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#56 BuyMyTronics.com an interview with CEO Brett Mosely

This is one of those great stories of what appears to be almost an overnight success. Brett will stress it has been a lot of hard work though.

A little over a year ago Brett had an idea and used his own capital to start his business on the side while keeping the day job. Then things have just avalanched and now he is doing so well and has tapped into a consumer need so effectively that BuyMyTronics has been written up in periodicals like the New York Times and featured on MSN.

Now, drum roll, Brett has really made the big leagues and is a guest on Entrepreneur People. Real Stories. Check out this story of his rise. It's amazing.

#56 BuyMyTronics.com an interview with Brett Mosely

#54 Prosper.com interview with CEO Chris Larsen A REPEAT

This was too good an interview to let it slip away. Thanks to Brett Rogers who brought it to my attention that the interview had not loaded completely the first time. Here is Chris Larsen, CEO of Prosper.com talking about peer-to-peer lending and his unique knowledge of what it takes to build a web based business that attracts the masses. It's worth a listen and certainly worth reposting to make sure you hear the entire interview!

#54 Prosper.com CEO Chris Larsen

Making the case on KCCI TV

This was a great opportunity to have a moment in the spotlight to promote the message. I thought KCCI's Eric Hanson did a very nice job creating the story.

http://www.kcci.com/video/16211472/index.html

#55 Good News Network an interview with Geri Weis-Corbley

Knock your socks off truth delivered here! Geri Weis-Corbley has been providing incredible, positive, and well-written content for over a decade at Good News Network. With a background is in journalism and an expertise in TV, Geri discovered that positive information really can sell. This explains the 1000s of readers that visit her site each day.

In this interview she candidly shares what works and what doesn't about creating great content and her own epiphany as to how to make providing it a sustainable business. She offers some great thoughts and suggestions. Gain an upbeat perspective and gather some great ideas too.

#55 Good News Network an Interview with Geri Weis-Corbley

Top Ten Home Buying Mistakes by David Baker of HALO Capital

Top Ten Mistakes When Buying a Home

Buying a home is one of the largest investments you’ll ever make and your home mortgage, taxes, and insurance costs can range from 25% to 40% of your gross annual income.  Conduct research and talk to professionals regarding your home purchase.  You will be glad you took the time to understand the process.

1. Looking for a home without being pre-approved.
Pre-approval and pre-qualification are two different things.  During the pre-qualification process, a loan officer asks you a few questions, then hands you a “pre-qual” letter.  The pre-approval process is much more thorough.
During the pre-approval process, the mortgage company does virtually all the work associated with obtaining full-approval.  Since there is no property yet identified to purchase, however, an appraisal and title search are not conducted.
When you’re pre-approved, you have much more negotiating clout with the seller.  The seller knows you can close the transaction because a lender has carefully reviewed your income, assets, credit, and other relevant information.  In some cases (multiple offers, for example), being pre-approved can make the difference between buying a not buying a home.  Also, you can save thousands of dollars as a result of being in a better negotiating situation.
Most realtors will not show you homes until you are pre-approved.  They do not want to        waste yours, theirs, or the seller’s time.
Many mortgage companies will help you become pre-approved at little or no cost.  They usually need to check your credit and verify your income and assets.   

2. Making verbal (oral) agreements!
If anyone encourages you to sign a written document that is contrary to his or her verbal commitments, do not do it!  For example, if the agent says the washer will come with the home, but the contract says it will not--the written contract will override the verbal contract.  In fact, written contracts almost always override verbal contracts.  When buying or selling real estate, abide by this maxim:  Get it in writing!

3. Choosing a lender because they have the lowest rate.  Not getting a written good-faith estimate.
While rate is important, you have to consider the overall cost of your loan.  Pay close attention to the APR, loan fees, discount and origination points.  Some lenders include discount and origination points in their quoted points.  Other lenders may only quote discount points, when in fact there is an additional origination point (or fraction of a point).
This difference in the way points are sometimes quoted is important to you.  One lender will quote all points, while another lender may disclose an extra point, or fraction thereof, at a later time--an unwelcome surprise.
Within 3 working days after receipt of your completed loan application, your mortgage company is required to provide you with a written good-faith estimate of closing costs.  You may want to consider requesting a GFE from a few lenders before submitting your application.  You can get a feel for which lenders are more thorough, and you can educate yourself regarding the costs associated with your transaction.  The GFE with the highest costs may not indicate that a particular lender is more expensive than another--in fact; they may be more diligent in itemizing all fees.
The cost of the mortgage, however, should not be your only criteria.  You must also feel comfortable that the loan officer you are dealing with is committed to your best interests and will deliver what they promise.

