Have HOPE! You CAN turn your life around!

While reviewing my mission statement this morning, I came across this, which I had condensed (back around 2000) from Og Mandino’s “Mission: Success.” Recently divorced, I was living in a 1 BR house, sleeping on a pull-out couch, 40 lbs overweight, and $30,000+ deep in credit card debt. To say I was “struggling” would indeed be an understatement.

Wherever you are and however difficult your circumstances, maintain your hope. You have within you the power to change, to grow, and to take back your life!  I turned my life around and you can, too. You CAN. You WILL.

I used to read this every morning and every evening.  What a FANTASTIC road map for the day.  If you’re struggling I’d suggest printing this off and reading it, out loud, with as much PASSION as you can muster, morning, noon, and night!  Watch what unfolds.

THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY!

God, I thank you for this day. I will treasure it, for it is all I have. I will remain aware of how little it takes to make this day an incredible day.

I will waste not even a precious second today in fear or hate or self-pity or selfishness. I will turn away from any temptation that might cause me to break my word or lose my self-respect. 

Instead, today I will deliver to my enemies the gift of forgiveness; my opponents, tolerance; my friends, a smile; my child, a good example. Every gift will be wrapped with unconditional love. I know that the world is a looking glass and gives back to me the reflection of my own soul.

The past is already a dream from which I can neither retrieve a single word nor erase any foolish deed. I do resolve, however, that if I have injured anyone through my thoughtlessness, I will not let this day’s sun set before I make amends. Nothing I do today will be of greater importance.

I will not only accept, but embrace today’s challenges. Just as a diamond is polished by friction, I will become more valuable through this day’s adversities. 

God, I thank you for this day. I will treasure it, for it is all I have.I will not fret the future. My happiness does not depend on straining to see what lurks dimly on the horizon but rather on doing what lies clearly at hand. 

God, I thank you for this day. I will treasure it, for it is all I have.

3 Critical Steps To Stop Mr. Grumpy’s Blood From Boiling

“Do we HAVE to send Mr. Ticked Off a survey?  His purchase was a disaster and he’s going to let us have it!”

Now we’ve all had a transaction or two that got just plain jacked up, for whatever reason.  Here are some suggests on what to do when things go sour…

3 critical steps to mitigate the damage: 

1. MOST IMPORTANTLY, offer a heart-felt, sincere apology.  Not the “I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused” robotic BS that other companies offer.  That will actually fan the flames.  Instead, a GENUINE, “I’m so sorry,” like you’d offer a friend going through a rough time.
2. Next, accept responsibility for their poor experience, EVEN IF it was not entirely your fault.
3. Finally, share what you’ve learned from the experience and what changes you’ll make to avoid a similar situation in the future.

The more we can take responsibility and show genuine concern for the customer, the more likely they’ll forgive us.  The more we try to prove it wasn’t our fault (even if it wasn’t) or (worse yet) to prove them wrong, the angrier they’ll get.  Which do you want, a little humble pie, or them posting how we stink to their 1,500 Facebook friends?

A PRO takes responsibility, apologizes, and builds new checks and balances
into their process to avoid the situation in the future.

Will it work EVERY time?  Of course not, but more often than not, Mr. Grumpy’s blood will stop boiling.  Yes, we may still have an unhappy customer, but we’ll likely avoid a PR nightmare that will cost us all business.

Thanks for reading.  If you find it valuable, please do share, post, like, etc!  I appreciate it!

Chris

Stand Guard at the Door to Your Mind!

When light enters a dark room where does the darkness go? It’s gone, instantly. But not very far!!! Yes, we need to remember that in the absence of light the darkness will come back. But the answer is not to celebrate the darkness, to wallow in it, to fear it. The answer is to bring more light.  Newton, CT is darkness.  Who will be the light?

Please consider:  For every deranged murderer there are a thousand beautiful souls doing a million amazing, beautiful, selfless, astounding, loving gestures that go largely unreported. Truth is, selflessness and service rarely glue folks to their TV. They just don’t sell much advertising. They barely make a blip on Nielsen ratings. But they do change the world in a very real way.

We must each STAND GUARD at the door to our mind!  We are each in charge of how much darkness we let in, how we allow it to color or view of the world, and whether we use it as a brake or a gas pedal in our lives.

So yes, let’s take a minute and let our hearts break for the shattered families and communities. But let’s next take an hour to appreciate all the beautiful souls. Notice them. Applaud them. Focus on them. Rejoice in them. And BE one of them. Why not BE THE CHANGE?

I invite you to CELEBRATE someone who is making the world a brighter place?  Either in the comments below, or in a post of your own, celebrate who has helped YOU?   Who has made YOUR community a better place?  Who has renewed or reconfirmed your faith in the human race?  Please give them some love below!

