Ann's Blog

Thanks to Rita Burke for a GREAT post on the power of Google and the WONDER WHEEL!  I know I will be busier now that I know about this tool!

"You can't direct the wind - but you can adjust your sails." Anonymous

Had a tough 2009?  2008 was not a good year either?  Well, then it is time to CHANGE what you are doing to attract business.  Many agents conduct business the old traditional ways and continue to be successful.  But times have changed and we need to adapt to those changes.  It's time to "adjust your sails".

Becoming more internet savvy will increase your business.  Take computer classes.  Education can only help and not hurt you.  Buyers search the net to purchase homes.  So, you need to be able to understand the internet to attract those buyers.

Network in different circles and be SELECTIVE who you network with.  I have learned through the years, we should not network with everyone.  Anyone you associate with is a reflection of Y-O-U.  Ask yourself, would YOU do business with this person?  If the answer is "NO", then do not network with them.  There are many quality networking professionals to conduct business.  You choose your friends wisely.  Why would you not choose your business associates wisely?

So, sail successfully into 2010.

Ann Sabbagh 

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-305-6906 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."

If you purchased your home AFTER November 6, 2009, your tax credit will be delayed.   WHY?  The IRS has NOT created a form for the new tax credits that now include "move-up" buyers.  PLUS, they have seen fraud.  Taxpayers have been claiming the credit without actually buying a property.  So, the new form will include requirement of proof of the home purchase, including submission of the HUD from the closing table, copy of a mortgage statement and a license or paystub or bank statement with their name and address on it.

The new form was supposed to be available January 1.  As of this date, it is still not available.  For those who purchased BEFORE November 6, they simply file form 5405.

For more information, please click on the link below:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/14/real_estate/homebuyer_tax_credit_delayed/index.htm

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Ann Sabbagh

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-305-6906 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential." Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) Former British Prime Minister.

NEVER say "Quit"!  By going to work every day and "pounding the pavement", you will succeed.  Winners do not quit, and quitters do not win....you know the adage, but do you LIVE it?

When you lose the sale, there is another one around the corner.  And when you complete the sale, there is another one around the corner, because happy clients bring on more clients.

So, unlock YOUR potential and keep your efforts going!

Have a GREAT week!

Ann Sabbagh

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-782-1012 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."

"If you do not buy a house, you are either STUPID or BROKE".  Well, one more "OR" should be added: FEAR!

This blog from Michele Reneau, ABR, GRI, CRS, comments on the article in Business Week (link in blog below) :

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1378992/if-you-don-t-buy-a-house-now-you-re-stupid-or-broke

Who are the first time homebuyers?  Usually, young people who have never purchased a home, thus FIRST TIME homebuyers.  They are watching the news/or reading the news about "1 out of 10 Americans losing their homes".  With so much BAD PRESS coverage, of course they are AFRAID! 

So, BIG question is: How do we help them overcome their FEAR?  The government is "throwing money at them" called the "$8000 first time homebuyer" incentive.  Is this the ANSWER to FEAR?  I SAY  "NOOOOO"!!!!  What do I say is the answer?  E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N !!!!

Simple isn't it?  Place a first time homebuyer requirement to the $8000 credit.  They MUST attend the class to become informed in order to obtain the credit.  And have them INVITE at least one of their friends at the end of the class to prove to their friends FEAR can be overcome.  Give the "inviter" 10% (or whatever) of their money back for the class when they invite a friend, who, in fact, takes the class.  In this manner, we are educating the population about homeownership and how to budget to afford a home and how to properly take care of a home and...the list goes on.

Do you know our schools do not teach about home ownership, budgeting, investing, etc...  Yes, they may spend a week on the subject, but the subject MUST become part of our high school curriculum.  Well, I can go on and on about this.  I will have another blog on this subject!

So, please SPREAD the word: RE-BLOG this, write your own blog, ANYTHING!  PLEASE!  We need the government to HEAR US: EDUCATION REQUIREMENT!!!!

THANK YOU !!!

Ann Sabbagh

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-782-1012 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."

Do you accept "gifts" from anyone you share business with?  Does an insurance agent or mortgage broker or realtor send you a gift card for each referral?  Does a mortgage lender/broker pay for your advertising?   Do you have a mortgage lender or an insurance agent or a title company (or anyone you share referrals with) renting space from you for greater than the market rent?  Do you provide a "referral fee" to anyone who provides business to you?

If you responded "YES" to any of these questions, you may very well be guilty of RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) violations in this industry.

 I highly recommend you read the law:

 http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/ramh/res/respamor.cfm#HT

The mortgage industry has gone, and is going, through a lot of changes, hopefully, for the better.  This law has been around for quite some time. 

Let's all help each other as this industry evolves!

Ann Sabbagh 

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-782-1012 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."

If you get excited just with the thought of an idea, then you have sales in your BLOOD!

If you lay awake in bed thinking of new sales ideas, sales is in your BLOOD!

If you are constantly seeking new ways of generating business, sales is in your BLOOD!

If you enjoy people and despise sitting in your  office, sales is in your BLOOD!

If you are more of a listener than a talker, sales is in your BLOOD AND you are GREAT at it!

If you enjoy(ed) playing all those strategy games, i.e. Monopoly, well you were born a sales person.

Selling is a lifestyle.  It is not a job as one reads about.  It is a self-motivated, self-driven lifestyle which is not for the weak of heart.  Some days are good, others, not-so-good.  The real salesperson understands this and accepts it and even relishes it.

Monopoly anyone?

Ann Sabbagh

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-782-1012 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."

"You are what you think. Think that you are a being of peace - and peace will become your personality. Share good news with others. Always have something interesting prepared to share with those you meet. Remember to have a peaceful thought at least once a day."

If you think you can't, you won't.  If you think you can, you will.  Easy, right?  But, yet, so hard.  Negative things happen to all of us.  The economy is terrible, but complaining all day will get us nowhere.  We need to "stand up and fight" as McCain said so often on the campaign trail. Keep moving and BELIEVE in YOURSELF and in our country.

And if you cannot think positively most of the day, at least at some point of the day, think of something peaceful.  What can you think of right now that is calming to you?

Share with us on Active Rain: give us a peaceful thought!

Ann Sabbagh

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-475-1600 x306 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."

"The more you appreciate your own qualities the stronger they will become."

Knowing your strengths will enhance your ability to succeed.  Focus on what you do well.  Your weaknesses will be diminished if you focus on what you know and/or do well.

For example, if you enjoy working with buyers and do not like to go on listing appointments and deal with sellers, then make yourself focus on the buyers.  Or vice-versa.  You do not need to be everywhere to be successful.  Lucky are those who can be everywhere and do it all well, but it is not necessary for success.

Ann Sabbagh

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-782-1012 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."

Is the middle class eroding ?  I see either a lot  of money for a down payment or I see very little: 3.5% down.  Where are the 20% down borrowers?  Are they staying in their homes or ???

With all the foreclosures and high unemployment in this country, we were bound to see erosion of a class of people in regards to the financial arena. 

What is everyone else seeing in your county/state?

Ann Sabbagh

Vice-President

Seacoast Mortgage Corporation

401-782-1012 or 508-243-1190

Residential & Commercial Financing

MLO10920

"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."