Handle With Care !

 

Working retail for the past 7+ years has of course allowed me to meet lots of different people from very diffrerent backgrounds, different shopping preferences, and various outlooks on any given state of affairs. We of course do our best, whenever possible, to provide an enjoyable experience for every customer we meet. Ocassionally we meet people who unknowingly make our day pleasant and even exceptional just by being who they are. I recently had one of these experiences and it has been a daily reminder of how good people can make us better. 

Our store is located in a mall and on Saturday afternoon we have a fairly high volume of teens and pre-teens in the mall and subsequently visiting our store. On this particular Saturday afternoon two young ladies (pre-teen definitly) I would guess 11 year olds approached me with a product that they purchased earlier and asked if they were allowed to return it. "I bought it for my brother but my Mom said that he has one" she explained. I said of course you can and I noticed that they were both wearing a mask for Covid protection. I thanked them for being so polite and for wearing the mask. These girls went on to explain that they only go out together with 2 or 3 of their freinds, classmates and always wear a mask whenever they do.  They said that they take turns shopping for each other by using thier phones to show pictures and then using Venmo or Zelle to pay each other as they shopped. They told me that it's much more important to stay safely apart even though we miss hanging out together. I asked what they did when they got hungry while they were shopping. They replied that they asked their Moms to pack some snacks and that they would sit in uncrowded area (definetly not a food court) to eat. Our Moms take turns picking us up and driving us home when we finish shopping. 

          I was so taken and impressed with these young ladies. I thanked them again for being so dilligent           and careful during this difficult time for us all. I told them that by taking those pre cautions they             were not only protecting themselves but they were protecting each other and everyone that they             meet, like me! One of the girls got very excited and said to her freind "Oh that's something that               we can tell our teacher and maybe we can share it with the Class!"

These kids and so many like them are smart, careing, adaptable and our future.

         Handle with kid gloves please.

 

Think Happy - Be Happy

 Think Happy - Be Happy

Happiness comes from within. Learn how to approach each nd every day with optimism. When you're feeling down about yourself, ask yourself what advice you would give a friend, then try taking your own advice.

Move around, don't sit around. Physical activity helps to give us greater happiness and health.

Practice Optimism. Thinking positive thoughts and surrounding yourself with positive people really does help. Optimism, can be infectious. Try to socialize with optimistic people (even on social networks).

Declutter (But Save What Makes You Happy). Getting organized is good for both mind and body — A visit to The Container Store  can turn any cluttered space into a happy place. An organized pantry or closet for instance always makes us happy. We can all use help with our home office these days. The Container Store has happy solutions for all of our projects.

Spend Time With Happy People. People who are surrounded by happy people are more likely to become happy.

Value at work. Feeling cared for by one’s managers and co-workers has a significant impact on people’s sense of trust and safety. Employees who have workplace support are more likely to stay with the organization and they are more engaged in thier jobs.

So Think Happy and Be Happy!

Pandemic Effects on Homebuying

Unemployed or laid off by the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of prospective homebuyers are now struggling to make ends meet.

For most of those who are eligible, unemployment compensation is seemingly unattainable, with applications overwhelming the state web sites and a serious lack of trained personnel available to process applications, these outdated, archaic systems have failed.

Being victims of a failed system that has misled hard working folks and left most with no available financial assistance, unemployed breadwinners have no choice but to turn to their savings, including emergency savings and any savings they may have for down payments in order to provide for themselves and their families. 

It's a blessing if they have a cushion for a crisis like this one. 

Relying on emergency savings may be the only way to manage through this crisis.  The reality that many Americans face however, is that they simply don’t have enough savings set aside for that purpose. Keep in mind that the recommended minimum amount of emergency savings should equal to three months of net income per household. That makes it considerably harder for individuals and families to avoid borrowing to cover necessary expenses.

When lives return to normal, these would be first-time buyers will need to start over, to restore their credit, their savings and any homeownership dreams. By that time, the markets will need to figure out how to restore more affordability to markets across the nation. 

Job Satisfaction

 In Organizational Behavior, job satisfaction is one of the most researched variables in the workplace. So, what is job satisfaction?

Is it simply how content an individual is with his or her job, in other words, whether or not they like the job or it's individual aspects, such as the nature of work or supervision. It's important because the
result is:

Lower turnover, higher productivity, increased customer satisfaction, better employee attendance and satisfied employees tend to handle pressure better.
All of these help companies to earn higher revenues and that's what's important in business.

