Be a good neighbor this Halloween

Trick or treat – for your mortgage lender!

I love Halloween… and it’s not just because of the free candy I can bag up that will last me through November. I love Halloween for more mature reasons these days (although if truth be told I might still be sneaking pieces of my son’s candy here or there.) I love Halloween because it gets the neighbors out of their homes and in front of one another’s doors. As someone who works in real estate as a mortgage lender, this is a very good thing for business.

Halloween night opens the way for neighbors to talk to one another.  As the kids trick-or-treat, neighbors can inquire:

“Did your house sell yet?”

“Have any offers come through?”

Do you recommend your real estate agent or mortgage lender?”

“Where did you get that awesome Hulk costume?”

Inquiring minds can have all burning questions answered on Halloween.

No tricks – only treats with me!

So this Halloween, I’ll keep it short and simple! If you’re amongst neighbors and talking about real estate, make sure they know there’s a mortgage lender in Lee’s Summit who’s eager to help them with their home loan. Sometimes the home loan process can be scary and intimidating. Some people distrust loan officers, mainly because they don’t know the in’s and out’s of buying and financing a home and want to work with someone they can trust. At our office we’re eager to offer honest advice and great service. We do everything we can to get your loan to go through. There are no tricks with us – only treats – when you work with Darren Copeland at Leader One Financial!

Need a question answered fast? Call us at (816) 875-6538

Mortgage help for health care workers

It’s not an easy job. Sure, you get to wear scrubs to work – but that’s about the easiest part of your day. By the time you care for patients, clean up their messes, bear their burdens and finish your dictations for the day – you’re spent. Health care might be a popular and growing industry to work in, but it’s anything but easy. That’s why the Homes For Heroes program includes those who work in health care. There is someone out there who recognizes just how hard it is to do your job and how little you get back in return.

Health care mortgage help

We joined up with the Homes for Heroes program to help people like you get into a home just a little bit easier. Health care is no joke – it’s a hard job. It’s one of those jobs where people say, “Well, somebody has to do it” but few volunteer. Working with the sick or injured can be draining. And sure, it’s your job, but it’s also a sacrifice. Many spend long hours and back-to-back days caring for others. So when it comes to buy or sell your house, it’s time to let someone care for you.

Homes for Heroes helps health care

The Homes for Heroes program is not a gimmick to get more business; it’s truly a way to give back. In fact, it was inspired by all of the fire and medical personnel who rushed in after 9/11 to care for others – even when their personal families were suffering. This program was created by real estate professionals looking for a way to use what they were best at (buying, selling, lending) – and help those who sacrifice the most. Agents sign up to “give back” a portion of their commission fees so that “heroes” can afford closing costs or furniture. Mortgage lenders like myself have agreed to give generous discounts on mortgages – and that’s just the start. This program has helped participants save thousands of dollars when it comes to buying a home. And I’m honored to be a part of it.

If you’re in health care and want to buy a house, please consider applying for this program. There’s no catch – no red tape – no fine print. It’s simply a great program run by honest people who want to show they notice hard work and that they care.

Learn more about Homes for Heroes program.

In Kansas City and have questions about the program? Just give me a call.

How To Find a Good A Good Realtor

For some people, the “For Sale by Owner” route is for them. But for others, especially those with little time or knowledge or the real estate process, working with professionals is important. And just like finding a local mortgage lender is critical, so is finding a good realtor.

Advice for choosing a realtor in Kansas City

If you’re on the hunt and not sure where to start, here’s a few tips from a pro who’s been in this business long enough to find a good one:

Search Out Who You Know

Sometimes you don’t want to mix friends with business, however in real estate it might be a good thing for you… that is if your realtor friend is competent (see #2). But, a realtor needs to understand you, your preferences and your future plans. This will determine which houses you look at, your price range and what is feasible. So, some of your best friends will know you better than anyone. Trust them to not waste your time and ask them to help you through the process.

Find a Competent Realtor

There are many real estate agents out there, and sometimes it’s hard to know who to choose. However, make sure whoever you work with is competent. If you’ve never worked with them before, you can ask for references or even look and see if there are any online reviews or testimonials. Also, before you start working with a realtor, check and see if they have a website, Facebook page and online listings. These are some of the ways to tell if they’re active in the industry and will be on top of their game. You can also ask other professionals in real estate who they’ve worked with and who really seems to have it together. (Call me if you need a good reference in Kansas City!)

Find Someone Who Markets Themselves & Their Houses

Not only do you want a realtor who is detail-oriented, but you also want someone who will be active in getting your home sold. A realtor should have a website (sometimes they have one under their company AND a personal one). Others have set up Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, Linkedin profiles, blogs and mobile apps as ways to market and sell homes. There are a lot of ways realtors can get creative these days, so be on the lookout for someone who is active. This shows that they’ll go the extra mile to sell your house.

Communication is Key

Marriage and parenting aren’t the only things that require excellent communication. Real estate does, too. So make sure that your realtor communicates with you well, and often. Can you reach him/her – or do they quickly return calls? Do they send weekly updates to you, or inform you of market changes? This will indicate how well they communicate with buyers and sellers. Make sure to work with someone responsive.

These are just a few things to look for when hiring a realtor. If you need more advice or recommendations from another real estate professional in Kansas City, call me!