Please be the change you wish to see in the world…

Chris Sanderson

Sincerity is Not a Test of Truth

Sincerity is not a test of truth.

Here is what I believe:

Sincerity is not a test of truth.  Sincerity is a test of magnitude of belief. Gandhi was sincere, but so was Stalin. JFK and Ronald Reagan? Sincere. But Hitler was sincere as well. We can believe fervently, with never-ending sincerity and STILL be dead wrong. Our leaders, on both sides of the aisle, are certainly sincere. Their life experiences have led them to their current belief systems.

Tech Savvy Lender Chris Sanderson courtesty Tony Frantz Studios

Here’s what I’ve learned: Receiving handouts destroys our self-worth. Lack of self-worth impedes our ability to take action in our own best interest. And lack of taking action in our own best interest invariably leads to neediness. Yet life will not respond favorably to neediness, to victims. Life responds not to what a person needs, but rather what he has labored for, mentally, physically and emotionally.Bad breaks? Sure. Hiccups? Of course. But over the long run, those who have done the hard work and exerted the discipline will be rewarded. Those who expected something for nothing will lead a life of frustration. These are natural laws that you and I cannot alter!

Many of our leaders believe that we need to give people still more.  Handouts in the short-term are an effective way to garner votes in the short-term and disaster in the long-term.  If we want a nation of cripples then let’s just keep handing out crutches. Our future as a country will not be determined by the needs of our citizens nor by our expectations of the past. It will be determined by what we deserve through our level of discipline, our work ethic, and our willingness to accept the natural laws that regulate our existence.

Sincerely,

Chris

How To Keep Your Property Taxes As Low As Possible With Property Tax Exemptions

How To Keep Your Property Taxes As Low As Possible With Property Tax Exemptions

I know you’re generous and all, but you wouldn’t want to give your county a $200-$1,800 gift of your hard-earned dollars, would you?

The deadline for filing (or confirming filing) of property tax exemptions in Indiana is 12/31!!!

Please watch the video to see what you need to do by 12/29/2011 to make sure your only gifts this year are the ones you give ON PURPOSE!  LOL.

NOTE: I suggest NOT WAITING until the last day to knock this 2 minute phone call out.  I’m just guessing that they will be very, very busy down at the Auditor’s office in those last few days.  DO NOT count on the online records.  They are over a year behind!

WATCH AND CALL TODAY!

Question: When you find yourself in a conversation and the topic turns to mortgages, would you feel comfortable introducing the people you care about to me?

If so, the next time you hear someone talking refinancing or home purchase, please pick up the phone and call me immediately at (260) 414-3511. You will feel good knowing that I will take extraordinarily good care of them.

Teeter Totters, Closing Costs, and Refinancing

Teeter Totters, Closing Costs, and Refinancing

“I’m shopping around…  What’s your rate?”

We have a special right now – 11.5%.  Would you like me to go ahead and lock you in?  That usually gets a good laugh, breaks the ice, and allows me to start asking some thought-provoking questions.  There’s a lot more to giving really top-notch financial advice than just quoting interest rates.  Check out the video to learn more.

Would you feel comfortable introducing the people you care about that may need my help to me?

If so, the next time you are in a conversation and someone you care about mentions refinancing, would you feel comfortable introducing them to me?

If so, put my cell number in your phone right now.  260-414-3511.  The next time people you care about are talking refinancing in Indiana, take out your phone, look me up and call me immediately so we can make a plan for you to introduce them to me.  They’ll be glad you did.

Chris Sanderson
Tech Savvy Lender
Ruoff Home Mortgage
260-414-3511

Start the ball rolling.  Get your pre-approval started online here.

Is Your Bank Stealing Your Money While You’re At Biaggi’s Drinking Beer?

Last night I went to Biaggi’s for a few TGIF celebratory beers.  A very, very intelligent friend of mine let me know he was frustrated that he “couldn’t refinance because he had a 2nd mortgage.”  SAY WHAT?  That was news to me as I’ve helped over 100 of my clients refinance WITH 2nd mortgages and/or HELOCs.

4.99% is what he is currently paying on his $360,000 mortgage.  Turns out he had called his bank (Fifth Third) regarding refinancing and according to my friend, he has told that it wouldn’t be possible due to the 2nd mortgage.  Not the value of the home mind you, but the 2nd mortgage…  When I told him I had helped tons of people refinance that were in his situation he got a little miffed!  “Why would they tell me it wouldn’t be possible if it is?” he asked.  Do you suppose your bank would prefer to have you paying them back 4.99% or 3.875%?  He just stared at me - looked like someone had punched him in the gut!  He pulled out his business card and said “Call me on my cell Monday morning!”

