Article Archives for Spokane, Washington VA Home Loans - Since 2005    (Page 3)

The delay in foreclosures is not a good thing. Yes, foreclosures are a bad thing, but delaying it is even worse. This weekend, when you’re at the Halloween craft fair (or “faire” if you live in a high income area), and someone asks you, “What’s the big deal?” you can explain it like this. Those servicing companies who have put a moratorium on foreclosing on the property often times still owe the ultimate investor the scheduled monthly interest, based on their contract. And if the loan is possibly subject to a buyback situation, the originator of the loan (whoever sold it to Chase, for example) is certainly going to argue that it is not “on the hook” for interest charges that Chase voluntarily stopped making and thus owed.

The current foreclosure issues certainly increase uncertainty - and markets don’t like uncertainty. Bank stocks are down, and they continue to hold on to trillions of “lendable” money because of nervousness about the future. Chaseannounced that it would now be reviewing 115,000 foreclosure cases in 41 states. PHH’s president and CEO stated, “PHH Mortgage is actively cooperating with its regulators, is responding to such inquiries and has completed a comprehensive review of its foreclosure procedures. Based on this review, PHH Mortgage has not halted foreclosures in any states and has no plans to initiate a foreclosure moratorium.”  This is just going to pro-long the recovery period, and we’re going to see a massive slowdown to our already Slow real estate market.  Hang in there folks, for there is always light in any Dark period, you just have to be persistent, patient and look for the shifts and act accordingly.

Kevin J. Lawson

Some folks out there are clever, but for all the wrong reasons. It is rumored that real estate and mortgage licensees have become the target of a scam. An individual, claiming to be a representative of the Division of Real Estate, is calling licensees and telling them that they have failed to respond to a notice sent out by the Division informing them that they are required to submit updated fingerprints. The individual warns that, due to this failure to respond, the licensee’s license is going to be suspended. The individual then claims that this is a courtesy call from the Division, that the licensee may pay a small fee to avoid having his or her license suspended, and that the fee can be paid over the phone by credit card. It was reported to me that the Division will never contact any licensee and ask for a credit card number over the phone. The only licensees who are being required to submit updated fingerprints at this time are mortgage originators who are establishing their records in the nationwide mortgage licensing system (NMLS). All required payments for this fingerprinting are handled through the NMLS website, NOT over the telephone, and anything different should probably be reported to the Division of Real Estate.

Kevin J. Lawson

We tend to get in a rut at work and pound thru the days, just grinding them out and its Friday and we have great aspirations to go hiking, biking, boating and so forth.  Well if that truly does NOT happen, then your running errands, going to birthday parties for your childrens school friends or family functions.  In most our daily lives, we are getting a good mental work out in some form or fashion.  However if you have a family, and are taxed with all the normal routines that come with it, or are just so busy with work that you have little time for anything else, the physical work out time goes to the back of the bus.

Its extremely important as you know to incorportate some type of physical work out regimine into our lives.  I can always count on my Dr. telling me the exact same thing when I visit.  Pay close attention to your diet, more vegies, less sweets and soda’s and exercise more.  Its a given.  So with that being said, we can all benefit from a little hike, or bike ride, weights, cardio etc..  Just dont resign yourself to giving up.  Just set a small realistic goal, and begin.  Thats the most difficult part.  Just begin, then go from there.

Kevin J. Lawson

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs failed to inform 6 million soldiers and their families of an agreement enabling Prudential Financial Inc. to withhold lump-sum payments of life insurance benefits for survivors of fallen service members, according to records made public through a Freedom of Information request.

The amendment to Prudential’s contract is the first document to show how VA officials sanctioned a payment practice that has spurred investigations by lawmakers and regulators. Since 1999, Prudential has used so-called retained-asset accounts, which allow the company to withhold lump sum payments due to survivors and earn investment income on the money for itself.

The Sept. 1, 2009, amendment to Prudential’s contract with the VA ratified another unpublicized deal that had been struck between the insurer and the government 10 years earlier — one that was never put into writing, Bloomberg Markets magazine reports in its November issue. This verbal agreement in 1999 provoked concern among top insurance officials of the agency, the documents released in the FOIA request show.

For a decade, until the contract was formally changed, Prudential wasn’t fulfilling its obligations to survivors of fallen service members, says Brendan Bridgeland, an insurance lawyer who runs the non-profit Center for Insurance Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

‘Violated Terms’

“It’s very clear they violated the original terms of the contract,” says Bridgeland, who is retained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to represent consumers.

“Every veteran I’ve spoken with is appalled at the brazen war profiteering by Prudential,” says Paul Sullivan, who served in the 1991 Gulf War as an Army cavalry scout and is now executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, a nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington. “Now vets are upset at the VA’s inability to stop Prudential’s bad behavior.”

That the VA allowed Prudential to issue retained-asset accounts for 10 years while the contract required lump-sum payouts is “more evidence that the VA was asleep at the wheel for a decade,” says Sullivan, who was a project manager and analyst at the VA from 2000 to 2006.

“When grieving families check the box that they want a lump sum, they should get it. We remain disappointed and irate at the VA’s failure to provide advocacy for veterans,” he says.

Kevin J. Lawson & Bloomberg Reports

While the economists will tell you were STILL in a recession, and that the future is bleak, there is still a market to be had out there.  You can either sit around and buy the garbage that spills from the Lame Stream Media, or get on with your life and be positive and thankful for what you do have !!  Attitude will determine your altitude folks. Its nothing new, and you’ve probably heard it before. 

In the mortgage world it seems were in a purchase or refi boom.  Well I’m here to tell you that we have No Boom going on, however we have a Blast of both !!!  Its a GREAT Time to purchase.  You can not argue that.  Its a GREAT Time to refi due to rates.  You cannot argue that.  You have to position yourself to take advantage of both sides of the coin.  If your selling in another capacity, then you have to find that happy medium where you are able to leverage your strengths and your market!!   You have to be able to give a little more to recive  a little more.  It wont just come walking in your door.  Your going to have to go kick some doors down in order to find the ones that are going to deliver.   Leveraging yourself and your talents is a great way to begin the fall, the changing season that is upon us.  Invest some time into yourself.  Find out the best way to do that, and make it sooner that later !!!!

Kevin J. Lawson

We are in August…….the last month of summer…. vacations and camping trips are in their last stages, and school is just around the corner for those of us that have children.  Its bitter sweet this time of year.  For it feels as if summer just got here a week or two ago and now its going to be coming to an end.  For some its something to look forward too, a change of season…….maybe a different sport is getting ready to embark on a new season…… for some its just plain painful; nothing to look forward to, a summer long gone and a long drawn out winter lye ahead.

Either way you look at it, we can all “fall” into something positive.  Most of us enjoy our summers and have had a pattern of taking off early on Fridays, or taking the frequent Friday off all together to make a long weekend a little more enjoyable, for camping or other excursions.  Now that fall is near, we could all benefit from an adjustment in our work habits.  One adjustment can be very beneficial, and that is attending a sales/motivational work seminar.  What better time to go to a seminar and tune up your work habits and learn new techniques, than at the end of summer.  If your in a sales environment, this could be a like a professional spa-day for your mind…..seriously !! 

Your coming out of a three month period where it has been difficult to focus 100% of your energies on work….now is the perfect time to go to a seminar; one to three days of professional mind massaging!! Its the perfect tune-up to set your sights on the fall, winter, spring seasons ahead.   Go into it with a positive attitude and gain all you can, then set new goals and achieve them!!!!  Don’t hesitate or it could be a LONG HARD WINTER !!!!

Kevin J. Lawson

Were all aware of the state of the economy, the job market, and the ever increasingly hostile political environment.  No matter where you turn, it seems that were not able to steer clear of any of the negative publicity that currently clogs our tv sets, computer monitors, and talk radio channels.  Too much of one thing can be harmful if were not careful or cognizant of how much we are taking in of the negative talk.  Its good to take a break from the political/news programs, the radio talk shows, the online information……it can be overwhelming and in these current times its not too difficult to be overloaded with all of this information……its generally not all positive……

Once again…. know when to say when……is enough !!!  Take periodic breaks from all of the exposure you get from all this negativity, and exercise, ride your bike with family or friends, work in the yard, or garden etc..   Just make sure to get some positive re-inforcements on regular intervals.  I know that I have been guilty of drowning myself in this previously and it can be very overwhelming, and make you feel helpless.   Not all of whats on tv, online, or on talk radio is negative, but is sure can feel that way at times.

Kevin J. Lawson

Having just spent the weekend at the beach…..Long Beach, Washington that is……on our Church camping trip at the Dunes Bibile camp….. was a fantastic time.  I believe we all get caught up in work, and the intensity, the anxiety, the stressfulness, and the daily grind.  We have to allow ourselves time to recharge.  Everyone needs a break from our jobs and to be able to get away, and enjoy something we really like with families or friends.

Our family really enjoys camping and the outdoor life in the Great NorthWest.   Regardless of your likes, or hobbies we all need to get out and enjoy our surroundings.  There is so much to do here in the Northwest, whether its fishing, or river rafting, motorcycle riding, horse trail riding and on and on……. Please dont let anyone even remotely try to tell you there is nothing to do here in the great NorthWest…..that is a bold lie if there ever was one……  Enjoy what we have at our disposal here in the Northwest……for its truly a Tidal Wave of beauty …….if you only open your eyes and heart to it…… Sometimes it can be overwhelming…….

Kevin J. Lawson

So one can not help but notice (depending on your geographical location) the dramatic change in season that has taken place over the past week or two.  The fourth of July weekend for many was cloudy and 70.  Not great but it could have been alot worse I suppose.  Here it is a few days later and its approaching one Hundred degree’s.  Outstanding…… we go from cloudy and cool to a Massive heat wave in a 48 hour time period and no wonder people get a little irritated here in the northwest with that kind of swing in temps.

You know you can draw a very similar line in life, from the adversity that comes your way in short order….One can adapt, overcome and embrace the change or resist, dislike and just complain about all of the change that comes your way.  I believe that its no secret that one’s attitude is the greatest single factor in determining your outlook.  I’m not perfect by any means however if we roll with the changes in a more positive manner,  we stand a better chance of making it thru the day and through life with less turmoil. 

So when you recognize that spring or winter is over, and your going into that new season…….Summer, make a mental note to roll with the changes, and with that try to up your game…..Do your best to implement something new……. a game changer so to speak…..try it….. embrace change, because its always going to be around the corner.

Kevin J. Lawson