The Green Couch Confessions Episode One from An Idea Company .
February 12, 2016
September 27, 2015
Deez Loans
I try to be in the know of the latest trends. A lot of this information comes from my kids. They are always the first to know about what's hot and what's not. And they're very quick to tell me when I am "so yesterday."
Let's start with communication. For instance, an emoji is the correct response to most texts. If someone asks you how you're feeling, you should respond with the smiley face with shades...or the pirate ghost...or the annoyed cat...or the guy in a turban. You get it. And "hello" or "hi" is not the proper greeting. "What are those?" or "Guess what came in the mail today?" is much more acceptable. Also, don't throw shade. It's just not nice.
Next, you need to know how to appropriately fit in at a party. Dancing is paramount. Don't bother with the The Dougie or Gangnam Style. You must be able to successfully Whip, Nae-Nae, and do the Stanky Leg. You must also refrain from talking altogether. If you want to gab with your buddy sitting next to you, Snapchat him. For God's sake, do NOT let anyone hear you speak.
As far a fashion is concerned, there aren't a lot of current dos or don'ts. However, you should get a tattoo and/or grow a beard Make sure you get at least 100 selfies to prove to everybody how on fleek you are.
Am I chasing my youth? Maybe. Do I practice all of the latest and greatest trends? Well, I don't have a beard. I just like to be trend-savvy. I do admit, however, when I'm being circled by a bunch of 13 year-olds on the dance floor at a bar mitzvah, I may have gone too far.
So what does the nae-nae have to do with real estate? It's more about being aware of the latest and greatest...especially when it comes to financing. Many Realtors are still talking to their clients about 20% down Conventionals. I, however, can tell you about the cool loans.
The 0 Down Doctor Loan - The physician mortgage is tailored specifically to medical doctors with an M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M. or D.M.D. degree. It includes benefits such as 100% financing with no mortgage insurance up to $500,000. Loan amounts are available up to $1 million with a low down payment.
The 0 Down FHA IHCDA Next Home Program - A 4% down payment grant is given to home buyers who purchase a home priced within FHA guidelines and have a credit score of 660 or above. Income limits apply. You do not have to be a first-time buyer. You do not have to pay the grant back as long as you live in the home for two years.
The 0 Down Conventional IHCDA Next Home Program - A 3% down payment grant is given to buyers purchasing a home priced at $417,000 or less with a credit score of 680 or higher. Income limits apply. PMI is also reduced. You do not have to be a first-time buyer. You do not have to pay the grant back as long as you live in the home for two years.
Various Portfolio Loans - Many individual banks offer programs which range from 100% financing to Jumbo loans ($417,001 or higher) with substantially reduced down payments and little or no PMI.
So, will being trend-savvy allow more people flexibility when buying a home? You betcha. Will knowing about the latest loan programs save you some cash? Absolutely. Sometimes it is good to get your head out of the sand and stay up on what's current. Contact me to see what great program is out there to best suit your needs. In the meantime, while some of you are still posting back-to-school pics on Facebook, I'll be hitting the Quan on my Vine.
Your Bae,Carrie
Let's start with communication. For instance, an emoji is the correct response to most texts. If someone asks you how you're feeling, you should respond with the smiley face with shades...or the pirate ghost...or the annoyed cat...or the guy in a turban. You get it. And "hello" or "hi" is not the proper greeting. "What are those?" or "Guess what came in the mail today?" is much more acceptable. Also, don't throw shade. It's just not nice.
Next, you need to know how to appropriately fit in at a party. Dancing is paramount. Don't bother with the The Dougie or Gangnam Style. You must be able to successfully Whip, Nae-Nae, and do the Stanky Leg. You must also refrain from talking altogether. If you want to gab with your buddy sitting next to you, Snapchat him. For God's sake, do NOT let anyone hear you speak.
As far a fashion is concerned, there aren't a lot of current dos or don'ts. However, you should get a tattoo and/or grow a beard Make sure you get at least 100 selfies to prove to everybody how on fleek you are.
Am I chasing my youth? Maybe. Do I practice all of the latest and greatest trends? Well, I don't have a beard. I just like to be trend-savvy. I do admit, however, when I'm being circled by a bunch of 13 year-olds on the dance floor at a bar mitzvah, I may have gone too far.
So what does the nae-nae have to do with real estate? It's more about being aware of the latest and greatest...especially when it comes to financing. Many Realtors are still talking to their clients about 20% down Conventionals. I, however, can tell you about the cool loans.
The 0 Down Doctor Loan - The physician mortgage is tailored specifically to medical doctors with an M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M. or D.M.D. degree. It includes benefits such as 100% financing with no mortgage insurance up to $500,000. Loan amounts are available up to $1 million with a low down payment.
