Unless you've been under a rock, you have heard about the furor over 'Joe the Plumber.' (Actually I understand that his full name is actually Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher.) But at a time when 'Joe Six Pack' and the 'Bridge to Nowhere' have captured the national spotlight, it's no surprise that our attention has been riveted by the the question 'Joe the Plumber' asked Presidential hopeful Senator Barak Obama during a routine campaign stop in Columbus, Ohio.

"How Will Your Tax Plan Affect My Plan to Become A Small Business Owner?" (my paraphrased version)

Joe concern centered around his perception that his personal tax rate might be adversly impacted by the senators proposed tax plan. Thus, a worldwide debate sparked about what would be best for Joe!

Well, I've been thinking about Joe's welfare too. Because in a tangible way, Joe symoblizes everyman. Everyone of us who is wondering what to do next in the face of an increasingly complicated world. Everyone who has tried to cut through the noise and confusion and struggled to figure out what in the world makes the most sense today.

GOOD NEWS: It has occured to me that unlike the bizzare direction of much of the current political debate, real estate professionals have some real solutions at their disposal which can help Joe and countless millions like him actually reach their financial goals. The fact is that Joe wants what all of us want.

1. A Good Value for His Investment

2. Relief from Excessive Taxation

3. Something that he can call his own!

THE FACTS: Owning ones own home continues to be a solid investment. Despite, the crisis in the subprime lending industry and the subsequent economic chaos which ensued, the fact remains that the vast majority of Americans, (over 96%) continue to pay the mortgage on their home in a responsible manner. Here in Grand Rapids, MI real estate professionals have continued to sell homes despite the enormous challenges that our state has faced through this economic crisis.

MORE GOOD NEWS: The Value Proposition for Buying a Home remains a sensible way to get the best bang for your buck...especially TODAY, when we have pretty near historic lows for interest rates and a remarkable inventory of homes on the market for sale.

This week, Scott DeWolf, a manager and Senior Loan Officer with Exchange Financial completed the second part of a 2 Week Series on The Financial Markets and Loan Options for the team at Audu Real Estate. He shared these facts with our agents.

On the purchase of a $120,000 home, in Grand Rapids, MI today, the average buyer would enjoy the following:

1. An interest rate of approximately 6.37%

2. A principle, interest, insurance and tax payment (PITI) of $932/month

3. An upfront investment of 3% on an FHA mortgage and 1% on a MSHDA mortgage

4. A nice sum of $116 going towards the principle of their mortgage monthly for a total of $1392/yr

5. Access to a $7,500 TAX CREDIT through the IRS if he buys his first home before July of 2009

6. A gain of over $7,000 that he wouldn't have flushed down the toilet by paying rent! *

Compare this to paying between $700-800 for a 1-2 Bedroom Rental Unit!

*This information does not include the tax credit that homeowners get for owning a property. The gain in the example above only reflects the difference between paying yourself $116/month towards your equity rather than giving $8,400 to a landlord to pay down their equity!

So, What can 'Joe the Plumber' get for $120,000 TODAY in the Grand Rapids, MI market? Well, it turns out to be a whole lot of Value and a generous supply of homes. In fact, today a search on the local MLS revealed that there are over 4,303 homes, some of which can be viewed here.

The current housing market offers remarkable opportunities for 'Joe the Plumber' and other straight talking Americans to review the facts and determine whether they'd be best served by purchasing a home after the Tax Rebate option expires in July 2009 and when interest rates have increased OR if the better plan of action is to take advantage of some unique options which are available to qualified home buyers today!

At Audu Real Estate, we help people to make smart decisions. Buying a home may be the largest financial investment you will ever make. Don't allow the politicians, media mavens and the barons of Wall Street to scare you or cloud your options. Talk to a qualified real estate professional who can help you determine what choices will be of the greatest benefit to you Today!

Copyright 2008 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved

picture is courtesy of Mike Licht on Flickr.com

Sometimes it's easy to forget how young America really is.  Our nation is so vibrant and full of promise that optimism sometimes hinders a mature grasp of reality.  America is the land of the Free and the Brave, the nation in which cowboys ride into the sun speckled range and the Rocky, though bruised and bloodied, always manages to win the sparring match in the end. 

