WFG News
March 3, 2015

Why 2015 will be a breakout year for real estate sales

I believe that the real estate market will make a comeback in 2015 — but it will do so in spite of the terrible economic environment and the government. (Please don’t confuse what I’m about to say with any credit you might hear taken by a politician or the government. Politicians…
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WFG News
March 2, 2015

Realtor facing criminal charges over 8 loans made nearly a decade ago

A Sacramento, California, Realtor has been charged with eight counts of bank fraud for allegedly submitting fraudulent loan applications that enabled clients she represented nearly a decade ago to buy eight homes they did not qualify for. Gabriela Carter / LinkedIn Gabriela Carter, 43, “falsely represented her clients’ income and…
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WFG News
February 27, 2015

Motivate move-up buyers with home trade-ins

How can Realtors get sellers — and buyers — motivated? In Ohio, new home builder Trinity Homes is turning to a page from the automotive industry to move inventory: home trade-ins. Columbus-based Trinity Homes, the largest new home builder in central Ohio, has partnered with HER Realtors, the largest volume…
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WFG News
February 23, 2015

Balance liquidation programs are ‘godsend’ for distressed borrowers

When people face serious financial problems, getting out of a credit mess may ultimately involve going bankrupt or losing their home. A key part in turning the tide is eliminating as much credit card interest as possible and paying down the principal. If you’re carrying high credit balances or your…
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WFG News
February 19, 2015

FHA launches historic homebuyer ‘care package’ for 2015

After several years of lackluster participation in the housing market, first-time homebuyers are getting a boost from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) this year. Last year, the percentage of homes sold to first-time buyers remained at 29 percent for the second straight year, which represented that demographic’s lowest market share…
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WFG News
February 18, 2015

Home loans can offer a world of opportunity to savvy real estate agents

Ever since the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its findings that almost half of homebuyers don’t shop around for the best rate on their mortgage, I’ve been trying to make sense of this revelation. It’s not that it’s shocking — the fact that homebuyers need a lot of help with the…
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WFG News
February 13, 2015

Michael Slavin: ‘The real power is to determine how money is spent’

Michael Slavin is the CEO at Privlo. Describe what you do in one sentence: I put dislocated homebuyers into homes at the most competitive rates. Age: 35 Degree, school: Accounting, University of Idaho Location: Los Angeles, California; Privlo is based in southern California, and we are currently lending in California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Maryland, Tennessee,…
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WFG News
February 11, 2015

3 things VA homebuyers need from real estate agents

More veterans are taking advantage of their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan benefit than ever before. With no down payment, no mortgage insurance and flexible credit standards, it’s easy to see why. The VA loan that was once looked down upon by agents has become a streamlined process with…
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WFG News
February 10, 2015

Mortgage giant Citi steps up marketing on Zillow, StreetEasy

Citi, one of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders, has signed a marketing deal with Zillow in an effort to reach prospective borrowers on the highly trafficked real estate portal. The deal will boost Citi’s presence on Zillow; Zillow Mortgages, the site’s mortgage marketplace; and StreetEasy, a listing portal owned by Zillow…
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WFG News
February 2, 2015

11 mortgage FAQs from returning buyers (and how to answer them)

As a buyer’s agent, I think knowing the answers to buyer questions and concerns that emerge is essential to conveying our experience and knowledge of the process. Amy Buynoski, vice president and mortgage banker at Fidelity Bank, has 12 years of experience in getting loan successfully to the closing table.…
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