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Cool find! Bojo

Email is the most used communication tool in the business world! Everybody uses it, and new contacts are made and nutured over email daily, What sort of impression are you making?

A Bojo, used as a signature in your emails, ensures you make a great impression.

Part business card, part website, and part marketing tool, the Bojo can be personalized to fit your specific needs.The member center gives you 24/7 access to edit your Bojo and track statistics. Find out how many people click on each tab. Then use our editor to fine tune and update your Bojo!

 

CCool I think so...

HHere is a sample of mine...check them out at www.emailideas.com

 

 

           

 

There are two schools of thought pertaining to who to follow on Twitter. One is what I refer to as the Guy Kawasaki method which says, "forget the influentials," "defocus your efforts," and "get as many followers as you can." It's more of a mass marketing approach.

Up and until Twitter imposed limits on the number of people that I could follow in a given 24-hour period, that's pretty much the school to which I subscribed and just about anyone and everyone qualified (minus the spammers of course).

Since then, I've had to be more discerning and have actually found that to be a good thing. So, here are fifteen suggested Twitter follow dos and don'ts based on my current Twitter follow modus operandi:

Dos...

1. Focus your efforts - If you're in sales and marketing, hopefully you've outlined specific target markets based on demographic, psychographic and technographic profiles. Maybe you've even created a persona of the ideal client or customer. Find those folks and follow them.

One good way to do that is by using Twellow, which is a Twitter "yellow pages." It categorizes Twitter followers based on geography and industry and covers everything from aerospace to Web development.

For example, a search on my city, Lafayette, LA, brought five pages of returns totaling 100 people. Not a lot, but consider that a) Lafayette is a small city by comparison and b) it's in the deep south which is often the last to catch on to new trends. If you're in a more metro area, chances are your returns will be manifold times this.

What might be more relevant is search by category. For example, Bizzuka, the company I serve as marketing director, is targeting the legal industry. A search for lawyers brought over 930 returns. We are also targeting healthcare. A search returned almost 100 hospitals.

Apply that same methodology to your own situation and see what comes of it.

Twellow defaults to ranking returns based on number of followers, but you can also sort by
recent activity and/or whether the person has verified their Twellow account.

Each person listed has a profile associated with their entry which, depending on whether they've verified their account or not, could contain lots of information, including a bio, latest Twitter updates (good for knowing whether they're an active user or not), and link to their Web site or blog.

2. Follow those with real names - That's one way to know it's a genuine account. (It's always a good practice when setting up a Twitter account to use your real name.)

3. Follow those who follow you - In most cases it's a common courtesy. Chances are they're in the same industry or have some relevance to you.

4. Follow those following the people who are following you - Same rationale as #3, just once removed.

5. Follow those following the people you are following - If you've chosen to follow a particular individual for whatever reason (maybe they fit the profile mentioned in #1), there's a good likelihood at least some of the people following them would be relevant for you as well.

6. Follow those in your industry - Obviously, one of the best uses for Twitter is as a vehicle for networking, gathering feedback and getting advice. It's a great tool for meeting others in your industry or discipline.

7. Follow those you find interesting and/or entertaining - In all the mad rush to turn Twitter into a business communications and marketing tool, leave a little for pure fun. If you find someone's posts interesting, maybe they're worth following as well.

8. Follow those who use the same hashtags (ex. #nms08) to follow a conversation - Again, if they're interested in the same things as you, consider following them.

9. Follow those who @reply you - @replies can be sent into the public timeline addressed to people you're not following. If a user has addressed you in that way, might be fruitful to add them.

10. Follow those interacting with people you follow - If you see a tweet with an @reply addressing someone you're following that comes from someone you're not, they may be worth following. Check em out!

Don'ts...

11. Don't follow those with numbers behind their names - This is a technique often used by spammers (Twammers) due to the fact that have multiple accounts. It's a dead give-away. (One word of caution: When setting up your Twitter handle, don't use numbers. Your real name will do nicely.)

12. Don't follow those with no avatar - If you can't see their face, company logo or some sort of avatar, don't follow.

13. Don't follow those who only broadcast - Unless you know it's an account set up strictly for that purpose - a news, shopping or "tips" type account - don't follow. If they don't participate in conversations with anyone else, they won't with you either.

