Why Choose Amerisave – Part Two, Guaranteed Closing Cost in Writing

 

Hey Folks!

Thanks reading my post. I know you have a bunch of choices and I really appreciate you spending a few minutes here.

If you read part one you know that I am a Certified Upfront Mortgage Lender (CUML). Today I am going to post why you get the Lowest Cost Everytime when you work with me at Amerisave.

Many lenders and brokers make promises to their customers that they can not keep. The problem occurs when the customer goes to close the loan and is surprised by additional fees that were not disclosed initially by the lender.
This creates an obvious problem because many customers are not able to pay these additional funds causing them to lose the home that they have spent so much time searching for or lose the rate they had previously locked.
Amerisave guarantees in writing all closing costs that we have control over. The fees you see on our website ARE the fees you will receive at the time of application AND at closing.
There are some third party fees and government fees that are beyond the control of any lender; however, because Amerisave has closed so many loans in and around your locality we can estimate most fees with high accuracy.
* All Amerisave guarantees do not apply for customers applying for a mortgage in the state of Washington.

SureFee
Amerisave introduces a straightforward approach to home financing with our new SureFee product. SureFee provides you with the security of knowing that the lender fees on your loan are guaranteed not to change throughout the loan process.

Benefits of SureFee:

No Surprise Added Costs at the Closing Table.

Determining the True Cost of Your Loan is Easy and Straight Forward.

SureFee Makes Lender to Lender Comparisons Easy.

SureFee is one bundled fee for all lender fees.

Other mortgage companies charge a multitude of fees, some legitimate, some not. A complete list of lender fees you may find other lenders charging include:

• Application Fee
• Funding Fee
• Administrative Fee
• Transfer Fee
• Origination Fee
• Processing Fee
• Loan Setup Fee
• Wiring Fee
• Discount Fee
• Flood Certification Fee
• Tax Service Fee
• Underwriting Fee

What to Look for When Comparing Lenders:

• What are the total lender fees for a like product, rate and term?
• Do the third party fees look reasonable, and do all the expected third party fees appear to be listed?
• Taxes, prepaid and escrow items should be excluded when comparing one lender to another as these fees will be identical among all mortgage companies.

Does the SureFee amount ever change?

No. As long as the loan program and loan parameters you applied for does not change, SureFee will not change. In some cases, your loan amount may increase. You may decide to add a signor to your loan, or the LTV of you loan may change. In these cases SureFee may change. Amerisave will send you a new good faith estimate which will include your new SureFee amount. Once you have authorized us to proceed, your SureFee will once again be fixed and will not change again (unless something material happens to your loan application).

How can Amerisave offer this program when most mortgage lenders and brokers cannot?

Easy .. Amerisave is one of the top 25 online mortgage lenders in the country. Based on our nationwide mortgage lending experience and our sophisticated technology, we are able to accurately predict most all the costs associated with closing a loan.

Why are some third party fees and taxes not guaranteed?

The costs of such things as mortgage taxes, closing fees and title insurance varies widely by state, county and even city, additionally Amerisave has a network of over 5,000 providers all of whom charge slightly different fees. Determining the exact costs of these types of fees is difficult. Amerisave does however negotiate with all our third party providers to ensure you pay the lowest price available and receive the high level of service Amerisave requires.

* All Amerisave guarantees do not apply for customers applying for a mortgage in the state of Washington.

Tony Grego, CUML with Amerisave
Your Place with Great Rates
See them at www.amerisave.com/partner/agrego

 

Rate Watch for Wednesday, December 31, 2008 (New Year’s Eve)

 

Hey Folks!

Well folks it is New Year’s Eve and while I can go on about jobless claims, more Fed money for mbs and a dozen other things here is the long and short. Unless your closing on Friday it does not make much sense to lock. Wait for everyone to get back to work. Let the Fed’s pour some money in and when you see that 4.5% (or something close) that everyone is talking about, lock it.

What you need to do is get your “ducks in a row”. Place a application, get your income and asset docs to your lender (if you need one I will get the job done). Set up your appraisal and get ready to lock. We are all very busy and it is about to pick up. So help me help you. Get your application in.

Enjoy and Happy New Year

Tony Grego from Amerisave
Your Place for Great Rates!

Video of the Day - Happy New Year

 

Hey Folks!

Well today is the day. The day we reflect on the old and dream about the new. The day when we celebrate a New Year. Now while your ringing in 2009 some of us may know some people will do some crazy things. The attached video shows some things you may want to have folks (or yourself) avoid.

Enjoy and Happy New Year

Tony Grego from Amerisave
Your Place for Great Rates!

Video of the Day - Happy New Year

 

Hey Folks!

Well today is the day. The day we reflect on the old and dream about the new. The day when we celebrate a New Year. Now while your ringing in 2009 some of us may know some people will do some crazy things. The attached video shows some things you may want to have folks (or yourself) avoid.

