A RETURN TO SIMPLER TIMES

I'm at the office today. Due to the holiday tomorrow, we are officially closed today!
Remember when the holiday was THE holiday?
We debated staying open to take care of our customers - would they assume we would be open or closed? I came in incase someone needed to talk to us.I don't mind. This gives me a chance to write to you.
Most of the lenders we work with are closed. The county offices are closed. Our office is closed and the Gateway family and staff are getting a much deserved long week end.
As I ponder and explore my thoughts,I see many families returning to the simpler times that many of us grew up with. A return to inexpensive gatherings that are catered by the cooks in the family creating their summer specialties instead of hiring a professional caterer. A ride to a near by spot instead of air trip to a resort.To some this may be sad, but to many families it is an opportunity to learn new/old values. I used to worry about today's kids and how much spoiling we have all been guilty of. This is our chance to teach them to appreciate the many wonderful things in life all around us!And yes appreciate the all mighty dollar and what it takes to have the essentials of life.
As many folks struggle, let us not forget that we have freedom to worship and love of family and good friends .... we will come out of this stronger, wiser, and the next generation will know the simpler gifts of life.

Families Love For Sale By Owner Kit

Rachel writes:
I appeared on "Golden Opportunities" television program this past Sunday. I spoke about the newly discovered market of first time buyers purchasing the "family" home from Parents,Aunts and Uncles,and Grandparents. I have never seen so much activity in this special transaction. Many of these young buyers are single and finding that they can buy, and in many cases, it is cheaper than rent and with the tax credit, this is truely a good start for them. The sellers don't need to hire an Agent to find a buyer,the buyer is known. The family saves money, they don't hve to worry about showing and maintaining the property.
We keep life as simple for the family as possible:
The buyer gets pre-approved to make sure they can get a mortgage.
All parties fill out the disclosures and contract and take them to the lender.
Gateway Title does title and escrow.The buyer and sellers enjoy the fantastic
service that has made Gateway famous!

For Sale By Owners Feel More Confident

Gateway Title held one of our famous Seller's Workshops last evening at our Brecksville Class room. It started at 6:30 PM and went until 9:00 PM. We covered all aspects of selling from paper work to understanding a HUD Statement (And just about everything else in between). Our guest experts from Third Federal,House Check and The Realty Store provided tons of information along with good reference material.
The feed-back I get from attendees is that it really gives them the confidence to move forward in selling knowing they have a friendly, knowledgeable support system in place.
We love working directly with consumers whether buying or selling.This is where we really shine!
This support is open to anyone. Selling or buying "by owner" or with the assistance of a professional REALTOR - The consumer is our favorite customer!
A schedule of future classes is on our home page. www.gatewaytitle.com

TODAY'S REAL ESTATE MARKET CHALLENGES US TO STAY "IN CONTROL"

When you are out of control, what happens to your emotions? Do you rant and rave? Do you snap at innocent victims? I ask, Is it your mind or your emotions taking over? Richard Flint imparts to you some thought provoking insight to this question.

Pace is not about your mind; it is about controlling your emotions. Have you ever noticed that your mind is always calm? Your mind doesn't race; it is your emotions. Your mind wants you to move slow. It understands the slower you move, the more you are going to accomplish. Your emotions are a different story. When your emotions join forces and scatter you, you're going to be out of control. When you are out of control, you are dangerous to yourself and anyone who is standing close to you. Stay in touch with how you feel; that is where the confusion will start its journey.

Remember, if you can't manage your pace, you can't control your life.

For more on Richard Flint, check out his website at www.RichardFlint.com and Friend him on Facebook.

Dear Mr. President.....

Yesterday, I wrote and sent a letter to President Obama about SBA.
You may be thinking, Why in the world would Rachel do that?
Now that I've done it, I wonder too!
Stay tuned for additional information.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DAD'S OUT THERE....
ENJOY YOUR WEEK-END!

ALL TITLE AND ESCROWS ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY.

Change – Consumer’s make the Choice!
Today, a business owner in our office building told me he was listing his property with a REALTOR and wanted to know if Gateway Title worked with sellers who hire real estate agents!
My answer was “Of course. We work with buyers and sellers with or without an agent. We are the man in the middle who brings it altogether and insure the ownership of the title”.
You, the consumer, make the marketing choices and how you find a buyer. That decision has nothing to do with the title company you choose to do the title insurance and escrow closing.
One stop shopping is not in everyone’s best interest. It is bias to the real estate agent’s interest.
We specialize in escrow settlement services. We shine in our service to all who are involved in a real estate transaction. We must follow all written instructions from the parties to the transaction be it for a Purchase or refinance.
We must be unbiased to any one party.That is our duty!
I ask: How can an escrow agent, who works for a real estate agent's or lender's title company, be unbiased?
I've heard many very biased decisions that were forced on the consumer to favor the agent that owned, all or part of, the title/escrow agency. That includes the consumer's right to choose who does the title and escrow work.
Who is representing whom?
The consumers right to choose who they pick and pay to do title and escrow should be respected. It's Time!
Let Gateway "title and escrow" your next refinance or real estate deal!

DO You React or Respond?

When a crisis comes up, be it large or small, how do you handle it? Do you immediately start ranting? Do you take the "pause" and respond to keep control of your self and the situatiion? Do you look like an idiot RANTING and RAVING and lose the respect of others?

Staying calm and responding is strong and demands RESPECT. Richard Flint gives these words of wisdom on how to make the difference and I dare you to do it.

If you want to master responding; master slowing down. I've said it for years, "Respond, don't react!" It is so easy to say, but so challenging for most to achieve. Why? It's challenging because most live through their emotions, not their imagination. The more emotions involved, the greater the challenge to slowing down. You can't take all the emotions out of the decision making, but you can make sure the emotions are supporting a creative decision, not feeding a reactionary feeling.

Remember, if you can't manage your pace, you can't control your life.

For more on Richard Flint, check out his website at www.RichardFlint.com or Friend him Facebook.