RE/MAX agent Kevin Marciniak of RE/MAX Realty 100 in Milwaukee, WI, is a finalist in the NARdiGras 2010 Video Contest and he needs your vote to win a trip to New Orleans, Nov. 5-8, for NARdiGras 2010. Watch his video (the second in the carousel) and vote for Kevin now through September 25th.   http://www.realtor.org/convention.nsf/pages/videovote

Hey everyone… Max here!

Well, it’s the Labor Day weekend and the last official weekend of summer vacation. There’s a chill in the air, the kids are heading back to school next week, and the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon team will be at the following events…

Friday, September 3^rd

Sheboygan County Fair
Plymouth, WI
The hot air balloon will launch from the fairgrounds at approximately 6:00pm (weather permitting).
For more info, and a complete schedule of events, visit www.shebcofair.com.
Sponsored by RE/MAX Universal Realty

Saturday, September 4^th

Dassel Red Rooster Days Parade
Dassel, MN
Look for the RE/MAX parade unit! Parade begins at 3:00pm.
For more info, and a complete schedule of events, visit www.dassel.com.
Sponsored by RE/MAX Today’s Properties

Well, that’s all I’ve got for you. Wish those students a great first (or second) week back at school and an awesome year!

Max…out!

SOURCE: http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/video/New-Money-For-First-Time-Buyers-in-Wisconsin-101435794.html?vid=a

August 24, 2010

DULUTH, Minn. – If you are a first time home buyer in Wisconsin with good credit wanting to put little money down on a mortgage, you might be in luck.

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) is now offering a new loan through a federal program called the Fannie Mae Advantage.

The housing authority says the loan gets first-time home buyers into a single-family home with as little as $1,000 down.

It gives them 100 percent financing with a 30-year fixed low interest rate, making the loan affordable and stable.

The homebuyers getting these loans so far have had credit scores of about 680 or higher and here in Douglas County, they must have a household income below $66,000 a year for a two person household to qualify.

There is also a limit on the price of the house homebuyers want. In Douglas County, the home can be no more than $235,000 to qualify.

Those opposed to these new loans say they can still be risky business with such a low down payment and could potentially put buyers in over their heads.

Some say it’s a similar type of loan that led to the housing crisis in the beginning.

But the executive director of the Wisconsin housing authority told us today, the loans are designed to avoid that scenario.

“The beauty about this product here is although it is zero down… we underwrite it with very strict underwriting criteria to try and mitigate the risk of forclosure,” said WHEDA’s executive director Antonio Riley.

Wisconsin is one of three states taking part in this new loan program.

One Superior realtor told me the loan is rare because it offers 100 percent financing with so little down but the interest rates, although still low, are not the lowest she has seen.

Posted to Web by Jena Pike
jpike@northlandsnewscenter.com

SOURCE: http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/video/New-Money-For-First-Time-Buyers-in-Wisconsin-101435794.html?vid=a

Hey everyone… Max here!

Wow! It’s the last weekend of August. Where has the summer gone? Not that I mind. After a few months of steamy weather, I’m a little “hot under the collar.” Get it? But seriously, the awesome RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Team will round out August by appearing at these great events. Go check one out!

Friday, August 27th

Woodbury Days 2010
Woodbury, MN
The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will give tether rides beginning at approximately 6:30pm (weather permitting)
Visit www.woodburydays.com for a complete schedule of the weekend’s events.
Sponsored by RE/MAX Results

Saturday, August 28th

Sauk Prairie Airport Fly-In and Community Day
Prairie du Sac, WI
The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will give tether rides beginning at approximately 7:00am (weather permitting)
Visit www.saukprairieairport.com for more details on the day’s festivities.
Sponsored by RE/MAX Unique Sales

Sunday, August 29th

Woodbury Days Parade
Woodbury, MN
Parade begins at 1:00 pm
Sponsored by RE/MAX Results

Rutabaga Fest Parade
Cumberland, WI
Parade begins at 1:00 pm
Visit www.cumberland-wisconsin.com/rutabagafestival.html for a complete schedule of the weekend’s events.
Sponsored by RE/MAX Island City

Wow, a busy weekend. Now get out there are enjoy it peeps!

Max… out!

The RE/MAX National Housing Report for July is now available.  This report includes the latest housing stats for 55 cities across the country as well as a National Summary.  Click here to view city reports.  Click here for the National Summary.  Feel free to use this data in your newsletters and promotional materials; just be sure to reference the RE/MAX National Housing Report as your source.

Hi everyone… Max here!

The dog days of summer are back. But that doesn’t stop the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Team! Check out these weekend events!

