Ramblings of a Baltimore area Realtor

Seek entertainment. When there's nothing you can do about the situation, take your mind off of it altogether. Maybe you expected loan approval on Friday, but now it won't come until Monday. You hate being in limbo and feeling powerless. So do something else entirely, maybe something empowering.

Take a hike, play tennis, get out of town for the day, watch a movie, visit friends, or pour yourself into your work. Whatever kind of diversion works best for you, now would be a good time to engage in it. Just forget the situation and refuse to listen to those irritating thoughts that adle your mind and keep you from enjoying the situation. Think about something else instead and just take it one day at a time. 

To keep stress to a minimum, here's how your real estate agent can serve you when buying your new home:

-Give you their expert counsel and advice, with your interests in mind. 

-Help you clarify your goals and motivation, and help you decide if moving is the wisest choice at this time. 

-Provide recommendations and information to help your kids through all the changes.

-Negotiate effectively for you to get the lowest possible price and best combination of ammenities for your new home. 

-Handle your financial transactions like it was their own, shaving every expense possible.

-Protect your interests during escrow, keeping a detailed record of the transaction.

-Be your levelheaded sounding board or relief valve when the stress is overwhelming. 

-Counsel you through the feelings of "buyer's remorse". 

-Alert you ahead of time to every possibility so you feel more in control.

-Contact you daily during the last 10 days of the transaction to serve your needs. 

-Provide guidance and help with movers, change of address, utilities shut off, cleaning, etc.

-Deliver your closing paperwork. 

-Continue to give you information of value after the transaction... for life.

So this morning I log on to the internet and find a message from Paul Kamara through activerain.  Paul lives in the Ivory Coast and has a substantial sum of money he has inherited from his late father who was a chief and earned money from a number of different sources until he was killed by rebels with a political cause.

The message goes on to say how he wants to invest this money in real estate in this country and would like my help to do this.   I'm sure that many of you have received this same message through active rain.  It is a scam.  Do not reply to this man. 

I guess it was only a matter of time before we started to receive these kinds of emails through this venue.  Just beware. 

What is your option? When things don't go as smoothly as you had hoped, don't let emotions take over. Always ask yourself "What are my options?",  because there are always options.  For example, perhaps the lender takes longer than agreed upon to get your loan.  He keeps asking you for more and more documentation until if feels like he also needs to know how many gold fillings you have in your mouth! You'll feel upset because you wanted to feel certain about the move and instead, you continue to deal with the uncertainty. You want to say, "Forget it, I'm fed up with this!" But what are your options? Find a new lender and start the process over again? That may take weeks, plus you will have to provide all the paperwork over again. If the lender is trying his best, it may be better to give him a few more days.  Ask the lender why they keep asking for more and more stuff, ask him or her why they need more stuff and ask them if you're still going to get that commitment letter you need.  Don't be afraid to ask questions - the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!!  It's ok to ask people why they are doing things and why do they need things.  If you understand the process, perhaps the next time you buy a house it'll be much easier for you.

Each case is unique, but when setbacks occur, asking yourself this question helps to defuse the situation and restore clear headed thinking.