to talk to someone. For a list of suicide hotlines check out: http://suicidehotlines.com/massachusetts.html
Here is one good example: Good Samaritans Hotline (617) 247-0220 is also a good place to start.

Remember there are a lot of people in your situation. There is help! There are a lot of lessons to be learned from what you are going through. As McArthur used to say, "When you are going through hell, keep going!"

Remember your kids (even though sometimes they seem overwhelming) are also your greatest joy. They need you! I have never been foreclosed on but I did suffer several extremely painful life experiences. One of them was the sudden death of my baby girl Sophia. At the time although I had two other children all I could think of was that I wanted to be with her. The pain clouds your judgement. Give it time. space. breathe. talk. connect. shift. smile. breathe.

Remember that no house, no matter how grand is worth that!!! You are MUCH more important! MUCH! MUCH! MUCH!

There is an old Portuguese saying that what does not kill you makes you stronger. The choice is yours. I vote for a stronger (happier) you!

Big huge honkin' hugs,
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

A Very Cool Buyer Program...

2008-07-21T05:01:00.000-07:00

I came across a program that I am thrilled about because it's going to help a lot of people...maybe even you and your family!!! YAY!

Yes, it's true! The economy's shifting is creating fantastic oportunities for those who are lucky enough to find this information! This wonderful program gives discounts to people who buy homes in Worcester. What kind of discounts? Well, they offer discounts on most aspects of home buying including mortgage programs from local lending and financial institutions, in some cases, at rates between ½ and ¼ point below market rates with no or low down payments, lower or no mortgage insurance payments, employer mortgage assistance, and rewards from local retailers on the purchase of homeowner essentials.

OK, now, before you pooh-pooh Worcester, do yourself a favor. Go online and actually check out a few areas in Worcester. You know how cool college towns can be. If you have not visited Worcester in a while you should. It is a very magical place!

Did you know that Worcester is NEW ENGLAND's second largest city? It is a FIVE-TIME recipient of the All-American City Award. It combines the warmth of a small town with the conveniences of a thriving metropolis. You get affordable housing, quality public education, accessible transportation, trendy restaurants, cool shops, and exciting nightlife (for those who have time for that sort of thing ;).

But wait, there's more...."A manufacturing and innovation giant for more than 200 years, Worcester’s landscape blends impressive mills and diverse architecture with community-oriented neighborhoods, inviting green spaces, renowned colleges and unique cultural institutions. The City boasts one of the finest urban school systems in NewEngland and is rated one of the safest communities inthe country (with population of 100,000 or more). An admirable mix of old and new, Worcester is defined by eclectic neighborhoods with a range of housing stock - from historic, turn of the century homes to modern urban lofts.
Worcester’s Neighborhoods!

Lucky buyers can learn more about all of these by visiting www.buyworcesternow.com. It is rare to find such good incentive programs so at least checking it out would really be a good idea. Who knows maybe you will find exactly what you want and thought you could not have! ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

PUT "FUN" BACK INTO HOME BUYING...Here Are The Simple Steps

2008-07-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

For many, the home buying process can be so confusing that even running the Boston Marathon -and winning - would seem like a simpler task! In reality buying a home (yes, even in this market) is a simply a serious of steps that get you to where you want to be. Whether someone is new or has bought before, it is always a good idea to get a good outline of the process. For years I looked for something I could share with my clients to no avail so in my "spare time" I decide to create something fun for the world, something that breaks down the steps of home buying into fun, bite-size pieces. I even added cartoon-like figures and (hopefully) some humor.

Let me know what you think of it. I'm always open to suggestions. I present to you the funny way to buy your next home...http://www.brickhouserealty.com/html/gameboard.html! ENJOY!

Big hugs,
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
:)

How to Use the Law of Attraction to Buy a Home...

2008-07-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

All the universe is made of energy. That is a known fact. Your thoughts are basically energy. What you focus on you will get more of. When you visualize and then back it up with words you create your future path. Think about that. You are your own genie! When it comes to buying a house it helps to do this simple and fun exercise....Get some fun magazines. If you don't have any go on www.freecycle.org and ask if anyone has any cool house magazines they don't need. It's free to use. (If there is not a Freecycle group in your area start one - it builds community and keeps things out of landfills!) Cut out the photos of the homes and architectural features that you love. Glue the photos onto a sheet of paper. Make sure you are smiling and enjoying it as you create this because essentially you are using a fun way to focus your energy to what you want. Invite friends you adore to share this activity with you. Once you are done put it up where you see it like a bathroom mirror or your nightstand. Visualize yourself there. Allow the feelings to well up. Say out loud that you deserve this beautiful home. Believe and see how the universe delivers....