Comments on: A Realtor’s Road to Baghdad

By: Michael Creel

Michael Creel — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:54:38 +0000

I’ve now been here in Iraq for over two months, and its all one would imagine it to be. Temp hits about 90 by 9:00am and 140 by noon. Sand and wind are beating on you all day, and mortars come at night. We’re still holding up better than the banks though.

By: Jeremiah Arn

Jeremiah Arn — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:08:56 +0000

Good luck, Michael. That sounds like the kind of experience that can change a man.
On the lending note, it certainly is true that the hoops are getting tighter and tighter. While it may be easy to blame your local bank or broker, the tightening is happening much higher up the food chain by investment bankers and mortgage insurance firms. These people are losing their (stakeholder’s) shirts and looking for some reality.
Expect at least another year of general confusion, I say. In the meantime, we are relying on vanilla conventional and FHA loans, of which there are plenty.
Cheers!

By: Michael Creel

Michael Creel — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:55:06 +0000

Oh, it’s not understated, its kind of you to wish me well. I was very suprised to be contacted and hired so quickly, a little shocked actually. They called again yesterday and offered me two other positions to choose from if I wanted them, and I chose one of them.

It now appears I’ll be stationed at a bona fide Air Force base called Tallil (they said theres a Pizza Hut there and that did it for me!). Lifes an adventure, if you keep an open mind. Funny part is I have deals sitting in escrow, and I’ll likely write another one Saturday.

Thanks for the kind words, take care.

By: Pam

Pam — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:37:47 +0000

Take care over there. Wow, contacted you back within 48 hrs. You must be the right guy for the job and then some! They were probably pretty lucky to find you.

Good Luck over there (that sounds so understated, sorry.)

By: A Realtor’s Road to Baghdad | The Long List of Odysseus Medal Nominees | Realtors and real estate, mortgages, lending, investments

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:48:41 +0000

[...] A Realtor’s Road to Baghdad, by Michael Creel. [...]

By: Michael Creel

Michael Creel — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:15:13 +0000

Thanks Josh, that the fastest I’ve ever had a post appear. I hope to learn a lot from the trip and the job. You know the markets bad when a Realtor chooses a war zone just to get away from it!

As I said to an assoicate, the banks have gone from the far left of stupid to the far right. I like selling homes, I like finding people their dream home, and I don’t like this sad depressed market we’re currently in. I have obligations that must be met, and in life, one must go where the money is; because believe me, it won’t come knocking on your door.

I believe I will be able to continue submitting, as I’ve been assured of computer and internet access. I will work 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week (I’m leaving May 12th); so I will be able to write at night. Probably not much else to do! Take care.

By: Joshua Dorkin

Joshua Dorkin — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:47:40 +0000

Michael –
I’m personally experiencing the same issues as far as lending goes . . . I’ve been in contract on several properties for a few months now, and my buyers are jumping through hoops, yet still cant get a loan.

As for you leaving, I am saddened, as you have been a great contributor, and I do hope that you can continue to write for us while you’re away in Iraq. Maybe you can give us a perspective into what is going on over there (real estate-wise)?

Let me know (email me) when you’ll be out of here, and we can discuss other issues as well.

All my best,
Josh