THE HOLIDAYS ARE AN EYE OPENER

With the new legislation in place regarding banks offering modifications HOMEOWNERS BEWARE.  Should your lender send out information for you to submit to them for modifications, contact  your real estate agent!

Not only is it imperative you keep them informed of what the bank is sending you, it is imperative you know that some banks are sending this out and canceling short sales should you submit any information.

Banks cannot do short sales and modifications. They can do one or the other.  Recently I have had one major bank who proclaims to be the largest in the industry cancel  the short sale in progress stating the home owner requested the information when in fact they did not. 

If you are seeking a loan modification there are specific time frames to respond to this and assistance for you to do so.  However, let your realtor know the literature you are getting as banks are intending this as a way to get you off the books for short sales!!

Report from Inman news today show that 5 companies accused of  using deceptive practices for mortgage modifications and foreclosure rescue services have been hit by the federal trade commission and have had letters sent to them as well as 71 others.

The FTC announced it had filed complaints seeking restraining orders against three companies -- Federal Loan Modifications Law Center, Bailout.hud-gov.us, and Home Assure (doing business as Expert Foreclosure). The FTC has also obtained temporary restraining orders and frozen the assets of two other companies, Hope Now Modifications LLC, and New Hope Property LLC, doing business as New Hope Modifications.

The official site of the Obama administration's "Making Home Affordable" refinance and loan modification program is www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov. An industry alliance of loan servicers provides assistance at www.HopeNow.com and through a toll-free hotline, (888) 995-4673.

There is a GREAT MESSAGE IN CHILDRENS VOICES

Santa visited Livingston County On Sunday at the Insights Group Building and had some touching stories that he wanted to share with you. The opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives, young and old, and give to your community is very rewarding and sobering. What Santa was grateful for was the smiles and the amazement that comes from children. The innocence of their faces and their questions are reminders of how joyous the simple things in life are. At the same time some of those innocent faces and their requests also remind us that as a community we need to be supportive of each other and give to the many in need, no matter what the gift. Portraits with Santa were an opportunity for some local businesses to come together and give back to a community that has many needs.

A very excited grandmother brought her grandchildren for pictures. Her gift to her daughter at Christmas is the photo capturing the faces of the children she rarely gets to see together. The donation she gave for the picture was from her social security check. “Priceless”.

Santa asked the young boy who sat on his lap with the sports sweater, what’s your favorite sport? He replied “Baseball, I used to play baseball but we can’t afford it anymore.”

Another young lady, so perfectly dressed and eager to discuss with Santa her wish list, was very mindful that her five items she really wanted might be too much to ask for. She limited the list she made, cut out the pictures and instead put in three. She also wanted to make sure Santa knew they were all under $25.00. The list was left for Santa knowing that she trusted him to see that she was mindful of his time and the cost of each gift.

Another family who drove over 25 miles for their photo had to turn around after they left from home to get the present they made for Santa. A Christmas ornament for Santa’s tree was the present they gave him. Bigger than the present was the message. There is still gratitude and belief in the simple gift of giving.

There were families who came for their first baby’s Christmas photo and families who came for their only Childs photo. There were children who posed with Santa and mimicked reindeer and children who were unsure of Santa but so excited to see him! All who came will have had an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s lives this Christmas. Besides the precious faces on these photos that were taken the most joyous and happy part is they will make a difference in someone else’s holidays. The donations give for the portraits with Santa will be extended to the Women’s Resource Center this holiday season. We have collected $375.00 to date and hope to collect more!

Many thanks to Louise Starbird of Photoworks Studio who spearheaded this event and Allan Curtis of Insights Group who painted the beautiful backdrop for this Christmas setting. Thanks Santa for stopping by and thank your elves and helpers who made this day possible. If you have a chance to make a difference in someone else’s life this holiday season make sure you do so. It is in giving that we receive.

TO VIEW SOME OF THESE FABULOUS PHOTOS PLEASE CLICK photos at the link below.

http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=pluckpersona&U=e11c814566144da6a3376bbf5101530b

Happy Holidays,

The McCrearyFamily