It is that irrepressible enthusiasm that gives us the strength to recover in spite of horrifying setbacks and defeats and to will things to go our way even when the deck of cards is stacked against us. 

The fact that America has been able to do this so successfully is a testament to her relative youthful vigor amongst the sisterhood of nation states. 

When you look at ancient civilizations in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East, you appreciate the fact that a few hundred years is youthful against a backdrop of many centuries.

In some ways we're like teenagers; not really believing that certain types of mistakes have the capacity to change us on a fundamental level.  A teenager may experiment with drugs and sex not realizing that the wrong needle or partner could fundamentally cost him or her their life.  Teenagers are young and naive enough to be willing to roll the dice and hope that they can get away with it.

However, the dice of life is unpredictable.  And youth rarely calculates the odds of a catastrophe.  The recklessness which has precipitated the crisis on Wall Street is a reminder of the fact that our collective actions can have ramifications far beyond our limited perspective.  The thing about experience is that it forces you to grow up.  A kid who impregnates his girlfriend becomes a father by default...readiness for the responsibility is not the criteria...the ability to have sex is.

In recent years, our ability to access easy and abundantly available credit has been about Availability, not Responsibility.  Through every crisis, our country has learned something and we'll learn some lessons this time too.  That's guaranteed.  The real issue is if we'll learn the lessons which we need to learn to help us to mature and grow up.

Here are 5 Lessons Which I hope that this crisis will force us to grapple with.

1.  Using Credit for Disposable Items Never Makes Sense

I'll never forget the exact moment I saw someone whip out a credit card to pay for a grocery purchase!  It was about 15 years ago and prior to that time, most stores in my area only allowed cash or checks.  I remember wondering WHY someone would be buying groceries which would be gone in a week with a credit card on which the balance could last for years.

I remember discussing this with an associate who told me that it was merely a matter of convenience; most people would pay off their card at the end of the month and furthermore this action could accrue points to be used towards the gain of free stuff.  That was such a crock.  Whether it was groceries or meals in a restaurant, the vast majority of us are still paying for meals we ate a long, long, time ago.  Meals which have long exited our systems.

2.  If you can't Pay For it...A Credit Card does not change that fact

There's a type of security which comes with having a plastic magic wand in ones wallet.  I didn't know how strong this power was until I tore up my credit cards in my early twenties.  As I prepared to walk out the door, I realized that I was nervous and shaky...I didn't have the security of my cards.  That was a huge wake up call for me and it changed my life.  I realized that I had believed a lie in thinking that just because I could charge something meant that I could afford it.  So, not true.

3.  Creative Accounting does not make a big Fat Zero disappear

Asset valuation became a game of pretense that was so extraordinary that in the last stages of our demise, we began to totally imagine it.  Just imagine you make...X Dollars.  Just imagine you're worth X amount.  If you say so, we'll believe you.  In fact our bankers started imagining with us and giving us money which we could not prove that we could repay.  Imagining things is a great childhood game.  Grown ups deal with reality.  Less fun, but far safer when it comes to financial well being.

4.  Consequences are Real and Don't go away Quickly

The thing about a Consequence is that it tends to stick around.  That's not necessarily a bad thing if one understands that the reason that Consequences exist is to teach us the Lessons of Life.  Since youth tends to gloss over important lessons, the message that Consequences are sent to teach us almost always require time and repetition. 

5.  Being Mature requires having the Courage to take Responsibility for your Mistakes

This one may be the hardest lesson to swallow.  Watching or listening to any news or media right now is to watch the 'Blame Game' in full swing.  Everybody is blaming someone else and pointing fingers.  No one seems willing to take responsibility. 

Witness the specter of a government which refuses to focus on solutions for fear of being blamed for taking action.  Immaturity plays out in the world of nations in much the same way that it does in our personal life.  We ignore stuff that we need to pay attention to, we hope that it goes away, we continue doing things that we know are not healthy and then try to find anyone to blame but ourselves. 

