This is the same process for finding a good loan officer as well. Most of my customers are referrals from past clients or Realtors and most Realtors work with clients that are referred to them as well. However, if you want to get to know the Realtor before you ever call them take a look at their website. You can get a very good picture of their personality and how they work from simply reading and looking at the site. The main thing is to find a Realtor that works in your area of interest weather you are buying or selling.

While there has been much talk about bank owned properties and foreclosures and the great deals you can get, most of these homes need some much needed updating or tender loving care to get them to a good livable place. For those who either can’t afford the additional money for updating and repairs or just don’t want to go through the hassles, there are brand new homes and recently updated homes that are coming on the market every day. I know it because they are on my street.

Because you have lost your current insurance coverage and let your policy lapse or canceled your insurance coverage and not replaced it with another policy, the mortgage company has the right (actually, the obligation) to place an insurance policy on the property on your behalf. Most of the time this insurance is far more expensive than the policies you could personally get so you will either receive a bill for the policy or your monthly payment will go up to absorb the increase. Either way you are either bound to pay for this policy or immediately get a replacement. If you don’t, you will owe the mortgage company the difference in your escrow account and it will just build up like plaque on your teeth and will be more painful down the road to deal with than if you deal with it as soon as you see there is an issue.

For all of us that have stayed and plowed through, we have realized how truly fortunate we are to be the best of the best in our companies. I definitely work with the best there is and they are right here in our local office, which makes people very comfortable. There is something to work with people that you can go see and talk to in person if you choose. The processors and underwriters are your neighbors and they care about you and the community you live in. They are not a voice on the phone that can be from anywhere in the world these days. It’s an old fashioned model that works. That’s why we have kept it.

I will note that there are many people refinancing today out of a 15 year loan back into a 30 year loan because of the economy. If you feel that you may have to change jobs or might loose your job you may not want to get a 15 year loan. The good news is you can take 7 years pay off a 30 year mortgage by paying one additional principle and interest payment per year. This takes about 25% of the interest off the note as well. So if you don’t feel comfortable with the higher payment on a 15 year mortgage, get a 30 year mortgage and pay the additional principle per month or during the year.

We work well together because we know each other and can trust what the other one says and does. We have mini teams that work to get you the best deal possible within the market at the time; be it the mortgage market or the real estate market. Just think if you could play basketball with any NBA team of your choosing. To get on the court with these guys would give you the best possible chance of winning that you could have. That’s what picking a real estate team can do for you when buying or selling a home.