The average American views a sport mainly from the perspective of pure entertainment.  From the eye’s view, what is possibly seen is the tenacity of a player, the cohesiveness of a team, or the effective leadership of a coach.  What is not dominantly on the peripheral is the fact that sports is an enormous business, with each player representing their own corporation of self.

Within this business of sports, there are many individuals who serve in the background to ensure that your favorite player has heart and mind in the game but his hands on his assets.  I have the distinct privilege of being one of those key people behind the scenes.  You may know that I have built The Campins Company from the ground up after “The Apprentice.”  Being on the show afforded me great opportunity of which I realized that I had the strategically plan and seize the moment that was afforded to me. The truth of the matter is that although I have never played a sport, my heart wholeheartedly is with the athletes of the sports industry. I am submerged in this world.  Many people wonder how I was able to attract high profile celebrities and athlete.  It was strictly my work ethic, word of mouth, and the fact that I genuinely care about the client.  The clients and their representatives confirm this “Katrina, You genuinely care. That’s what sets you apart and then you back it up with unwavering work ethic and results.”

My passion does not lie only in selling real estate to an athlete or finding the perfect luxury home that is comfortable for their family, but also to empower athlete to make wise choices that will ensure a lifetime of financial freedom.  I truly have a desire to see these athletes maximize their full potential on and off of the court or field. There are a great percentage of athletes who become financially depleted when reaching retirement.  I speak at the NFL Teams, the training facilities where the college prospects prepare for the draft and with the rookies once they are drafted.  I teach them the importance of preparing for the future and life after sports. I teach athletes credit to income ratio’s, how to select a home their first year in the league (bigger is not always better), the possibility of renting to buying in order to build credit to receive lower interest payments.  As I told you, I want young athletes to soar after the fans leave and the applause has stopped.  I empower them to make wise decisions so that the legacy they leave is not just for their fans but their families as well.

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light and Peace,

Katrina Campins

The Russian billionaire, Yuri Milner, paid $100 million for a second home in California’s Silicon Valley, in Los Altos Hills.

This home is 25,500 square feet of living area, and was inspired by 18th-century French chateaux. It has 25,000+ square feet of living space with five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a central entry court, ballroom, home theater, wine cellar, spa/gym, a tennis court, car wash, swimming pool and formal gardens. The living areas are all located on the second floor to take advantage of the dramatic San Francisco Bay Bay view.

Mr. Milner’s primary residence is in Moscow, where he lives with his wife and two daughters, but he is a frequent visitor to the high-tech enclave in northern California.

The 47-year-old Internet tycoon appeared on the cover of the most recent issue of Forbes magazine and has invested heavily in Facebook, Zynga and Groupon through his investment firm DST Global. His company controls about 10 percent, or $5 billion worth, of Facebook’s shares. He also has had positive dealings with the Russian online company Mail.ru.

The home was bought from another tycoon, Fred Chan, founder of ESS Technology, who has decided to live in Hawaii after building the Silicon Valley mansion.

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light & Peace,

Katrina Campins

Can you guess which Kitchen belongs to which Celebrity?  :-]

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light & Peace,

Katrina Campins

This afternoon I was called regarding appearing on The Bill O’reilly’s show on Fox News to discuss the branding & marketing of the Brand now called “Jeremy Lin”.

Although I own & run a Real Estate Company, I was asked to comment as a result of my experience in the Sports & Entertainment World for over 13 years representing over 300 athletes, entertainers & celebs with their real estate needs & branding myself within that World.

Many of you email me & ask me for advice on Branding.

My simple advice is this:

CREATING A BRAND IS BEING THAT BRAND!

And now, even more than ever, it’s about AUTHENTICITY. Not being slick. Being real. This is the essence of your PERSONAL brand.

It’s that simple, BE YOU!

#Campins

Katrina Campins

The barrier to change is not too little caring; it is too much complexity. Cutting through complexity to find a solution runs through four predictable stages: determine a goal, find the highest-leverage approach, discover the ideal technology for that approach, and in the meantime, make the smartest application of the technology that you already have.

