Gene's Bit of Blogging
Refereral Partners
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Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender: Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 10:50 AM
When Is a Deal NOT a Deal??
Relax! This is NOT a trick question! The answer to this question? It's actually pretty simple to figure out.
A Deal is NOT a Deal when you will come to regret having made the purchase in the first place, at some later date.
What brought this topic to mind was a thoughtful, well-written blog post by real estate agent and ActiveRain member, Barb Van Stensel. In her post, Barb talks about the realities of viewing, obtaining, then successfully transacting, a condominium property.
Barb Van Stensel is absolutely 100% correct with her summation of condominium purchases too. Buyers should ask questions, demand thorough inspections of the property itself, the property management company involved, AND the condominium association under whose direction the property finds itself, all PRIOR to signing a contract for purchase and seeking financing.
I cannot stress the following advice strongly enough...
When considering the purchase of a condominium property, it absolutely vital that you do your homework regarding the professionals you seek and then work with during your purchase and mortgage financing.
Choose a real estate professional and mortgage lender that meets and surpasses specific criteria.
And what should that criteria be? Choose only real estate and mortgage professionals that are educated and experienced regarding condominium transactions and have successfully completed and closed them RECENTLY. And I repeat ... RECENTLY!
The condominium market is a quickly-changing housing market. The need for current experience and thorough knowledge and understanding of these transactions ... and their regulations ... cannot be overstated. Simply said ... it is NOT the time to work with a rookie or someone that typically does not work within this specialized market.
The Chicago and Chicagoland area in which Barb Van Stensel and I live, provides a perfect example of the urgent need for meeting the criteria I outline above. Chicago and Chicagoland currently has a large array/choice of condominium properties from which to choose during your condo property search. Choose unwisely regarding your selection of real estate and mortgage professional ... and you run the real risk of personally finding out just when a Deal Is NOT a Deal. Most likely, you'll be living proof of it.
I have a complete and thorough education and understanding of just what constitutes a "condominium" VS a "townhome". I also understand the workings of condominium associations and management companies because I dealt with so many of them while appraising ... and mortgage lending.
I know who to approach and what to ask them ... and just why. What legal paperwork will be demanded. What lending underwriters will seek from seller, management, associations, buyers, etc. I know what information is absolutely mandatory to my transaction ... and how to interpret that information. My clients and referral partners have come to know this regarding my services and depend on the benefits and protections that knowledge and experience affords them.
When is a Deal NOT a Deal?? That's simple, especially when speaking of condominium transactions.
A Deal is NOT a Deal when ... you come to wish you'd never seen or bought your condominium in the first place ... or you wish you had chosen another professional to work with during your purchase or mortgage transaction.
Don't let that be you! Protect yourself when buying a condominium by seeking-out and then working with an experienced, knowledgeable, successful real estate agent and mortgage lending professional. You'll be glad you did ...
* Thinking about buying a Chicago or Chicagoland condominium now or in the future? Contact me! I'll put my years of experience, education, and expertise to work on your behalf. I can be contacted at any of the following:Direct: 815.277.4036
Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 Conveniently via Skype: 630.219.1316
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Buying a Home, Mortgage Lender, Mortgages, Working with a Mortgage Professional, Refereral Partners, Localism Posts, Condos and Townhomes, First-Time HomeBuyers, Chicagoland Markets & Special Events, Choosing a Mortgage Lender, Condominium Associations, Seeking Advice, Real Estate Professionals, home buying, FHA Financing for Condominiums, Pre-Qualification/Pre-Approval, Choosing Your Real Estate Professionals
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Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender: Posted on Monday, February 27, 2012 9:40 PM
Good News to Share Regarding My Services!
I am pleased to announce that effective immediately, I have transitioned my mortgage business to the sister company (same ownership) known as:
The Federal Savings Bank
Moving forward, I have all the same great products, processes, staff members, and Associates as I did prior to my transition.
Why the change? Being a loan originator for The Federal Savings Bank, allows me personally, the flexibility of having all the great loan products, interest rates, and services as before, PLUS the ability to lend in ALL 50 states. I am also now much more capable of providing “unique” loan products, personally “customized” to the needs of my clients than ever before.
In the ever-changing world of mortgage financing, I am confident that this change is positioning me to stay ahead of the challenges that arise in our industry. In just a short time, it has already proven beneficial to clients and those that I do business with … with absolutely no disruption to my services.
I sincerely thank you for being my valued client or referral partner. I look forward to being of service to you once again in the future through The Federal Savings Bank. I will continue to work hard, keep your confidence, and earn referrals of new clients.
Even though my contacts remain much the same as before, I have included them for your convenience below:
Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President The Federal Savings Bank 1823 Centre Point Circle, Naperville, IL 60563
My Best Regards,
Gene
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Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President - Chicago Bancorp: Posted on Friday, December 23, 2011 1:05 PM
A Holiday Gift For You, My Friends ...
From Me!
Each year, Marilyn and I put together a new mix of Holiday
music for friends and family. We try to
come up with a new "theme" of music for the year's blend of tunes,
offering music that is familiar and songs less heard. We've enjoyed re-discovering and sharing
music that we enjoyed as kids .... and discovering new tunes, as well.
This year's compilation of tunes was our
6th. We gave out over 80 copies of our
CD, that included 20 songs revolving around "Holiday Memories".
Both of our
families were (and remain) music nuts.
Each of us has vivid memories of Christmas and Holiday music in our
homes. Each home had its favorite albums
and performers. My father was a Big Band
fan, so we heard lots of melodies served-up by that era's biggest stars. We also heard many of the 50's and 60's
stylists ... Perry Como, Eddy Arnold, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary
Clooney, Andy Williams.
