Gene's Bit of Blogging
Announcements and News
|
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender: Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 8:34 PM
Opening Night Coming
For Joliet Slammers Baseball!
Joliet's professional baseball team, the Slammers, will open their 2012 playing season next week on May 22nd. They'll be playing the Traverse City Beam Bums that evening, starting at 7:05 pm.
 Expectations are high for this year's season, as the Slammers will be defending their 2011 Frontier League title. A ring ceremony will be held prior to this year's first game to celebrate last year's League champions.
After the Slammer's opening day game, there will be a fireworks show for the fans.
If you would like more information regarding the Slammers' Opening Day game or future games and accommodations, please call Kelli Dreschsel at: 815.722.2287 or email: info@jolietslammers.com.
Hope to see you Opening Day!
* Contact me ... if you're hoping to buy or refinance a home in Joliet, Will County, or Chicagoland area. I'll put my 35 years of experience to work on your behalf. I can be found at any of the following: Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 Conveniently at Skype: 630.219.1316
|
|
|
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender - The Federal Savings Bank: Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 11:44 AM
Students from Naperville, IL
to Appear on
"Late Show
with Letterman",
May 10th
 I don't know about
you, but anytime David Letterman
has a "Kids Scientist" segment scheduled ... I'm
watching!
Dave's interactions with the
kids are so much fun to watch!
Letterman's "Kid Scientists" programs have
become one of my favorites. And this
Thursday night's program gives me all the more reason to view and enjoy this
ongoing event.
Local students
from Naperville, IL will be taking part
in Dave's "Late Show" - "Kid Scientists" segment, broadcast May 10th.
The Naperville, IL
students involved include:
- Zack Pradel -
Lincoln Jr. High School
- Abby Louise -
Kennedy Jr. High School
- Joy Chiu -
Naperville Central HS
- Jack Brandt -
Kennedy Jr. High School
- Cairo Lawrence
- Kennedy Jr. High School
Teachers
accompanying the students on this "Kids
Scientist" segment will be:
- Jaci Gentile -
Naperville Central chemistry instructor
- Lee Marek -
Retired Naperville North teacher
Our area's learning academies have much to be proud of. Thursday night's May 10th appearance by Naperville, IL students
will celebrate over 20 such appearances by area students on the "Late Show with David Letterman" since 1997.
Congratulations to ALL the students ... and their teachers .... participating on Thursday night's "Kid Scientists" segment!
To view this segment, watch the "Late Show with David
Letterman” on CBS, Thursday, May 10th, at 10:35 pm, CST)
* Hoping to buy a home in the Naperville, IL area? The surrounding Chicagoland region ... or elsewhere across the US? Contact me conveniently and quickly through any of the following means:
Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text:
708.921.6331 Skype: 630.219.1316
|
DuPage County, Localism Posts, Announcements and News, Schools, Naperville, DuPage Township, Education, Special Events, Fun, Comical, Educational Opportunities, School Districts, Chicagoland Entertainment
|
|
|
|
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender: Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 5:39 PM
I May Not Be Yoda,
but I'm Darn Close!
Yesterday, I was reading yet another blog about the low interest rates presently available to home buyers seeking mortgage financing.
Seems another new historic low was announced. Something not quite so noteworthy anymore, as we all have grown used to hearing about how the rates have dipped, dipped, and dipped again.
 And therein lies my big worry, both as a mortgage lender and as a parent. I think buyers have grown quite weary and fairly complacent.
Low interest rates, such as we are seeing presently, should be news that sends home buyers (currently seeking and potential) all giddy. They should be doing a happy-dance.
But although rates remain a topic of interest for mortgage applicants I speak to, the rates we are seeing do NOT stimulate action in the housing market or number of inquiries for financing you would predict. So many potential buyers simply are doing nothing in response.
And I find that sad. That attitude translates into so much potential lost savings . So many opportunities simply being ignored.
I believe that many potential buyers falsely believe they cannot buy. That they will not be approved for loan. It's certainly the mantra repeated by the media. And it seems nowadays, everyone knows someone that knows someone that has an awful story to tell about the financing process. Heck, I even hear it within our own industry.
The truth of it is that there are many successes being celebrated out there. The majority (around 62%) of people that apply for a mortgage loan DO get financing and successfully
buy a home. (Remember, we've seen the result of and are suffering from no one being turned away.)
Now, do mortgage applicants have to work at finding their successes? Yes! Is it easy? No! Are
they frustrated at times throughout the process? H#*$ yes! Should the
process be like this? No! I'm a mortgage lender and I think it sucks that
buyers and those refinancing are put through the ringer like they are. But the
process is what it is ...
So if that is the truth ... and the process is what it is, at least at this point, I ask ... What are you, if a hopeful and/or potential home buyer, going to do? What's your reaction??