Enjoy and Happy New Year

Tony Grego from Amerisave
Your Place for Great Rates!

Why Choose Amerisave – Part One

 

 

Hey Folks!

Thanks reading my post. I know you have a bunch of choices and I really appreciate you spending a few minutes here.

Now you know I post some fun things and some tips but my day job is that of a mortgage lender. I work with Amerisave because of the culture of low rates and fees. At Amerisave we just don’t talk the talk but we walk the walk. We do everything in writing and back everything we do with a $500 Low Cost Guarantee and a $1,000 Closing Guarantee.

So what does mean for you or your client? The job done right the first time period!

Over the next few days I will detail why you should chose Amerisave and myself for your mortgage needs. Since we put this in writing you can also read more details on my website at www.amerisave.com/partner/agrego.

Amerisave is a  Certified Upfront Mortgage Lender. So what does that mean:

Amerisave has been awarded the rare Upfront Mortgage Lender (UML) designation. The UML certification assures customers fair treatment in all dealings with Amerisave. Additionally, you are assured a fair and accurate interest rate and closing cost quote.
To be certified, Amerisave has met all of the UML requirements below. Read on to learn how Amerisave is dedicated to your satisfaction:

Requirement 1: A UML Must Provide Quick Access to the Market Niches it Prices On-Line.
The home loan market in the US is divided into millions of market niches and no one lender serves them all. Customers need a quick way to determine whether a particular lender prices the niche in which that customer lives. If not, the customer can go elsewhere without wasting time.

Requirement 2: A UML discloses all lender fees, including points, origination fees, and any fixed-dollar fees, and guarantees them to closing.
This assures borrowers that price information is complete, and that new fees won't be added or existing ones increased after they have committed to working with the selected lender.

Requirement 3: A UML discloses all third party fees with the best estimates possible, indicating which if any are guaranteed by the UML.

Requirement 4: A UML Provides a Clear Explanation of its Lock Requirements.
Mortgage customers need to know when they have the discretion to lock the terms of the loan. The explanation includes any required payments, processes that must be completed, how expired locks are handled, and whether the borrower and the UML are committed.

Requirement 5: A UML discloses all the information about its ARMs needed by customers to make intelligent decisions.
Customers need information on potential ARM performance – what will happen to the interest rate and mortgage payment under assumptions about future interest rates that make sense to the customer.

Amerisave discloses the index and margin used, as well as the interest rate caps, on all ARM's we offer. Simply search rates and click on "view" under "loan details" for the loan program and interest rate in which you are interested.

Requirement 6: A UML informs borrowers if its loan officers are compensated in a way that gives them a financial incentive to overcharge the borrower.
Loan officers often benefit financially if they can induce the borrower to pay more than the prices posted by the lender or broker. Where this is the case, the borrower ought to know about it.

Tomorrow I will detail why you get the Lowest Costs Everytime.

Tony Grego with Amerisave
Your Place with Great Rates

 

Rate Watch for Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Hey Folks!

Well the news is not all positive today. Consumer Confidence just came in at 38.0. This is a All Time Low. The consensus was for 43.8 and November’s reading was 44.7.

The good news is that rates have not changed from Monday’s close. We expect this to change. So if you are closing within the next 30 days I would recommend to lock today. With Amerisave we have a free float down program. Give me a call or email and I will give you all the details.

Thanks and have a Great Tuesday!

Tony Grego with Amerisave
Your Place for Great Rates

Video of the Day – Year End Wrap Up!

Hey Folks!

Hope everyone is great as we wrap the year up? Now if you have been following my posts you know I like to get the morning going by posting something a little fun.  While today’s video is titled “BANNED”, don’t worry. I’ve check it out and the source is from NBC. No language or visual challenges.

So sit back, relax, and get ready for a great new year.

As always when you need some help with your mortgage needs I am here to help. Today’s market reflect just about the lowest prices in history. I am sure I will the right program for your needs.

Kind regards,

Tony Grego with Amerisave 
Your Place for Great Rates

Rate Watch for Monday, December 29, 2008 - A Short Holiday Week

So far today mortgage backed securities are continuing with the direction to help consumers. They are higher for the day. Please remember that as the price of mbs moves higher, the yield or mortgage rates, moves lower.

With the New Years holiday midweek we will be light on data. On Tuesday the Consumer Confidence numbers roll in and on Wednesday we get jobless claims and the Chicago PMI. Then Friday we get the ISM index. Now since a lot of traders will be on vacation and the trade volume will continue to be low they reports should not have a major impact on the mbs price.

If your closing within the next month it should not hurt you to float but if you are happy with the rate and terms you can get lock and move on. It should not get much lower.

On a side note, if you are planning on refinancing or buying a new home, expect the loan process to take longer. We usually underwrite a loan in 24 to 48 hours, but with the increase in volume some are taking up to 12 days to underwrite. To be sure you are getting accurate information. Make sure you are locking your rates for at least 45 days. 

