RING... RING... RING!....MUSIC TO MY EARS

Everywhere I go, someone invariably asks me about the real estate market.
I have my own personal way of knowing how the market is going.
It's the ring of my phone at the office and the number of emails requesting
 our SMART SELLER'S kit.
I always ask how they knew to order it and it is usually because someone told them we can help
them know how to sell by owner from contract to closing or they used us previously and had a great experience. They  are buying or selling again by owner or they have an agent but still choose to have us do their escrow and title work. These folks make my heart sing right out loud!
I am finding out that they are finding us on our website, from Angie's List or just surfing  for help and found us. see www.gatewaytitle.com
   When I hear this and as I talk with these wonderful folks with increased frequency, I know the market is picking up!
Sounds so simple, but it works that way!
We also have  marked increase of sellers contacting us to register for our unique workshop that
again teaches selling your property from "contract to closing"
The terrible weather has had an impact on all of us for sure.
I think there is a big bunch of buyers and sellers out there chomping at the bit to get selling and buying those properties.
Get ready.
It's coming and it will be a great time to for so many of you out there to make that move !
For businesses of all kind, t's been a tough few months since the holidays.
Get ready ...get set..... it's going to get much better for real estate and and economy in general!
The signs are all there  (

call 440 546 9660)
RING.... RING...RING!

TEN WAYS to CURE CABIN FEVER - from Gateway Title

Instead of waiting....waiting .... for spring to spring out,
Start getting busy on your plan to sell your house this year.
HOW?
1. Clean up and throw out or call a local charity to pick up your discards.
What better why to get some exercise, stay warm and get your mind off the weather?
2. Make those minor repairs you've been putting off.
You know,  loose cupboard doors, leaky faucets and slow drains - things like that.
3. Look up other homes for sale in your area.
Try Zillow , Realtor.com, and other real estate websites,compare list prices on homes similar  to yours.
4. Decide how you are going to handle your  listing -
Hire an agent or go "For Sale By Owner"?
5. Under stand the cost and what is involved in closing.
Get your free "Smart Seller's Kit" from Gateway Title - best education out there.
6. Study the information given to you in the kit.
Call or email Gatewaytitle.com with your questions and we'll help you!
7. Register for Gateway Title Seller's Workshop, February 22,2014
Learn from the experts on Paper work, Mortgage information, Marketing Real Estate and MORE!
8. SMART START your title work and save on closing costs.
By having your title examined before you have a buyer, if there is a title problem, it can be
taken care of and no delays when you sell!
9. Lean on us!
Gateway Title is valuable source of information and support!
10. After you get all of this accomplished, You will be CURED of cabin fever and
READY to Get that property SOLD!   SOLD!   SOLD!
(and we can help)
Stay Warm
Rachel



 

 

How's the Title Business?

How's the title Business?
Lately I'm hearing this a lot.
Honestly, I can tell you business is a lot busier than it has been for the past few years!
It's been tough. Hanging in there has been the challenge of my lifetime.
This is my family business - not so easy to give up when the whole
 family is involved. It's a time we found what we are really made of.
Everyone sacrificed and worked hard to keep it going.
I've prayed. I've cried. I've gone through exhaustion.
At times I almost forgot how to laugh.
Gateway Title will celebrate 20 years of doing business next month.
There were times I wondered if that would happen.
I know I'm not alone. I know many good people left the business.
There is another side to what I've experienced.
I've learned God does hear prayers I still cry when I hear "God Bless America"
I sleep better at night and my family is stronger then I thought.
Yes the title business is busier lately and we are still here working and doing what we love -
helping buyers and sellers
through the mysterious title and escrow process.
I also know we couldn't do it without you, our wonderful customers
Thank you

Buyers will like this - I dare you!

Rachel says, "I Dare You!"

How many calls do you get from your “for sale” sign?

Increase the action on your property.
Separate your property from the pack.
Put it “on sale” and write the sale price right on your sign!

You put the asking price on your flyers, but how many buyers actually
stop the car to take the flyer?