I've written some about this in the past ... my own personal experiences with rates, home buying, and financing over my 35+ years within the mortgage and real estate industry. It's been interesting, to say the least.
But over all those years, one thing has remained true for home buyers and those seeking mortgage financing: No matter how bad your financial situation. No matter your credit scores. The situation and your scores CAN be improved and turned around. Help is available.
Okay .. okay ... you're right. I need to add an asterik to those statements ...
- Asterik 1: With time, care, and patience.
- Asterik 2: If willing to do some hard work.
And therein, lies some of the current problem. Many people hate the asteriks. But taking that into consideration, my question becomes this:
If you ever hope to buy a home ... now or in the future ...
Are you going to let those asteriks scare you away from starting the process? Are you going to let the need for some hard work and patience intimidate you into foregoing inquiries about your home buying capabilities and options?
Are you going to let all those stories ... those asteriks ... steal REAL opportunity from you? REAL SAVINGS?? And yes, I said steal. I can talk to you all day and all night about what I think
is the right thing for you to do. And it
will be "yadda yadda yadda" ... just noise in
your ears. Or I can tell you this ...
I may not
be Yoda,
but I'm
darn close!
I'm a mortgage lender, yes. But more importantly, I'm a
husband, a dad, and now a grandfather too. And
that is where my message (and vast wisdom) to you springs from.
I've been there. I've stared-down
growing insurance costs. Rising taxes. Emergency repairs at the home. Health bills for braces, glasses, broken noses, emergency hospital
trips.
I've had to come-up with unexpected costs ... dues for
sports camps, traveling leagues. I've shelled-out extra for Size 15 Nikes.
I've looked college payments in the eye.
And I'll tell you ... your child you never thought you'd hear it from? Yep, even
MORE schooling ... LAW school! Then wedding
plans start. Times 2 ... within 6 months of
one another. Heart-tugging Grandchildren aren't far behind.
All of these expenditures and more might be in your
future as they were in mine, you just never know. So take it from someone that knows ... you need to look for, and take
advantage of, every savings when you can.
Listen to Yoda ...
The savings you
can and will reap by buying now and locking-in a historically low interest rate?? Cha-Ching!
The savings you can and will reap through the lower housing prices found in many
markets right now? Cha-Ching Cha-Ching!
Those savings WILL come in mighty handy later
... believe me.
Forget whatever negative you have heard. Take action.
Reach out. Pick-up a phone. Text.
Email. Whatever! Do it on your break. At lunch time. Before you head to bed.
Ask your questions. Don't just accept what you're hearing on the news ... or from others, no matter who they are. Fight for every option, work for every advantage, every opportunity you can
find. You owe it to yourself and your future.
Contact me. Even if you have challenging financial and credit
issues. Get started on bettering your finances and future. It costs you zippo ... absolutely nothing to talk to me.
You'll be glad we talked. I'll be glad to hear from you ...
* You can find me in several convenient ways:  Direct: 815.277.4036Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 At Skype: 630.219.1316 Through Your Mobile Device:
|
Credit Repair, Buying a Home, Credit Reports/Fico Scores, Financing, Mortgage Lender, Mortgages, Working with a Mortgage Professional, Credit and Financial Counseling, Announcements and News, Gene Mundt's Client Services, First-Time HomeBuyers, Money-saving Strategies, Savings Advice, Communication, Asking credit and mortgage questions, home buying, Right Time to Buy a Home, Home Ownership, Clients, Interest Rates, Cost of Living and Bills
|
|
|
|
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender: Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 11:15 AM
You're OFFICIALLY Invited ...
Seems like I've read a real "rash" of posts lately regarding "visiting". In person. Via the internet.
These posts have followed closely on the heels of the ActiveRain social media site's "meet-ups" that were held just a short while ago in many locations across the US and Canada.
Guess we bloggers (especially AR members) are just a friendly, out-going, social bunch! Guess it also explains why we're in a people-business like real estate.
But these recent posts, and their subsequent comments, really had me thinking. How "welcoming" are my posts when someone reads them? How 'bout my other social media? Do clients, referral partners, everybody reading them ... understand that they include an "invitation"? There really shouldn't be any doubt, should there??
And although I need to always be aware of this while I'm blogging, writing, speaking on an ongoing basis ... I also decided that maybe it's time I just post an official invitation to all my clients, blog followers, and AR members, potential clients. An invitation that says ... "Come Visit Me! You're invited. My door is always open". Figuratively-speaking and literally.
But "meeting" here, getting to know you through your comments, emails, texts, skyping, phone calls, technology ... is great too!
So I guess my official "invitation" is rather broad and open-ended. I'll be thrilled to meet in person ... or online. To write back and forth. To read. To comment. To email, text. To pick-up the phone and talk. Through your subscriptions to my blogs. To ask questions back and forth .. and to have you seek my services too, should you need that.