As always thanks for reading and let me know what I can do to help with your mortgage needs.

 

Kind regards,
Tony Grego from Amerisave
Your Place for Great Rates!

Video of the Day – How Virus Protection Works

Hey Folks!

Well we read all the stories about the nasty computer virus’s that infect our computers. We protect ourselves by not opening attachments from folks we don’t know, deleting all of those nasty emails promising money from foreign countries and all of the newest drugs for pennies on the dollar.  We update our computers  virus protection programs that keep our computers clean but just how do these programs work? They attached video helps explain. Enjoy!

 

 

Tony Grego
Your place for great rates!
317-714-8080

Video of the Day – How Virus Protection Works

Hey Folks!

Well we hear all the stories about the nasty computer virus that infect computers. Yes we protect ourselves by not opening attachments from folks we don’t know, deleting all of those nasty emails promising money from foreign countries and all of the newest drugs for pennies on the dollar and getting virus protection programs that helps  keep our computers clean but just how do these programs work? They attached video helps explain. Enjoy!

 

 

Tony Grego
Your place for great rates!
317-714-8080

$99 iphone from AT&T

Well if you been looking for a iphone you may have decided to head to Walmart to save two bucks. Yes a better deal but the best deal on a iphone can be found right now at AT&T

They are selling refurbs 8 gig 3g phones for $99 (black only) and 16 gig for $199 (black or white).

I have had several telephones replaced by AT&T over the years. They always send a refurb and it is no different from the “new” product.

 

Good luck and good shopping

Tony
Your place for great rates

 

Wal-Mart may have teased us with the false $99 iPhone rumor, but AT&T has given us an after-Christmas surprise. They’re selling black refurbished 8GB iPhone 3Gs for $99 with a 2-year contract renewal, and refurbished 16GB iPhone 3Gs in black or white for $199. If Santa didn’t come through this year, head to AT&T’s site before these sell out.

Video of the Day – Shoplifter caught in the act and still on the loose!

Well folks we know that during this Holiday season some will take advantage.

 

I just hope that everyone with a retail store will take note and make the necessary changes so it does not happen to them. I understand that the police have a few leads but no arrests have been made so far.

 

Have a great day. If you need some rate quotes remember you can get all you need here at Amerisave

 

Tony Grego
Your place for great rates

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the Show

Hey Folks! So here we are at the end of summer. While I hope it has been great for everyone I know that several areas (especially today) are having challenges. Now I want to wish the best to everyone down at the Gulf Coast. My prayers and wishes are with you. For folks that will be celebrating Labor Day today I want to also give my good wishes. This video is dedicated to the thousands that will attempt and fail when setting up a grill. Now this video may not be as famous as the Yule Log but I hope you all enjoy it the same.

Happy Labor Day!

Tony Grego - The Place with the Great Rates
Senior Mortgage Consultant Amerisave
www.amerisave.com/partner/agrego

Things not to do with your new IPhone

Unless you have been living under a rock (or some other areas that AT&T does not reach you have heard and see plenty about the new Iphone.

Now I have been experimenting with my iphone for a few weeks and I will say that it is the best cell phone I have ever had (and I have had about every cell phone you can get).

What does it mean for our business? Today's mortgage market is very volatile. Rates are changing several times during the day and the rumor of the feds rate hike will happen. Remember that the election is close. After November it will all change again.

My iphone puts me in contacts with my clients right away. It's email features and speed has already paid off.

Now the iphone is not the answer to all our our problems. In fact their are many things you iphone can't do.

Please watch and enjoy this video. It will tell you a few things you should not do with your new iphone.

 

Kind regards,

Tony Grego - Amerisave
The place with the great rates!

Video of the Day - How to Get Wax Off Carpets

Hey Folks! Well another day, another video. Here we go. Your getting your home ready for a showing and discover that the candle you lit last night dripped over your carpet. You only have a few minutes before the showing, what do you do? After watching this short clip you will learn how to remove wax off your carpets in just 5 minutes. Have fun, let's have a great day and happy selling, buying and lending to all. Kind regards, Tony Grego, Your Place for Great Rates

Skype is the Bomb!

Hey Folks!

With $4.00 a gallon gas and $3.00 a gallon for milk we all must find ways to save some money. Here is a great one. 

Folks with a high-speed Internet connection and the desire/need to make long distance calls you need to check out Skype.

Now many have heard and have taken advantage of this service for years many (including myself) have had a "wait and see" or have used the service on a limited basis. Why? NO CALLER ID.

I (and many others like me) spend a great amount of time with long distance calls for prospecting, selling, and closing. Unlike myself (I like talking to telemarketers) many folks spend a considerable amount of time and money to avoid calls and as a rule of thumb will never answer a "BLOCKED SENDER"  or UNKNOWN CALLER. Most will not answer a call if they don't recognize the area code.