The sad truth is that until we come to terms with our actions, we can't move on; we remain mired in the sticky mess as we wallow in self pity.  True Maturity means having the courage to say, " I was Wrong, I made a mistake and I will do what I need to do to take care of it." No blame, no finger pointing, no accusing, no hiding...just plain old fashioned transparency. 

picture is courtesy of respres photostream on flickr

Copyright 2008  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

Here's what's on my mind. Can we talk?

Whenever bankers work on weekends, there's reason to be concerned.  For the past couple of weeks, the specter of major announcements about significant entities in the financial world such as the takeover by the Federal Reserve of Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae and the announcement of the pending bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers occurring on Sunday evenings has been unsettling.

But, not necessarily only for obvious reasons.  The obvious reasons would be that the domino like collapse of major institutions is a serious national crisis.  The less obvious reason is that most people who I meet are NOT talking about it.  I don't think it's because people don't care.  I sense, it's largely because we've lost the ability to think critically about the implications of anything which does not appear to immediately impact our wallets.

And, that's what concerns me.  This complicated mess that is rapidly unraveling will impact our pocket books in a manner which most of us are unprepared for. And, for a long time. The housing market was simply the first major domino to fall.  So, in a sense, those of us in the real estate industry have had the opportunity to have a bird's eye view of the crisis if we are willing to educate ourselves. 

I found the video clip below about the story of Money.  As a little girl, my Father always used to tell me that money was a simple matter...It was all about TRUST.  Money is a means of exchange...period.  The erosion of TRUST in our society may prove to be the greatest asset devaluation.  A monetary system that fails the Integrity Test is in deep trouble.  Right now, the integrity of the very foundations of our government is on the line.  Did you know that?

At a recent company sales meeting, I spent an hour of instruction on the structure of the current financial crisis.  When I asked, WHO was responsible for solving the problem, someone answered...the government.  My next question was...WHO is the government?  The answer is it's WE THE PEOPLE. 

Do You Know Which President said the statement below?

I am a Most Unhappy Man...

In 1913, on his deathbed, President Woodrow Wilson was quoted as saying, "

"I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the civilized world no longer a Government by free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men." -Woodrow Wilson, after signing the Federal Reserve into existence

In a real estate market in which just under 1 out of 2 homes which are actually SOLD are Short Sales or Foreclosures, more home sellers in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area are inquiring about if a Short Sale may be a viable path to consider.

It is no secret that there has been a precipitous slide in home prices over the past year.  This coupled with the sub-prime mortgage mess has placed some home owners into a situation in which the Value of their home is LESS than what they currently owe  on their mortgage payment.  In some cases...way less.  As a result, some home owners are bringing thousands of dollars to the closing table to make up the difference owed to the bank.

But what can you do if you don't have Thousands of Extra Dollars sitting in a bank, savings or retirement account?  Unfortunately, this is a question, many home owners are asking.  Individuals who have to move due to a job loss, illness or divorce.  Individuals who can no longer afford to stay in the home they bought.

Short Sales are complex real estate transactions.  Although banks do not want to 'own' real estate, they are often less than cooperative in situations in which the debt obligation to them will not be fulfilled.  To make the case to the bank about the specifics of your situation and your intention to try to fulfill your obligations to the best of your ability, it is wise to hire a real estate agent who has successfully completed Short Sale negotiations and who understands the intricacies of the process.

There are several stages within a Short Sale Negotiation.  The first determination is to gain a comprehensive understanding of your specific situation.  Questions which need to be answered include your payment history and a complete analysis of your financial resources; including a detailed rendering of any extenuating circumstances which may impact your ability to repay your obligation.

The home in question must also be verified through a market analysis to substantiate the loss in Value.  This will often include not just a real estate broker evaluation but also an independent appraisal or Broker Price Analysis from another source.  Then the home must be marketed aggressively, as NOTHING proceeds forward until you obtain a viable buyer.

Once an offer is tendered, the real 'fun' begins.  In some instances, we have encountered Loss Mitigation Specialists assigned to handle up to several hundred files at a time.  The pressure on them is enormous and they often fail to answer their phones or respond to any attempts of communication.  It is here that hiring the RIGHT agent makes all the difference in the world. 