ActiveRain posts written after the "meet-ups", told of members ... "friends" ... getting together ... and the many great things that came as a result of their doing so. Ongoing results. Those that had attended the "meet-ups" were so glad that they had taken the time to meet and visit. Accepted the "invitation" to do so. You and I, we can do that too!
So ... You're invited to stop. Stop soon. And stop often to meet ... visit ... share! Real-time or cyber ...
An official Invitation ... from Me to You!
* It's easy to find me ... stop and talk. Ask questions. Sit a spell. You can "visit" me at any of the following:
Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 1823 Centre Point Circle, Naperville, IL Conveniently at Skype: 630.219.1316 |
|
|
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender - The Federal Savings Bank: Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2012 4:55 PM
Celebrate America's Beautiful Trees! Arbor Day Celebrations in Chicagoland
Did you know that trees are not only beautiful, they’re hard
working too??
Here’s just a small list of the many tasks that trees
accomplish for us each and every day:
- · Trees
renew our air supply by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen
- · One tree
produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year
- · Trees
lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves. Shade trees can make buildings up to 20
degrees cooler in the summer.
- · A mature
oak tree can provide support for over 460 different species of insects, birds
and mammals in shelters and hollows, as well as fruit, flowers and foliage that
attract a huge variety of birds and insects.
- · Tree
roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion
- · The
amount of oxygen produced by an acre of trees per year equals the amount
consumed by 18 people annually
Not bad, huh?
So is it any wonder
that each year we set aside a day to celebrate the beauty, hard work, and
enhancements to our lives that trees afford us?
 Arbor Day in the U.S., is celebrated on the last Friday in
April each and every year. This year, many
cities and towns in Chicagoland are once again hosting Arbor Day festivities hoping to create renewed
love and awareness for trees … and also promote the planting of new trees
within their boundaries.
Some of the towns
taking part in this year’s Arbor Day festivities are:
Activities will
include a “tree tagging” event. The Glenbard East HS Ecology Club will be
working along with professional arborists and foresters from the Morton Arboretum to
identify and gather data regarding the trees located in the parkways near the
school. Each tree’s tag will show the
monetary value of the tree entered into the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
City of Crest
Hill:
Both residents and nonprofit organizations are invited to take
part in this year’s “50/50 Tree Program”,
sponsored through the City ... and held in conjunction with Arbor Day.
Only one (1) tree
per household is allowed. Anyone
receiving a tree through last year’s “50/50 Tree Program”, will not be eligible
for participation this year. Funds are
limited for this Program. If interest is
high, early applicants will be given first consideration. The goal set by the City is for 5 trees to be
newly planted within each of its 4 wards.
To download an
application for the City of Crest Hill’s “50/50 Tree Program”, go to:
 All trees must be
planted by the landscaper working in partnership with the City of Crest Hill, “The
Fields on Caton Farm”. For further info,
call the City of Crest Hill at: 815.741.5100.
A variety of trees
will be available at big savings, including:
Ornamental Pear, Magnolia, Redbud, various Maples, Crabapples, and
more. Prices and further info regarding
the trees are available at:
Trees can be
purchased by check or cash and removed from the Center by Noon. Naperville Public Works employees will be in
attendance to help residents load trees.
(No commercial sales are allowed).
An expert from the Morton Arboretum will
be in attendance at this event to assist residents with their questions and
offer planting advice. The City of
Naperville will be offering a copy of its informative tree booklet: The “Trees of Naperville - Tree
Selection and Planting Guide”, which can also be found and/or downloaded on the
City’s website.
Should you need
further info regarding this sale, please call 630.420.6095.
Arbor Day is being
celebrated in St. Charles this year on Friday, April 27th, at
Lincoln Park on Main Street, between 4th and 5th Streets. There will be live music, a tree raffle,
tree care demonstrations and more. Arbor Day festivities begin at 4 pm. The
artwork and photos of the participants and winners of the coloring and photography
contest will be on display.
In Illinois alone,
there are 186 Tree City USA
communities. Many are hosting their own
Arbor Day festivities. Think about
attending a celebration taking place near you … or go to The Arbor Day Foundation website and make a donation to help them
plant, nurture, and celebrate trees in your community and across the U.S.
* Looking for a new home to plant those Arbor Day trees? I can help you with your financing ... whether in Will County, Chicagoland, or across the U.S. Contact me today. I'll put my 35 years of experience and expertise to work on your behalf. You'll be planting your new Arbor Day trees in no time! I can be found at any of the following: Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 At Your Convenience on Skype: 630.219.1316
|
Chicagoland, Localism Posts, Announcements and News, Chicagoland Activities, Staging your Home, Calendar of Chicagoland Events, Naperville, Community Info, Family Activities, Special Events, St. Charles, IL, Home Ownership, Holiday Events, Crest Hill, IL, Shopping, Charitable/Community Organizations, Arbor Day, Lombard, IL
|
|
|
|