Now with SKYPE you can get caller ID. Along with this great service you can add an unlimited US and Canada calling package for only $2.95 a month and you can have up to 10 lines. Good news for sales folks like myself that serve multi-states. Another benefit for my clients is that they now can dial a local number to reach me.

Cell phone users with a unlimited Data Plan? Download a program and now free cell calls.

If it has been a while since you looked at Skype or have never looked. Now is the time. It will save you time and money. I do not work or represent Skype in any way. I just know how to find a deal.

 

Kind regards,
Tony Grego, Your Great Place for Great Rates

Video of the Day - How to do Nothing at Work and Still Get Paid!

Well I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend?

Now if you're like me it has been a busy day. I am just getting around to posting my video of the day that I like to put up in the morning.

While I know that this video does not apply to Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Brokers we have all seen this co-worker in the past. You know the guy, he is just like George on Seinfeld.

So why we all maybe to busy to watch. If you get a few minutes you may get the same chuckle I did.

Have fun and hope everyone has a great July!

Kind regards,
Tony

 

My Independence Day! Thanks for Sharing

Hey Folks!

Been way to long. After recovering from an injury, a job change and a whole heck of a lot of other things I have not posted since the end of April and I have missed it.

So today is my Independence Day to announce (to myself and I guess my kind friends that are reading this) that I am back to my routine that I have enjoyed and has helped me do what I do.

Help folks with their mortgage needs. Right or wrong, I feel the best way that I can help is to let my readers learn about me and with the power of blogging I can do this on a daily basis.

I like to get my mornings off on a positive note. To do this I will post what I call my Video of the Day.

Nothing crazy, just a little fun and as I go throughout my day I will post something that can be a little helpful with work, life, family, finance, or just something out of the blue. So thanks for reading. Please post you comments so I can make this blog helpful for all, check back soon and have a great Independence Day!

Thanks
Tony Grego @ www.ratequote.tv
A Great Place for Great Rates

Supreme Court Upholds Voter Identification Law in Indiana - New York Times

Hey Folks!

Tony Grego here from Sagamore Home Mortgage in Lebanon, Indiana. Your Indiana Mortgage Company for all your home lending needs.

What a week us Hoosiers are going to have! Now only are we going to be a major player in this years presidential primary  the candidates  now have something of relevance to talk/debate about.

In a 6 - 3 ruling the Supreme Court rejected arguments with our law requiring voters to present a driver's license or another acceptable form of ID. Our Indiana law is the strictest in the country. The intent and design is to help prevent voter fraud.

Well now I guess we can all sit back grab the remote and watch the reactions. It is going to be a fun week. You can read all about the details here.

Supreme Court Upholds Voter Identification Law in Indiana - New York Times

 

Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company
"Your' re Indiana Mortgage Partner for all your Home Lending Needs"

Technorati Tags: supreme court,indiana law,new york times,tony grego,sagamore home mortgage,indiana mortgage company,hoosiers

got gas?

Hey Folks!

Tony Grego here from Sagamore Home Mortgage in Lebanon, Indiana. Your Indiana Mortgage Partner for all your home lending needs.

Today I discovered a big money saving tip and wanted to share the savings with my AR family (along with anyone one else looking).

Looking at the recent profit announcements of the gas companies I figure they must make all that money because of the amount of labor they save. It seems that no one really does research on pricing, they just put out a price and it seems that everyone else just follows the leader. Now this is nothing new, I am been buying gas for 30-years and it has always been the same thing until this morning.

After I dropped off the munchkin's the display came on my dash to "get gas now, dummy!" (or something like that). I do live near a Sam's Club and a Costco and the tiny voice went off in my head "get gas at Sam's, its cheaper" (it was my wife's voice). Now we have had this membership for years but today is the first day I think it was worth the money.

Here is what I learned:

• - Along with Discover cards, They take all 
    the  majors and debit cards.
• - They have clean, well spaced pumps.
• - You do not have to be a member to
     purchase fuel.
• - Different price for "debit" vs. "credit" card.
• - Priced way under the corner stations.

YES, priced way under. Today most stations were priced at $364.9 (btw, whoever came up with the .9 thing?) Sam's member price $345.9, non-member price $350.9. Add two cents a gallon for credit card.

Quite impressive. I put 20-gallons in and saved almost $4.00. Remember the way to be profitable this year is not by raising prices but by controlling expenses. According to that voice (my wife), Sam's has always had a big price difference. Reading up on some articles today I also found that most gas is the same.We have high standards that must be maintained.

Now go save some money!

Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company
"your Indiana Mortgage Partner for all your Home Lending Needs"

Technorati Tags: tony grego,indiana mortgage company,gas prices,mrotgage,home lending

I Expired Saturday!

Hey Folks!

Tony Grego here from Sagamore Home Mortgage in Lebanon, Indiana. Your Indiana Mortgage Partner for all your home lending needs.