Creativity
Job satisfaction is always higher if creativity is involved. Creative freedom gives a sense of fulfillment when project is complete.
On the other hand, in jobs which are monotonous, the employee feels detached. The  monotony alienates and hence the job satisfaction level falls drastically.

Pay
Employees see pay as a reflection of how management views their contribution to the organization. Money not only helps people attain their basic needs but is also instrumental in providing a level of satisfaction.

Appreciation
People love to be appreciated. Even for the smaller job, to have an appreciation from colleagues and boss is important. Being acknowledged in front of everyone for a job well done gives a boost to their morale. When appreciation leads to encouragement, the ultimate result is reflected in the efficiency of work automatically. Therefore, the level of job satisfaction is always higher wherever appreciation is higher.

Fair Policies and Practice
Individuals who perceive that promotion decisions are made in a fair and just manner are likely to experience satisfaction from their jobs. Very often employees are demotivated and dissatisfied with their jobs because of percieved unfair practices at their place of work.
It is therefore of utmost importance for an organization to have a fair and equal system regarding practices and policies so that there is minimal workplace frustration.

Ethics in the Workplace

How important are ethics in a workplace environment?  After all we have goals to attain, deadlines to meet, customers to attend to and of course, ourselves to take care of.

I've been in various positions throughout my adult life on both ends of the business spectrum. I've been in positions of authority and subordination. We've all seen or worked with successful honest honorable folks and we've seen unethical people thrive in business as well.  So, how important are ethics in the workplace?

Unethical behavior falls outside of what is generally considered morally right or proper.  
A CEO, or a Manager who has no tolerance for unethical behavior in the workplace sets the standards for excellence.

In my opinion, leaders should strive to establish an ethical culture within the organization. That type of leadership may very well be emulated by their employees and filter down throughout the organization.

I believe that the health of any organization depends on how important ethical behavior is to the management team. Consequently, how ethical the employees they hire are. A business leader desiring to have a strong ethical workplace should not only weed out unethical employees but include ethical behavior as a prerequisite to hiring new employees. Fair and honest job candidates that are hired over others with questionable ethics can strengthen any organization in any number of ways. They wont mislead nor will they disrespect. They exhibit honesty and respect for the general public, respect for property and respect for peers.

Putting ethics forefront in any organization can and does ultimately provide everyone with a "pathway to professionalism".

To me ethics in the workplace are extremely important. Whether an employer or employee the question you should ask yourself is simple.  Can you tolerate working in an unethical workplace?

George Sinacori

Applying for a New Mortgage

Getting a mortgage can be a frustrating part of buying a home. 42% of home buyers said they found the mortgage experience “stressful & complicated.” It's often a struggle. Things can go wrong.
If you're out to buy a home, you have to be informed. Here are some of the things to be aware of if your looking to buy and you're applying for a new mortgage.

20% down payment mistake
A 20% down payment is attractive to Realtors & mortgage brokers. It also enables you to avoid an extra monthly fee of 0.3% to 1.15% of your total loan amount without private mortgage insurance. But with mortgage rates as low as they are, waiting for that 20% could be a mistake. As time goes on home prices typically rise and rates may very well increase. Realistically it may not be a great idea to wait until you have that much to put down.

Get pre-approved

Pre-approval is very different than pre-qualified. Pre-qualification does not require a buyer to provide any documentation. It is a conversation between the mortgage broker and the buyer that may provide a general idea of how much home they can buy. Pre-approval is much more in depth requiring credit check, income verification and assets. It is a much stronger tool. If your serious about buying, a pre-approval is a must. 

Pre-approval requires that you have enough cash reserves to afford the down payment by providing bank statements. Lenders will check that your "cash reserves have remained the same throughout the loan process, so don't move large sums of money around during the process.

Don't apply for new credit

Any new credit inquiry will affect your credit score. Also a lender underwriter may view your applying for credit line increase or borrowing more negatively and change or deny the mortgage loan. Wait until after you close on the loan to apply for any new credit. 

If your considering buying or selling a home in the near future please don't hesitate to contact me directly at 561-306-6736 or ges.rellc@ymail.com 

Best Tips to Help Sell Your House

 

 Crank up the curb appeal:  Pull weeds and trim overgrown shrubs, especially if they block windows or the path to your front door.

Paint
It's important to make your house generic. A fresh coat of neutral paint will make your home appear larger, brighter and more appealing to potential buyers.

