Most of us are familiar with the tale of Rip Van Winkle who falls into a deep sleep after drinking a mysterious brew. Ever wonder what HE might say if he woke up today after a ninety-nine year nap about homeownership? It might go something like this:
What? I can buy a home for 30% less today than if I'd woke up 3 years sooner?
What? Inventory is much, much greater today than it was 3 years ago?
What? I can get these great savings, yet sellers are willing to negotiate with me because they WANT me to buy their home?
What? There are financing options allowing me to borrow, in some cases, 100% of the price of my home vs paying cash for it?
WHAT? The interest rates are witihin 1/8% of the lowest they've been for the past 315 years?
WHAT... YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME???? On top of that, the government is going to give me $8,000 after I buy the home.
WHAT??? As my buyer's agent YOU are going to pay for the gas to drive me around to look at all these houses???
Last question: When can we get started?
(This was my interpretation of a story given to us at an office meeting by Barry Habib yesterday.)
Views and opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of WR Starkey Mortgage.

Ruth Vogt, Branch Manager
Colorado LMB #LMB100023827


Love this, Ruth. Very clever. Now find an agent to get the poor guy a home.
Ruth, that's great. All goes to show you that some people really do need tp wake up!
It is time for all of the Rip's to wake up and start buying especially with all the perks available.
Ruth this is so clever - I reblogged it! You'd be proud of me. Still not sure I did it exactly right. See you tomorrow.
Ruth, this would make a great sales motivation story for sales meetings. It would put a different perspective on things.
What? YOU wrote this great blog? lol Great post Ruth! :)
Jane, I'm getting him prequalified now... having a little problem with a recent 2 year credit history. :)
Barb & Larry, I think that is a great "moral of the story"!
CONNIE! YES! YES! I AM PROUD OF YOU! I'll brag about you at the class tomorrow!
Guy, you are SO right. A great reality check for today.
Jackie, LOL! HEY... maybe YOU could reblog ME, for a change! ha!
Great interpretation of life today in the world of Real estate!
I'm marking this as a featured blog post!
LOL Ruth.
Clean him up before he meets the lender. 99 years without a bath or a shave....
Hahaha - I was thinking the same as Rebecca. Get Rip a shower and big cup of coffee and get him to a lender. Then it's
WHAT? I have to be employed. WHAT? I need a credit score? WHAT? I have to pay half my income to taxes before I get that $8,000? If everyone who WANTS to buy a house was just squeezed into SOME loan ... oh wait, we already tried that.
But seriously, I keep reading about agents having these debates with buyers who are choosing to wait. Really? That would be frustrating. The only non-buying people I meet either can't qualify or already have a home.
I hope Rip already owned some properties before the big sleep. What a move-up opportunity he would have! What? I only paid $8,000 for my house in 1909, and now I can sell it for $900,000?
Very good points. However, many people are choosing to go back to sleep waiting for it to get better.
Looks like he likes the great outdoors, probably a land buyer.
Ruth, Excellent post. Love the creativity.
Evening Ruth, I have a buyer who may also have had a sip the that brew ! LOL Hope your Holiday Season is the best ever !
I don't know... Did Rip find a job yet. (LOL, just kidding) Great creative post!
What??!! You haven't bought a home yet?
lol, nice post!
Cute Ruth, go get some gas & take em out!
Get the ink ready for the thumb print!
Thanks, Craig, I appreciate the flag for the feature!
Rebecca and Joetta, sounds like a sequel is possible here??? ha!
Bob! That's a very interesting thought, isn't it???
Gene, I fear the title for that soon to be blog, might be "could-a, should-a, didn't"!!
Thanks, Jon, and thanks for stopping by.
Bill, I fear we all know one or two of those buyers. Unfortunately. And a happy holiday season to you, too.
Dianne, no job and no FICO scores. uh-oh!
Appreciate you stopping by, Vanessa. :)
Lyn, I'd get lost...which is why I became a lender and not a Realtor. ha-ha.
Gary, how true! Tomorrow's story could most likely be quite different.
Dolores, Do they even accept an "X" anymore???