Ken Cook: Hall of Fame, Booster | Real Estate Technology Conference | REtechSouth

RETSO welcomes you to Ken Cook’s Share the Love Page
Ken loves you and RETSO loves you both right back!

All of us at REtechSouth believe that ‘together we’re better’ and that’s why we work closely with people like Ken – and now you! Relationships are what make our industry succeed, and we are happy to share the love and help facilitate opportunities to connect people. Making technology more human is a big part of what REtechSouth hopes to accomplish every day.

Ken is supporting RETSO 2010 and this page allows us to pass along exclusive savings to you. Purchase your tickets through the links below and enjoy 10% savings on all ticket types, courtesy of your friend Ken!

via retechsouth.com

http://www.retechsouth.com/kencook/ - we are expecting 750 plus this year for the 2 day event in Gwinnett Georgia. Join me on Thursdays at noon for RETech Radio at http://blogtalkradio.com/jckc (30 minute show)

Posted via web from Georgia FHA

Agents respond to sweeping FHA changes on the horizon

Fed Chair Ben Bernanke recognizes the importance of keeping interest rates low at this crucial time.

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

Reaction is wide ranging on the heels of the announcement by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary (HUD) Shaun Donovan's announcement that sweeping changes are coming for guidelines for loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Earlier this week Donovan announced to Congress the levels of reserves for FHA are nearly 1.5% lower than mandated by law. In an effort to recover the reserves the department expects to announce several changes in early 2010. Changes may come as early as the first week of January.

Skin in the game is the phrase of the day

""Certainly credit score isn't a guarantee that people will stay in their homes, but the more 'skin in the game' a person has the less likely they are to walk away without fighting for it." Says Jessica Horton of Jessica Horton and Associates in Hampton, Georgia.

via examiner.com

It's a touchy subject and I invite your comments on Examiner.com

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-30970-Atlanta-Mortgage-Industry-Examiner~y2009m12d5-Agents-respond-to-sweeping-FHA-changes-on-the-horizon

Posted via web from Georgia FHA

Massive and sweeping changes to lending

Just when you thought the changes were slowing here come some of the most sweeping changes in the mortgage industry in decades. Brokers are all but gone - down to numbers less than 20% of less than two years ago. In Georgia alone the number of licensed mortgage brokers has dropped from 8700 to only 1800 in less than 24 months. Brokers may very well soon be all but dinosaurs.

Get ready for the opportunity to participate, and present, to hundreds of real estate and mortgage people across the nation about how to beat the changes and still provide services for your clients. Bankers, lenders, real estate agents, appraisers, and others will be invited to join.

Stay tuned! (Ken Cook 678-439-8683 or reibroker@gmail.com)

Posted via web from Georgia FHA

FTC and HUD urge caution about loss mitigation and foreclosure rescue companies

Article this morning on Examiner.com should be shared with all of your friends, family or clients who may be facing foreclosure, default or bankruptcy.

With the equity bleeding out of American housing, increasing numbers of jobless home owners and Federal bank bailouts not working according to plan it is the perfect storm for raiders of hope. 

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-30970-Atlanta-Mortgage-Industry-Examiner~y2009m11d24-FTC-and-HUD-urge-caution-about-loss-mitigation-and-foreclosure-rescue-companies

Posted via web from Georgia FHA

Mortgage interest rates vary

When shopping for a home loan it requires only a couple of telephone calls to discover interest rates are not created equally.

via examiner.com

My first Sunday morning Examiner.com article. We mortgage people are constantly explaining why a borrower is not getting the same rate they saw or heard in an advertisement and why even the company who advertised it will not honor it for them. This article will help.

Posted via web from Ken's posterous

Yet Another Pic of My Head

This is a picture of my head. I'm not sure why people always ask for a picture of my head but one day I'm bound to see a dart board with this on it at a yard sale.

Actually, in this case, I know this was for our AmericaHomeKey, Inc., 2009 Christmas Party - how it will be abused is the question which remains to be answered.

Meanwhile if you see me on the street holding a coffee cup it is likely I may need some spare change but please ask before donating. Or, when you are ready for a fun speaker for your next mortgage, real estate or social media meeting, training session or event - here I am!

Call me - 678-439-8683 or get me on Skype

Power 4 Purchase for Buyers with Bad Credit

I hate to use the terms "bad credit" and give anyone a false impression. If the buyer has missed payments, been late often, had judgments or foreclosures or even bankkruptcy the challenge of repairing and rebuilding credit is much more involved. Be very careful and cautious about people telling you they can increase your credit by disputing everything bad on your credit. Not only is that a misrepresentation of the facts it actually can be considered credit fraud.

Power 4 Purchase works much differently than the average "web sites for credit restoration" in that the director has years of experience as a credit bureau insider and does not charge any upfront fee to examine your credit and make recommendations.

So if you are in Georgia and you are interested in purchasing a home, even with Georgia FHA home mortgage loan programs, and you have some minor credit issues or no credit at all don't hesitate to call Ken Cook at 678-439-8683 and ask about the Power 4 Purchase program. It only works with his mortgage bank so if you're already working with someone else who cannot get it done you will need to switch.

Ken works at AmericaHomeKey, Inc., in Marietta, Georgia.

AmericaHomeKey, Inc., 2870 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta, Georgia 30062 is Georgia residential mortgage licensee 23191.

FHA 203(k) Streamline Loans

If you are planning on purchasing a home in this rough economy you'll definitely want to know about the FHA 203(k) loan program. It's a standard FHA home loan at the same rates and closing costs as any FHA home loan but it allows you, as a buyer or existing home owner, to finance the costs of rehab or upgrade into the loan amount.

One thing the FHA 203(k) home loan will not do is allow you to add on to the existing structure. In fact there can be no structural repairs or upgrades. The FHA 203(k) will allow you to replace windows, put on a new roof, paint, carpet, upgrade a kitchen, re-plumb ... many other things.

Check out the FHA 203(k) information at the link provided for Georgia and Florida home loans.

Georgia FHA Streamline Rates at All-Time Low

Mortgage interest rates for FHA streamline refinances in Georgia are at an all time low. Qualification is still very simple if you have an existing FHA home loan and you are current with your payments the application and closing process can be very simple.

Most home owners are qualified for the FHA streamline refinance in just a matter of a couple of days and at closing within a week or so. Closing costs may be paid out of pocket, rolled into the loan amount or even compensated through YSP (while it still exists).

Credit score, income, assets, and appraisal are not a consideration at this time although it is very likely that the last mortgage note investor who allows "no credit check" FHA streamline refinances will be modifying that policy in the near future.

The best way to know if you qualify is to telephone the Georgia FHA streamline refinance specialist at 678-946-0101 and ask for Ken Cook. Ken is the Social Media Director and top originator at Novation Mortgage at 2501 E Piedmont Road in Marietta, Georgia. They are Georgia residential mortgage licensee #20014 and an equal housing lender.