It is important that your real estate agent/broker possess the following qualities when negotiating a Short Sale.

1.  They must UNDERSTAND the process...knowledge of the different aspects of foreclosure & short sale

2.  They must KNOW how to price your home to actually SELL

3.  They should have a good INTERNET presence to attract the largest pool of buyers

4.  They must be PERSISTENT in their negotiation efforts

5.  They should have an inherent grasp of the DETAILS to ensure that all parties remain informed

6.  Your agent must be DETERMINED to represent your best interest

Successful Negotiation of Short Sales is a mandatory element of the training which the agents of Audu Real Estate receive during their 1-2 year apprenticeship.  Audu Real Estate has successfully short sales on behalf of our clients. 

We strive to conduct our negotiations in a way which honors the dignity of those involved and protects their privacy.  If you'd like additional information or a private consultation regarding your Short Sale options, please contact us at: info@audurealestate.com.

Related Links:

Additional Real Estate Short Sale Articles by Audu Real Estate

Summer weather roared in with blazing high temperatures and strong storms here in Grand Rapids, Michigan!  It's been a little while since I've been able to look out my window at a clear blue sky and gently swaying trees.  In some ways the recent rush of climatic activity is a metaphor for the real estate situation here in West Michigan.

2008 has been a year in which we have seen some stormy conditions.  The year commenced with the down draft in the mortgage sector due to the sub-prime lending crisis.  In fact, until just recently, most of West Michigan was considered a declining market which meant that New Home Buyers were being asked to bring additional money to the closing table to close loans.  Money which many of them were hard pressed to find. Zero down programs evaporated into the cosmic ethers.

Yet, not all the news was bad.  In the midst of this tempest, affordability levels increased as the prices of homes plummeted sharply creating all sorts of opportunities for buyers and investors to pick up properties at rock bottom prices.  Home owners learned hard lessons about the laws of supply and demand Because bank owned properties now constituted almost 1 out of every 3 sales, marketing times increased to almost a year and homes that were not priced correctly were all but ignored.

In an environment in which so many winds of change are raging, it's often difficult to decipher exactly what is going on.  Recently, Jennifer Granholm the Governor of Michigan signed some important legislation into LAW!  It's the Agency Responsibility Act (ARA)  I think that this legislation is one of the best things to emerge out of the storm which has engulfed our industry.

The Governor's signature on the acts is the culmination of the Michigan Association of Realtors hard fought efforts to clarify for consumers the real estate services that were being provided by various agencies.  This movement was brought about by the amazing discovery that the ONLY duties imposed by statue or rule of law when representing seller or buyers or real estate property were:

The duty of agents to present offers to sellers within a reasonable period of time

The duty of listing brokers to review and sign the closing statements.

ASTOUNDINGLY, THAT WAS IT!

While most Realtors® were offering substantially MORE than this, the public had limited understanding of the potential vast difference of service levels between brokers because all brokers were using the "Exclusive Right to Sell Contract." (Buyers usually are serviced under a Buyer Agency Agreement)

As a result of this legislation, brokers who do NOT provide the required MINIMUM service levels will now have to use a LIMITED SERVICE AGREEMENT form which clearly defines exactly what they are doing or NOT doing.  The ARA also amends the law to make it a VIOLATION of the Occupational Code if a Realtor FAILS to provide all Statutory Services unless they are expressly waived by a client in a limited services agreement.

The is a huge advancement forward for the rights of consumers to ensure they understand exactly WHAT they are getting when they sign up with a real estate broker.  I think it will help to dispel some of the misunderstanding and confusion which has marred the positive perception of the real estate industry. 

Sometimes, it takes a storm to bring out the best in nature.  Today, my lawn is a gorgeous green and the flowers are blooming.  It may have been a little rough getting here, but the results I'm witnessing make it worth it.  The Act becomes effective as law on July 1, 2008. My hope is that the turmoil in our industry will continue to yield changes which serve the good of our profession and the clients we have the privilege of assisting.

Copyright 2008  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved