Article Archives for Wenatchee/Ellensburg Washington VA Home Loans - Since 2006    (Page 3)

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

Throughout our busy day we come in contact with numerous people; the degree to which we know others of course varies, however the perception of how another see’s us can determine so much.  So take into consideration your daily activities and, compress the entire work day and free time into a single snapshot.  Are you happy with what you see ?? Is there room for improvement ???  While engaging others throughout your workday did you put forth that extra effort to come across extremely happy, excited and positive?? Or did a disagreement you had with your significant other seep through to your day…….did you come across a bit negative with a bit of a sting in your personality……..?? 

For how we come across at work and outside of work may go a very long way in terms of your next sale or relationship building that you have taken months to groom.  We should not take it for granted that others will look past our imperfections, as one lousy day at the office is all it may take to break a long standing relationship that could have possibly landed you many upcoming sales or transactions.  Always be cognisant of the fact that were always on stage.  As brokers, loan officers, and real estate agents, we have to put our “A” Games on every single day and be ready for interaction with anyone at any time !!!!  And just as importantly be ready to deliver !!!! Thats what separates mediocrity from big time success.  Being able to make clutch decisions, delivery, and execution, versus choosing to go with the flow. 

Kevin J. Lawson

I have been in the mortgage industry for nearly 10 years now.  I’ve been in this business  just long enough to have been through a few ups and downs.  Recently I made a road trip through central and eastern Washington to call on Agents and visit local VA institutions.   This particular trip was going to be the first of many in which to lay a foundation;  laying a foundation and building relationships are a critical part of any successful marketing/sales strategy.   I really enjoyed visiting with the different agents as they all have a little different take on what is going on in their community, how the economy is affecting them and what they are doing in order to stay successful.

While in Yakima  I visited Jerry Heyen, of Creekside Realty.  Jerry noted that the Yakima market was steadily moving along, and that homes in the $150k were most active.  While in Wenatchee I met with Doug Andrews and Perrin Cornell, of Century 21 Exclusively.  While meeting with Doug and Perrin of Century 21 Exclusivley, the discussions pertained to the market, market niche’s that we could penetrate, and how well the Wenatchee market has held up in the overall poor economy.  There are only a few pockets in the entire nation that have held its head above water in terms of Real Estate Values and Wenatchee is one of those area’s that can attest to this. 

While in Ellensburg I visited with Del Knudson of John L. Scott, Fran Stolen of Kelley Realty, and Jennifer Savage of Windermere Realty.  All were amazing individuals and top shelf agents, you get the sense these agents all had one thing in common.  They had a great sense of community.  Every single agent genuinely gave a glimpse into what was going on their community; this is huge as it is a direct reflection on them as people and as agents.  They truly are engaged in day to day life in Ellensburg. 

I ended my trip in Spokane Washinginton and had the priveledge of meeting with Jeannette Karis of Re/Max of Spokane.  Jeannette has held the title of Spokane Area Realtor President, as well as ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, SFR.  Very highly decorated and knowledgeable in her industry Jeannettehas a firm grasp on the pulse of her community as well.  We discussed the market climate in Spokane and laid down some initial strategy to incorporate both of us in order to leverage our marketing in the area.  Jeannette has many successful years of interaction with the VA client base, and has a strong reputation in the industry as well as with the VA community, as she serves in several capacities within the VA network.  Once again community is the common denominator.

Kevin J. Lawson