I can’t speak for Fifth Third’s or any other bank’s motivation but I can tell you this:  If you’re sitting on a 4.99% $360,000 mortgage we need to talk!  STAT!  You cannot make wise financial decisions without clearly understanding your options.”  By the way, the difference in the first year is $4,046.40 (1.124% x $360,000).  Would you like to have the four grand or would you like the bank to keep the four grand?  LOL.  Call me!

For my friend, we will likely be refinancing his first mortgage from 4.99% down to 4.125% with ZERO closing costs.  Or perhaps we’ll refinance to 3.875% with $2,200 in closing costs.  Both OPTIONS are available.  Again, it pays to know you have options!  If you’re curious about how this works see my video

If you would like some friendly, fast, professional advice regarding your finances, specifically your mortgage debt, I would like to offer my assistance.  As I always tell my clients:  After asking you some thought-provoking questions, if I believe I can help you I will let you know.  If doing business together does not make financial sense for BOTH of us, then I will let you know that I cannot help.  It always makes me laugh to see how surprised people are when I tell them that their best bet is just to stick with the loan they have!  If I can help I will.  If I can’t I’ll tell you I can’t and why.   Fair enough?

Pick up the phone RIGHT NOW and let’s see if you can save $4,000 next year, too!  My direct line is (260) 414-3511.

Here’s to your financial success!

Dr. Fuhrman’s Nutritarian Lifestyle – World’s Weirdest Smoothie!

As many of you already know, I’ve been practicing the “Nutritarian” lifestyle recommended by Dr. Joel Fuhrman in “Eat To Live.”

Ready?  My results after 24 days:

• Blood pressure went from 130s/80s to 110s/60s
• Dropped a pants size
• Weight down 13.5 lbs
• Night sweats gone
• Resting pulse now below 50
• Didn’t measure cholesterol, etc, but I’d bet my retirement it’s WAY better

Let me say again…  This is after only 24 days!  Folks, I’m a believer!  BIG TIME!

I made a little video to show you the kinds of delicious foods I’ve been eating.  I was amazed at the variety and how great it actually tastes!  Well, that’s not entirely true… I still can’t find a way to prepare Kale without gagging!  LOL.  I just stick with Spinach and Romaine!    Here was tonight’s smoothie.  I’m stuffed but it was only about maybe 300 calories for 2 servings!  And I’ll bet I got more micronutrients, vitamins and minerals than I did in a whole day prior to my nutritarian discovery!  Enjoy!

Here’s the link to Dr. Fuhrman’s “Disease Proof” blog if you’d like to learn more:  www.diseaseproof.com

Like they say, you can’t unring a bell.  Knowing what I know now from personal experience, I think it’s safe to say I will never, ever be going back to the SAD (Standard American Diet).

Thank you, Dr. Fuhrman!

What’s the Difference Between an FHA and a USDA Mortgage?

The vast majority of first time home buyers purchase their first home with using either an FHA or a USDA home loan for their financing.  These two options offer some great advantages as well as some negatives.  Let’s take a look at the differences.

 

Hopefully after watching that video you have a bit better understanding of the difference between an FHA and a USDA home loan.

FHA Loans

FHA loans are by far the most popular of all loan options for first time home owners.  The unique combination of low down payment, lenient credit qualifying, artificially low interest rates along with no income limits or property geographic limitations make this the loan of choice.

These loans are sponsored by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in order to increase availability of mortgage financing to those who have only a small down payment but still would like to purchase a home.

USDA Loans

A USDA loan, where available, offers true 100% financing.  Obviously, this makes it a very popular program.  All that glitters is not gold, however, as I explained in the video.  I’m not opposed to using the USDA loan but I do believe strongly that a home buyer should clearly understand what they’re getting themselves into here.

The obvious advantages is the fact there is no down payment and there is no monthly mortgage insurance.  But nothing is free.  The USDA loan is no exception.  The not-so-obvious disadvantage is that you are adding over 3.5% of the purchase price onto your loan in the form of a reservation fee.  Therefore you are actually borrowing not 100%, but 103.5% of the purchase price.  Additionally the loan is only available on certain addresses.  Basically the program is designed to encourage “rural” housing.  In other words, to increase sales of homes outside of major cities like Fort Wayne.

Why is that a big deal?  Well, when you go to sell a home here in Indiana you need roughly 10% equity in the property just to break even (after paying pro-rated taxes, Realtor fees, closing costs, etc).  With a typical 30 year loan this borrower will not have 10% equity in their home (starting with 103.5% and assuming flat housing prices) for roughly 7 years!  So, you’ve made your mortgage payments from August 2011 all the way through August 2018, you go to sell your house and walk away with… Nothing?  Ouch!

