There are 4 common stressors that everyone at one point or another deals with, sometimes on a daily basis, but did you know that there are easy ways to help combat them?! 1) MONEY           Yep, it ranks as one of the top worries of almost all Americans. How can you make this area of your life less stressful? Easy, make a financial plan. Learn how to organize your finances, there are a ton of websites out there now that can help ( cfp.net ). Also, talk to your friends that are successfully getting through this hard economic times, ask them what their secrets are, just make sure not to pry! Set a budget and stick to it. 2) SLEEP           Most people go through times in their lives where getting a good night's sleep is a distant memory. There are four ways to help try and improve your sleep. First, try and get plenty of aerobic exercise (preferably more than 2 hours BEFORE going to bed). Next sleep in a darkened room, that means NO ...

Aurthor: Washington, March 06, 2012 Housing affordability conditions have reached the highest level since record keeping began in 1970, according to the National Association of Realtors®. NAR’s Housing Affordability Index rose to a record high 206.1 in January, based on the relationship between median home price, median family income and average mortgage interest rate. The higher the index, the greater the household purchasing power. An index of 100 is defined as the point where a median-income household has exactly enough income to qualify for the purchase of a median-priced existing single-family home, assuming a 20 percent down payment and 25 percent of gross income devoted to mortgage principal and interest payments. For first-time buyers making small down payments, the affordability levels are relatively lower. NAR President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami, said this latest data underscores buyer opportunities in today’s market. “T...

Buying a home is euphoric and scary. On one hand, you are moving into a property you own. On the other, you are committing to the repayment of a lot of money. How to Avoid Buyer’s Remorse Buying a property can throw your emotions all over the place. First, you are ecstatic when the seller agrees to your offer. Soon thereafter, you start worrying about the price, potential problems and the commitment you have made to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next 10, 15 or 30 years. It can be a monstrous rollercoaster for your emotions. You need not have buyer’s remorse. The first issue giving rise to remorse is almost always the purchase price. If it makes you feel any better, the seller almost always thinks they should have asked for more. In truth, the agreed upon price is almost always pretty fair if you obtain a mortgage loan. The lender is not going to give you a loan well in excess of the value of the home, so you can rest assured you probably got a fair price. Yes, you...

Straight from the famous Queen lyrics! We want it all and want it now! Don’t we?! You might be starting your home search and think that you’re pretty level-headed about what you want. Most people do. I did too when I was looking for my last home. When I ask someone what they’re looking for, it makes me chuckle after minutes go by and they suddenly realize their list kept getting longer and longer and longer! What I encourage every buyer to do is to write down the following list: 1.) One column for Must-Haves 2.) One column for Can Live Withouts 3.) One column for Indifferent Once you’re done making that list, rate them all highest to lowest priority in each column. For instance, if you had 13 must-haves, put them in order of what you would want first, 1-13. I know it sounds crazy, but there’s a reason behind it. Let’s say a pool and tile floor is on your must-have list, but they were ranked 9 & 11 in that column. These are things that may have been deal breakers before this ...

Since the September 2008 conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have completed nearly 1.1 million loan modifications, according to the FHFA’s fourth quarter 2011 Foreclosure Prevention and Refinance report. Overall, the GSEs have completed more than 2.1 million foreclosure prevention actions since the same time period. “Data from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency show that in the two years ending in the third quarter of 2011, modifications on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans accounted for 40 percent of all loan modifications,” said General Counsel for the FHFA Alfred M. Pollard in a written testimony before congressmen Monday. For just the 2011 fourth quarter, about 71,100 loan modifications were completed, compared to about 83,500 in the third quarter. Pollard said a contributing factor to the decline in modifications seen may be that the initial backlog of eligible borrowers in 2009 has been addressed to some extent, and added the GSEs offer substantial incentive pay...

Join Us for Coffee & Doughnuts Wednesday December 14, 2011 Title Junction will be hosting our final class this year titled: "Year End Review" This class will be held at our Fort Myers office. Jennifer will be discussing: HUD-1 & GFE, and the importance of FIRPTA. So mark your calendar and bring lots of questions, Jennifer will be happy to answer them all. What a fantastic way to start your day with great conversation, coffee and of course who doesn't like doughnuts! When: Wednesday December 14, 2011 Where: Title Junction, 6225 Corporate Court, Suite A-100, Fort Myers, FL 33919 Time: 10:00 am - 11:00am To RSVP: please visit www.title-junction.com on or before 12/13/2011 We look forward to seeing you here! Watch out for new details for next year, Jennifer will be launching a new series of classes.

Real estate title companies are impartial service providers to everyone involved in the transaction. From realtors and buyers to sellers and mortgage lenders, the title company does not have a personal interest in the property. This impartially ensures that a legitimate title search is conducted and that each party involved in the transaction receives the same treatment. A title agent’s job is to ensure that all paperwork is in order, that the people involved are who they say they are and that no money changes hands until all of necessary documents and paperwork have been signed. This safeguards everyone’s interest in the property. The buyer and the lender have assurance that they are purchasing a clean title and that the escrow funds do not get paid out until the property is closed and the seller has the guarantee that the buyer is committed to the property purchase. It’s not unusual for title insurance agencies to employ notary publics and offer notarization services. By providi...

The Florida Statues defines closing services as the services performed by a licensed title insurer, title insurance agent, or agency in the agent’s or agency’s capacity as such, including, but not limited to, preparing documents necessary to close the transaction, conducting the closing, or handling the disbursing of funds related to the closing in a real estate closing transaction in which a title insurance commitment or policy is to be issued. This means the closing services fee listed on the settlement statement form is to include all the fees and charges made by the agency to close and complete the transaction. Consumers should not be charged additional fees in the additional to the amount listed as the closing or settlement services fee on the HUD-1 or other settlement statement form. Examples of fees that should not be listed as separate line items on the form include, but are not limited to: - Postage and handling - Notary services - Copies - Digital documents - Document prepar...

According to the State of Florida Division of Agent and Agency Services the following were actual cases. (Note: All administrative investigations are subject to referral to the Division of Insurance Fraud for criminal investigation.) Case: An investigation of a title insurance agent alleged that she misappropriated escrow funds, failed to remit premiums due to an insurer and failed to disperse funds in accordance with HUD-1 Settlement Statement. Disposition: License revoked and permanently banned from the insurance industry Case: An investigation of a title insurance agency alleged that an officer overcharged for a recording fee, charged separate line items that were part of the closing fee, failed to reconcile the escrow account, failed to maintain proper records, and failed to provide a current business license to the Department. Disposition: License surrendered for 24 months.

Title Junction wants everyone to stay safe during the hurricane season which officially begins today and runs through November 30. Please see the list below for supplies you will want to have on hand in case of a disaster. - Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days - Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days — non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices — foods for infants or the elderly — snack foods — non-electric can opener — cooking tools / fuel — paper plates / plastic utensils - Blankets / Pillows, etc. - Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes - First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs - Special Items - for babies and the elderly - Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes - Flashlight / Batteries - Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio - Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set - Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extende...