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Mastering referrals: Part 2 Premium Content

By Alison Rogers, Monday, September 29, 2008.

ROOKIE: Last week you talked about asking your closest sphere for help, marketing to other agents, and how to handle a less-than-top-quality referral. Will you share some of your database secrets? How big are your spheres?

CHRISNER: As far as my personal sphere, I have a tiered system: an "A" is someone I've done a transaction with who has referred me or attempted to refer me. There are 63 of those. A "B" is someone who I think would refer me, but the right opportunity hasn't come yet. I've got 79 of those. Then there's the Cs -- hundreds of people who I have relationships with, who know me and recognize my name ...  more...

When is it safe to destroy mortgage papers?

By Benny Kass, Monday, September 29, 2008.

DEAR BENNY: We have owned our home since 1998 and have refinanced twice since that time. I still have the original mortgage papers along with the twice-refinanced papers. I am afraid to throw anything out but they are quite bulky and take up a lot of room. Do I really need to keep all three or can I toss the original papers when we bought the home and the second refinance papers and just keep the most recent refinance mortgage papers? --Ann  more...

Economists differ on housing recovery

By Dian Hymer, Monday, September 29, 2008.

Opinions differ as to when the housing market will turn around. Most analysts think that we have not yet hit bottom. Some think we might be close. One of the keys to the puzzle is the state of the housing inventory.

In May, there was a 10.8-month supply of homes for sale at the current sales pace, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This was a move down from an 11.2-month supply in April. When the supply reaches the six- to seven-month level, the housing market should pick up, barring a major recession or a big jump in inflation or interest rates.  more...

Some borrowers get more aid than others

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, September 29, 2008.

"Is it true that mortgage servicers will not help borrowers in trouble until they stop making their payments? I am a home retention counselor and I keep hearing from people referred to me that they have received no response from their servicer because they have not yet missed a payment. I would hate to advise people that they have to stop paying if they expect to get any help if it is not true."  more...