bentleyWIRE | blogged

So we're ecstatic to set sail on our new blogging adventures. Our purpose for doing so is to provide a two-way medium where we can all learn and educate sans any BS.

We're all hell-bent on delivering exceptional value throughout the home loan process and beyond. This is one of our tools to do so. We always have and always will "tell it like it is" for the sake of "The Golden Rule" and to bring integrity back to an industry that has been plagued with a stigma similar to that of the "used car salesman".

Our hope is that your feedback and reply posts will serve to only increase the value of our blog to everyone.

In the end, we're confident that each and every one of our blog posts will serve to increase your standard of living (e.g. save you money, make you money, provide entertainment value, etc.)

Primarily, we'll focus on topics related to real estate and finance for starters.

So step on in and hang on tight...here we go!!!

BTW...if you find our blog to be of value, be sure to share it with others =)!

If you feel your home has decreased in market value over the past year or so, be certain to claim your benefit.

We're advising all of our clients to take a close look at their property's assessed value as calculated by your county assessor.  If you feel the market value is less than this figure, then it's your right to appeal the assessed value with the county assessor's office. I personally completed an appeals form a month ago and mailed it in indicating 4 or 5 comparable homes within a 1/2 mile radius which sold for considerably less than my assessed value within the past 1 year.  I'll be certain to let everyone know the results of the appeals review. However, I'm highly confident that it will be reduced amounting to a savings of at least $500 in property taxes per year.

I'd say that was well worth the 15 mins to print, complete and mail the form. Most county assessor's offices will have their own webpage you can Google. Come back and let us know how you fared on your request for review.

Here's a recent article from the San Jose Mercury News:

http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_6290554?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com&nclick_check=1

We all know what I'm about to explain. However, it needs to be placed at the forefront of your financial mindset at all times...and I can assure you that I've run across many a bozo who has lost it somewhere along the way. Most rules are very simple and this one is no exception.

3 Things - To improve your financial situation, you have 3 options. Increase your income, reduce your expenses or a combination of the 2. The easiest and most effective thing you can do is to cut expenses. Why? You might ask. I'm certain you'd agree that it's typically a heck of a lot easier to cut expenses vs increasing your income. In addition, when you do cut expenses, the savings drops straight to your bottom line dollar for dollar whereas Uncle Sam takes a hefty bite out of any income before the remainder of it finds its way to you.

CUT EXPENSES FIRST. THEN WORK ON BOOSTING INCOME.

We'll be up and running in no time to keep you plugged into the world of real estate finance!

Stay tuned!!