Latest on reality of housing and mortgages in AZ February 18, 2009

Dean Wegner, a local real estate, mortgage and credit expert in Phoenix has been a popular guy with the media as the news of President Obama visits the Valley and discusses his plans for the weak housing market and foreclosure issues in AZ.

Dean was featured in an interview On NewsTalk 92.3FM: Is the Valley’s mortgage crisis as bad as it seems?

Yes, said Dean Wegner, mortgage originator at American Financial Lending in Phoenix.

“It’s definitely as bad as it sounds, especially in Phoenix. We went from No. 2 in job growth to No. 48 in job growth, so we went from a boom town to a bust town. Eighty percent of our economy revolves around real estate and that sector of the economy has just been wiped off the planet Earth. Yes, we are struggling.”

This isn’t exactly good news, but it is reality. I know its a challenge sometimes for clients to talk about the “bad stuff”, but I’d rather know the reality and how I can learn from it and prepare than to have sunshine blown up my a**.

Here are some other things Dean shared with me that I am pitching local media…

“If you are buying a home for more than $270,000 you will need 20% down or a 720+ fico. This will result in further home prices falling and the continuing downward spiral. Anyone that has a home for more than $300,000 should plan on their home going down another 30% in the next 2 years.”

“Help for homebuyers in the Stimulus Plan. Looks like it is a $8,000 tax credit and does not have to be paid back, 1st time homebuyer only. And must hold 3 years. Much better than the last program, it was a total flop. So far I have had more people excited about this in the last week than the other program combined.”

DEAN WEGNER, MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR
602-277-3800
WWW.TEAMDEAN.COM
20860 North Tatum Blvd #160
PHOENIX, AZ 85050

Vote and Stimulate the Economy! October 27, 2008

Media Push Clients Pushing Valley Consumers to Vote and Shop on Election Day

A group of Valley small business owners are banding together to ask consumers to vote while helping to stimulate the economy by buying on Election Day.

Clients of the Phoenix PR firm and small business specialist, The Media Push, are honoring those who endure long voting lines and confusing propositions with a reward for taking part in American democracy. Voters who visit the companies listed below and sporting an “I Voted” sticker get special offers and deals.

Discounts on useful items and services for car repairs and oil changes or a few indulgent items, like Botox treatments or massages are some of the specials that will be offered by The Media Push clients.

Small businesses make up 99.9 percent of the 27.2 million businesses across the nation. Accounting for about half of all private-sector jobs, they generate up to 80 percent of new jobs each year and create more than half of non-farm gross domestic products. Small business owners are also the first to suffer from a dwindling economy.

“This is a very important time in our lives,” said Charlotte Risch, owner of The Media Push. “Not only are we voting for the next president but many local officials and propositions that will affect our community and small businesses. This is a fun way to cast your support for local businesses in your neighborhood and invest your hard-earned dollars with them instead of big chains.”

Below are the offers available to Valley voters. Please CLICK on the business name to gain access to their website for location, hours and info.

Simply Impressive Cooking School: Take $10 off your next cooking class. Spend more time with your family at the dinner table and spend less money eating out by learning to cook smart, delicious meals at home.

Derma Health Institute: Feel beautiful and give your face a treat! Only $10 per unit of Botox, or $50 pumpkin peel facial for that day.

Acme Locksmith: Need to get a spare key made? Receive a free key copy (up to $5.00 value).

Community Tire and Auto Repair: Bring in your “I voted” sticker and receive free mount, balance, rubber valve stem and oil change with any tire purchase. Don’t need tires? Bring in your sticker and they will do a basic oil change for $14.92.

Zethina Cosmetics and Day Spa: Get a Massage for only $60 for one hour or a Body Treatment for only $55. Both services will relax and renew the tired stressed out voter.

Money Smart Grandkids: For just $12.95, invest in our youth’s financial future with the book “It’s Likely Your Grandkids will be Poor, Unless…” by Scottsdale Author, Chris Kulpinski. EMAIL HIM: chris@kulpinski.net

NARPRO.com: Car owners who visit the free referral network of independent, quality repair shops website (www.narpro.com) will receive a VIP Card. This card offers drivers discounts on services and parts.