14. Don't follow those who aren't active - I don't know the number or percentage, but I bet the number of people who've subscribed to Twitter and aren't actively using it is sizable. If a user is not actively maintaining the account, chances are it's dead.

15. Don't follow users based on their follower count - In social media, it's not necessarily how many eyeballs that count but who those eyeballs belong to. There are some very influential people who may not have huge numbers of followers.

There you have it - 15 tips for know who to follow and who not to. That's my list at least for now, though I'm sure I'll add to it. BTW, you can too! What criteria do you use in determining who to follow. Please share it in a comment. Thanks!

Finally, if you're not following me, please do. My Twitter handle is @pchaney.

Get the Complete Guide to Twitter for Business, only $9.95. This 35-page ebook equips you with everything you need to know to begin using Twitter to grow your business. Order today!

 

Important Blog Today – FHA loans & HUD’s changes - You can make your voice heard. Please read further..

 

 

So much has transpired in the last week with FHA loans and there are things that you need to know and understand why some of these changes took place.

Last week HUD put out their policy changes and what could take place in the near future. FHA loan changes go from fact to fiction. The next day, they put out the official HUD mortgagee letter, ML 2010-02.

Overall, I have noticed several comments that either the commentor seemed confused about the changes or believed that the changes would be no good and or destroy home buying. Which will lead me into my next blog tomorrow. We must ABOLISH FHA loans. (please stop by tomorrow for any eye opener)

 

 

 

Some important FHA changes -

 

What were the FHA loan changes by HUD? Please read : FHA loan rumors become a reality. Keep in mind, the only change that is official is # 1. The other specified changes will be posted in the Federal Register in February, and after a notice and comment period, would go into effect in the early summer.

 

1. Raising the FHA UPMIP (upfront mortgage insurance premium) - So many keep saying that this is an added expense to borrowers at closing. Yes & No. This statement is misleading, even though it appears on the HUD settlement statement. In reality, you are allowed to finance this upfront mortgage insurance into the loan. The new change was only 50 basis points, going from 1.75% to 2.25%. This change will go into effect on or after April 5th, 2010, with all new FHA case numbers assigned.

 

Example on the difference :

On a $300,000 loan, you are talking about an additional $1,500 added onto the loan. This equates to an additional $8 per month. That is not much to disqualify someone, unless you were already exceeding the debt-to-income ratios already.

 

Why was this change made?  To help re-establish FHA's capital reserves. David Stevens gives an explanation to some of this in FHA changes.  Just a FYI - David has just recently joined us at Active Rain and was appointed the Assistant Secretary of Housing in early 2009. I wanted to share my thoughts because some of my views slightly differ from what Mr. Stevens wrote in his blog post.

 

 

2. FHA credit score changes & down payment updates - With all FHA loans, you still don't need a credit score. Keep in mind most lenders and investors have what are called lender overlays.  The lender can add to the FHA guidelines. Why would a lender do this?  To make it more sellable to other investors on Wall Street.

This is a change that is not really a huge change. You must now have a credit score of 580 or above in order to be allowed to use the regular 3.5% down payment guideline. Any score below this, the borrower will need at least 10% down. Why is this not such a huge concern? Most lenders are at 620 and several are at 640. The reason being is that most investors on Wall Street don't want to purchase loans less than a 620, because more loans under this score don't perform as well.

Credit scores under 620 - Yes, there are a few investors that allow for scores under 620, but BUYER BEWARE. Just because a loan officer has this program, doesn't mean that it will happen. On top of that, most lenders have major penalties if you fall under the 620 score. These penalties are anywhere from a 1/2% in rate to up to 2 additional points in fees, and sometimes both. Why?  Because that lender will portfolio that loan, hoping that they can sell it in 12 months. The additional points and higher rate is to help with their risk, for those loans that don't perform. 

My opinion on this?  Work with a trusted loan officer that is not pushing the lower credit score. Work with a loan officer that will help you get your credit scores up in 6 months to a year. So what you missed the first time homebuyers tax credit. Because of the difference in fees and rate, it will cost you more money over the longer period than if you just waited and worked on your credit.

 

 

3. FHA seller concessions from 6% to 3% in seller help - Mr. Stevens stated this in his blog, FHA changes. "The current level exposes the FHA to excess risk by creating incentives to inflate appraised value.  This change will bring FHA into conformity with industry standards on seller concessions."