Make repairs
Things like leaky faucets, sticky cabinets, and torn screens may seem insignificant, but they add up in the mind of a potential buyer. Buyers tend to overestimate how much repairs cost. You don't want to give them any reason not to put in a fair offer.

Rearrange
Make sure your furniture placement allows for easy traffic flow and shows the purpose of each room. If you have too much furniture, store some until you are ready to move into your new place.

Eliminate Clutter
This includes personal photos and portraits. Less is always more. The less clutter you have lying around, the more potential buyers will be able to see your home and what it offers. Buyers are interested in the house, not your stuff.

Clean and Organize
When the house is organized it displays a stress free lifestyle.
Clean every inch of your house, and don't forget to make your windows and floors sparkle. If your carpet appears old and stained, think about replacing it. Also, make sure there are no offensive odors. Purchase an air-neutralizing spray that will help remove odors without creating an overwhelming masking odor. Clean organized homes sell!

Brighten it up
Let the sun shine in, and turn on the lights. Open all blinds or curtains, make sure the house is well lit.

Make it Comfortable
Be sure potential buyers are comfortable when touring your home. Keep the A.C. on if it's warm, and heat on if it's cold.

Keep it accessible and ready to show
It may be a little inconvenient, but until you accept an offer, keep your home accessible and in tip-top shape at all times. What this means is that each room should have a clear purpose, nice flow and be clean and clutter-free. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves and their things in the home.

If you or someone that you know is considering selling or buying a home in Southeast Florida, please call or contact me for a free no obligation market analysis.
George Sinacori
516-306-6736
rebuygeorge@gmail.com
ges.rellc@ymail.com

Two Important Steps for Home Loans

Are you sitting on the sidelines wondering if you should buy a home?

Information is power, but many homebuyers aren’t evaluating all their options, potentially leaving money on the table. In fact, first-time buyer demand may be being restricted by lack of knowledge.

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal: "nearly half of U.S. home buyers don’t consult multiple lenders when they are seeking a mortgage, a government report says, raising questions about whether consumers are getting the best possible deal."

You can take two important steps to get educated and learn how to save on your home loan.

1. Shop your loan…and your down payment

Nearly half of buyers don’t shop around for their mortgage.
An analysis by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), revealed that 47% never considered more than one lender. The CFPB also debunks the myth that shopping around lenders will hurt your credit score. When multiple credit checks are concentrated over a short period of time, they are typically treated as one inquiry and won’t hurt your credit score, according to the CFPB.

You should not only shop lenders, but also compare different loan types to evaluate your cash needed to close, monthly payments and other fees.

What about the down payment? One of the key misconceptions among buyers is what’s necessary for a down payment. Many mortgage professionals say that consumers either believe that they must have a 20 percent down payment, or that it would difficult to get a home with less.
However, there are many low down payment options and down payment programs that can get you in a home much sooner for less down.

2. Research down payment programs.

71 percent of Americans don’t know about down payment programs.
A recent survey found that most buyers simply are unaware of down payment programs and therefore aren’t even investigating these additional home financing options. Two common misconceptions about down payment assistance are that only low-income buyers can qualify for it, and that it isn’t available to first-time homebuyers. But that’s not the case.

The fact is there are a wide range of programs available in every community across the country—more than 2,400 programs. Ask your lender or agent about down payment program options that can be combined with your first loan. You can also find affordable home loans through your state or local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs). Some of these programs feature lower minimum down payment requirements, competitive interest rates, down payment programs and homeownership counseling.

Prioritize these two steps before you start touring homes. After you have your home loan details in order, you’ll know what homes and price points will best fit your situation.

Call 561-306-6736 or contact me at ges.rellc@ymail.com for more info on shopping for a home loan.

Preparing to Buy a Home

Despite what we see in TV ads, there are things to do to prepare for buying a home. You can't just waltz in and declare "I'll take it!" 

Here's a checklist of some of the things you need to do to get ready to buy a home.

Check your credit score
Please do not start browsing homes until you have checked your credit score. This is what mortgage lenders will look at to determine whether you are “creditworthy." The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate. Get a free copy of yours at Credit Karma, Annual Credit Report or some credit card companies provide free credit scores.

Shop for a mortgage lender
A prospective home buyer will need to qualify for a mortgage and confirm how much of a mortgage they can afford,” Different mortgage lenders offer a wide variety of rates and programs, so find the best rate and mortgage option for you.