The 0 Down FHA IHCDA Next Home Program - A 4% down payment grant is given to home buyers who purchase a home priced within FHA guidelines and have a credit score of 660 or above. Income limits apply. You do not have to be a first-time buyer. You do not have to pay the grant back as long as you live in the home for two years.
The 0 Down Conventional IHCDA Next Home Program - A 3% down payment grant is given to buyers purchasing a home priced at $417,000 or less with a credit score of 680 or higher. Income limits apply. PMI is also reduced. You do not have to be a first-time buyer. You do not have to pay the grant back as long as you live in the home for two years.
Various Portfolio Loans - Many individual banks offer programs which range from 100% financing to Jumbo loans ($417,001 or higher) with substantially reduced down payments and little or no PMI.
So, will being trend-savvy allow more people flexibility when buying a home? You betcha. Will knowing about the latest loan programs save you some cash? Absolutely. Sometimes it is good to get your head out of the sand and stay up on what's current. Contact me to see what great program is out there to best suit your needs. In the meantime, while some of you are still posting back-to-school pics on Facebook, I'll be hitting the Quan on my Vine.
Your Bae,Carrie
TheCarrieHolleGroup.com
July 8, 2015
Tonight We’re Going to Party Like It’s 1989
And real estate is always a popular topic of conversation. Come to think of it, maybe that's why everyone comes over...along with the free booze. People love talking about houses: how much this one sold for, how terrible this one looks online, how this one sold in a day, etc., etc.
So why do I subject myself to late-night guests, large food and beverage bills and massive clean-ups? Because I like to surround myself with energy. Because I like my home to be alive.
Now here's something wild: What if I merged my two passions in life, entertaining and real estate? I often think back with nostalgia to my high school job. Back in the late-80's, I worked as a receptionist in a real estate firm outside of Chicago. The building was on a busy intersection of town with lots of hustle and bustle. People were always popping in to talk to the agents (who went through Aqua Net and Marlboro Reds like it was nobody's business). The place was hopping with activity. It was alive.
So, yep, I did it. This month I opened Highgarden Real Estate, The Carrie Holle Group, in the heart of downtown Carmel. Oh...it is everything I could have hoped for. Life! Energy! Hustle and bustle! My team and I are throwing a party each and every day and talking to all kinds of people about something they love to talk about: how much this house sold for, how terrible this one looks online, how this one sold in a day, etc., etc. But we're also taking it up a notch and talking about how much we can sell your house for, how we can make your home look amazing online, how we can sell your house in a day.
And how cool is it to actually talk to a real live person face-to-face instead of some voice from a cardboard sign or the internet? Yes, we're going retro, baby. All the way back to 1989.
So come on in and visit with us. We'll help you with everything real estate...buying, selling, building, financing, investing. Sit on our pretty green sofa, have a drink, and take a load off. If you're really lucky, we'll have out a bowl of chips and the strobe light on. But, unlike my basement, this party ends at 9.
The Hostess with Mostest,
Carrie
There’s No 'I' in Team
I know this may come as a huge shock to some of you, but I'm an only child. Usually, I forget all about it. Then there are times like yesterday when everyone is posting pictures all over Facebook for National Siblings Day and other times that I have to do certain things...like share.
There are pros and cons of being an only. The pros: getting all the love and attention (and Christmas presents) you desire, being self-sufficient, and being fiercely independent. The cons: getting all the love and attention (and Christmas presents) you desire, being self-sufficient, and being fiercely independent.
A Realtor is a great profession for an only child. Let's think about it. We get our name and picture splashed all over the place. We are a one-man-show and are in charge of our own business. Our success or failure is solely in our own hands. We can work without anyone telling us what to do...maybe that isn't an only-child thing...maybe that's a Carrie-thing.
About six months ago, I had an epiphany. What if real estate was a team sport as opposed to a single-player sport? What if I could do more for my clients with a group of competent people working with me? What if I sought out the most amazing, strong, intelligent, and driven women I could find? What if I even, gasp, threw in some other only children?
I did just that. And O-M-G. The results are amazing and totally contradictory to the Only Child's Creed. Sharing is fun. The ideas, advice and suggestions I get from many far surpass what just little ol' me can produce. Seclusion is boring. Yes, we all need a little alone-time, but when our group is together, the office becomes alive (and super loud). Many are greater than one. What we can do by combining efforts and hard work blows anything that one person can do alone out of the water. It's fierce. It's magical.