I share this story so you will not endure the same fate. Saturday morning around 7:00 am I am doing chores around the house and notice that I have a voice mail. (I have At&T service (formerly Cingular) and a Treo 750). I press the magic button on my "Handy Dandy Notebook," this is what my little guys call my phone. (Hint, if you have never watch Blue's Clues you have no idea what I am talking about). Just to find out that my service has been temporally disconnected.

To say the least, this is the part were I flipped out. I work for a Indiana Mortgage Company and pride myself to be available for my clients on nights and weekends. Since I pay my cell bill (along with other utilities) with one credit card for points and convince. You see instead of getting 8 different bills due at 8 different times of the month I handle them all with one account all while getting points for some really cool stuff.

So I calm down, call 800-331-0500 (At&T customer service number if you need it). Just to go to Voice Mail Hell. Every prompt leads to another only to be  disconnected with the words that "our business office is now closed. Please call back after 9:00 am) OK, only two hours. I can handle that.

Well the clock strikes 9:00, I dial, go through the prompts just to get the words "our business office is now closed. Please call back on the next business day."

Now I am going nuts. BTW, I did not mention that I used my phone at 11:00 the night before making arraignments to meet a client flying in from the West Coast to look at Investor Properties. (I have obtained mortgages for 8 duplexes and he wanted to see the area. Since I am the Indiana Mortgage Professional the client has more trust in me than the owner of the properties). So now I have to meet my client and he can not even call.

I then get ready to hit the door and get to a AT&T retail location and see what I can get done. (I was in touch with my clients assistant, told him the story and let him know that I would by a disposable if needed). I try the number again. Guess what? Y E S a real person answered. I was as happy as a child on Christmas morning.

Learn to find out that my credit card had expired and the computers are programmed to disconnect regardless of time or date (great customer service, yea right). Ashley (the rep from AT&T) gets the service up within minutes, updates my information then tells me that due to the disconnect I was going to be charged $36 reconnect fee. Now I have been a client since 1998 with an excellent payment history. I object and Ashley immediately takes care of the charges.

Lesson of the story. While it is a great idea to have all bills on one, easy to see, statement be sure to check your expiration dates.

My client is happy. I will get him some great mortgages for his investment properties and plenty of Hoosier Households will have good places to live    

 Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company
"your Indiana Mortgage Partner for all your Home Lending Needs"

 

Technorati Tags: tony grego,sagamore home mortgage,lebanon,mortgage,at&t. blue's clues,indiana mortgage company,credit card,investor mortgage,hoosier households

My 100th Post

Hey Folks!

Tony Grego here from Sagamore Home Mortgage in Lebanon, Indiana. Your Indiana Mortgage Partner for all your home lending needs.

WOW! January 23, 2008 at 11:34 am Post #1 until today, April 18, 2008, number 100. I have tried many different forms and styles, Some good and most bad (kidding I hope). Anyway I do want to thank all of my friends and associates I have met. I am involved in this great community and just hope to give back one day as much information and knowledge that I have learned. I guess now it is time to list 100 things. I chose to list 100 things that I am thankful for since January 23rd.