Secure mortgage pre-approval
Once you've found the mortgage that's right for you, you'll want to show sellers that you have what it takes to buy their home. A pre-approval is required for a seller to take your offer seriously and to assure the seller that you’re both willing and able.

Save up for a down payment
To get the best rates, you'll need to make at least a 20% down payment on a home. That's a lot of money! But if that amount is out of reach, don't worry—most people put down less.
No Changes
“Do not switch jobs. Do not buy a new car. Do not buy furniture or apply for a new credit card. 
Find a real estate agent
There's no reason to go it alone.  Professional help can make the whole process much easier.

Make a realistic list
You need to be realistic about what are truly “wishes" and what are "non-negotiables" —such as the number of bedrooms, a fenced yard for a pet, a specific school district, etc.

Browse listings
Search by price, number of bedrooms, location, and other variables to start narrowing down your options. Forward any properties that you find interesting to your Realtor so that they can look further into them and schedule showings for you. Viewing online listings is one thing; seeing the properties in person is quite another. While you’re in each home, take photos and make notes so they don’t all run together in your mind.

The Neighborhood
You’re not just buying the property you’re looking at; you’re also buying into the whole neighborhood. That’s why you have to be certain that it has the vibe you want. The best way to find out more about a community is to talk to neighbors, and to visit the neighborhood in the evening when families are home.

Call, text or email
Call or text me directly at 561-306-6736
email me at ges.rellc@ymail.com or rebuygeorge@gmail.com

Home Buying in a Sellers Market

Hearing the phrase “seller’s market” can concern many home buyers. While buying a home in a seller’s market isn’t easy, it can be done. You just have to know how to make an offer that will stand out.

There are ways to improve your chances. Let’s focus on the ways you can present an offer to help make it more appealing. And remember, in a hot market, other buyers are your competitors.
Besides coming in with the top price, the best thing you can do to rise to the top of the offers pile is to eliminate as many contingencies as you possibly can. Do you need to sell your current house before buying? In a buyers market or even a balanced market, you may be able to make your offer contingent on the sale of your existing home. Not so much in a hot market. Why should they wait for you to sell your house before they sell theirs when they’ve got other buyers ?
The sale of a current home is only one of many contingencies that may be incorporated into a typical home purchase contract. Contingencies are possible  deal-killers and the seller knows it. Each one is designed to protect the buyer. So how much protection are you willing to give up to boost your chance of getting the house?

You may be tempted to waive all contingencies, like inspection, appraisal and financing. That’s risky and you would be well advised not to. Instead, try to minimize the effect of the contingencies.
Shorten the compliance times instead. Rather than having home inspection completed in 14 days, offer to do it within 5 days. A seller is looking to get to closing as quickly and easily as possible. A buyer who is willing to move quickly in the process will appeal to a seller.
You can also change the terms of your inspection contingency. Instead of a traditional inspection contingency where you can come back and request repairs from the seller, you can buy the house “as-is” but with a due-diligence inspection. That means you have a specified number of days to conduct a detailed inspection of the home.

If you find minor things that would normally be negotiated with the seller, you just accept them. But if you discover something major, you can simply cancel the sale. The seller knows you aren’t going to nickel-and-dime them for every little thing or delay the sale for minor repairs.
Financing contingencies are another big hurdle. You are (or should be) pre-approved before making an offer, but you still want to include that contingency in case something happens to keep you from getting a loan. That’s one reason cash is king. A buyer who doesn’t need a loan to buy a home will rise to the top of the offer pile.

Most buyers don't have a lot of cash sitting around and need to secure a loan to buy a house. Providing a pre-approval letter and putting as much toward a down payment as you reasonably can helps to make an offer strong. A larger down payment indicates that you are in a strong financial position and less likely to have financing issues come up.

Appraisal contingency is slightly different from the financing waiver. This one says if the house doesn’t appraise for the sales price, you can renegotiate. If you’re getting a mortgage, your lender will insist that the house appraise for the contract price. If it doesn’t, you can either renegotiate price, pay the difference up front or walk away. But if you’ve waived the appraisal contingency, you’ll walk away without your earnest money.
real estate market.

Earnest money is the deposit you make with an offer. The point is to show that you’re serious and you’re willing to put some cash up to insure that you won’t back out of the deal for no reason without losing your earnest money. To a seller, a larger earnest money deposit signals that you are a serious buyer.

Call or contact me for more valuable tips on buying or selling in today's real estate market.