OBITUARY FROM LONDON TIMES

An Obituary printed in the London Times -


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair; and
- Maybe it was my fault..

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers:
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame -  I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

REAL ESTATE CONSUMERS FALL VICTIM TO INDUSTRY GREED

The phrase I hate to hear …


“Hey, we just bought a new house! You know, we wanted to use your Gateway title company, but the real estate agent said we had to use their in-house title company and we were afraid they would mess it up if we didn’t use their agency”

It is very difficult for me to keep my composure when I know the truth about “steering” and RESPA violations the agent has committed.

Did you know the consumer has the RIGHT to choose the title company to insure the closing of their real estate deal?

It cannot be a condition of the purchase or mortgage loan (lenders also “steer” to their in-house title agency).

Many consumers know they can choose, but are afraid to exercise their rights.

I’ve been educating as many consumers as I possibly can for the past 15 years.

I’ve seen the damage joint business venture title companies  have caused  the title industry.

Title and escrow by definition are to be handled by a disinterested third party to all when insuring and closing a real estate transaction be it a purchase or refinance.

Question of the day: How can a real estate or lender owned joint business title agency, be a disinterested third party?

Answer: they make extra money on the title and escrow, therefore,

THEY CAN”T!

I am happy for the new home owners, but I am sad that we have again fallen victim to the greed of some companies in our real estate industry.

market stats - encouraging!

This is the latest on stats taken from SOFTPRO information:
Existing Home Sales are UP 5.1%
New Home Sales are UP 4.7%
Refinances are UP a gigantic 41%
INTEREST RATES ARE AT 52-YEAR LOWS - did you realize that?
We are planning a "REFINANCE SMART" information seminar soon.
Keep tuned for the date and place.