Hey, I love making loans, but I will have to agree with HUD's assessment here. Now, I will say this though. It will hurt many markets across the U.S. Especially those families that are middle to lower income and those buying homes that are priced at $160,000 or lower, especially those at $90,000 and less.

 

 

Overall, we can have that whole argument that you need skin in the game, etc, etc. On all FHA loans, the borrower still needs 3.5% of their own money into the transaction. Sure, you can get a gift from family members, or even grants, and or even money from non-profit organizations. But the outcome in my opinion, could dampen the housing recovery even more. And that is why you can voice your concerns and add comments to the Federal Registry. FYI - I will be posting a powerful blog tomorrow on Abolishing FHA loans overall. Please stay tuned.

 

 

 

Make your VOICE heard in February 2010

 

 

The Federal Register

 

PS.. - Reminder - I will post a new blog when these changes become public on the Federal Registry, allowing everyone to voice their opinions. Here is when you can stand up and be officially heard. YOUR VOICE.

 

 

• FHA Loans Rumor Alerts - 3% seller concessions & FICO scores - Part 1 of 2

• FHA Loans Rumor Alerts - You don't need 10% or 20% down & more about credit scores - Part 2 of 2 (not truly all about part 2, but I do go into discussions about the credit scores - because of the recent FHA changes, I didn't get into great details about 10% or 20% down)

 

• What is Transparency?? Best Mortgage Rates/Online services - (Part 1 of 2)

• Transparency in Real Estate/Mortgages - Interview your Realtor or Loan Officer - (Part 2 of 2)

 

 

 

                   

                                                                                               FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK

 

 

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages - 

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

 

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!

 

 

Copyright © 2010 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Scenarios

I typically pass off specific tax credit questions to a tax advisor or CPA. So when a Realtor asked me today about a co-signer on an FHA loan, and if the first time buyer still qualified for the tax credit, I thought "yes", but wanted to make sure.

A quick drop by to the IRS site (IRS.gov) and a few clicks and I found my answer. The first time buyer with a co-signer DOES qualify for the tax credit.

For a list of other scenarios that may help buyers understand, check out this link to the First-Time Homebuyer Credit scenarios on the IRS website.

 

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey with Treasury Mortgage, a subsidiary of Aurora Financial Group. For more info check out:

• NJ First Time Home Buyer Home Loans , grants, down paymet assistance, and more
• NJ Reverse Mortgages
• Offering all aspects of purchase and refinance mortgages up to and over 100% of the home's value
• Home renovation loans for refinance or purchase mortgages
• Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, PHFA, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Contact Steve Kappre directly: 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail

      

5 Predictions for the Future of the 2010 Housing Market

5 Suits Speak 5 Different Perspectives

The Somers Team Remax Access (215) 400-2620

When I went with Chris to NYC, the Big Apple, to attend Real Estate Connect sponsored by Inman News, it came as no surprise to me that that the leaders in the housing industry were all men and of course they were all wearing suits. Nice ones ! Very handsome.  But what did take me by surprise was what these 5 men predicted for the future of the 2010 housing market.  Below is a shot of the stage and our 5 featured speakers with Brad Inman leading the pack to the far right.

There they were. 5 glorious men in their corporate uniform, steeped in the minutia of their profession, being challenged to make 5 Predictions for the future of the 2010 Housing Market. The panel included Carter Murdoch (Bank of America), Sean O'Toole (CEO Foreclosureradar.com), Greg Rand (CEO Better Homes and Garden Real Estate), Nishu Sood (Research Analyst Deutsche Bank Securities) and Patrick Stone (Chairman of The Stone Group).

Their answers ranged from pessimism to conservative optimism. No one on this panel was doing cartwheels and spinning rainbows. I never saw one of them pull a crystal ball from their breast pocket though that would have been pretty funny. These 5 men spoke the truth as they saw it. In fact, their answers, though not earth shattering, will provide a simple and agreeable message for everyone including Buyers, Sellers, Investors and those who are "on the fence" or just plain old curious.

The Question: What is your Prediction for the Future of the 2010 Housing Market ?

The Predictions (prefaced and slightly dramatized by me)

Suit #1 The Alarmist- There is still too much risk in the housing market. The $8,000 tax credit is just not enough to solve our long term problems. We are in for an uphill climb once the tax credit is gone. Run for the hills!