1. First and foremost, my wife Yovonne,  my son's Anthony Jr. and William Alexander, and my dogs win.ini and beta.
2. My Father's successful quad by-pass about six weeks ago.
3. My Mother-in-Law's successful knee operation.
4. I am thankful that my recent injuries were not more serious (enough medical crap. Don't know about you but it is getting depressing for me).
5. My friend Daniel "forcing" me to join Active Rain and start blogging.
6. My retail referrals from Active Rain.
7. My associates that seem to grow everyday.
8. The dozens of questions I get from the community about changes in the mortgage industry.
9. Aaron Byers, President and owner of Sagamore Home Mortgage for putting up with me.
10. My co-workers for the same reason.
11. My friend Mike for saving my hard drive after I did not back up in a year and had a system crash.
12. The New York Giants for beating the Patriots in the Superbowl.
13. Watching the Superbowl with my neighbor who is a Patriots fan.
14. My friend Mike (again) for putting back together my laptop when I dropped it going into the office after he recovered my hard drive.
15. The Indiana Pacers for not having a MAJOR arrest in the last month.
16. Mitch Daniels stepping up the Indiana Property tax issue.
17. The Spring market and a pick up of Indiana Home Sales.
18. Being able to do FHA loans to help Hoosier Households.
19. Understanding how to structure a conforming deal rather than throwing them up on the subprime wall and seeing what sticks.
20. Pay Option Arms finally addressed for the mortgage they are (I love them for the right person in the right situation)
21. Being able to share the lowest fixed rates in 45-years.
22. Setting up my website.
23. Setting up my blog.
24. Setting up a website and blog for my wife.
25. The ground hog giving us six more weeks of winter which seems like it may continue until about June.
26. The boys making Mommy a real special Valentine for February 14th.
27. Still having mortgage programs for folks with credit problems.
28. Learning about Frank and the gang at TBWS.
29. Slingbox for my Treo
30. Ania's (our AA) successful birth of her daughter, Lidia.
31. Aaron dumping purchase leads and hiring on site telemarketers.
32. Did I say the New York Giants beating the Patriots in the Superbowl?
33. Television writers ending the strike and bringing back fresh Letterman shows.
34. Family Guy (yea it is sick but I love it).
35. Reading to my sons bedtime stories in bed.
36. My referral market growing and growing.
37. In a weird kind of way the 250+ lenders that have gone out of business and have made us mortgage brokers more accountable.
38. Giving up beer for Lent (yep, that was a tuff one).
39. Mobile DVD players with headphones. One more Barney or Doddleboops and I am going to lose it.
40. Disney releasing all 200 models from the CARS movie (yea right, at $2.97 a pop it is getting expensive).
41. CART is no more and IRL is the king of US open wheel racing.
42. Indy Blue Crew. The official fan club of the Colts and were you will find us at home games. www.indybluecrew.com.
43. Bret Fare finally retires. Or does he?
44. Great new seats with the same old friends at the new Lucas Stadium.
45. The New York Yankees.
46. With my arm injury and such I now have a great excuse for a lousy golf game.
47. Bluetooth and wireless technology.
48. The boys finally behaving for Easter pictures.
49. The boys not making to much of a mess with Easter Chocolate.
50. Hendrick Racing not winning any races yet this year.
51. My Friend Aaron Gregory purchasing his first home (O yea, his girlfriend used a different broker. No, I'm not bitter).
52. Sam's Club, Costco, Walmart, Aldi, Krogger for having some great sales and deals.
53. Congratulations to my wife Yovonne and her major effort to better her health and get in shape. She has lost 40 pounds in the last 6 months and is looking great!
54. Google rankings. activerain.com/tgrego is ranked 8th. First page when searching Indiana Mortgage Company (most searched Indiana mortgage term).
55. Video blogging (still working on it but it is going to be great. What do you think of this domain - www.ratequote.tv?
56. Windows Live Writer
57. Gas at $3.50 a gallon is really helping families stick together.
58. Anthony Jr. and William dressed up as leprechauns for St. Patrick's Day. Still did not find me lucky charms.
59. Craigslist.org to buy stuff.
60. The American Legion Post #500 across from IMS.
61. Tom-Tom GPS for my Treo.
62. The new Marion County Library. Should be great for a billion dollars.
63. Hilbert House finally sold. Offered at $20M. Still have not seen sales price.
64. Did I mention about the New York Giants beating the Patriots in the Superbowl?
65. Last game in the RCA Dome. Bring on the wider seats.
66. XM Radio
67. Raise in FHA Limits.
68. Cellular Connection Cards for laptops to provide instant quotes and approvals.
69. Consumers learning more and more that zero fees equals higher rates.
70. I am smarter than a 5th grader.
71. Never play air hockey at my friend Eric's house until you learn the rules (if not you will need to call a cab to get home).
72. Attending Anthony Jr.'s first Soccer practice this week.
73. Still have stated options for NOO mortgages.
74. William is left handed, like to throw a baseball, looks great in Yankee pinstripes.
75. Torn between Explorer and Firefox. Which one should I use and why?
76. With Rural Housing you can finance up to 102% of the purchase price.
77. My gift to you. If you get a refer/eligible on a 30-yr FHA, if the deal looks good, try running on a 15-yr.
78. Blue Ray DVD players.
79. Skype VOIP service.
80. Yuengling Lager tastes much better after Lent
81. Youtube.com is a great site.
82. Sending a text message gets easier with time.
83. With a good camera you don't have to be a good photographer.
84. I have stopped blogging and driving at the same time.
85. I am really thankful for Widgets.
86. Second mortgages are still alive and well along with some HELOC's
87. While our lender list has shrank, the folks we have done business with has not.
88. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
89. Down Payment Assistance Programs.
90. IU may finally found a good replacement for the General.
91. Joe Pa really needs to pass the touch before his kid retires.
92. Notre Dame may get to a 500 season this year.
93. Have I mentioned how thankful I am that the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots?
94. Craftsman tools.
95. Wide Screen Television with HD and AT&T U-verse including DVR. I can finally watch grass grow.
96. Having a Mac and a PC in my same home office.
97. Cordless telephones.
98. Helping Hoosier Households save money and in many cases save homes.
99. 99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of ........ never mind, how shared cellular minutes.
100. #100 and the most important to me. This one is easy. Family and friends.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and reading my 100th post. I am very proud to be a member of this great community. Happy Selling to all!

 

 Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company
"your Indiana Mortgage Partner for all your Home Lending Needs"

 

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Video of The Day - How To Pick a Lock

Hey Folks!

Tony Grego here from Sagamore Home Mortgage in Lebanon, Indiana. Your partner with all your home lending needs.