Now pointing this out won’t be popular with many Realtors and even more builders.  Builders can charge a premium for homes in areas that offer USDA 0% down financing because it EASY to get into the house.  If you plan to purchase one of these home because you can get in with very, very little “skin” in the game, just remember, it’s “pay me now or pay me later.”  Facts are the facts and you deserve to understand your options.

Personally, I encourage buyers who are using the USDA loan to set up AUTOMATIC extra principal payments along with their mortgage payments.  On a $100,000 mortgage you can dramatically reduce your principal balance quickly by just adding an additional principal payment of 10% of your payment each month.  Many people I’ve seen have the best of intentions, but unless it is set to AUTOMATICALLY get paid, alas, the extra payment loses out to an iPad, or braces, or a cruise, or even Starbucks.  Don’t let that be you!

For a detailed post on USDA loans click here.

Your next loan in Indiana

When you’re ready to get your next loan in Indiana, I would love to help you.  My pledge, as always, is to treat your money as if it were my own.  I will treat you as a friend, not just a file.

Sincerely,

Chris Sanderson
Tech Savvy Lender
260-414-3511

What’s the Difference Between a Home Appraisal and a Home Inspection?

 

I get it!  Everyone is looking to save money when possible on the purchase of a home.  But friends, the argument that since the lender will be appraising the house you can go ahead and skip the home inspection.  NOT a good idea!  Here are the major differences, as I see them, between a home appraisal and a home inspection.

The Home Appraisal

First, let’s take a look at the home appraisal.  The purpose of the home appraisal is to get an independent opinion of value.  It will confirm to the lender that the house they are considering loaning money against is worth at least as much as the buyer has offered to pay for it.  Sometimes a misguided buyer just has to have that cute little bungalow because of that maple leaf shaped swimming pool and the granite island in the kitchen.  Here’s the problem:  They’ve been looking for a maple leaf shaped swimming pool and this is the only one they’ve found.  So, yes, $150,000 seems a little high, but who’s counting when you find that perfect pool!  The buyer can agree to buy.  And the seller can agree to sell.  But when the lender finds out that similar houses are actually only selling for $125,000 the lender will not make the loan based on the $150,000 purchase price.  The lender will lend based on the real market value of $125,000.  So, either the deal falls through or the buyer makes up the $25,000 difference with their own cash.

The licensed home appraiser will pull “comps.”  Comps are homes that have sold in the past 12 months that are similar to the house being appraised (called the “subject property”).  Generally the appraiser will find 3 comps that are similar in age, size, location, bedrooms and baths.  They will make “adjustments” to the value if they cannot find identical homes that have sold.  Based on the sales price of the comps the appraiser will determine their opinion of the subject property’s fair market value.

So, as you can see the appraisal is to protect the lender, NOT to inspect for the condition of the house.  Yes, if something is grossly and obviously wrong with the house the appraiser will catch it.  But the appraiser does not go to the home with the idea of checking the furnace, roof, wiring, plumbing, termites, etc.

The Home Inspection

The home inspections is wildly different from the home appraisal.  First off, it has nothing to do with your mortgage.  You can get a mortgage without a home inspection, but probably not without a home appraisal (unless you’re putting down a VERY large percentage of the purchase price).

The home inspection is contracted and paid for by the buyer of the home.  A licensed home inspector will inspect for major defects all the major components of the home:  i.e. foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, appliances, outlets, windows, insulation, etc.

At the completion of the home inspections, which take from 2-5 hours, and cost from $225 – $600, the buyer will receive a copy of a very detailed home inspection report.  As you can guess, the home inspector does not generally offer an opinion of value as the appraiser does, but rather a report of the condition of the home.  In the case where a “major defect” is discovered, the buyer may complete an “inspection response,” requesting that the seller repair the major defect.  The seller may choose to correct the defect, in which case the buyer is obligated to purchase the home.  Or, the seller may determine that they are not willing to correct the defect.  If the seller refuses the purchaser should be able to recover their “earnest money deposit” from the seller.  Occasionally the seller will disagree with the inspector’s findings, which can get pretty interesting, but that’s a different post altogether!

Hopefully you are now much clearer on the difference between a home appraisal and a home inspection.

Your next loan in Indiana

When you’re ready to get your next loan in Indiana, I would love to help you.  My pledge, as always, is to treat your money as if it were my own.  I will treat you as a friend, not just a file.

Sincerely,

Chris Sanderson
Tech Savvy Lender
260-414-3511