Suit #2 The Realist- There is a "New Normal" in the mortgage industry. Suck it up, brush it off, and get used to it. Your going to need more money to buy a home. So stop spending like it is 1999, "plan accordingly", save your dollars now and plan for the future.

Suit #3 The Optimist-  The vacancy rate of properties will continue to improve through 2010. Affordability of homes has improved and will continue to improve through the year. The investor market is booming now and will continue for those who have cash and want to hold and rent.

Suit #4 The Redundant - Properties will continue to have declining values in 2010. Banks will continue to hold back on foreclosures. More home loan modifications will continue to happen. In short, same stuff, different day.

Suit #5 The Obvious   There was never a meltdown. It was just mass hysteria. The problem was predictable. What goes up must come down and what goes down will level off.  Duh!

I have to say, panelist number 5 resonated with me most. What goes up must come down and what goes down must level off because that is the natural cycle to the Housing Market. We are moving toward a norm of sorts. That is something we lost over the last decade of excessive loans and inflated home prices. There was no normal. But now we are creating a "New Normal". The collapse of the housing market may well have been predictable as panelist #5 mentioned in his response. I guess hind site is always 20/20.

What are your thoughts or predictions for 2010 ?

Which answer did you agree or disagree with ?

Feel free to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date with our latest posts and information on the Philadelphia Real Estate Market.  You can also sign up to receive the Philadelphia Real Estate Blog via email.

     

 

 

Take the TIME to do your own INTERVIEW….

 

 

What is an interview? Wikipedia defines interview as a conversation between two or more people (the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.

When you are shopping for a mortgage or for a realtor to help you sell your house or to help you buy a house, those that you talk to, should be interviewing you. Why should they be interviewing you? To get a feel for you, to understand your needs, and to get a feel for what your goals are now and in the near future. I have written about this several times, what a loan officer should be asking their potential client. Jeff Belonger's Interview process as a loan officer.

 

 

So as a consumer, when shopping for someones services to help you with your mortgage or home buying/selling process from a realtor, what things should you consider?

First off, take this process seriously and just don't go with someone that typically uses the words : I guarantee you, I promise you, I am the best, etc, etc -

Secondly, take the time to interview these individuals. There are several ways at your fingertips. What you should be looking for is transparency in the individual and their services. I talked about this in : What is transparency all about? -

 

 

 

 

So what are the ways that you can conduct your own interview? It can be simple and not take much time at all. Here are some options (keeping in mind that more of these options are when researching your loan officer) :

• You can do a search online by using Google.com and Bing.com. Just type in the person's name and also do a search on their company. You might be surprised at what you find out.

• BBB - Better Business Bureau - Find out about the company that individual works for. Keep in mind that not everyone is always happy and likes to complain, so some complaints might be fluff per se.
  

• The National Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) will be a great place to not only find out if that loan officer is licensed, but their credentials, and some history about that person. Here is the website : The National Mortgage Licensing System & Registry - This site is currently being used by 38 states and will be mandatory for everyone by the end of January.There will be a separate link just for this new site and for these searches. Keep in mind that this is a good form of transparency, but not 100%. It should be a solid tool though.

• State and local agencies - Each state has their own web site for loan officers, mortgage companies, and realtors. There are different ways to search through these sites, but not every state has the same requirements.

• FHA Approved Lenders - HUD Lender Locator - This tool allows you to see what lenders are actually FHA approved.

 

 

 

Summary : The bottom line is that you should become pro-active in your searches, when searching for that true professional. Even if someone gives you a referral, just don't take their word for you. I have seen referrals backfire for several reasons. And don't just take in account someones years of experience. I approved a loan 2 years ago with 15 years of experience at the time, after a loan officer had denied the loan 30 days later, who had 30 years of experience. Questions do matter, and not just name, rank, and serial number. Get to know who you are dealing with.

 

PS...I know I didn't hit upon every type of method. If you have some other means of searching for people, please feel free to include them in the comments below and I will include these with your name.  Thanks

 

 

All pictures are courtesy of istockphoto.com

 

• What is Transparency?? Best Mortgage Rates/Online services - (Part 1 of 2)

• Transparency in Real Estate/Mortgages - Interview your Realtor or Loan Officer - (Part 2 of 2)

 

 

 

 

                    

                                                                                               FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK

 

 

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages - 

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

 

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!

 

 

Copyright © 2010 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc