Is this a want or a need?  A question that I have begun to ask myself each time I need to make a money decision and it’s amazing the difference that it’s making in my life.  Being financially successful, isn’t always about making MORE money.  It’s about keeping the money that you’ve got!  Don’t let […] The post Surviving The Credit Crisis – Saving and Protecting Your Money appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Is this a want or a need?  A question that I have begun to ask myself each time I need to make a money decision and it’s amazing the difference that it’s making in my life.  Being financially successful, isn’t always about making MORE money.  It’s about keeping the money that you’ve got!  Don’t let seemingly endless dollars slip through your fingers withunnecessary fees and unconscious spending. Even in business…making wise business decisions is critical to the health of your business and...

BUYING A HOME is usually one of the biggest dreams we have as adults. But signing and closing on a mortgage loan is really just the beginning of your homeowner responsibilities! Once you close, it’s always important to factor into your life the unpredictable or unexpected things that can show up and sometimes blindside you […] The post Surviving the Credit Crisis – Your Home is not an ATM Machine! appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

BUYING A HOME (http://www.karensimpsonhankins.com/) is usually one of the biggest dreams we have as adults. But signing and closing on a mortgage loan is really just the beginning of your homeowner responsibilities! Once you close, it’s always important to factor into your life the unpredictable or unexpected things that can show up and sometimes blindside you if you’re not prepared.   Items such as: * A sudden illness or family emergency * A loss of job * Change in your family or...

It’s that time of year again when everyone is busy shopping and preparing for Christmas. I know for me, the stress of trying to get everything done between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be overwhelming! You’re trying to share your time, gifts, and good wishes with everyone you care about and the Christmas spending can get […] The post Surviving the Credit Crisis – Don’t Let Holiday Shopping Break Your Budget! appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

It’s that time of year again when everyone is busy shopping and preparing for Christmas. I know for me, the stress of trying to get everything done between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be overwhelming! You’re trying to share your time, gifts, and good wishes with everyone you care about and the Christmas spending can get out-of-control! The media, TV, commercialism, and large retailers make us believe the more expensive the gift the more you love! Leaving consumers feeling pressured that...

Join me today as my guest, Harris Glasser, Author of the best-selling book “It’s My Money & I Want it!” and I discuss how Harris’ lifetime experience as a successful entrepreneur in a variety of successful businesses has taught him how to easily deal with various financial situations, so that you can keep that hard […] The post Surviving the Credit Crisis – Is Self-Employment for YOU? appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Join me today as my guest, Harris Glasser, Author of the best-selling book “It’s My Money & I Want it!” (http://www.harrishelps.org/) and I discuss how Harris’ lifetime experience as a successful entrepreneur in a variety of successful businesses has taught him how to easily deal with various financial situations, so that you can keep that hard earned cash!  This is Part 2 of a 3-part series and today’s topic is all about “Navigating the World of Business.”   Some of the items that we...

We’ve heard so much about foreclosures in the news, especially during the mortgage/credit crisis, but are foreclosures still impacting our markets today? The short answer is…Yes! Some areas more than others, but regardless of where you live, a foreclosure in your neighborhood will impact the resale value of your home and maybe even the perception […] The post Surviving the Credit Crisis – Are Foreclosures Still a Threat in Today’s Market? appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

We’ve heard so much about foreclosures in the news, especially during the mortgage/credit crisis, but are foreclosures still impacting our markets today? The short answer is…Yes! Some areas more than others, but regardless of where you live, a foreclosure in your neighborhood will impact the resale value of your home and maybe even the perception of your entire neighborhood! Join me as my guest, Scott Wentland, Professor of Economics at Longwood University...

Buying a home can be one of the most challenging investments we make in our lifetime. The complexity of the transaction combined with your own unique financial goals and the lender’s depth of knowledge can leave everyone in a state of confusion. The solution is understanding how to determine the best lender and loan for […] The post Surviving the Credit Crisis – How to Survive, Strive, and Thrive in the NEW Real Estate Economy! appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Buying a home can be one of the most challenging investments we make in our lifetime. The complexity of the transaction combined with your own unique financial goals and the lender’s depth of knowledge can leave everyone in a state of confusion. The solution is understanding how to determine the best lender and loan for your long or short-term goals. Unfortunately, with this roller coaster economy, a large percentage of consumers are not only losing sleep over financial concerns and...

Money affects every element of our lives, but are you in control of your money or is your money controlling you?  I’m not talking about budgeting, though having a budget or plan is important.  I’m talking about being able to identify your wants from your needs… and that can take some thought!  What early life […] The post Surviving the Credit Crisis – It’s My Money & I Want It! appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Money affects every element of our lives, but are you in control of your money or is your money controlling you?  I’m not talking about budgeting, though having a budget or plan is important.  I’m talking about being able to identify your wants from your needs… and that can take some thought!  What early life lessons have shaped your view of money and how you use it?  Are you using it at its highest and best use?  The trick to having more money isn’t always making more money, it’s keeping the...

We continually talk about the importance of a reliable cash flow when it comes to financial security and growing wealth.  And while I believe in diversified investments, I have always believed that you can never go wrong with real estate.  The important thing to remember though is that it’s usually a long-term investment.  An investment that […] The post Surviving the Credit Crisis – Retire Rich With Rentals! appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

We continually talk about the importance of a reliable cash flow when it comes to financial security and growing wealth.  And while I believe in diversified investments, I have always believed that you can never go wrong with real estate.  The important thing to remember though is that it’s usually a long-term investment.  An investment that rides the waves, both ebb and flow, of our fluctuating economic tides. Join me today as my guest, Kathy Fettke, CEO and Founder of the Real Wealth...

For a Senior homeowner, there comes a time when the family home is no longer a good fit for their needs.  The home may be too large, too expensive, or too much work to maintain and the Senior needs to downsize. Join me today as my guest, Sam Benson (http://walnutcreekseniors.com/), a Walnut Creek California Real Estate Broker (http://sambensonrealty.com/), and I discuss the strategy and process involved in senior downsizing. Is a smaller home an option?  Or is an “over 55” development, an...

How do you create real everlasting wealth?  The kind of wealth that is here today and tomorrow! Join me today as my guest, Chris Miles (http://www.moneyripples.com/) also known as “The Cash Flow Expert” and I discuss the 3 steps to everlasting wealth. It’s all about working smarter not harder and mindset plays a big part to your success! Learn how cash flow, savings, and the right secure investments will change your life! Real estate is always a long-term secure investment and getting a...

When I’m working with a client on a new home purchase (http://www.karensimpsonhankins.com/), one of the first things I recommend to them at application is to start shopping for homeowner’s insurance.  There are so many things to think about when shopping for insurance and building a lasting relationship with your agent!  Not only do you want to have the right coverage, but you also want to work with someone that’s going to be there when you need them!  So many people seem to leave this...

Every day, I speak with potential home buyers looking for their piece of the real estate dream.  But with a tight inventory and lower priced homes in short supply, prices continue to climb and we are back to the days, pre-credit crisis, when multiple offer situations were a normal part of business!  Clients tell me that they find a house that they’re interested in and it’s gone before they have a chance to make an offer or they’re in a multiple offer scenario with prices quickly rising above...

Manufactured Homes can be a lower cost option for many home buyers, especially those looking for acreage.  But…they are a unique product type and come with a separate set of lending requirements.  Due to the credit crisis these last few years, lenders are being a lot more critical and cautious when it comes to what they consider to be higher risk properties.  With all the different levels of manufacturing quality, age, economic life elements, and the fact that a lot of these properties are...

In the past, retirement used to be constructed like a 3-legged stool with pension, social security and savings. But in today’s environment many companies are doing away with pensions and social security is being delayed, taxed or potentially reduced! This is requiring consumers to save more now to ensure that they will have a sufficient cash flow for retirement down the road. Join me today for an exciting, but a little scary discussion, on why you will not be able to rely on social security...

With the continued tightening of underwriting guidelines by lenders, an appraisal is the most critical component in determining risk by the lender. But…from a consumer point-of-view, I am continually asked, “Is an appraisal really necessary?” I don’t believe that most consumers really understand what an appraisal actually is, what it includes, and how a lender will evaluate that information when approving or denying a loan! Join me today as my guest, Gail Wood of High Desert Appraisal, and I...

Join me today for another episode of “Ask Karen” where I dedicate the entire show to answering your questions. We’ve been getting a ton of questions from Facebook, LinkedIn, and my blog and I’m sure we’ve got the answers that you’ve been looking for! The topics we will be covering today include: · What is a full-documented loan? · When does it make sense to refinance? · What is a conforming loan? · What is the difference between a pre-approval and a pre-qualification? · What are the...

Very few options remain in this new real estate economy when it comes to zero down payment options, but the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan may just be the home loan program that you are looking for. It can be the perfect option for low to moderate income home buyers and the best part is…you don’t have to be a first-time home buyer! The program is also available to repeat buyers as long as you qualify under the program income and property guidelines. Don’t wait another minute just because...