Saturday, August 21

Lake Geneva Jaycees 4th Annual Venetian Festival
Downtown Lake Geneva, WI
Balloon will fly over the area at approximately 7:00 am. (weather permitting)
Visit www.lakegenevajaycees.org for a complete list of the weekend’s festivities.
Sponsored by RE/MAX Geneva Realty

Steele County Free Fair
Owatonna, MN
Balloon will fly over the area at approximately 7:00 pm. (weather permitting)
Visit www.scff.org for more information on the Steele County Free Fair.
Sponsored by RE/MAX United

Sunday, August 22

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure- Central Wisconsin Affiliate
Downtown Wausau, WI
The RE/MAX 26 foot cold air inflatable will provide great branding exposure at Wausau’s inaugural Race for the Cure. Stop by and say “Hi” to the RE/MAX of Wausau associates at their booth and get “Re-Freshed” with a complementary bottle of water. Visit www.komencentralwisconsin.org  for more details on Race for the Cure- Wausau.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Max… out!

For more information click here! http://www.soldsignblog.com/webinars/ or check the training calendar at http://www.soldsignblog.com/training-and-events-calendar/

For the first time, a major real estate franchisor and the country’s largest property management franchisor are joining forces to assist renters, distressed homeowners and investors.  The historic alliance is a two-way strategy that allows industry power houses, Real Property Management (RPM) and RE/MAX, to efficiently exchange property and client referrals. 

As the housing market continues a gradual recovery, more investors are taking advantage of a growing inventory of distressed properties, while some cautious consumers are choosing to rent a home before they buy.   Through the new agreement, RPM will connect RE/MAX agents with investors ready to sell and, in turn, RE/MAX agents will recommend clients to RPM who are ready to rent.  RE/MAX agents may also refer properties to RPM for management. 

“Record numbers of foreclosures, high unemployment and stricter lending practices have resulted in lower homeownership rates,” said RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger during opening remarks Monday at the annual RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference in Denver this week.  “RE/MAX agents need to provide the best solution for each of their clients and, for many, home ownership may still be a few years away.”

Distressed properties account for nearly half of today’s U.S. home sales,   and investors represent a fifth of current buyers.  That means trained real estate professionals need to redirect their marketing efforts to address the needs of a changing homebuyer demographic.

“This cooperative agreement has significant benefits for consumers, investors, loan servicers, renters, RE/MAX agents and our franchisees,” said Kirk McGary, President of Real Property Management.  “RE/MAX and RPM are joining forces to offer the highest quality of service to consumers, while providing an effective solution to the increasing number of distressed properties on the market.”

Based in Layton, Utah, RPM doubled in size in 2010 to more than 200 offices that manage tens of thousands of properties for national loan servicers numerous banks, private lenders and individual investors.

RE/MAX and its internationally acclaimed RE/MAX University will create customized training and communications programs to ensure that participating professionals are equipped to provide their clients with the highest quality service.

“The technical capability to simultaneously connect with thousands of franchisees within both organizations is a tremendous advantage,” said Mike Ryan, Senior Vice President of Media and Training at RE/MAX.  “Also, real-time updates will provide transparency and offer an invaluable resource to lenders and servicers.”

To facilitate the implementation of the new alliance and deliver the most efficient service, RPM has created an interactive online portal where agents and property managers can make their referrals and track the progress of all transactions.

For information on Real Property Management, please visit:  www.realpropertymgt.com.

Hey everyone… Max here!

Boy oh boy, it’s HOT out there! Not that I mind- I’m full of hot air anyway! Get it? OK, enough about me. Check out these “COOL” RE/MAX Hot Air balloon events happening this weekend…

Friday, August 13 – Sunday, August 15
12^th Annual Hartford Area Chamber Balloon Rally- Hartford, WI

Check out the rally and say “Hi” to our awesome pilot Ken Walters where he will be flying the RE/MAX balloon Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday morning (weather permitting). In addition, the RE/MAX 26 foot cold air inflatable will be on display for branding all weekend and the hot air balloon will participate in the Saturday evening Balloon Glow at approximately 8:30 pm. For more information on the day’s events, visit www.hartfordchamber.org. Event sponsored by RE/MAX Lakeside

Saturday, August 14
St. Michael Daze and Knights Festival Parade
St. Michael, MN
Parade begins at 11:00am
For more information on the Daze and Knights Festival visit www.stmichaelfestival.com.
Sponsored by RE/MAX Results

Saturday, August 14
Lonsdale Community Days Parade
Lonsdale, MN
Parade begins at 2:00pm
For more information on Lonsdale Community Days visit www.lonsdale.govoffice.com
Sponsored by RE/MAX Dynamic Associates

That’s all I’ve got for you. Stay cool my peeps. Max… out!