And while
Marilyn also heard these musicians, her mom was their church's choir director. Her mom's love of that music and classical
music shone through and filled the air, as well. Her childhood home was filled with the sounds
of George Beverly Shea, Tennessee Ernie Ford,
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, Mantovani, lots of brass quartets, and
more. Add the favorites and influences
of each of our siblings ... and we have
a wide choice of music from which to choose our new CD each year.
Even our kids
have gotten involved and are making suggestions for additions to each new
CD. That's how we were introduced to the
song I include below. It's become one of
our favorites and was included on our CD mix a couple of years back.
It's performed by Harry Connick, Jr. ... and
I send it your way as my "gift" to you this Holiday Season. I hope you enjoy it as much as our family
does.
Best Wishes to you and yours for Good Health, Happiness, Love, and Prosperity throughout the New Year!
Gene
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Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President - Chicago Bancorp: Posted on Monday, September 05, 2011 2:31 PM
When sitting around tables of family and friends over the weekend, the conversation (as it so often does anymore) turned to jobs. The groups represented a real cross-section of professions. Everything from soup to nuts was in attendance. But it occurred to me, that I was really the only one involved that relied on referrals for my livelihood. And I wondered ... did any of those others surrounding me at those tables realize just how vitally important referrals could be to someone reliant on them? Did they think about it at all? Now I know you'll say, it's my job to make them aware. To remind them how crucial it is to refer me and others they know with a similar need. And I do ... obviously. But can anyone not in the position of being beholden to those providing referrals ever understand how it feels to always be in that position? To always have to wear that need for referrals just like you do your clothes? What that vulnerability feels like? I'm not saying other professions don't feel their own brand of stresses .. of vulnerabilities. They do. But ... Especially in the present economic climate, one referral can mean the difference between someone paying their mortgage or not. The difference between buying health insurance ... the medicines needed. Paying bills, purchasing food, having what a child requires. I hear these needs ... the stresses ... these fears related all the time. From others around me. From those inquiring about mortgages. So I remind and ask everyone ... To think about those that you know ... that you may be related to ... that survive in this manner. Take a good look around you and consider those you know that need and live by referrals. Be aware. Be mindful. And refer all those that you can whenever you can. Network on their behalf. Pass on their name. Remember the quality work and services they have provided. Actively engage yourself in the process. Help out. Refer as often as possible. Refer those that are worthy of referring. Refer those that have earned that reward. Reward for the right reasons. Reward referrals because it's the right thing to do. Give back to those that have served you well. It's a great way to say "thank you" for a job well done. It will help those you care for. Those you love. It will help those that have tried so hard to provide quality products and services and to earn your referral. It will help those that have actually been successful at doing so. It will ultimately help everyone. This gift of giving ultimately comes back to reward you too ... With 35 years of experience and service within the mortgage industry, I can provide referrals to some of our industry's best professionals. Should you be in need of a referral, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to assist you in finding the professional you need.
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Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President - Chicago Bancorp: Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 11:35 AM
I've been reminded several times over the last couple of weeks of just how important it is for new home buyers to have an experienced real estate specific attorney at their side throughout their home buying experience and home closing. I've had closings where a top-knotch real estate attorney has been in attendance. It's been obvious that they've interacted with our mutual clients throughout their entire home buying transaction. They (or their office) has continually and actively interacted with me, their client's lender, throughout processing. During the home closing itself, they've been engaged and interacted with everyone at the closing table. They offered valuable insight, guidance, and paved a clear path towards the completion of a successful home closing. It's easy to see, they've earned every penny of their fees. Unfortunately, the opposite has been seen representing my clients too. Most of these attorneys were NOT real estate specific counsel. Nothing wrong with them being educated in another area of the law ... until it impacts my home buying client and the outcome of a transaction. To put it delicately, a few of these attorneys were absolutely clueless as to how to guide, assist, or protect our mutual clients. My clients were most definitely NOT getting what they were paying for. Because they lacked the experience and knowledge they needed, these attorney's came ill-prepared and un-educated as to what they should be doing. In those instances, I had to step-in and explain closing documents and closing information routinely handled by experienced real estate attorneys. In yet another closing, I provided a suggestion for a solution to a legal issue between buyer and seller. Again, on an issue routinely handled by an experienced real estate attorney. Now I don't relate these stories to relate to you how wonderful I am ... nor to state how much I know or how hard I worked. Nope. Not my point. My point in relating this is to get this message across to home buyers ... When buying a home, find and retain the legal services of an experienced, knowledgeable REAL ESTATE SPECIFIC attorney with current real estate expertise. I've written about this topic before, but the importance of following my advice above just continues to grow. In this current challenging housing market, when utilizing the services of legal counsel, you absolutely .. positively .. need the services of an attorney knowledgeable and experienced in current real estate law. And I do say and point out the importance of CURRENT. Laws, rules and regulations .. they've all changed at mind-numbing speed over the last couple of years. IMO, there is no way that an attorney that does not work within real estate in a regular, continuous, and repetitive basis can offer the full expertise and protection needed by today's home buyer. And a couple of closings I've had over the past few weeks showcased that fact in an alarming fashion. I can't emphasize it enough. Do your homework. Take the time. Get referrals. Get references. Speak to other real estate professionals. Get feedback. Find the active and knowledgeable REAL ESTATE SPECIFIC attorney that can provide the valuable real estate legal services you need. Heck, for that matter ... follow that recipe to find all your real estate professionals. Whether agent, lender, home inspector, appraiser, etc. ... it's the best way to find and work with quality real estate professionals. You find and get the best results for yourself. And your short and long-term interests are best served. * If in the Chicagoland area and in the need of a real estate specific attorney ... or real estate professionals in other fields, please contact me for a referral. I've had the pleasure of working with many of our area's finest real estate professionals and will be glad to provide you names and contact information for their services. I can be reached at: Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331
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