Wednesday

Neena Vlamis Talks Homebuying and Credit with Bill Moller on WGN News Radio

In order to maintain the absolute best credit score make sure to set your bills on auto pay for the minimum payment.  This way when you are out of town you won’t miss a payment!


Listen to Bill Moller interview Neena Vlamis on WGN Radio News on homebuying and credit scores right here:

video



Call Neena at 773-305-LOAN for a pre-approval


THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. This is not a commitment to lend. A and N Mortgage Services, Inc. is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee and Equal Housing Lender. IL MB.0006638, FL MLD288, IN 11122, IA 2006-0064, MA MC5413, MI FL0012625, WI 19291BA NMLS# 19291 

Friday

A and N Mortgage: Thoughts of the Day‏

Can you believe it has been 74 months since the number of total foreclosure filings has been this low?

My prediction is that the inventory is going to stay low, you will see developers  come  back into the business, the banks will not be as foolish this time loaning money out to developers hand over fist as you saw in 2005. 

A and N friends make sure that you stay on top of your pre approvals that you send out. KEEP a spread sheet of the people you are working with and FOLLOW UP!!!

Why do people use Neena Vlamis over a bank?

Borrower "I am calling a bank for a quote as well"
Neena "once you call a large bank you will realize that they promoted a teller, who doesn't need a license to originate mortgages... Really?  .. To deal with your biggest asset!  I am a licensed mortgage professional who only does mortgages, I don't open checking accounts, I do two things, mortgages and diapers and I do them well!  When someone is doing too many things they are a jack of all trades and master of none. Now some advise on properties that sell the quickest: declutter your home and get it staged, I can give you a staging expert and a realtors number and let's put your team of professionals together and get you into a new home that meets your goals to match the growth of your family!"

Borrower "okay you had me at mortgages and diapers!"

Make it a great day!!! Follow up, hit the phones! A great idea for the day is we have umbrellas in the marketing department for only 8 dollars each, buy a few and drop them off at real estate offices with a nice note and some business cards!

A and N Kids Club - Talk About Money with Your Kids‏


Is it okay to share the household bills with your children?

 My parents started to show the household bills to me at 10 years old. It all started because I couldn't understand why my friend had more shoes and clothes than I did. Because my parents sat me down showed me their income and what money was paid out each month I sure did have an awakening! I understood how much the electric bill was And consequently I started to shut off the lights every time I left my bedroom, I became cognizant of how much water I was using, I understood that my parents didn't have credit card debt and that my friends parents could have with the amount of shoes and clothes my friend had!

When your child receives money for the holidays and their birthdays, is it okay to save the money in the children's college fund instead of letting them spend it on frivolous items?

Yes your children will appreciate that you saved their money for them once college time comes around! They will be grateful that you cared enough to be strict with them and actually saved the money. I remember my friend in college had $15,000 because her parents took all of her money and put it in her savings a account and I felt so envious, she actually bought a used car with it!

Should I give my child an allowance?

Yes if they earn it by cleaning up after dinner, doing dishes, cleaning their rooms. Only give them money if they earned it and give them less money if they didn't do their assigned chore well. 

Teach your children the value of money so they don't have a sense of entitlement.

Tuesday

Holidays May Be Prime Investment Time

With holidays on the brain, many individuals don't realize that this lull in home sales during holiday season is extremely beneficial for buyers. There not only is less competition for those attractive homes, but the many sellers are motivated, willing and ready to make a deal. 

The Slower Market

    This slow market enables buyers to shop a multitude of listings. Those nasty bidding wars with other buyers, which often times drives up the cost of the home, are less likely to occur.

Many Motivated Sellers

    With holiday expenses and unemployment rates rising, sellers are more than willing to negotiate their selling price, especially if the home has been on the market for several months.

Enticing Tax Breaks for Buyers

   Closing on or before December 31st could mean a sizable tax write off when you deduct the interest of your first mortgage payment from your stated income.
Call or email today for a complimentary quote!

Sunday

Cost Effective Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home



Make the most of your hard earned dollars and focus your remodeling efforts on renovations that will boost the home's value and your bottom line. 

Condition
Buyers will often bargain down your asking price if your home isn't in tip-top shape. Before performing aesthetic upgrades, be sure to tend to your home's basic maintenance projects. A smart and inexpensive way to ensure your home holds its value is to hire a home inspector. 

Cosmetics
Spend time evaluating the areas that have the biggest buyer impact, like the kitchen and bathrooms. On average, a kitchen and/or bathroom remodel will yield a return on investment of eighty percent or more. Consider updating your home's look with the following quick and inexpensive projects: Paint, Energy Efficient Appliances, or New Fixtures.
A free and easy way to spruce up your surroundings is to get rid of clutter. 
Call or email today for a complimentary quote!

Wednesday

Borrowing Against Your Home May have its Benefits


Did you know there are two types of home equity loans: fixed rate and lines of credit. Both loan types are offered with loan terms that generally range anywhere from 5 to 15 years and require the borrower to repay the loan in full if the home against which they are borrowed is sold.

Though there are borrowing and term similarities, each loan has its differences. A home equity loan (also known as a second mortgage) is a fixed amount that you borrow to be paid off over a certain number of months, while the home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a variable rate. Much like a credit card, a HELOC pre-approves you, the borrower, for a certain spending limit of which you may withdraw.

Tuesday

Cook County Tax Bill Update

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Cook County Tax Bill Update
Cook County property tax bills coming in July
For the first time in decades the second installment of Cook County property taxes are to hit homeowner's mailboxes in July. Meaning, payment will be due August 1st compared to November 1st.

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Property Taxes: Homeowner's FAQ
Who pays this?
  The tax bill is either paid by your lender or if you do not escrow you must send in the payment direct to the Cook County Treasurer's Office or you can check on their website which local banks accept payments.  
How to check?  Cook County has set up a website where you can check online if your tax bill has been paid and if you are receiving your homeowner exemption.  You can also confirm your mailing address and ensure the correct name is on your tax bill. Where to check? www.cookcountytreasurer.com The top right hand corner has a section to click for "payments," you can check the status of your payment and also make sure you have your home owner's exemption.  You will be required to give your PIN # which is on your tax bill.

What if I'm missing info? If you do not have the information you need please feel free to contact
your A and N Mortgage Consultant at any time.
773.305.LOAN (5626) or www.AandNmortgage.com