For those hoping to purchase their first home in Oakland County there could be help from the American Dream Downpayment Initiative.  This group lends $10,000 for downpaymant and closing costs to first time home buyers in 50 participating communities in the county.  The American Dream Downpayment Initiative is a federally funded program, dedicated to providing funds to increase the overall homeownership rate, especially among lower income households, while revitalizing and stabilizing communities. Sounds like something we could use more of!  The program is regulated through the Department of Housing & Urban Development.

For more information on the program, please contact Dorothy Melvin Johnson, ADDI Coordinator, at 248-858-0495.

For those of you who hear me talking about the deer that live in the woods behind our condo...I offer this proof.  This hungry critter could see me sitting at my desk but decided that munching on my pile of bird food was worth the risk.  His/her twin and their mom were eating the corn in my squirrel food feeder.  Any port in the storm this time of year eh?  Earlier this week I video taped the whole herd - about 8 deer - feeding on my neighbors bird food.

We had a guest speaker at our staff meeting this morning from Trott and Trott, the legal firm that represents many of the larger lenders in our area when they foreclose on properties.  I was able to learn a great deal from the attorney they sent to speak about the foreclosure process to our staff.  This evening I received a call from someone facing a Sheriff Sale in March on their home in Oakland County.  Based on the information presented at the meeting this morning I was able to (hopefully) give this person some advice that could likely help them stop the foreclosure and stay in the home they love. Being a Realtor is not all about buying and selling real estate.  Sometimes it's about helping someone stay in their home.

If you know someone facing foreclosure or having a problem making their mortgage payments, have them call us.  We're happy to give an honest assessment of their options.

Watch this video about how to stop foreclosure on your property before it's too late!  Click on this link and watch the video right now!!  If you have questions, please call us to see if we can help.

This morning I added an article that was forwarded to us by one of our team members.  This is the best article we've seen relating to short sales vs. foreclosure and how it effects your credit.  I've added the article to our website and you can find it under RESOURCES - KNOWLEDGE BASE.  If you have other questions regarding the time frame or consequences of a short sale vs. foreclosure please give us a call.