How many people does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Walmart is being proactive during the month of April and Earth Day.  They have put out many commercials to get us to wake up and know we can make a big difference.  Yes, we can all make a difference one person at time.  In this case one light bulb at time. They have figured out that if all of their 200 million consumers change just one light bulb to the energy efficient bulbs would be like taking 11 million cars off of the road for one year!

Wow, that is pretty powerful to think that one little light bulb could make such a difference?  So, lets try for an entire package and see where what improvements we can make as a group!

This got me thinking.  Scary, but it did.  I am big for giving settlement gifts.  I think that I will now add a pack of energy efficient light bulbs to each settlement gift for each clientand see if I can get even more folks to change these bulbs.  I would also urge them to have their friends and family do the same!  I am thinking that I will take them to the walk through and change them right then and there so they don’t lay around the house.

What if we all added a pack of energy light bulbs to help the cause?  I encourage you all to “give a pack” of energy efficient bulbs to your clients at settlement!! 

Even if you are not buying or selling any real estate these days, we should all work together and leave a smaller “foot print” on our planet earth. I encourage you to make the trek to the nearest store and get your energy efficient bulb and start making a difference today!

www.Audreyjune.com

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Choosing your first REALTOR(R)

So you are thinking about buying your first home and you are not sure where to start?   The first thing you should consider is the agent. This is the person that is going to be your advocate and will represent and guide you through the transaction. Get referrals from friends and family that have purchased and sold real estate.  Look on the internet; see if anyone appeals to you. 

When you make your initial call to the agent ask them if they do a buyer consultation prior to looking at houses.  You will want to work with an agent who does this.  It will prepare you for the transaction.  You will be a more confident buyer and have a smoother transaction.

You should have a list of question that are important to you and make sure you get clear answers from the agent.  These are some of the basic items you should expect to cover in a buyer consultation appointment.   

I give my potential clients a buyer packet.  It has local area information, information about me, and a blank copy of the forms we will go over and that you will be asked to sign.  I also include a home buyer’s guide that has a copy of the contract that you will sign, a HUD-1 and a glossary of terms.

• The agent should give you a clear understanding of who represents whom in the transaction, how the agents are paid. Together, you should go over the Buyer Broker Agreement but not pressured to sign it.  Remember, you are interviewing the agents.  You should be able to walk away and digest the information.  If the agent is the one you want to work with, you will call them and let them know “they got the job”.
• Your potential agent should be able to discuss and explain your closing costs.  You may ask if in your market is it customary for sellers to pay any of these fees.
• You should get an idea of what your approximate monthly payment will be and how it is broken down.  You will confirm this information with a professional lender, but the agent should be able to explain the basics to you.
• The agent should be able to give you a couple of lender names so that you may then call and confirm the closing fees and compare interest rates.
• This is the time to ask about inspections and what they entail, who pays for what and what items would the seller be responsible for as far as repairs go?
• Make sure you feel you have clear communication with the agent.  Tell the agent the best way to communicate with you. 

I wish you luck in your endeavor in buying your first home.  Being prepared by an experienced, capable agent will be the key to smooth transaction.  I am located in Montgomery County Maryland in the Gaithersburg area. No matter where you are, if you have questions, shoot me an email and I will answer your questions to the best of my ability!

You may search for listings and local area information at www.Audreyjune.com .  Email Audrey@audreyjune.com .

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Birds and Bees are; Why not credit as a curriculum?

Birds and Bees are; why not Credit as Curriculum???Credit is probably one of those discussions most parents don’t have with their children.  It is surely a subject that will probably go by the way of the Birds and the bees.  . . .  let them learn it on the street.

Truth be known, most parents don’t completely understand the world of FICO scores themselves?

Credit is the basis for just about everything these days.  I mean just about EVERYTHING.  What if we started teaching kids about credit in school?

I am talking about early in high school not college.  By then it is probably too late.

By the time they get to college, they are already spending money pretty regularly and have been given the “college credit card”.  All you have to do is sign this paper and viola’ you have a credit card.  Ahh . . the mighty credit card, what fun and/or dangers may lurk ahead?

My Mom and Dad didn’t explain credit to me.  They said if you have a bill you have to pay it and be responsible for it.  Save your money.  Take part of your allowance and save it.  Do odd jobs, get paid, and learn how to deal with your money.  Those were the basics of money.  Not watch out for your FICO scores? 

I think if there could be a class that kids take early in high school where they understand the importance of how credit works, what to do and not do in order to keep themselves in good standing and understanding the importance of good credit.  I guarantee we have young people who would like to buy a home and have their credit pulled to find out that they have ruined their credit for the next few years and they have no idea how that happened?  When you try to explain it to them, you might as well speak a foreign language.  Maybe the Montgomery County and Maryland School systems could investigate this and see if could be added as a “life course” of some sort?  If it is being taught, is it taught in all schools or is it only taught in certain schools?  If so, why is that?

I think this phenomemon of making this very basic financial tool could drastically help improve the US economy.  The American consumer would have less debt, intrest rates could be lower, less bankruptcies, which all end up falling on the shoulders of the American citizen and the bottom line of the economy.

 This might just save a few kids from making mistakes in their youth that could save them many dollars in the years to come.

What are your thoughts on this subject.

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