To turn caring into action, we need to see a problem, see a solution, and see the impact. But if you want to inspire people to participate, you have to show more than numbers; you have to convey the human impact of the work – so people can feel what saving a life means to the families affected.

Don’t let complexity stop you. Be activists. Take on the big inequities. It will be one of the great experiences of your lives.

I hope you will judge yourselves not on your professional accomplishments alone, but also on how well you have addressed the world’s deepest inequities … on how well you treated people a world away who have nothing in common with you but their humanity.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#CampinsTips

Our Boy Warren Buffett!!!

YOU CAN’T MAKE A GOOD DEAL WITH A BAD PERSON.

Translation: I couldn’t agree MORE!!!! You simply can’t do business with bad people. If you are dealing with a bad person then there isn’t a contract that’s strong enough to protect you and your company from that person. Spend some time thinking about it. Why would you want to do a deal with a bad person? There are plenty of GOOD people in the world who will try to do the right thing, and leaving you without the need to look over your shoulder waiting constantly for them to take advantage of you. You need to deal with straight people! Real Talk!

When Warren Buffett does a deal with an owner of another company, it’s always done via a handshake. The attorneys get involve to simply memorialize the handshake understanding. Buffett is always adamant that he only wants to deal with very GOOD people. If he can’t handshake a deal, how good can the deal be?

Here’s another example of this type of thinking that took place, many years ago, back in the late 1970’s. It was the original IPO of Home Depot. Prior to Home Depot’s IPO, there was a private placement done at five cents a share. A gentleman in Boston was considering putting up several million dollars. Actually, as the deal was being done, he did a handshake and agreed to terms, and then he came back and said, he didn’t want the company to pay for 2 cars that the founders were driving.

It wasn’t a week later that he came back and said he didn’t want the company to pay for health insurance for the 2 founders. The deal died right then and there. This fellow was going to put in a couple of million and it would have become at least $10 billion but he wanted to keep haggling, and change the deal. Keep in mind that you need to get the big things right in a deal. If you want to spend hours haggling over the small things, the movers and the shakers will never deal with you.

#CampinsTips

Your inner circle should be composed of individuals that You hold to high regard.  Your inner circle is designed to represent elites that connect and share your substance, hold your best interest at heart, and  want nothing more than to see you shine.  Above all, you entrust these individuals with your heart and soul and with unwavering faith through thick and thin.  Having said that, clearly, that “inner circle” — if you will… plays a vital yet delicate role in your life.

Why then, are we not more cautious when selecting these individuals?  One of the most painful experience in life is the betrayal of such a person.  We can get past romantic dissolutions and disagreeable business alliances, however there is something blinding about a betrayal from a person who holds your most intimate inscriptions.  It is a scaring pain that dulls through time but an image forever ingrained in our minds.

I urge you to practice extreme caution.  Choose individuals that have walked a little further than you have while in their journey, individuals of greater wisdom gained as a result of endured hardship — people who have stood the “TEST” of life in more ways than one; people you have worked closely with for a long period of time.  Choose people that you respect and that respect YOU! These people represent your place of peace, safety, reflection, motivation and revelation — all while in their space and lastly, be sure that the people you have selected are in complete alignment with your heart, mind and soul.

Realize that as you get older, your needs and perspectives change.  What worked for you at 18, did not work for you at 25.  What worked at 28, certainly does not work at 32. You evolve as a person which means that you will need different mentoring at various stages of your life.  You will see that it does not take a village, but merely a handful of genuine human beings with spirited brain power and an innate sense of loyalty to get you where you want to go.  In this case less is more –  let’s be honest, no one has 150 close friends.  You may have 150 acquaintances, but 3 real individuals who are there for you unconditionally night and day.  As you get older, you understand that if you have one good friend, you are blessed!

