On my TV, news and reality shows about immigrants are about illegal’s. 
They cast a poor reflection on all immigrants. 

I must reach way back to remember the stories from my
Grandma Mary Cahill Cronshey Kohn, who told me about her great
grandparents coming from Sweden. My Dad’s family
emigrated from Ireland.   

For a moment I wonder what it would be like as an immigrant today.

So on Sunday, Chapel Hill Realtor Claire Billingsley called me saying she has
clients who need to be mortgage pre-approved today or Monday (July 4th), as
they all work during the week.

More importantly, both interpreters were available this weekend.
So we met the morning of the 4th.

After our application….
I was impressed.
Maybe moved.
Certainly admiring.
Let me explain.

Asian Immigrants.

Mom and Dad, both working.
Three working daughters.
One working son.
Two younger children at home.
The daughters speak some English, and
liked the practice and communication when we met.
The FAMILY saved for down
payment and closing costs.
With more than enough left over.
Their income is “family income.”
All members.  
They all have Green Cards.
They all have Social Security Cards.

From my desk, they are a very together family.

I was curious about them.
After the mortgage application I asked the Father how
long they have been in the USA?

After the interpreter asked the question he looked at
me and said “ 2007.”

And all faces in the room lighted up with big smiles.
And I think I saw gratitude.
And pride being in America.

Then one said “from Thailand.”

I remember reading about the refugee path from Asian countries, to Thailand,
and eventually the USA. Documentaries are made about these journeys.
Was it Angelina Jolie who visited one of the refugee camps in Thailand?

So, less than 3.5 years in the USA, and they are buying their first home.
They all have jobs.
They are independent.
No local or fed government assistance.

Though I can’t confirm, I bet they are not caught up in the daily barrage
of bad economic news.  (OK, the language barrier may have something to do with that.)

They are too busy making their dream come true.

They didn’t ask about:
First Time Home Tax Credits.
Or, down payment assistance.
Or, special loan programs for immigrants.
Or, low income housing.

They came to the USA for a better life of their own making.
And for opportunity that is nowhere else.
For their family.
For themselves.
No excuses.
They just did it.

I believe this is the people and attitude that makes the USA a
leading destination around the world. 

And what makes America great.

 

Related Stories
‹
New HARP Revisions (Home Affordable Refinance Program) will work.
If your property (or someones  you know) didn’t qualify for a low rate refinance before, this is worth checking out right now. HARP started in 2009 and had less than desired results because of falling home values. This meant that many people who put down 20% when purchasing were now required to obtain mortgage insurance […]
The answer to most mortgage and tax questions is....
Was just speaking with  Mike Pearl,  CPA and Private Wealth Manager about mortgage  and tax solutions, positioning, problems, and planning. As we were speaking about this, Mike make the comment that that the answer to most mortgage and tax questions is….”It Depends….” As I thought about this, that response is much more than a cliche or avoiding of specific […]
What’s the difference between Mortgage Pre-Qualified and Mortgage Pre-Approved
The purpose of a Mortgage Pre- Qualification or Mortgage Pre Approval is to re-assure the home seller that the buyer is qualified to purchase their home and that the deal won’t go down at the last minute. These terms can be confusing to both home buyers and sellers.  Here’s what they mean and the differences: A “Mortgage Pre-Qualification” is […]
[video] What To Know About The NEW NC Real Estate Contract
The NC Real Estate purchase contract changed in 2011. One of the key components is the “due diligence date” that can significantly impact the closing, sellers, and buyers. Watch as Debbie Earp and Robin Mullis of The Earp Group discuss the pro’s and con’s and what you must know about the new contract before you buy or sell.
How to prepare for your next mortgage application.
Many people I speak with dread the gathering of documents. Use this checklist, and it will be much easier.   Remember that every lender may have slightly different requirements. When Automated Underwriting is run, a list of documents will be requested “per current guidelines.” The human underwriter may always ask for additional documents.   Whether you […]
For Buyers - Which is better: a price reduction or a rate reduction?
You see it everywhere in the Sunday real estate listings and online – “Price reduced $XYZ$ dollars.” When I speak with agents, I’m told the price is what begins the conversation and gets buyers to call. Without the right price, the phone does not ring. Agents know. This does make sense today, but the question […]
How are Pizza and Mortgages Similar?
If you were eating lunch alone, which would you order, a large pizza or a personal pan pizza? With a large pizza, you would most likely eat a few slices, and bring the rest home to eat later. If you opt for a personal pan pizza, you are portion controlled, with no waste and no […]
Let Me Count The Ways You Can Pay Less and Keep More
In a low mortgage rate environment, there are many ways to skin a mortgage so that you pay less and keep more in your bank account, rather than add to the big super mega banks profits. And that, even if you already have a low mortgage rate. I’ll cover that in the next posts. Here’s a […]
[video] The Cost of Waiting To Buy Your Next Home...
With Chapel Hill home prices and mortgage rates so low for so long, it’s easy to be lulled into believing they will stay this way. But what if the market improves….just a bit? Below is a short (as i could make it) video with an analysis of “Now and Later.” You may be surprised how much […]
[video] Should I Wait For Values To Rise Before I Sell And Buy My Next Home?
The answer to this question is as much psychological as financial. Why? It’s easy to see your home equity loss and not so easy to see someone else’s equity loss. This question causes many people to sit on the side lines as historical low housing prices and mortgage rates pass by. In this interview, you will hear […]
›