LIKE IT ON THE FIRST LOOK-YOUR HOME & YOUR MORTGAGE

LIKE IT ON THE FIRST LOOK-YOUR HOME & YOUR MORTGAGE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE SHOPPE 8-22-15

Welcome! Thank you for connecting to the Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe where we offer solutions to your real estate scenarios.   I hope the information on our blog posts gives you something that you can use or that can save you some money.

If you are looking for information or help in areas that do not seem to be covered on this blog posts or my other posts, please feel free to call me at (901) 482-0354 or email me at jo@192.232.195.219 or make comments on Twitter at #JoGarner

 

MARKET NEWS

ISHARE AGENCY SOCIAL MEDIA TIP OF THE DAY FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS –EXPERT DONNA SMITH BELLINGER

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY JEFF AND HEIDI ROSS OF SHOWHOMES

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY JO GARNER, MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER

REAL ESTATE TIP OF THE WEEK

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Good morning, Memphis! Good morning to those of you listening on internet radio across the 50 states. You’re on the Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe program and I’m your host, Jo Garner, Mortgage Loan Officer. Connect with me by calling me personally at (901) 482-0354 or if it’s more convenient, email me at jo@192.232.195.219 or if you’re on twitter send me your comments or questions to #JoGarner. You can find all kinds of ways to connect with me by going to www.Jogarner.com. If there is anyway I can help you solve a problem, or answer a question regarding your real estate or real estate financing contact us in the studio now at 901 535-9732 or outside the Memphis area (800) 474-9732.   Today’s general topic is LIKE IT ON THE FIRST LOOK-YOUR HOME & YOUR MORTGAGE. Our special guests around the coffee table are Jeff and Heidi Ross of ShowHomes Memphis-a professional real estate staging company. They have some terrific reviews from realtors and homeowners and recently presented some VERY interesting facts at Talk Shoppe. Heidi is a Certified Professional Real Estate Stager with “The Decorating & Staging Academy”. She is also one of only two people in Memphis and one of only five people in the state of Tennessee to hold the “Real Estate Staging Association-PRO” designation. Jeff is also a licensed Realtor with Kaizen Realty.  Jeff and Heidi, please tell our audience a little bit about yourselves and what ShowHomes Memphis does for the customers. <Jeff and Heidi have about 1.5 minutes or so>

(Jo) You have a very unique opportunity to work with clients right there in their homes—what a privilege. I feel it is a privilege to work with my clients on one of the biggest financing decisions they might ever make. As a mortgage loan officer, its not just about asking the questions on the loan application. It’s about finding out what payments or down payments are comfortable for my client and what their plans are for the next 5 to 10 years. Yesterday I attended a closing for one of my clients who was buying her first home after renting for over 19 years. Lynn McDonald of Erin McDonald Insurance Agency brought the cookies and I brought coffee and we celebrated our mutual client making the break through to homeownership. Getting the exact right mortgage product for that specific customer brings the client to decide he likes the financing terms on the first look. And if that is you, remember that IF THE DEAL WORKS FOR YOU TODAY, DO IT TODAY.

(Jo) I know you are staying busy helping people stage their homes to sell. The reason I know that is because MY phone is ringing too. The mortgage rates dropped this past week, due to lower consumer confidence, worries about the European economic outlook dimming and China has been taking some drastic stops to bolster their markets too. All of these uncertainties have been keeping mortgage prices low with the 30 year conventional rate ending the day yesterday around 3.875% to 4% with no points (rates and prices vary according to a number of factors) The 15 year fixed rate is hitting around the low to mid 3’s. If you want to compare some FHA, VA or USDA products, call me personally at 901 482-0354. I want very much to talk with you, but if you do not speak with me personally , you are not working with me. I really want to work with you. Call me directly off the air at 901 482-0354 or connect with me by email jo@jogarner. You can get all of that information also on www.JoGarner.com

(Jo) Whenever we talk about the importance of staging homes and the power of the first impression, I think about couple of years ago when I packed a lot more weight on than I do today wore the same style clothes as I had for several years. Carolyn Bendall featured me as a weight-loss make-over in her Commercial Appeal column. She connected me Bob Turner, my hair dresser from Goulds and she sent me to the YMCA in Collierville where I met Rita Connally, my personal trainer. During just a few months I lost about 40 pounds and could no longer fit in my clothes. Rita took me shopping and selected a different wardrobe, completely different from the look I had before. The New LOOK brought new and better opportunities in business. I did not realize until then how powerful the first impression can be. Thank you, Carolyn, Rita and Bob.