Your life belongs to YOU and it is one precious gift!  You deserve to have individuals speak the truth, who respect your passion, help reveal your purpose, and value the greatness of your authentic self.

NAMASTE.

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light and Peace,

Katrina Campins

As you become more in tune with the laws of energy, it is vital that you learn to protect your positive energies. Like a shield! Most negative folks do not live in the awareness that they are even draining energies from others, but by the same token there are those who  deliberately set out to  create imbalance in your flow. Do not allow energy vampires to distort your vision or slow you down.  You are accountable to YOU.  No one can control you but GOD. Period. Just because others request things from you all day long does not mean you need to give that request energy if it is not aligned with who YOU are and what your soul’s purpose is here to accomplish. No is such a powerful word, one that is not utilized enough when it comes to personal development. Pick and choose what you want to be a participant in.  You have authority to govern yourself according to how you feel and what is conducive for you.  You have one life.  Your energy is priceless. Use your time and energy wisely.  Respect yourself, your time and your space.

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light and Peace,

Katrina Campins

The list of 13 NFL Greats who have combined for a total of Sixteen Super Bowl titles and Twenty-One appearances on the NFL’s greatest stage and their HOMES!  Besides a penchants for hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, the players also have  a keen eye for prime real estate.

In honor of the close of the NFL season, here are the pics of some of the most luxurious property listings.

- Troy Aikman

-  Terry Bradshaw

- Walter Jones

- Joe Montana

- Terrell Owens

- Carson Palmer

- Jake “The Snake” Plummer

- Mike Singletary

- Deion Sanders

- Tony Sparano

- Michael Strahan

- DeMarcus Ware

- Kurt Warner

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light and Peace,

Katrina Campins

Got Guts?

Guts… willing to do the uncomfortable.  Willing to take risks.  Feeling fear and doing it anyways. Courage. The dictionary defines Guts as courage, fortitude, nerve or audacity.

To create lasting change in your life – you must have guts! Period. You must have the courage to do what others will not do, the fortitude to stay the course, the nerve to make the move and the audacity to actually step out and do it. To take a stand and NEVER sway… Not for popular applause, not for politics, not for fame, and not for money. Do you have guts?

Do you have guts with your values? Are you willing to take a stand for them? Are you willing to follow your values even if it means you lose a deal or have to step aside? Having guts with your values means that you are willing to live your values – no matter what.

One of my most important values is family. I value my family above all else. To have guts with my values means I am willing to live by them no matter what. And the answer is Yes. All day, every day.

Do you have the guts to be humble? Are you willing to serve? Are you willing to not have the world revolve around you? It takes guts to be humble. It’s not in style to be humble. It isn’t even encouraged in most circles or in society. Yet I believe humility is one of the keys to success. I remain humble now and into Eternity.  And I also choose not to be surrounded by others who lack humility. Quite frankly, lack of humility is such a turn off.

Do you have guts to be honest? Are you willing to be honest even if it‘s uncomfortable? Having guts with honesty means that you honestly deal with life on life’s terms. It means that you’re willing to be honest in all situations and at all costs. Honesty isn’t easy, it can be downright scary, but it’s crucial to our well being. Being honest takes GUTS.  It amazes me how MANY successful business women & men can’t be honest when it comes to uncomfortable and REAL issues.  They send another person “a messenger” to deliver a message for them or swim around the issue because they don’t have the GUTS to say it themselves. It also amazes me how many of these successful men and women all of a sudden disappear when it’s time to take accountability.  Rather than speaking honestly and communicating directly, they run. That’s when I lose all respect.  You can have all the money, fame, notoriety in the world, if you can’t communicate with me to my face when it’s time to talk business or deliver a message which may not be “comfortable”, I lose all respect.  See, it’s not about delivering what you think someone wants to hear but rather, delivering the truth. Now, that’s something I respect, Truth.

Do you have guts with your emotions? Are you willing to uncover your emotions, feel them and share them with those you care about and love?  I will be the first to admit that having guts emotionally can be hard but once you feel your emotions and connect with others who are emotically intellectual, you experience life with new eyes.  Free!!!!

Do you have the guts to have real friendships?  Yes, you read correctly, real friends?  Real friendship takes guts!  Do you have the fortitude required to maintain and grow relationships with others? What about romantic relationships?  Do you have the guts and courage to be in a real romantic relationship? Relationships are hard work. It takes guts to enter into a relationship.  To be You without any fronts or excuses, just you. And it takes even more guts to stay in one. Relationships require guts in all areas – physical, emotional and spiritual.

Do you have guts with your work? Do you have the courage and the audacity to be great and then BeGr8er!!!!!!? Having guts at work can mean many things. It can mean you no longer settle for second best. It can mean you speak your truth. It can mean you encourage someone or give tough feedback. It can mean you leave a position that isn’t a good fit. Having guts at work requires going above and beyond, doing what others will not and doing it over and over again. One of the best ways to get ahead at work is to have GUTS!

As a business owner I need guts every day.

Take time to think about your personal level of courage, fortitude, nerve and audacity this week. Ask yourself if you have guts. Ask yourself where you need more guts? Be honest…

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light & Peace,

Katrina Campins

Forbes magazine is synonymous with wealth.  Highlighting the wealthiest  and influential business men and women, the magazine will cross a new threshold.  Wednesday at noon, Forbes will have a different type of cover unveiling, celebrating this second kind of success. While plenty of models go into business by slapping their name on things like shoes, perfume and clothes, we’ve found one who is chief executive officer and 100% owner of a business we estimate to be worth $300 million, with personal wealth around $350-400 million.

Who could this model be?  While there are speculations, we will all have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to discover who this multi-million dollar model/entrepreneur is.  In the meantime, here is a pretty impressive list of models turned empire owners that would be worthy of the cover.

• Cindy Crawford: Crawford has her name on lines of  furniture and skin care products.
• Heidi Klum: In addition to Project Runway Klum has a line of athletic clothes with New Balance.
• Tyra Banks: Banks hit it big with her now-canceled talk show. She also produces America’s Next Top Model.
• Christie Brinkley: Her line of skin care products boasts a “DNA renewal system.”
• Gisele Bundchen: The Brazilian beauty has her own line of flip-flops and last year earned $45 million.
• Kathy Ireland: Ireland has her name on a line of home goods that includes super unsexy things like windows.
• Elle McPherson: Her line of coordinated bras and panties includes a set called “On Cloud Nine.”
• Naomi Campbell: She is designing a line of clothes for Italian fashion house Fiorucci.
• Kate Moss: Her clothing line at British retailer Top Shop is a hit.
• Christy Turlington: The yoga fan has a line of workout clothes called Nuala.

I love to see women take their destiny by the horns and soar.  Empowerment at its best.:)

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light and Peace,

Katrina Campins

Last night, the NFL saluted its best players and plays from the 2011 season with “NFL Honors,” a star-studded football and entertainment event. Alec Baldwin hosted the show, which featured a live performance from Lenny Kravitz. Seven of the awards announced were from the Associated Press, including the AP Most Valuable Player.

Happy Superbowl Sunday!!!!!!

Who’s READY for some FOOTBALL!!!!!?

;-]  Katrina Campins

Football has been such a HUGE and integral part of my life for over 13 years now!!!!! From my days at The “U” during all the Championship years to my days working as an NFL correspondent for ESPN! Not to mention, handling the real estate needs Nationwide for a majority of the guys in the NFL through the company my partner & I formed after my appearance on the 1st Season of “The Apprentice.” = The Campins Company. Football has not only taught me how to be a CHAMPION in the boardroom, but in LIFE! I LOVE THE THRILL OF THE GAME!!!!