Well I'm starting to feel much better and need to get back to my regular routine. One thing I have missed is the posting a video of the day.

Now I am not saying that I support or have tried what you are about to watch but this might be the trick when you can't get the lock box open or the keys are missing. Who knows? Could be the difference to make a sale or going to jail.

The one thing that is great about living in America is that we all have a choice. Now sometimes that choice may have consequences. Only you can decide.

Hope you enjoyed and maybe picked up a point or two. Seems to work just like the movies or maybe your favorite video game.

Until next time have a great day and let me know how I can help with any of your lending needs.

Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company
"your partner for all your Indiana Home Lending Needs"

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Unlimited Outgoing Calls, Nationwide for Three Bucks a Month

Hey Folks!

Tony Grego here from Sagamore Home Mortgage in Lebanon, Indiana. Your partner with all your home lending needs.

Back in the 1990, I was a proud team member for Saturn of Indianapolis. Now I am not going to get into Saturn vehicles and dealers being good or bad just that much of my Customer First philosophy can be tracked to Saturn. I learned plenty back in those days but I must take my hat off to Skip La Fauve, Saturn's former president, for this valuable lesson:

"Profit can only be achieved by controlling expenses, NOT raising prices. The market determines the price of our product."

So if you believe this then you must find ways to control and minimize your cost. In fact, you will find many great current and past post that is about saving money. I have found a "big name" service that does just this. It is SKYPE PRO. Now I am not talking about the full blown service. With Skype Pro at $3 bucks a month (5-month minimum). Here is what you get:

• Unlimited local and long distance calling anywhere in the USA
• No running up cell telephone minutes
• Great sound quality (need high-speed access)
• Works with wired and wireless systems
• Compatible with cellular connection cards
• No hidden taxes or fees
• Identifies caller ID as blocked or unknown (not overseas number)
• Skype Soft Phone

I have been testing this product for the last three days and I am blown away with the ease of use and the clarity of calls. The only downside I have found that while driving and using a cellular connection card you will lose calls when bouncing cell towers.

For reference I use a Sony Vaio VGN-T350P mini laptop with a built in AT&T cellular connection card and the Microsoft LifeChat ZX-6000 headset.

Please note that this service is for OUTGOING CALLS ONLY! So if your looking for a great low-cost, high quality system Skype Pro may be the solution for you.

Thanks for reading my post and if you need some help with your Indiana clients email me your telephone number. The call is on me!

 

Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company

 

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Helped a Lafayette Senior Citizen to Avoid Foreclosure Scam

Hey Folks!

Been a crazy week around Sagamore Home Mortgage right here in Indiana with some great things and some big challenges. I want to tell everyone about a situation I was involved in yesterday now I am going to spoil the ending and let you know that it does not have a happy ending. This is also not a story about self praise and it is not about casting blame for the mortgage mess we are in. It is a sad story about an elderly Hoosier and her mortgage.

We have some great in-house telemarketers that call folks all over Indiana and trying to find Indiana homeowners that need our help. So overhearing a call I insist that the tm transfer the call to me immediately. This is when I talk to Jane (not her real name). Jane is in big trouble with her home. In fact it is set for sheriff sale later this month. Now how did Jane get in such a mess?

Two years ago she signs an adjustable rate mortgage (again I am not casting blame, just getting the facts out). Money is always tight but was able to enjoy the home during her golden years. Then it happens. Between going into the hospital, her rate adjusting higher, and missing some payments Jane has a real mess happening. Now I do not have all of the details (not sure that Jane knows herself) this is what I piece together:

MISTAKE #1 – Getting behind in payments and not working with the lender
Jane fell behind and had a telephone conversation with the lender. The call did not go well and whatever happened during the call scared her so much that she has not talked to them since. Now this is a very important note to all of us that work with customer service we need to remember that part of our job is to have two ears and one mouth. Now Jane’s call has had a ripple effect that has a lousy ending.

MISTAKE #2 – Jane ignored all letters from the mortgage company. I read last week that more than half of the homes currently in foreclosure have never contacted the lender. They just left the house.

MISTAKE #3 – Desperate times call for desperate measures. When I talked with Jane she was in the middle of calling friends and family to borrow money to pay a “foreclosure specialist” over $900 to save her home. Jane is so desperate and afraid of the future that she would spend money she does not have vs. calling a lender that might be able to help.

So what happens to Jane now? She is facing a sheriff sale in a few weeks. She has no money and she is still recovering from a long hospital stay. She needed a dose of reality. I, in no certain terms, told her not to pay the money. I immediately did a conference call with 888-GET-HOPE with the intent of slowing things down. Since she has not make a payment in almost a year and she purchased the home using 100% financing two years ago she has no equity (in fact she is upside down).

When I talked to her today she did not give the money to the foreclosure specialist, had a conversation with the Get Hope folks and was going to call the mortgage folks today. She is coming to grips that she has little hope of saving her home and is coming up with a exit plan.