But before we go to break, Jeff and Heidi, our topic today is Like It At the First Look-Your Home and Your Mortgage. How do you help YOUR clients transform the home they are selling so that the prospective buyers LIKE IT AT THE FIRST LOOK? <Jeff and Heidi launch into their topic>

• ^2nd SEGMENT Of Show iShare Agency SOCIAL MEDIA TIP OF THE DAY

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• To our realtor friends and other savvy and sharp business friends out there, its time for the iShare Agency Social Media Tip of The Day for real estate professionals. Donna Bellinger, Business. Development Author, Trainer & Speaker and official iShare Agency expert. Donna, you specialize in creating strategies for businesses to generate more revenue from referrals.   what’s our social media tip of the day? <Donna has about 1.5 to 2 minutes to share a social media tip for our real estate experts>

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY JEFF AND HEIDI ROSS OF SHOWHOMES MEMPHIS :

1. Can you think of any actual instances when the home staging made a definite difference between selling the home and having it sit on the market?
2. If you were on a tight budget, what are some of the least expensive—most basic steps you would advise a home seller to take?

 

3. What do you say to “unbelievers” in staging?
4. What is the difference between staging and decorating
5. What are some of the services you offer your clients?

 

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY DONNA BELLINGER :

Tip # 1

Your messaging should address 3 areas:

1. getting new clients
2. getting new partners
3. getting more referrals

Because what got you here- won’t get you there.

Tip #2

Always increase your value to your audience

*How do you show up in social media- as a spectator? A Peddler? Or as an expert?

All of my businesses have received the bulk of revenue as a result of referrals- There is an ART to getting referrals – getting referral business is not passive- its active. You are asking someone to stake their reputation on your ability to deliver.

 

My 2^nd book is: “You Lost Me @ Hello: Actionable Principals that move you beyond networking”. Most of us duck and run when we are introduced to certain professional services. Don’t lead with your company- lead with you brand. YOU are your brand.

• Be an active listener in order to build your brand and your business
• Know why you attend events – don’t “hope” that you will meet a client

My specialty is working with Owner Operated businesses – building strong teams and sales leadership.

The greatest challenges in teams/ businesses that have stalled or plateaued is not the sales process but the communications process.

 

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY JO GARNER:

1. What are the number one areas where people can make a good impression on their mortgage loan application?
2. If you have assets like a large savings account, CD’s, mutual funds or retirement funds, go ahead and disclose them on the loan application even if you aren’t going to use the funds for closing. Automated underwriting programs and even HUMAN underwriters like to see reserve funds for a borrower. It insures if there was an unexpected emergency, the borrower would be able to weather the storm without missing a house note. Liquid assets are what I call “grease on the cog” because it can ease a loan into an approval status even if there are other aspects of the file that might not be so clean.
3. State your income correctly. If you are a W2 employee, don’t over state your income. Most of the time the previous W2 and the year-to-date income totals on your latest paystub help you get the income right.   That is what a loan officer will look for. If you write off unreimbursed employee expenses on your tax return, let the loan officer know because this amount gets deducted from your regular income. It’s a good idea to go ahead and give your loan officer your income and asset documents so that you know for sure what your qualifying income and qualified assets will be. Mattress money is not acceptable but here is how you can get the cash “sourced” acceptably.

If you’re self employed, or a 1099 subcontractor or you own over 25% of the company or if over 25% of your income comes from commissions, let the loan officer know. The formulas and methods for calculating your income is VERY different than if you are a regular W2 income employee.     If you’re self-employed and have good credit and you’ve been turned down at another bank, please call me. Fewer and fewer loan officers today know how to find your income in the BACK pages of the tax return.   I may be able to help you.   Call me right now on the air at 901 535 WREC or call me directly off the air at 901 482-0354. That direct number again is 901 482 0354.

1. Credit scores are important. A great credit score is 740 or higher .   if you scores are lower you can still get a loan but sometimes you end up paying a higher interest rate. My assistant Susan Belew and I have trained our team on using the Credit Simulators. Its sort of like a flight simulator. It can suggest ways to get your credit scores higher in the least amount of time with the least amount of investment.

 

 

2. What are the new guidelines coming up for the FHA loan programs?

 

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REAL ESTATE TIP OF THE WEEK: Donna Bellinger shares iShare Agency Tip of the Week

______________________________________________________________________________

• Jo’s announcements :   Jo’s announcements:
• Talk Shoppe offers free education and networking to anyone interested in real estate or in business.   Coming up Wednesday August 26th , 2015 join us for the The Mastermind Principle: based on the book Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.   Talk Shoppe events are free at the The University of Phoenix 65 Germantown Court 1^st floor Memphis (across from The Ag Center) 9A to 10A Wednesday. For more information go to TalkShoppe.com
• University of Phoenix Memphis Campus invites you to the Memphis Career Fair. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet potential employers who are hiring across a variety of professions. Tues and Thursday 11 AM to 4 PM 65 Germantown Court Ste 100 Cordova, TN across from the Ag Center and the Butcher Shop. For more info call (901) 751-1086is al

Thank you to Nick Barnes, videographer, for filming our radio show today right here in the studio. Nick’s company, Test Video Studios, is a freelance videography studio that specializes in editing and consumer level online broadcasting. Test Video Studios also provides editing services for the local videography business, Storytellers.  email is testvideostudios@gmail.com

you. This March Memphis Campus is hosting

a complimentary event to give you the resources to do more – Learn

• To hear today’s podcast of the Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe and others, go to JoGarner.com
• ENDING—   MAKE YOUR PLAN, WORK YOUR PLAN. IF THE DEAL WORKS FOR YOU TODAY, DO IT TODAY.
• Hall and Oates  “You Make My Dreams Come True”  ; I Like It  by Tim McGraw;
• It’s What I Like About You  by the Romantics ; “Roar” By Katy Perry for the iShare Agency Social Media Tip of the Week. _____________________________________________________________

ABOUT JEFF AND HEIDI ROSS, SHOWHOMES MEMPHIS

Jeff and Heidi Ross are the franchise owners of Showhomes Memphis. They stumbled into the home staging business when they sold their personal home in 2003. The idea of business ownership as well as working together intrigued them. Jeff’s entrepreneurial desires combined with his past experience in operations, sales, and marketing complimented Heidi’s passion for home interior decorating, and that combination made the home staging business a great fit.

 

Jeff and Heidi met while attending college at Oral Roberts University. They have been married for over twenty years and they are the proud parents of two teenage children. Their daughter, Bailee, is a junior at Briarcrest Christian School and their son, Parker, is a freshman at First Assembly Christian School. The Ross’s are active members of Life Church Memphis and serve as Service Pastors at the Collierville campus.

 

As a teenager, Heidi constantly re-arranged her mother’s home and furnishings, painted anything, re-finished furniture, re-designed clothes, and frequently re-invented her physical surroundings. Meanwhile, Jeff grew up with a profound desire to manage or become a business owner and has always enjoyed creating systems and maximizing the talents of others. Together, Jeff and Heidi enjoy helping others by creating value for sellers.

 

Over the past twelve years, Jeff and Heidi have won over twenty awards, including the Showhomes “Franchise of the Year” award in 2007. To date, Heidi and her team have staged over $143 million dollars in real estate. Jeff and Heidi have personally lived in and cared for seventeen homes. Heidi is a Certified Professional Real Estate Stager with “The Decorating & Staging Academy”. She is also one of only two people in Memphis and one of only five people in the state of Tennessee to hold the “Real Estate Staging Association-PRO” designation. Jeff is also a licensed Realtor with Kaizen Realty.

 

Jeff and Heidi are certified members with the Home Staging & Redesign Association and they are both Certified Update and Color Specialists with Showhomes. Their company is a preferred vendor with Crye-Leike Home Services, a BOLD sponsor with Keller Williams, and a proud supporter of the Memphis Dream Center.

