John's Weblog

What about “dot com” lenders?

When purchasing a home, or anything for that matter, over $100 it’s best to use local merchants. Why you may ask? If you have a problem is it not better to go directly to the source to get satisfaction? The same holds true with mortgage companies. If you deal with someone on the internet or a 1-800 or 1-866 phone number, the service is a gamble at best. Your Realtor® knows the local mortgage companies through personal interaction or by reputation and they are you best source as to who to trust.

Using a local lender for the pre-qualification process gives you a great opportunity. If there are problems with your credit you can go directly to their office and receive a number of services. Examples of some of the services they provide are: a) advising you on your credit problems and how to rectify them; b) they can assist you in plotting a course of action to help you reach your goal, the American dream of home ownership. All this personal service is provided free of charge! They receive their fees at closing so it’s in their best interest to provide the assistance necessary to get you a home loan.

As your Realtor®, if there are problems during the loan process I can assist you by going directly to the source to get them worked out. When dealing with an 800# you get no personal service, no guarantee that you will talk to the same person, nor do you know if they will call you back to address your issue.

You may ask why I’m so passionate about this issue. It’s because I am dealing with a mortgage company that’s a dot com and it has been challenging!! I can never get a person on the phone, nor do I hear from them until they need something. I currently have a young couple that should have closed on their home last month and because of the dot com they’re still waiting. Even though I did not recommend the dot com company, the customer is upset with me because the issues they have are not being addressed. I have been doing this long enough to know my part and I also have an excellent administrative assistant who keeps me on my toes in the event I do forget something.

The bottom line is, a local mortgage company will be able to assist you better and provide you with the level of service you deserve. After all, is it not better to be able to communicate with someone face to face instead of hoping to get in touch with them on the phone?

John A. Boyance

Realtor®

Realtor®

No housing slump here in Clarksville.  Clarksville continues to buck the national trends due to Fort Campbell’s personnel.  The fort increased it size by adding the 4th Brigade.  With it many soldiers have added to the population of Clarksville.  With the increase of military personnel local business have sprung up as well.  To accommodate this increase builders are building a lot of new homes.  Another thing that adds to the desirability of Clarksville is its location.  Close to Nashville, St Louise and Louisville as well as good fishing and hunting.  If you look for homes here you will be pleasantly surprised how far your dollar goes in Clarksville TN!    

Top 10 Signs That It's Time to Sell Your Home

1. When you bought your house, you lived in the country. Now you're surrounded by high rises.

2. You can't get any appliances repaired because "they stopped making those parts years ago."
3. The swing set in the backyard has sprouted roots.

4. The plumber's phone number is on your speed dial.

5. Your phone number is on your plumber's speed dial.

6. All the children's rooms are now guest bedrooms.

7. You haven't visited the other half of the house in six months.

8. You have to move the furniture to see the carpet's original color.

9. Your bathroom is a lovely shade of avocado green -- from the first time it was in style.

10. You can't make any improvements to the exterior of your home without getting approval from the Board of Historic Monuments.

John's Blog

Now is a great time to buy or sell a home

Right now may actually be one of the best times to buy
home. Consider these facts:

Interest Rates Near Record Lows Today's interest rates are comparable to 40-year lows, offering homebuyers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

LARGE INVENTORY
Won't Last There are currently 3.75 million homes for sale.  We have had a record inventory of homes on the market  in recent months, offering consumers the greatest choice in decades.

PRICES OVERALL HAVE STABILIZED
Contracts for home sales in August are up 4.3 percent1 and the outlook is for home prices to increase next year. Positive Outlook Former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan recentlysaid that housing prospects are looking up. "Most of the negatives in housing are probably behind us. The fourth quarter
should be reasonably good, certainly better than the third quarter."2 According to industry estimates, 2006 will be the third-best year on record for home sales.3 Real Estate is a Great Investment Homeownership is a safe, secure way to build long-term wealth. The national median price of homes
bought ten years ago has increased 88 percent.3 The number of US households is expected to increase 15 percent during the next decade, creating a continued high demand for housing.4 Don 't Delay Now is a great time to buy or sell a home.

Call me at 931-801-9451 or email me at

jboyance@realtracs.com