The moral of the story is this; while a foreclosure specialist can and will help in certain situation, these firms are popping up everywhere. I am sure that every professional in this business has been approached with a job offer during the last few weeks (I seem to get them every day). Most folks are approached when it is too late. While it is not good to get behind it is better to have communications with your mortgage company to work something out. If you don’t like whom you’re talking to hang up and get someone else. Don’t take no for an answer and feel free to contact folks like myself that can offer you choices. Now I’ll tell you right now that I have making options to refinance your Indiana mortgage I can help to show you how to get back on track.

Don’t end up like Jane. She is losing her home. I can say that I did my little part to keep her from throwing away $900. She will need it to help her move.

Indiana Real Estate Agents, Indiana Mortgage Brokers, Indiana Bankers, along with anyone else from Indiana we owe it to our clients, our community, and our state to help. While we did not put these folks in this situation, we can help them get out of it.

Best regards,
Tony Grego – Indiana Mortgage Company

Video of the Day - If it is Spring it Must Be Star Wars?

OK, if you have been following my videos you know I got a big spring thing going on. Well here is another one.

As we start into Spring we also start the baseball season. Go Yankees! So what does Star Wars have to do with this?

Just watch and see

 

Hope you enjoyed it and now go hit one out of the park!

 

Have a great Friday

Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company

 

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Video of the Day - Yes, Spring is Here.....

Hey Folks!

As I was putting on my long sleeves and a heavier than normal jacket for the day I realized that it must be spring here in Indiana. The time of year when folks are buying homes and getting mortgages. Maybe you were at the home show and need a second mortgage or a HELOC (btw, we use a really good company with great rates and terms for HELOC's).

So what better way to welcome spring but by watching a little video about the birds and the bees, and a computer.

A computer? Guess you will have to see

 

 

Don't know about you but I am clueless to what they are selling?

Thanks and have a great spring. And for you folks shopping around for a mortgage in Indiana, give me a call. Have some new little niches coming out.

 

Best regards,
Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company

 

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Video of the Day - Laugh to Your Hearts Content!

Hey Folks!

Well I sure hoped you all survived all of the April 1st pranks. Even Ryan Seacrest from American Idol tried to punk the Nation. O well, now that all of the fun is over it's time to kick off the month and have a great April. Plenty of homes are still available for sale at great prices and at Sagamore Home Mortgage we have plenty of Investors to with deep pockets ready to help with low rates and great terms.

So contact me, Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company with all your mortgage questions. The rules are changing daily for purchase and refinance mortgages so now make sure you partner with a mortgage professional for help. You can count on me for all of your Indiana mortgage needs.

Now enjoy the show:

 

WOW!!!!! Now, just like me there goes a  minute and forty seconds of our life we will never get back. Have a great day and lets get some business done. Best regards, Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company

 

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Video of the Day - I Really Like HBO More Than Ever

Hey Folks!

Hope all is well in your world? Here in Central Indiana we have a breezy and chilly day. Guess they all can't be slotted for the Chamber of Commerce Day.

Anyway you need to be careful today. Remember it is April Fools Day and while it is still early I already have been had a few times. I guess I am just that way.

Now lets step back in time to enjoy this short but funny HBO promo:

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I have. Have a great day and when you need help with a mortgage to purchase or refinance in Indiana please let me know how I can help.

Best regards,
Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company

 

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Video of the Day - Why you need to Interview Your Home Improvement Specialist

Hey Folks!

Well here in Central Indiana March, is sure going out like a lion. While temperatures have gone up it is going to be plenty wet.

Now as we go into April many of us will start our home improvement projects we planned all winter. Please enjoy this video. It may point out a few folks that you may not want to hire.

If you find yourself short of funds for you project, refinancing you mortgage or getting a second mortgage or HELOC may be the answer. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company 

 

 

 

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Video of the Day - Google Street View

Welcome to Terrific Thursday!

Just a couple days left in March. Before I get to today's video I want to remind everyone to get your purchase and refinance mortgage contracts into to your favorite mortgage broker (if you don't have one, you always have me) before Monday. Most investors will not do FHA business under a 580 mid credit score starting Tuesday (email me for details).

Now for the show. This will be new for some folks and old hat for others (hope a refresher) but our little search engine Google has launched another really cool service called "Street View." One step better than Google Earth this new tool does what it says, Provides a street view of your address. Now not all addresses are available it is a cool feature.

Clients are surprised when I talk to them the first time. I will pop in their address and ask specific questions about their home. While it can be a little freaky it does help.

Imagine you get a call for a listing. How better can your relationship get when you talking to the client about the house even before seeing it or having a client look at different views from just about anywhere? Or just have a little fun looking up places you used to live?

Enjoy, have fun, and if you have questions about the new minimum credit scores give me a call or email

 

Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Company

 

 

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