The Mortgage Porter

Got Droid? Check out MY new favorite app: The Mortgage Porter

I'm pleased to announce the release of my first ap for smart phones, specifically Androids (I'm hoping to follow up with one for iPhone soon).

Currently* from this app, you can contact me or connect via Facebook. There's also a mortgage calculator, convenient links to my blog and favorite posts AND a button to start the preapproval process.

Just another way for us to keep in touch and for you to refer friends, family members or co-workers who are considering obtaining a mortgage for their home located in Washington.

*This is brand, spanking new and I'm sure we'll be tweaking it as time goes on. 

What features would you like to see?

Download: http://bit.ly/rhondaporter  

 

Gas Buddy may be my new Best Friend!

One of my current favorite aps for my Droid has got to be Gas Buddy.   Gas Buddy allows me to find the cheapest gas by grade in any area.   It confirms that when I'm filling up in my neighborhood of West Seattle, that I'm not paying more than I need to.  Gas Buddy helps me when I'm trying to find a gas station that won't ping my wallet more than it needs to.   

Let's face it, gas is getting very expensive!  Gas Buddy's heat map shows some scorching prices in various Seattle and Bellevue neighborhoods.

Here's some good news, you don't need to have a "smart phone" to use Gas Buddy.  You can also find out who has the best deals by visiting their site online at www.gasbuddy.com.

We all need to do what we can to save money!  What are some of your favorite tips?

My Interview of Frank Garay and Brian Stevens

The day before Seattle reBarCamp, Frank and Brian from Think Big Work Small, will be here teaching a one day class on video blogging and marketing for real estate professionals. Check out my quick video interview:

 

The NW Video Marketing Summit takes place on March 2, 2011 at the Seattle Center NW Rooms.   To RSVP or learn more about this event, please visit www.videomarketingsummit.tv the cost for the event is $100 and you'll walk away with your own video blog.  Real estate agents can receive 4 hours of c/e credit.

PS:  Seattle reBarCamp is on March 3, 2011 at the Seattle Center NW Rooms.

Links for both events are on the left.

Listen to The Mortgage Porter

I just added a new feature to The Mortgage Porter.  I'm pleased to announce that you can know listen to the articles immediately or on the go via your iPod or MP3 player.  Simply click the "listen now" under the title and you're all set!

Check it out!

A BIG tip of the hat to The Real Estate Tomato.

Something New for You at Rain City Guide

Tomorrow afternoon, Dustin Luther is featuring Rain City Conversation: a live "call-in" show hosted by Dustin with the Rain City Guide community, including yours truly.  If the shows are anything like Dustin's 4realz Roundtables, the conversations will be recorded and available following the show.   

For our first conversation, Dustin has invited all the Rain City Guide contributors to introduce ourselves--it should be a fun and entertaining way to get the ball rolling!  I hope you will call in and join us tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. PST.  For more information, click here. 

Update:  You can listen to our first RCG Converation by clicking the link below.

Are You Ready to be Hands Free with Your Cell Phone?

I'm not rushing out to buy one of those gadgits that stick in your ear so it looks like I'm  talking to myself. Effective July 1, 2008 it will be illegal to talk on your cell phone the "old fashioned way" by holding the phone with your hand to your ear in the State of Washington: you will need to be "hands free" (hopefully your hands are on your steering wheel) when you are driving a car.

Possible future laws to make our roads safer could include the following for drivers:

• no eating or drinking.
• no primping (shaving, applying make-up etc.).
• no reading (it is all ready illegal to "text" while driving in Washington).
• no deep coversations, daydreaming or yelling at the kids.

I'm sitting on the fence with getting a new phone.  I'm real unhappy with my Treo 650 and I'm eyeballing the new iPhone.   I'll figure out if I'm going to wire the car with a speaker or just use the speaker phone that I all ready have with the phone.   I don't like to have things in my ears and I'm just not a fan of trying to tell if someone is "on" or not so I can't see myself having a wireless ear phone.

What are you going to do to be compliant and hands free by July 1, 2008?

How to Apply On-Line for a Mortgage Preapproval

I recently had this excellent question from one my readers who is interested in getting preapproved:

I began filling out the loan application on the web, but stopped once I reached the part about the specific property, as I don't currently have a property in mind.  I believe what I am seeking to do [is] a true preapproval letter.  I did read your post which clarified the difference between prequalification and preapproval.  Is there a way to submit the full-doc information to you electronically to start the process for preapproval?

Mortgage Porter's On-line Application (under Favorite Links) allows you to apply for mortgage preapproval before you have a property address.   This is question is very valid because there is not a formal way to select that the property has not yet been found.  Ideally, home buyers should get preapproved before they make an offer on a home.  Anyhow, where the application asks for a property address, simply enter:

123 TBD St., Your City, WA, Your Zip  (NOTE:  I'm only licensed to help those who need a mortgage in Washington State).

During these historic times in our mortgage industry (and actually, in any time) it's crucial to get preapproved BEFORE you begin to shop for your next home.

I'm really glad that I was emailed this question so I could address it...otherwise, I might not have caught this.   Thanks!

New Mortgage Porter Feature: Economic Calendar

I just added an economic calendar to the left side of Mortgage Porter.  This intended to give readers a quick glance of what ecomonic events that may impact mortgage rates (mortgage backed securities) in the near future.   

You can also get this information (and more) by clicking on the green Mortgage Market Update button above the calendar.

Of course these days, mortgage bonds are reacting to just about anything, including fears of a rice shortage--so take this calendar with a grain of rice salt.

New Feature: On-Line Loan Application

I am so pleased to announce that I have now have a secure on-line loan application on Mortgage Porter.  You can find it at "Favorite Links" (right under my big head).

So if you would like me to assist you with a mortgage for your property located in Washington State and you are interested in financing for purchase, refinance or second mortgage, you can complete the application and I will be promptly notified.

Of course, I still welcome email, phone call interviews, web-conference and an old fashioned face to face consultation.   There are times in our busy schedules when we need flexibility and so I'm very happy to have this resource available to you.

Should you elect to complete an on-line loan application, you will be prompted to enter your email address and to create a password.  The secure site will walk you through the rest.

I look forward to adding more new features to Mortgage Porter.  Any ideas?

New Mortgage Porter Feature: Weekly Tips

Are you considering buying a home or refinancing in the future?  You can now sign up to receive weekly email tips on home buying, preparing to refinance and credit scoring.  Simply click on the links I've provided on the left side of Mortgage Porter under the green Mortgage Weekly box at Favorite Links. 

It's simple, free and I won't hound you (unless you want me to)!