So I invite you to meet this awesome team who, together, can list or sell a home like nobody's business. Reinvent the wheel? Hell ya, Baby! Many parts make a mighty whole. Thinking about starting your own group? Awesome. Just don't touch this one because this one is mine.
Only is lonely,
Carrie
There are pros and cons of being an only. The pros: getting all the love and attention (and Christmas presents) you desire, being self-sufficient, and being fiercely independent. The cons: getting all the love and attention (and Christmas presents) you desire, being self-sufficient, and being fiercely independent.
A Realtor is a great profession for an only child. Let's think about it. We get our name and picture splashed all over the place. We are a one-man-show and are in charge of our own business. Our success or failure is solely in our own hands. We can work without anyone telling us what to do...maybe that isn't an only-child thing...maybe that's a Carrie-thing.
About six months ago, I had an epiphany. What if real estate was a team sport as opposed to a single-player sport? What if I could do more for my clients with a group of competent people working with me? What if I sought out the most amazing, strong, intelligent, and driven women I could find? What if I even, gasp, threw in some other only children?
I did just that. And O-M-G. The results are amazing and totally contradictory to the Only Child's Creed. Sharing is fun. The ideas, advice and suggestions I get from many far surpass what just little ol' me can produce. Seclusion is boring. Yes, we all need a little alone-time, but when our group is together, the office becomes alive (and super loud). Many are greater than one. What we can do by combining efforts and hard work blows anything that one person can do alone out of the water. It's fierce. It's magical.
So I invite you to meet this awesome team who, together, can list or sell a home like nobody's business. Reinvent the wheel? Hell ya, Baby! Many parts make a mighty whole. Thinking about starting your own group? Awesome. Just don't touch this one because this one is mine.
Only is lonely,
Carrie
www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com
Ms. Nostradamus Berkus Cochran Schwab Freud
Oh, to be a kid again. Remember what it was like to dream about what you wanted to be when you grew up? I went through all kinds of ideas: a pediatrician, a high fashion model, a ballerina, a newscaster, a media attorney, and a spy (the latter was my most recent wish). But then life takes a few twists and turns, and we end up where we are.
Being a Realtor isn't the most glamorous or exciting career title. However, there are many, many vocations wrapped up in this one. I think the word "Realtor" means "one who wears many hats" or "one who is just plain crazy" in some ancient language. Buying and selling houses is actually a very small portion of what we do. Life would be much easier if we were simply sales people.
Bestie. Realtors spend a lot of time with our clients. We get to know you well. We see you happy, and we see you cry. We know your life story, and your children and your goldfish. We are Facebook friends with you and follow you on Instagram. Seriously, we talk to you more than our own mothers.
Psychologist. Buying and selling a home is emotional (that is an understatement). During this time people act in ways they normally wouldn't. It is up to us to listen, comfort, and guide clients though their emotions. This, in turn, leads us running to our own psychologist.
Decorator. When selling, we possess the tools, or hire someone who does, to stage your home to sell (yes, this means putting all the Precious Moments figurines in a box). This is even more important when buying. How can you arrange your sectional to fit in this space? What can you do to this kitchen to make it look less...well...ugly? We've got your answers.
Phone Operator. You may think this is an extinct craft. Good news! The phone operator still exists...in the form of your real estate agent. Our phone rings and dings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are happy to be at your service.
Visionary. Look into our crystal ball. What do you see? Appreciation of 11%? Fun neighbors? A Walmart being built behind this home in five years? Only we have the answers.
Financial Advisor. Interest rates, mortgages, closing costs, taxes, appreciation and depreciation are all are part of our everyday conversations. We help you avoid dealing with Mr. Foreclosure Man or Mr. Tax Lien Fellow or Mr. What-the-Hell-Did-I-Do Guy down the road.
Jester. We don't mime or juggle (well, maybe some), but we have to bring levity to certain situations. This is serious business, and good Realtors can lighten the mood....especially me...I'm super funny.
Attorney. There is a lot of legal mumbo jumbo that Realtors oversee. A home is usually the largest purchase one will make. There are a ton of moving parts to a real estate transaction, and we are trained to deal with it. We hold a lot of the liability. You're welcome.
Bouncer. Not on my watch! Don't schedule an apportionment to look at a listing unless you are qualified. Don't send us over an offer unless it's legit. Don't try to bully our clients in any way. We're here to protect our clients, and if someone is messing with you, we'll throw their butts out.
So there you have it. Jack of all trades and master of none? Nope. The great Realtors fine tune their craft to be exceptional in all of these categories. Just don't call me at 2 a.m. and ask me to juggle while reading your inspection response.
Wishfully Thinking,
Carrie, P.I.
www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com
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