Gene's Bit of Blogging
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender - Direct: 815.277.4036    Cell/Text: 708.921.6331
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Recent Posts

Opening Night Coming for Joliet Slammers Baseball!
Multiple Offers and Appraisals ... Learning to Co-Exist Successfully
Buyers Decide Within 8 Seconds Whether They Are Interested In A Home
Students from Naperville, IL to Appear on "Late Show with David Letterman", Thursday, May 10th
I May Not Be Yoda, but I'm Darn Close!

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Gene's Bit of Blogging

Rental Properties

Playing in the Rain in North Carolina ...



Playing in the "Rain"
in North Carolina 




     Over the last week, I have been lucky enough to view some of the most beautiful places and sites our country has to offer. 

      My wife and I decided we were going to take some much-needed days off and just drive.  Enjoy, relax, and see what we could see.  Through modern technology, I stayed in-touch with my clients, referral partners, emails, and office ... and never skipped a beat.  (Thank you portable WiFi ... Fantastic!)

      Marilyn and I headed southeast from Chicagoland towards North Carolina.  It was totally amazing to see how our country's land changes from one region to another.  The color, texture, lay of the land of the midwest totally different from that of the mountainous areas and south.

Click here 4 info on Pinehurst, NC golf/courses!      I got the opportunity to get some great golf rounds in while gone. 

      We visited Pinehurst, NC ... the area known as the birthplace of golf in the United States.  
    
     The choices of courses is staggering in the Pinehurst, NC area ... and merely choosing which course to play is almost as hard to do as playing the challenging courses  themselves.  While I played golf, Marilyn wandered the shops available in the old business section of Pinehurst and viewed the beautiful homes of the region.

     While in the Smokey Mountains, I also got to play the beautiful Sequoyah National Golf Club in Cherokee, NC.   Only one word can describe the views from this course, and that's ... WOW!  I'm going to write a post regarding this course soon.  I was just blown away by it ... and the great service I received while at the course.


Contact Mona Gersky & Leslie Rojohn at MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro, NC to buy or sell your home/property!     But perhaps no experience or site was more beautiful or exhilarating than that of meeting 2 of my favorite ActiveRain members ... Mona Gersky and Leslie Rojohn from Moondancer Realty in Dillsboro, NC.


     I had written Mona that I would be visiting her area ... and no sooner than she received my note, she was writing back and inviting my wife and I to the Open House  that she and Leslie were hosting during the time of our stay.

     These ladies were just wonderful to meet and visit with.  I had the pleasure of watching both in action with clients and referral partners alike.  It's no wonder they're so very successful at representing their clients and working with professionals from their area.  

      Both Mona and Leslie were just as I had imagined them to be from their posts on ActiveRain.  Highly intelligent, warm, hard-working, caring, knowledgeable, great sense of humor ... I'd run out of adjectives describing them.  They both sparkle.

      For me, having the opportunity to meet and visit with these fellow Rain members was the highlight of my trip.  And that's saying a lot ... given the competition they were up against of great golf courses, the beauty of the Smokey Mountains, and days-off from work!

      Thank you again to Mona Gersky and Leslie Rojohn of Moondancer Realty of Dillsboro, NC, for their wonderful hospitality to myself and my wife ... and the opportunity to meet many of their clients and referral partners, and fantastic chili lunch.  I look forward to returning the favor when they visit Chicagoland.

      To all ActiveRain members I say ... don't ever miss the chance to meet fellow "Rain" members when you travel.  You'll be glad you took advantage of the chance to do so.   It's memorable.

      And to those looking to buy or sell a home or property in the Dillsboro, Sylva, Cullowhee, Franklin, Bryson City, Maggie Valley, and Waynesville area of western North Carolina  ... contact MoonDancer Realty ... (Tel:  828.631.0077)  and talk to Mona Gersky or Leslie Rojohn.  You can find no better ...




     * In need of intelligent, professional mortgage service to purchase your dream home?  Work with a mortgage lender with over 35 years of successful service to those needing mortgage financing. Contact me today!
    I can be found through any of the following:
Direct:  815.277.4036   Cell/Text:  708.921.6331
Website:  www.genemundt.com
Conveniently Thru Skype:  630.219.1316
    

    

    

If You Are Thinking of Buying a Los Angeles Home, Rein in your Holiday Spending



If You Are Thinking of Buying a Los Angeles Home, Rein in your Holiday Spending



    As a mortgage lender, I cannot applaud the message in this blog by Jane Peters (Los Angeles Real Estate)loudly enough or counsel you to heed it any more urgently ... whether buying in Jane's area of expertise, Los Angeles ... or or in mine, the Chicagoland area.