Sunday evening, the majority of American televisions will be glued to one of the biggest sporting events of the year, Super Bowl XLVI. Besides the over the top ads and amazing half-time performance, most sports addicts are interested in seeing a great game. Isn’t that what we all want, great food, good company, and a good game?

Eli Manning and Tom Brady, the two quarterbacks in the eye of this athletic storm have their eyes set on being the victorious team standing when the dust settles. One quarterback is looking to lead his team to a fourth victory and the other carrying the weight of his team and the expectations of his city on his back. No matter the outcome, even though we all have our winning team in mind, you have to admit that both teams have demonstrated true athleticism, determination, endurance, and discipline.

It has been seven years since Tom Brady won his third Super Bowl ring. The seven year stretch prompted questions if Tom had seen the end of his glory years. Was his reign officially over? Extremely focused, determined, and an incredible leader, Tom silenced doubters. He pushed through insults regarding his personal life, questions of his leadership, and physical injuries that left him on the bench for an entire season. What we see is not a quarterback looking to win just another ring, but what we have is an athlete proving to himself that that the career he has fought so hard to earn, is not only real but intact. This is not a game about winning but a game of redemption.

Eli Manning is the quarterback who continues to believe. Escaping the shadow of his big brother Peyton, Eli leads a time full of life, speed, and competiveness as the city that they represent. Have they been counted out? Numerous times! The pressure to give New Yorkers a parade and to live under the microscope to be just as good as his brother is a lot of pressure. But Eli put the noise and the images in the crevices of his mind and decided to create his own path, adjust the footing of his own shoes, and lead his team. Who doesn’t respect a man who doesn’t want to ride the coattails of his brother but willing accepts the challenges of trial and error in order to create the formula that works best for his team!!! His triumph through adversity has served as a blue print to overcome life’s adversity. He is not just a player, but an innovator of the game. {Eli- You know I have MAD respect for YOU! Hi Abby!!!! :-]}

What looked like a season that would not happen, in the end these two teams not only defeated their opponents but fought against their own personal doubts, defeats, and fears. Yes, there was doubt. Who could expect players to display their full potential after such a long lockout? Most critics said that this would be a washed out season. Not so! The New England Patriots and The New York Giants shut the mouths of the critics and the negativity in the minds. Hard work and will power WILL always prevail! Here is to persistence! The heart of a true lion will always be heard. Get ready for Super Bowl XLVI.

Every Athlete dreams of a second chance, these Men are living it!!!

BEGR8ER!

I’m READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!

Katrina Campins

The Campins Company has created a list of home renovations that will be potentially lucrative for you if and when you decide to sell your home.  Remember, home ownership is a long term investment.  You want your investment to work best for you and your future needs.

1. Replace your roofing or siding. How appealing is a home with new, stainless steel kitchen appliances if it has a leaky roof or dilapidated siding? Roofing and siding replacements aren’t cheap; they’ll set you back an average of $18,042 and $9,910, respectively, but you’ll likely recoup 67.4% and 83.2% of those costs come selling time.

2. Add an extra bedroom. Rather than knocking down walls or adding onto your home, try working with what you have. Converting a spacious attic into a bedroom, for example, costs an average of $46,691. That may seem steep, but by doing so, you can increase a home’s selling price by $25,000 to $100,000. Just make sure it has a window. ;-]

3. Add closet space. Extra closet space is also a big hit with prospective buyers {especially women *hint hint* }. Use a portion of a large bedroom to expand an existing closet or create storage space in your attic or cellar. With $500 to $1,000, you can buy the materials at Home Depot or Lowe’s Home Improvement.

4. Renovate the bedroom. Updating the bathroom is essential if a seller wants a buyer’s attention. A full bathroom renovation, however, including installing a new toilet, vanity counter and tub costs an average of $15,789 and typically recoups an average 78% of its cost.