 

To contact Jeff or Heidi, you may visit their website at ShowhomesMemphis.com or you may also go to their Facebook page, Showhomes Memphis Home Staging.

 

ABOUT DONNA BELLINGER-

Donna Smith Bellinger

Donna Smith Bellinger, Revenue Accelerator, & Business Development Author, Speaker & Trainer. Creator of: “Revenue UP: From Sluggish to Sensational in Sales”.

The key to Donna’s success is her ability to create and customize workable strategies that can be put into action immediately, which generate rapid results in revenue.

Her humor and straightforward manner make her presentations, products and keynotes interactive and enjoyable.

www.donnasmithbellinger.com

Donna

Tip # 1

Your messaging should address 3 areas:

4. getting new clients
5. getting new partners
6. getting more referrals

Because what got you here- won’t get you there.

Tip #2

Always increase your value to your audience

*How do you show up in social media- as a spectator? A Peddler? Or as an expert?

**************************

 

All of my businesses have received the bulk of revenue as a result of referrals- There is an ART to getting referrals – getting referral business is not passive- its active. You are asking someone to stake their reputation on your ability to deliver.

 

My 2^nd book is: “You Lost Me @ Hello: Actionable Principals that move you beyond networking”. Most of us duck and run when we are introduced to certain professional services. Don’t lead with your company- lead with you brand. YOU are your brand.

• Be an active listener in order to build your brand and your business
• Know why you attend events – don’t “hope” that you will meet a client

My specialty is working with Owner Operated businesses – building strong teams and sales leadership.

The greatest challenges in teams/ businesses that have stalled or plateaued is not the sales process but the communications process.

 

___________________________________________________________________

Nick Barnes-Videographer

Test Video Studios is a freelance videography studio that specializes in editing and consumer level online broadcasting. Test Video Studios also provides editing services for the local videography business, Storytellers.  email is testvideostudios@gmail.com

 

Special Mentions:

• Carolyn Bendall, Your True Colours   http://fashionacademy.biz/

 

 

 

Rita Connally, Personal Fitness Trainer, YMCA Schilling Farms Collierville, TN 38017

Bob Turner, Hair Stylist Gould’s Day Spa and Salon 3670 S. Houston Levee Rd #107 Collierville, TN

(901) 854-8689

Lynn McDonald, Erin McDonald Insurance Agency (901) 849-7171

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT JO GARNER, MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER –

 

www.JoGarner.com   (901) 482 0354 jo@192.232.195.219 @jogarner

Jo Garner is a mortgage officer with extensive knowledge in tailoring mortgages to her customers who are refinancing or purchasing homes all over the country. She offers conventional, FHA, VA or other loan programs for refinancing and purchases.

 

Jo can help you look at rent vs buy, when it makes sense to refinance, how to get the best deal on your home purchase financing.

 

Jo Garner has been in the real estate/financing business for over 20 years.  She got her start in Portland, Maine where she first began her real estate career. She received her real estate education from the University of Southern Maine  and was personally mentored in San Diego, California  by Robert G. Allen, author of Nothing Down, Creating Wealth and The Challenge.

 

On moving back to West Tennessee in 1987, she went into business buying and selling discounted owner-financed notes secured on real estate.  In 1990 Jo went to work for a residential mortgage company and has been a mortgage loan officer for over 20 years.  Her goal is to offer excellent, affordable service to her customers, tailoring the loan programs to the specific needs of her clients.

In addition to her work in the mortgage field, Jo Garner  is the primary sponsor and founder of Talk Shoppe in Memphis. www.TalkShoppe.com She was also the editor of Power Shoppe, a free weekly e-zine designed for real estate professionals and others indirectly connected to the real estate industry and currently publishes on her blog www.JoGarner.com   .

 

For real estate financing solutions, plug into the Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe program. You can find mortgage rates, FHA Streamline refinance with no out-of-pocket costs, refinancing options, home purchase loan programs, answers and real estate, money-saving tips and more.

 

Photo Gallery from Real Estate Mortgage Shoppe 8-22-15