4. Choosing a lender solely because your realtor recommends them.
Your realtor is not a financial expert.  He or she may not know which loan is best for you.  Your realtor gets a commission only when your transaction closes.  As a result, the realtor may refer you to a lender who will close your loan, but who may not have the best rates or fees.  Although most realtors are professional and concerned about your best interests, you should do your own homework.
It is recommended shopping for a loan with at least three mortgage companies before you make a decision.  There are countless stories of consumers who ended up paying higher rates, or got a loan that was not right for them, because they blindly followed their realtor’s advice.

5. Not getting a rate lock in writing.
When a mortgage company tells you they have locked your rate, get a written statement detailing the interest rate, the length of the rate lock, and other particulars about the program.

6. Using a dual agent (an agent who represents both you & the seller).
Buyers and sellers have opposing interests.  Sellers want to receive the highest price; buyers want to pay the lowest price.  In most situations, dual agents cannot be fair to both buyer and seller.  Since the seller usually pays the commission, the dual agent may negotiate harder for the seller than for the buyer.  If you are a buyer, it is usually better to have your own agent represent you.
The only time you should consider using a dual agent, is when you can get a price break (usually resulting from the dual agent lowering their commission).  In that case, proceed cautiously and do your homework!

7. Buying a home without professional inspections.  Taking the seller’s word that repairs have been made.
Unless you’re buying a new home with warranties on most equipment, it is highly recommended that you get property, roof and termite inspections.  These reports will give you a better picture of what you are buying. 
Inspection reports are great negotiating tools when it comes to asking the seller to make repairs.  If a professional home inspector states that certain repairs need to be made, the seller is more likely to agree to make them.
If the seller agrees to make repairs, have your inspector verify the completed work prior to close of escrow.  Do not assume that everything will be done as promised. 

8. Not shopping for home insurance until you are ready to close.
Start shopping for insurance as soon as you have an accepted offer.  Many buyers wait until the last minute to get insurance and find they have to time left to shop around.

9. Signing documents without reading them.
Do not sign documents in a hurry.  As soon as possible, review the documents you will be signing at close of escrow--including a copy of all loan documents.  This way, you can review them and get your questions answered in a timely manner.  Do not expect to read all the documents during the closing.  There is rarely enough time to do that.

10. Making moving plans that do not work.
You expect to move out of your current residence on Friday and into your new residence over the weekend.  Also on Friday, your lease terminates and the movers are scheduled to appear. 
Friday morning arrives:  bags packed, boxes stacked, children under arm and the dog on a leash; you are sitting on your front door stoop awaiting the arrival of the movers.
Your phone rings.  Your loan closing is delayed until the following Tuesday.  The new tenants turn into your driveway with a weighted-down U-Haul and the movers pull up across the street.
You ask yourself, “Where is the nearest Motel 6 and storage facility?  How much will the movers charge for an extra trip?  Can we afford it?”
How can you avoid such a disaster?  Cancel your lease and ask the movers to show up five to seven days after you anticipate closing your transaction.  Consider the extra expense an insurance policy.  You are buying peace of mind--and protecting yourself from expensive delays.

There are many “ins and outs” to the mortgage process, and it is important that you decide to work with someone that will take the time to explain how things work.  I promise to do not only that, but to make the most important purchase of your life an easy one as well.

David Baker
HALO Capital/HALO Group, Inc.
515-974-6908
davidb@sayhalo.com
www.sayhalo.com

Ponderosa Valley Wellness Inc - 25% off any health coaching package sign-up

Ponderosa Valley Wellness Inc.
For More Information Contact Brian Larson
Phone 515.221.0421 or 515.229.0189

Our belief is that health is the foundation of everything else in our lives.  That health allows you to create whatever matters to you in your life.  We support people to create the type of health that allows you to live life to its fullest whatever "fullest" means to you - months, years or decades from now.

We have no magic bullets but we help people to incorporate the basics back into their life. We are unique because of a customized step-by-step approach and  we do it in a manageable way.  The focus is always on you, my job is support you and help you through the creative process and to  set up an action plan,  the results can be amazing and the support you get will make it fun. 

We have had the opportunity to be able to do presentations around the state and country speaking to the general public, health care professionals, one on ones, small groups and lunch and learn etc. We educate people about the basics of health, water, exercise, super-foods, and a new technology (glycomics) validated by MIT, which is intelligent supplementation and how important quality nutrition is to our quality of life.  Giving our body the basic tools it needs not only physically, but nutritionally, because our body has the innate ability to repair, restore, and defend itself when we give it the basics building blocks for health.  Prevention needs to be apart of everyday life, it comes down to choices we make everyday that either promote our life and health or expose it.  Prevention must be a daily regime and it does not need to be difficult.  I hope you will take the time to look closer and give me an opportunity to work with you.   

The Links below will give you further insight on Ponderosa Valley Wellness Inc. 