5. Upgrade the kitchen. Rather than ripping the kitchen apart in a full renovation which can cost of as much as $100,000 in some homes, focus on smaller, more visible upgrades, such as installing new granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

6. Energy- Efficient Upgrades. Homeowners pay a premium for green upgrades and they won’t see much, if any, of that investment returned during a sale. To recoup the cost (mainly in the form of lower energy bills) of, say, installing solar panels requires a homeowner to stay in their home for years.

7. Landscaping. Curb appeal is a powerful selling tool!!!  Minor landscaping touches, like planting some flowers and mowing the lawn, are enough to make a yard attractive to buyers. Some other steps to consider: Replace or repaint the front door and mailbox. Spend no more than $1,000 on these projects and you can expect to recoup the full cost.

8. A Fresh Coat of Paint!!!!  One of my favorite tips!!!!  One of the best investments for resale!  Choose an inviting color!!!! :-]

For more information about The Campins Company, please visit www.thecampinscompany.com or www.tccse.com

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light and Peace,

Katrina Campins

Consistency + Work = Success

We live in a very instant society.  Fast food franchises are a dime a dozen on every block.  There is virtually an app for just about everything you could possibly need.  We are forced to respond in a fast moving environment that creates a false perception of instant gratification and achievement.  Unfortunately our progress in technology has thwarted the reality of the process of success.

In observing the transformation of what we see and what we hear with regards to success, you can see that society has completely reformed its values concerning work and achievement.  We have become conditioned to reading books that “teach” us to get rich in less than 30 days.  We watch shows that promise that getting in with the right social bracket and wearing the right labels will elevate careers and garner prestige.  We are even taught to believe that a degree gives instant access and entitlement to lofty paychecks after completion of an undergraduate program.  What we have failed to do realize is that we may equip ourselves with tools however the process of success is one that cannot be avoided.

True success is a product of consistent dedication, discipline, and hard work.  The individuals that you see who have accomplished true success in their lives eat, sleep and breathe the passion of their work.  These are the individuals that study their craft, at the first up in the morning and the last to go to sleep.  These are the individuals that have studied their predecessors, ask questions, live to learn and work to become.  The problem with most people is that they feel they are beneath the grunt work.  Yet they don’t understand that it is in the process of the grunt work that you make your mistakes, learn your lessons and are trained by the mentors.  No one just arrives on the top of a mountain and if they do, trust me, they have no idea how to stay there because they become crippled by the height.

Most are fascinated with The Glory…. but behind the glory is much toil.  It takes time, trial and error and many lessons before glory is obtained.  So often artists and athletes are looked upon as role models because of the success, however what is not glorified are the sleepless nights an artist endures from working in a studio for weeks trying to lay down one track or the pain that an athlete’s experiences from consistently pushing his body beyond limitations to be the best on the court or field.  Success is serious work.  Most people want to be a rock star but don’t want to work behind the ropes to get there.

Remember there are absolutely no short cuts.  Short cuts lead to setbacks.  Do the work.  When you put your time in, no one can take that from you.  You build your creditability and earn your respect.  When you go around the barrel you miss the lessons you would learn going through the barrel.  If your dream is not worth the fight or the work, then you have to ask yourself if you really deserve to have it….

I’m not telling you it’s going to easy, I’m telling you, it’s going to be worth it!

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light and Peace,

Katrina Campins

Architect & real estate buff, Jennifer Aniston has expanded her real estate portfolio once again.  This time, a Bel Air Mansion for $21million.  The 4 bedroom, 6.5 bathroom estate was designed by famed architect A.Quincy Jones.  The house has been meticulously restored to be one of the city’s most beautiful mid-century mansions. Perched high on a promontory, the home has unobstructed 300-degree city and ocean views. It’s rare to find a home on this large of a lot in the star-studded neighborhood of Bel Air. At over 3 acres acres and 8,500 square feet, it’s perfect for entertaining or an expanding family. The property also has a separate guest house, swimming pool and vineyards.

Jennifer sold her Beverly Hills home last year for $38,000,000.

