News Channel Mortgage

And I am chuckling!

I didn’t think I actually espoused pro or con on the issue!

So, in one corner is the contention that owning real estate is a safe investment (which implies debt accumulation, and faith in the survival of the banking system), and in the other, is the contention that no debt, and investments in paper cash (or possibly commodities, in the form of REAL food, fuel, and ammo) is the safest, due to an imminent collapse of the banking system.

Loads of room in between, and probably a few defensible positions even more extreme than the polar opposites defined.

But I guess I have a bias, too.

First, I want to survive (in business, in life, in spirit), while maintaining certain philosophical ideals. A non-surviving idealist is not of much use to anyone (however, there are legitimate questions regarding their usefulness when alive), so I temper the idealism with a healthy shot of pragmatism. I see alot of that here.

Second, I want the community to survive, meaning the overlapping circles of communities that I belong to, up to, and including the community of life on Earth, with greatest concern for those communities closest to me. Again, largely a shared value, I believe.

Third, I think liquidity of assets is very important in uncertain times, but there are opportunity costs associated with liquidity. That was kind of my question for Eleua. I would be glad to hear others opinions as well.

Thanks for reading, and writing. You are a VERY interesting bunch to know, and learn from.

Ardell,

You asked how to choose a good abatement contractor (post #209).

1) Some say ask for referrals. Typically when asked the contractor will provide names of extremely satisfied clients, rather than those less satisfied. Expect any referrals to give a rave review, so I wouldn’t even bother asking for referrals.

2) A lot of safety violations information is available online at http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.html. Internet search engines can offer misleading safety info intentionally provided by subscribers. One such site has info from the OSHA site above on only non-members of their organization, making it appear their members are safer. Also, the OSHA site allows a little deeper digging to see what the violations actually were. Permit filing typos vs. fatalities, etc.

3) Ask for ‘asbestos abatement’ insurance. Some states licensing agencies require only ‘general liability’ insurance instead of ‘abestos abatement’ coverage.

4) Ask if the contractor is OSHA exempt (in Washington L&I exempt). Small firms who have no employees (owners only) are not required to adhere to many safety regulations which not only protect workers, but also prevent occupant exposures.

5) Most objective tip - ask ‘Asbestos Consultants’. These firms are usually found immediately before asbestos contractors in the phone book. Schools, governmental entities and multinational companies hire consultants to observe contractors during their operations and make final payment recommendations. If you suggested 3 firms who’d given you a bid to a consultant, they’d give you their opinion who’d be best based on their own experiences. Gov’t officials aren’t allowed such candor (either to recommend or to caution), but consultants can openly relay their experiences without fear of reprisal.

Hope that helps.

Rhonda, I still use a separate PDA because I don’t like any of the smartphone designs.

Wow!

Just popped up on my feedreader.

No more Pick-a-Pay, no more anything that has a negative amortization.  Period!

Can I keep my Calculator?

What about the cool spreadsheets I created?

Seriously, The Neg Am loan has a very valuable place in the finance world when properly used.  I believe Wachovia (world Savings) had the highestperforming Neg Am Portfolio in the biz.

VIDEO LINK

Wow!

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To counter-balance negative with false optimism is negligent. Bring the numbers from those “immune” areas…not just talk. I know what’s happening in the best of areas. It’s less down, but still down.

“We also believe that the down turn in Seattle home sales and prices is “more” a matter of fear on the part of buyers from all the bad housing news nationally, rather than the actual Seattle housing market and economy.”

Al…it’s about financing…it’s about financing.

I had an idea to create a monthly blog called Today's Market. I won't do any analysis just yet about what I think is happening in today's Banking/Mortgage Market But I will tell you what myself and a lot of other mortgage brokers are working on to help more people and bring themselves more business.

FSBO's- It's nothing new but It is a buyers market right now. It takes more than the average person to list and sell your house while balancing your career and your personal life at the same time.

Contractor's/Home Remodeling - Programs like the 203(k) rehab and the 203(k) streamline are making it possible to get extra money for repairs or even structural work (turn a one family into a two family and earn extra income)

Renters - Like I said it is a buyers market. It will continue to be a buyers market until about 2013 according to Rene Pharisien's article "Why the housing market will not rebound until 2013". There are also several other very well educated people saying the same thing, and I'm going to have to agree with them.

BTW, this might be a secondary offense, but it will probably be combined quite often with impeding traffic (the State Patrol’s new emphasis). That would probably be a ticket around $250.

I would love to hear user opinions on these products. I really don’t want the ear-piece. I’m leaning towards a “visor clip”…especially since my hubby and I trade cars.

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