July 5th - Did You Miss Your Golden Opportunity?

Jill and I look forward to holidays but for different reasons than most. We see holidays as a great opportunity for those struggling to get a home. Many of our past FHA clients who had been previously losing bidding wars were finally able to find homes over holidays with the dip in the competition. While the bulk of the shoppers were out enjoying themselves on holiday trips - our clients were out looking for homes and placing offers. Is it a sure fire way? No, but your odds of getting a home can go way up!

Jill Presents our South Korean Visitors to Burbank's Mayor and City Council

On Tuesday June 29th, 2010 Jill Presented our South Korean Visitors to Burbank's Mayor and City Council. Jill and I have been involved with Burbank Sister Cities Committee for the past two three years and think it is a wonderful program. Our son Brandon has travelled as a student delegate to Incheon South Korea two years ago and this year he will be visiting Ota Japan for two weeks.


City Council Meeting

Happy Holiday Weekend!

Jill and I will be out on the streets of Burbank this weekend placing small American flags in the yards of the local residents. If you live in Burbank, California and would like a small flag for your yard - leave us a note and we will try to stop by. Act quickly - our supply is limited. Have a great weekend!

Locked up for MDA

Please Help Me!!! I'm being arrested Wednesday 06/23/2010 and put in jail for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Lock-up. Don’t even bother asking what crime I have committed – it’s not really that important. I just have to raise my bail of $1250.00 before the Lock-Up and they will go easy on me, but I need your financial assistance to post my bond. Please lend your support during the:


MDA Lock Up June 23rd 12:00 P.M. - Smoke House Restaurant – Burbank

Your 100% tax-deductible donation will help MDA continue research into the cause and the possible cure of the 43 neuromuscular diseases they cover. Your support of the MDA Lock-Up will also help MDA provide medical equipment, clinic visits, support groups and a magical week of MDA Summer Camp for the families served by the Association in our local area.


Visit my site and make a donation today!

https://www.joinmda.org/burbank2010/philipkeppel


Thank you for your support!

Phil

Open House for June 27th 2010 1 - 4 P.M. Excellent Opportunity!

Come join Jill and I this Sunday as we host an open house at 707 N. Valley Street in Burbank, CA 91505 from 1-4 P.M. Here is the run down:

4 bedroom
3 bathroom
2,867 sq ft living space
6,000 sq ft lot
Year built 1941
Tree lined Street!

Hope to see you there. Wear comfortable shoes and proper offer writing attire!

3rd Annual - Bill Toth and Associates Community Carnival!

Please join our office in celebrating community spirit as we host our 3rd annual carnival on Saturday June 26th. All are welcome. Hope to see you there!

Help - I'm FHA and having trouble landing a house!

This is not an uncommon problem in the Burbank/Los Angeles area. In the grand scheme of things, when a homebuyer is looking at offers, cash buyers are most preferred, followed by the large down payment crowd, next are the high FICO score group, then lastly the FHA people.

Unfair? Absolutely, but sellers all look for the sure thing with the least amount of problems. Think of how you would react to the before mentioned offers. If you have an all cash offer and an FHA buyer before you, you know that with the cash offer you will have less worries about appraisals, code requirements, or the buyer's ability to get their loan and close on time. Basically speaking, the higher the risk - the more concern a seller will have with potential buyers.

So how does an FHA buyer get a home then? I hear this from frustrated FHA buyers all the time. They tell me that they have been battling for months writing offers only to be beaten out each time by cash buyers. My answer is simple. Get an agent who is responsive and proactive. Jill and I work with FHA buyers all the time and have not had much problems finding and closing deals for them - mainly because we focus on working quickly and smartly.

Time is of the essence when finding a home for an FHA client. Also, one needs to be smart in the approach. One can not low-ball a competitively priced property that is new to the market and expect favorable returns. If you like the home and you are FHA - you need to go in quickly with as strong an offer as you are comfortable submitting. The goal is to get the seller to accept your offer before others come in. That is the key - plain and simple. Know the competition and play to win.