This is an up front, in your face, bold way to advertise on your lawn
sign. I discovered this selling secret from sellers who did it and got a
buyer from the attention it drew.

Anything can be for sale,
The real deals are “on sale”.

If you’d like a white Plastic sign, we found some old signs on which you
could write the asking price and attach to your present yard sign.

Just stop by our Gateway Title Brecksville office and get yours for
free – while the supply last.

Email or call us at 440 546 9660 for more information on this
challenge.

Do you dare?

Rachel

Listening IS Conversation

Gateway Title - The FSBO Specialists

Last Wednesday, I walked into a closing room to greet a seller waiting to sign final papers. I said "Good Morning" she looked at me and started crying and told me it just really hit her that she was leaving her home of the past 36 years. The place where she and her husband raised their kids and held 36 years of her life.
She is widowed and is moving in with her son. A new beginning, but also an ending.
I listened as she talked.
She then told me she was ready, signed the final papers and left the office with a smile.
Sometimes others just need someone to listen to them. Do you ever just listen?
She wasn't asking for my advice.
She just wanted to say her feelings out loud.
Listening is an important way to have a conversation.
People just want to know they Matter

THIS IS WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

An email from Tracy:

 Rachel and Barb,

Thanks so much for all you did to make my title work a breeze. I also appreciate all you did to accomodate my agile schedule today. Despite all the reworking and running around, I was able to arrive at home just in time to meet the carpet installers as they were ringing my doorbell.

Best regards, Tracy 

Thanks Tracy - You made our day!

Cleveland Area Real Estate and Gateway Title

Most often asked question since 2008 is....
"How are you guys doing?"
It is still the number one question I hear.
Aside from the fact that this has been a down real estate market
that is starting to show signs of life, ( a good thing)
we certainly are constantly challenged by outside forces such as:

• Banks that own their own title company and think they are entitled to make more money off the consumer with title and closing fees.
• Real estate agents that own their own title company and think they are entitled to make more money off the consumer with title and closing fees.
• National title insurance underwriters who form a title alliances  with banks and lenders thereby cutting out their own independent agents so they, (our own underwriters) make more money.
• Consumers who are afraid to speak up for themselves and let others take advantage of them!

Other than that, we have no problems.
We are doing better than most other title agencies.
The last figure I heard was over 50% have closed their doors since 2008
That saddens me.

On the brighter side…
We have many loyal clients who Trust their Title to Gateway and refer others to us.
For them, I am grateful.
Please, give us a call for you and your family’s title and escrow needs.
We’ll be here for you.
Thanks for Asking,
Take Care,
Rachel

Okay, I VENTED - I'M FEELING BETTER NOW!

It's safe to call or email me if you need to know what it will cost
to buy or sell that piece of real estate in Ohio.
Email them to: rachel@gatewaytitle.com
Call me at Gateway Title: 440-546 9660
I really do enjoy helping you and
 answering your questions.

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.

Gateway title your mortgage

An important mission in my life is to educate you, the consumer, when it comes to the real estate industry, of which "title" is a big part. Gateway Title has been a part of this industry for 16 years and we've seen, and learned a lot.
You, the consumer pay for the title services necessary to obtain your mortgage.
Sadly, most borrowers don't know they have the right to pick where they are going to spend their hard earned money to pay for this title service.
Call title companies and ask about the services they offer. Ask for an estimated HUD based on your situation.
Many fees will be the same because they are insurance rates. In Ohio, rates are filed so they are the same. Service and respect are what sets Gateway apart from the others. We take he time to answer your concerns.Gateway is famous for it's closing style. We enjoy meeting with you. We are dedicated to taking care of you and your lender so your closing is a smooth as humanly possible. Read through the thousands of customers comments praising the treatment they received at Gateway - from consultations to closing. Some of these are on our website.
When you apply for a mortgage, insist on Gateway titling your mortgage!
Do you deserve the best title service in Ohio?..... Of course you do!

Coming Soon!

Gateway Title Owner/President, Rachel Torchia, will be talking about the Real Estate Market in her first Real Estate Actuality Blog.

http://www.gatewaytitle.com/