If you are interested in property in California or anywhere in the Nation, please contact The Campins Company Luxury Real Estate Nationwide at  info@TheCampinsCompany.com

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light, and Peace,

Katrina Campins

American Idol Judge & Aerosmith Lead Singer Steven Tyler’s new estate in Hawaii: $4,900,000.  It could be said… that the property was purchased just in time for Steven’s impending nuptials. ;-]]] Another fun fact, Steven Tyler and my long time buddy Andy Hilfiger are partners in the new clothing line: Andrew Charles.  I walked in their fashion show a few months ago.

The open 3,000 square foot beachfront bungalow has 2 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Located in a nature preserve on the island of Maui, the quarter acre, beach front getaway comes complete with out-of-this-world coastal views and outdoor decks leading to an infinity-edge saltwater pool. Built in 1988, the glass walls and flooring made up of wood and stone surround an exquisite floor-to-ceiling aquarium. The open living space and tree-house like ambiance makes for a truly unique indoor/outdoor experience.

If you are interested in property in Hawaii, please contact The Campins Company Luxury Real Estate Nationwide at info@thecampinscompany.com

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Light, Love and Peace,

Katrina Campins

The American dream is homeownership.  There is no greater investment than the purchase of property. However, the current economic climate has many potential buyers puzzled if now is the right time to purchase a home. In this market especially, the question of whether to rent or buy has never been more pressing.  Many people that can buy are choosing to rent because they would rather rent than buy a house, and have it go down in value.  They are uncertain as to what the future holds for the housing market.  However, the rental market is already very strong due to all of the people who cannot buy for various reasons, including bad credit.  The inflationary opportunity cost of not buying could price certain buyers out of the market if values do rise.  There are many other factors to consider as well, such as whether the landlord (if you do rent) is or will be in default on the property that you rent, which could force you to move out and find a new property, as well as escalating rental prices due to a strong rental market.

The Campins Company has created a helpful road map in assiting you in your decision to buy or rent.

-Figure out how much buying a home in your estimated price range will really cost you monthly, including all the expenses I pointed out above.

-Subtract your current monthly rent from the total figure you came up with in Step 1. For example, if your current rent is $1000 and your monthly homeownership cost is $1,450, that is a difference of $450 per month.

- Set up a new bank account. On the first day of each month – you are to deposit whatever the difference is between your current rent and what your projected homeownership costs would be; in our example, you would deposit $450 into the account.

- You are to do this every month for six months. If you are late in your payments, or if you feel stressed out trying to make the payments, you should take this as a sign that you may not be financially ready to become a homeowner. Then take a little of this money and go out and celebrate. You deserve congratulations for going through this process and learning you aren’t yet ready to buy. You just avoided making a huge financial mistake; and in my book avoiding mistakes is an important part of life.

If, on the other hand, it was easy for you to make the extra $450 monthly payment, that’s a financial sign you can probably afford to buy the house you want. That’s the good news. The great news is you now have an extra $2,700 you saved during this six-month test that will come in handy to help pay for your closing costs on the mortgage, or the new furniture I know you are going to want, or – better yet – to increase the size of the down payment.

- Make sure your credit report is spanking clean and your FICO score is as high as possible. Remember, the higher your score, the lower the interest rate you will be offered on the loan. If you get your score to 720 or better, you’re in the “top group” and will be in line for a great rate of 4.125 percent or so on a 30-year fixed rate loan. But if your score is 100 points lower, your rate is going to be closer to 7.8 percent. On a $150,000 mortgage that translates into an extra $180 or so you’re going to need to fork over each month. And over the life of that 30-year loan you’re looking at paying tens of thousands of dollars more in total interest costs. It clearly pays to get your credit score in order. So while you are debating whether you should keep renting or take the plunge and buy, why not use that time to make sure your FICO score is the highest it can be?

For more information, please visit The Campins Company at www.tccse.com or www.thecampinscompany.com

It all starts at HOME.

With Very Present Love, Light and Peace,

Katrina Campins