     Especially heading into the holiday season, the temptation to buy or open up new credit can be great.  For those buying a home, contemplating doing so, or those just recently closed on their loan ... adding to your debt, opening new lines of credit, or even simple credit inquiries can prove catastrophic and lethal to your transaction.

    Heed the advice that Jane Peters offers within her post.  Listen to your mortgage lender too.  Put your purchases and new credit applications on the back burner and out of your mind until you have achieved the goal you are seeking ... that being your new home at the best purchase price and interest rate possible.

    Working with professionals that will advise you prior to, throughout, and after your home buying transaction is vitally important.  In Los Angeles, that professional is Jane Peters, Los Angeles Real Estate ...
Gene

 
 


     You are excited about buying a Los Angeles home and have been very good about keep your credit immaculate.  However the holiday season looms putting your hard work in jeopardy.

     Your shopping list sits in front of you beckoning.  You are probably not going to pay cash for all those gifts, or write a check. 

     You may open store credit, apply for a new credit card, or simply jack up your balance on your existing credit card. Too many enquiries on your credit in a short period of time is going to cause your credit score to drop.  Simple opening a new line of credit can cause your score to drop by 52 points and raising your credit card debt can also decrease your score by around 68.

     This drop in score can cause a potential homebuyer to miss out on getting the best mortgage rate. If you are thinking of buying a Los Angeles homeThe Mortgage Reports advises caution, especially during the holiday season. 

     Don't open any new lines of credit, finance any expensive purchases, increase your credit limit, or make any other rash financial moves.

 
     Buying or Selling Los Angeles Real Estate:

     Buying or selling a Los Angeles home can be a daunting process in a city this size, especially if you're new to L.A. Town. You'll need a resident expert to show you around and help you narrow down the areas where you might like to live. I will help you find the perfect home in the right area to fit your lifestyle, budget and needs!

     When I list and sell Los Angeles homes for my clients I strive to make the experience a pleasant one. My mission is to provide outstanding service while utilizing the best practices and systems available.

     If you are an absentee owner, you'll need someone to handle all the details that you can't handle remotely. That's where I come in - I'm there when you can't be. I also specialize in lease property in Los Angeles.
 
     For more information on how I can best serve your Los Angeles real estate needs, don't hesitate to fill out the contact form or give me a call at 310-473-6919.

    Jane Peters, connecting you to the L.A. real estate scene. 
Buying or selling real estate in Los Angeles can be an overwhelming process. 

     Contact Jane Peters, Los Angeles realtor specializing in absentee owners, out of town buyers, and those who need that extra attention, in order to make the transaction a smooth, trouble-free, and fun experience.

The Eviction Process - 7 Tips to Avoid Costly Mistakes



The Eviction Process
7 Tips to Avoid Costly Mistakes

Post Contributed by:
Commercial Realtor
Executive Realty Group, LLC
(630) 306-1057
Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings in:
Skokie, Evanston, Rogers Park, and the entire Chicago Area



I realize that most investors start out with a great plan and eviction probably wasn’t part of it.  I know , buy a building at a great price, may do some minor repairs, find a decent tenant and sit back and collect the rent. … Right? 

Evictions are one of the most frustrating and costly problems for a landlord to deal with and they unfortunately do happen.

The following are a few simple tips that may reduce the likelihood of an eviction and, ultimately, protect your cash flow:  (And, get you back to collecting those rent checks.) 

     1. Maximize the number of applicants you get. You want to have multiple applications. Even if it means reducing the rent. Don’t put yourself in a position take an unqualified tenant just because your mortgage is due.

     2. Be sure the application form is filled out properly and completely. If someone shows up with two months rent in cash and a half filled out application.  RUN !!!!

     3. The screening process should be used to the fullest.  Background checks and credit reports, although in today’s economy many may have a nightmare credit report. It will, however, prove their identity. It will also  show if they’ve had a recent (one time) financial set back or a long term aversion to paying bills…… Any Bills!!

     4. Employment verification: Don’t just take check stubs or W-2’s. Actually call their employer.  Hey! A lender would if they were buying the place.
    
     5. Always, always, always put everyone over the age of 18 on the lease, who will be living in the apartment.

     6. Make sure you have a strong lease. If your not sure contact your Attorney. Be sure to include a form stating they have read and understood the lease and everything that is expected. This could eliminate the “I Dun’t Knooowwww” defense later on.

     7. Be sure to respond to Tenant issues in a timely manner. Happy Tenants pay their rent and take care of your investment.
 
That should be a good start for a successful investment Property.

If you have any questions on your current properties or are looking to expand your portfolio, Contact Me, Kim McMahon,  or give me a call @ (630) 306-1057.