Team Dean: Get a free appraisal with loan approval and a full review of your credit report. Also, information on how to increase your FICO score with all any application for a home loan.

If you have already voted through an early ballot and didn’t keep your “I voted” sticker, just mention you voted when contacting the business about the election specials.

Client Accomplishments this week! September 26, 2008

Just wanted to share some great Client accomplishments this week:

Chris Kulpinski was on a 12 News Education panel today with School Solution’s reporter Kim Covington to discuss finances and our children.

Dean Wegner will be getting up early again to chat with Ch 3 on Wednesday at 5:45am and then will be a guest of Ankarlo’s on KTAR at 8am to discuss the realities of what’s happening with real estate/mortgages.

Michelle Evard had an awesome interview on Pat McMahon’s show this week to discuss her thoughts on the big bailout controversy.

Trish Gulbranson is featured as one of the Valley women in “The Million Dollar” club of Arizona Woman magazine which just hit newsstands this week.

NARPRO shop owner, Jim Garnand of Hi-Tech Auto Care got great publicity for his “Name Your Price” Oil Change to benefit Officer Scott, who died after participating in a charity boxing match.

Howard Fleischmann was honored as a Spirit of Enterprise award winner yesterday with ASU’s W.P. Carey Business School.

Dr. Bicky Tran will tell viewers of Sonoran Living if dental rinses, gels, whiteners really are worth your money on September 30th.

And if you want to know more about how to keep your bones healthy, Dr. Shaun Hudson will be giving low cost, easy tips on Sonoran Living on October 13th.

Dean Wegner with new company August 28, 2008

Dean Wegner, Team Dean

“I recently accepted a position in an outstanding local mortgage company: American Financial Lending in Phoenix. This exciting move will help me reach my goal of providing friends and clients with the most innovative service available in the industry today. As mortgage bankers and brokers, we can handle all your residential needs with a commercial lending division as well.”

– Dean Wegner, Mortgage Originator.

American Financial Lending
Dean Wegner
Mortgage Originator
7740 North 16th Street #210
Phoenix, Arizona 85020
Phone: (602) 432-6388
dean@teamdean.com
www.teamdean.com

Dean Wegner quoted on front page of Republic Biz section July 10, 2008

Using a non-profit to purchase a home!

This was a popular story for media this past week. I had Dean speak on this topic on Good Morning Arizona a week ago and then he was quoted a few times in this morning’s article in the Arizona Republic by J. Craig Anderson.

When I work on pitches, I always ask Dean what is HOT right now…what is everyone buzzing about. Dean always has his finger on the pulse of real estate and the mortgage world…which is why he’s such a great client to have and his knowledge makes him a credible source for the media. This makes my job easier as a PR professional, too because I know Dean gets what the media needs and wants…plus, theres a new story everyday about real estate and the mortgage world!

Your Credit and Your Future July 8, 2008

Great article in the Arizona Republic today by Russ Wiles about getting control of your credit issues. I work with three fantastic clients and experts who teach how important it is to understand your credit, money and finances.

 

Dean Wegner is a certified credit counselor and he says you can actually freeze your credit report. Also, its good to have some cards with balances, just not all of them completely full or empty. That takes a toll on your credit score too. He also says there is the Good, Bad and Ugly about Student Loans. Many people don’t realize this is the most common “late” on reports.

Chris Kulpinski is passionate about grandparents and parents teaching the importance of FICO scores to kids. If you can’t manage your money and credit, you may not get that job you want. Employers look at your FICO now and as we see people trying to make ends meet and get a better paying job, they need to realize their credit issues could be the determining factor in whether you get that position or not.

Michelle Evard says there is an emotional background to how people spend, save and invest their money. There is also a big difference in how men and women view money and finances. Women tend to panic and want to save what they have. Men are more risk takers and sometimes better understand that the stock market will go up and down and its ok to ride out a bad time. She was on Ch 3’s Good Morning Arizona this morning. See her interview here!

Click on their names and learn more about how they can help you understand your money and finances!