Matthew Heavener's (heavenerrealtyco) Blog

I recently had a humorous experience with my nine year old son.  He is a very intelligent boy who was carrying all "A's" with the exception of spelling where he was carrying an "F".  I was getting frustrated because we were studying 10 hours per week and he just couldn't get the words to stick.  ...

I don't go head to head with other REALTORS for listings very often.  Mostly, I work from referrals, but the other day I arrived and found out I was being compared to another REALTOR.  I did my best dog and pony show, and at the end I asked them to make a decision.  That was when I was caught off...

I have done a few REOs in my time, but I still get steamed at the closing costs charged by the settlement agents chosen by the banks.  The one I am closing today charged $950 as a closing fee, $675 for a simultaneous issue mortgagee's policy, and a $250 courier fee.  Many of these addendums to th...

I have been working with a couple who want to purchase a shortsale or REO.  I understand the buyers want to take advantage of these deals right now.  However, I am horrified at the lack of service that the listing agents are putting into these transactions.  I cannot believe that agents will use ...

In Florida you can steal, rape and murder so long as you disclose the fact you are going to up front (well that may be a slight exaggeration).  So, it always amazes me that sellers will try to cover up functional deficiencies in their houses.  If they are disclosed the buyer has no way to come ba...

Dear Constituents: On Wednesday, the House passed House Bill 743 Mortgage Fraud by Representative Lopez-Cantera and House Bill 346 Foreclosure Rescue Fraud by Representative Ford. HB 743 Mortgage Fraud increases the penalty for mortgage fraud when the loan value is greater than $100,000 and autho...

I couple of years ago I sold a house to a couple who were young and could barely afford anything.  He was an aspiring children's pastor, and his wife was still finishing college.  I asked them if they would be willing to get something that needed "TLC", and they said that would be a good idea.  S...

It never ceases to amaze me.  People become so obsessed with getting something that they will resort to screaming.  I was in a closing awhile back, and there was an issue over a $500 repair that had not been completed.  I represented the buyer, and recommended that the seller contribute $500 towa...

Around the end of the 19th century an insurance salesman in France had been working on a wealthy prospect that notoriously refused to give any value to life insurance.  The salesman persisted and persisted until one day he convinced the man to purchase a sizable policy.  However, at the time the ...

I would be willing to bet that if an agent has been in the business a month, they have run across a buyer who just doesn't mind wasting his/her time.  I have shown up only to finish showing the house and have the prospect say, "OK we'll get our agent to call you."  I have asked people, "Are you c...