Health Coaching Site where I offer 3 different plans depending on your needs… www.healthcoachingu.com

Wellness video…

www.pvalleyhealth.com 

Ponderosa Valley Wellness Inc.
For More Information Contact Brian Larson
Phone 515.221.0421 or 515.229.0189

Call for a brochure and details.

Special Offer - 25% Off - On any Health Coaching Package Sign-up

Brian Larson
Health Coach
Ponderosa Valley Wellness, Inc.
1 3 1  56th Street
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
H - 515-221-0421
C - 515-229-0189

Mighty Merchants of May

MAY 6 - What is the best way to feel better? That daily dose of negative news may be harming you emotionally and physically. As an alternative, the Good News Network is all about reporting the affirming stories of people, organizations, companies, and communities that are doing positive things. Geri Weis Corbley has been generating “good” content for a decade and touts 1000s readers. People are tired of the diet of negative news and desperate to see the world from a different vantage. Meet Geri and hear about her incredible journey of finding and reporting news that helps so many feel uplifted.

MAY 13 - How many times have you tossed one of those new-fangled gadgets after it bellied up, and wished there were a way to repair it? Brett Mosley figured out the secret life of ipods, cell phones, and other devices to refurbish them and make them good as new. Brett has realized a need because people are finding and connecting with Buy My Tronics to cash in old tech and be green at the same time. We’ll talk with Brett about what he has learned and how he is responding to this growing business in this repair and reuse world of electronics.

MAY 20 - There just wasn’t much “there” here. That was what Lisa Ballenger of Golf  Etc. for Women noticed before she opened her shop. The latest trends in fashion and equipment for active women on the course and elsewhere just couldn’t be found here in Iowa, especially not delivered in the unique way that Lisa would have liked to see. Lisa shares a wonderful story of what she saw, what she thought along the way, and ultimately what forced her to take the leap and become a small business owner and how she is making it all work well. You’ll love this one.

 
MAY 27 - Treasures that reveal stories--that reflect art, that transcend original use. Don Short has found a treasure trove of stories represented as architectural salvage that becomes the stuff of art, function and pleasure for other people. Don is doing absolutely what he loves and successfully luring others to come in and browse and buy because they are mesmerized. This is a particularly fun interview. You’ll like Don because mostly everyone does and you’ll enjoy his tales of the acquisition like a pirate of this stuff of dreams and memories. Enjoy. Architectural salvage

photo by noah bulgaria, powered by flickr

#54 Prosper.com interview with CEO Chris Larsen

It was a privilege to speak with Chris Larsen about Prosper, especially in light of all the news about the banking industry these days. Chris offers compelling information to explain the power and direction of peer-to-peer lending and how it benefits both the investor and the borrower and will hopefully give the credit card industry a run for their money. Also, for those of us with web ideas there are loads of lessons on how to build and share an idea so it catches on with others. Enjoy this informative look at Prosper.

(PLEASE CHECK OUT THE UPDATED POST ON MAY 12 AS THIS PODCAST ISN'T COMPLETE)

#54 Interview with Chris Larsen of Prosper

Mortgage Innovations, Capital Connection - free credit and debt reduction analysis

   

Hello, my name is Charles Chedester and I am a Finance Consultant with Mortgage Innovations, LLC and Capital Connection, LLC.  I pride myself in providing Reliable and Responsible Financing Options for both my Residential and Commercial Customers.  I am the Vice President of Mortgage Innovations and Capital Connection with our offices located in Windsor Heights at 6900 University Avenue, Suite 115.

My background in Financial Advising and Accounting gives me the unique ability to approach your short and long term goals from different angles.  Depending on your specific situation, I can and will help you with credit education and repair, debt management, purchase of a new property, refinancing of your existing property or the building of your dream home.  I also make sure to work with your current accountant, insurance agent and financial adviser to help insure you are taking the most beneficial path to achieving your goals.

“Every person and business has their own comfort zones.  It isn’t my job to change them, but to make sure you understand the options available and the differences associated with each.”

Helping You Find Reliable & Responsible Financing Options!

dsmBUZZ perk: Free credit and debt analysis by appointment.

Charles D. Chedester, CRMS*, BFC**
Vice President
Residential & Commercial Financing

www.chedester.com

Mortgage Innovations, LLC
Capital Connection, LLC
6900 University Avenue
Suite 115
Windsor Heights, IA 50311

Trashy Women,

May 3, Pure Paper - Presents an exclusive trunk show featuring the recycled art of 3 Trashy Women. Saturday, May 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. these women will showcase their unique brand of recycled art. Meet the artists and see their wonderful greeting cards made from salvaged bits and pieces. Linda Mason Hunter, Gerrianne Jordan and Gail Ann Pace are 3 Trashy Women. Close friends and artists, these ladies joined their collective forces to create one of a kind cards. Each card is its own piece of art: perfect for sending or framing. Contact Barb for questions at barb@pure-paper.com or 255.3533.

photo by Perry Struse