"Take that, Chicken Little"

Boy the news can make you crazy. It can even paralyze you if you let it. I choose to keep moving and take it all with a grain of salt. Every newspaper and TV show seem to have their own spin. In doing review of ACTUAL market dynamics for the local area, the fundamentals are actually BETTER than last year to buy a home. I have a success story this week. A first-time home buyer I've been working with found a great home at about 15% less than we had anticipated and found a super mortgage program. Some background: my buyer is a factory worker with decent credit (625 middle score) and earns about $45,000 a year. Our home: $165,000 single family. Our mortgage: We are using a CHFA product through a reputable mortgage lender. His Rate: 5.25%. Total funds needed: about $5000. We're expecting the total payment with tax and insurance to be about $1350/month. I'm really amazed at how affordable things really are for anyone who has guarded their credit at all. It's really a great time to buy. Call us anytime and let us go through some examples and see if the shoe fits. Home ownership isn't for everyone, but it is more possible than one might think by listening to "mainstream" news.

Back from Toronto

Oh, Canada... well, our neighbors to the north sure do it right. I spent last week at the headquarters of EXIT REALTY INTERNATIONAL receiving additional training in ways to help our agents achieve greatness and enhance the customer experience. I've been to lots of training and have several designations but the training here is the best I've ever encountered. Not only do you leave knowing WHY but you know HOW. I'm not embarrassed to say I learn something everyday, and I learned a whole lot last week. We are an empathic company and that is why we are the fastest growing real estate franchise in North America. Everything here revolves around you, the customer, and how our agents can give you the experience you're hoping for.

Here are some photos of the trip...

Tami Bonnell, President, US Operations
EXIT REALTY INTERNATIONAL with
Steve Rivkin, Broker, EXIT CREATIVE REALTY

Joyce Paron, President, Canadian Operations,
EXIT REALTY INTERNATIONAL
and Steve Rivkin, Broker, EXIT CREATIVE REALTY

Statue of Man Creating Himself in the lobby of EXIT's

corporate offices.

This is an example of the vision EXIT REALTY CEO and

Founder Steve Morris brings. We are constantly creating and

re-inventing ourselves and our experience. It is our thoughts and actions that produce our results. We are responsible. We

are accountable.

When we look back on this day we will be satisfied with the work we have done and know why we have achieved so much.

Well everyone has to have a tourist photo, right?

Here I am at Niagara Falls on the way home. I drove up with my family so we could be together at least for the nights and we got to make a couple stops. The falls are behind me.

Ok one more. This looks like we're on a night flight but it's a shot from the CN Tower in Toronto. Fifteen hundred plus feet high and you get there in like 45 seconds. Awesome. What a rush. Hey, that guy needs a roof...

Starting Over

I thought this picture would be appropriate for 2008. I personally had much loss in 2007. My favorite uncle, a best friend, my grandmother and stepfather all passed. I am personally very happy to start again this year anew.

In 2007 we also heard of the death of real estate. Well, it did get sticky for those trying to take away from the average Joe. But to quote Mark Twain, "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated." (Boy, I love Mark Twain, that has to make you proud to live in Connecticut, know what I mean?)

According to reports from the Federal Reserve, Connecticut is one of the states already heading back in rebound. In any event, the rates are still low and the values have leveled out some.

Indications are for a good market. What does it mean to you? Good value, decent, affordable monthly payments. Isn't that what's it's always been about?

So we'll keep tuned. Anyways, enjoy your life, it's too short if it's 125 years. Have a laugh. Hug your kids. And buy a home for your family, start your future. It's your turn!