Suggesting a third alternative seems foolhardy. Seventy percent of working-age, blind Americans are unemployed. One third live in low income households. Despite legislative changes, unemployment stats for blind Americans haven’t budged.

Nonetheless, there are blind lawyers, recording engineers, chemists, journalists, mechanics, etc. Blind people live, travel, cook and shop independently. Accessible technology enables unprecedented participation in society.

Why the dichotomy? Laws could, of course, be refined to promote the hiring of blind people and the teaching of Braille. Only ten percent of blind kids are taught this common link among successful blind people. More rehab funding wouldn’t hurt. The true obstacle to successful adjustment to blindness, however, is a societal matter.

A cruel irony -- unparalleled in other minorities -- accompanies blindness. Men don’t wake up as women and whites don’t just “go black”. This, however, is what happens in most cases of blindness. Most blind people lose their vision as adults . Growing up sighted, they develop disturbing opinions about what blindness means. Overcoming beliefs that blindness consigns one to dependence, inactivity and uselessness is the major obstacle facing newly blinded adults, not learning to use a talking computer, Braille or a guide dog.

A 1991 Louis Harris poll illuminates the issue. The National Organization on Disability (NOD) commissioned them to define American perspectives on disabilities. The survey summary states, “The public views disabled people as fundamentally different than the rest of the population, feeling admiration and pity most often. Embarrassment, apathy and fear are also common.”

Most of us understand why people wouldn’t like being pitied, but the admiration part may be a surprise. It’s not admiring someone for their talents and abilities. It’s being overly impressed with the ordinary.

For blind people, the “glass ceiling” is more of a brick wall. Imagine trying to interest prospective employers in your abilities when they are feeling sorry for you or when they are overcome with amazement that you actually got to the interview and can hold a conversation without staring into space.

What has enabled America to rethink its prejudices about other groups? The answer, fitting for our popular-culture-driven society, is media presence. Black entertainers were catalysts for the decades of change which enabled us to elect our first African-American president. Conversely, there hasn’t been a new, blind American superstar in decades. Worse yet, the only famous blind woman most people know is Helen Keller, who died over fifty years ago.

PAD understands this and supports blind entertainers through scholarships, subsidies and networking. Sales of the “Sound in Sight” CD, a multi-genre compilation of eighteen original tracks and covers, donated by blind recording artists, fund these programs. Hear clips at www.cdbaby.com/cd/padotnfotb.

PAD hopes that, as Americans enjoy more talented blind entertainers, understanding and opportunities will improve for all blind people.

Here we go!! I was ask if I could put something on writing showing what and how we at "The Mateo Team" handle the short sales in "Northern Virginia / Prince William County" in order to get our amazing 95%+ short sales approval rating.

The full secret is on the package and follow up!!!

Well this is in a nut shell!!

Client(s)

1st visit:

1. Present the CMA (Current Market Value) of the property
2. Go over their motivation level and hardship. (MUST HAVE A TRUE VALID HARDSHIP)
3. Once we fully agree to work together, I provide them with the list of all documents that they must gather in order to list the property. (Hardship letter, bank statements, tax returns, paycheck stubs, etc........) ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE PRESENT IN ORDER TO SIGN A LISTING AGREEMENT!!!

2nd visit:

1. First of all, I review all their documents. If anything is missing we do not go forward (I can't waste my time).
2. Explain the entire listing agreement and obtain their signatures.
3. Measure & take pictures of each room.
4. Create a list of all the discrepancies and take pictures of them.
5. As previously agreed on our 1st appointment, we schedule the full FHA appraisal appointment. (In order for us to take the short sale, we must complete a full FHA appraisal by a fully licensed appraiser at the sellers expense).
6. Place sign on property.
7. Once everything is completed. I get to work!!!!

LET'S GET TO WORK!

I start by creating the following:

1. File
2. Make the list of discrepancies with pictures and submit them to 2 contractors of the local market for a bid on making all the repairs.
3. Call the appraiser for the report.
4. List the property just like any other listing. That includes: website, tons of pics, flyers, video and post everyting on the following sites:
   • Realtor.com
   • TheMateoTeam.com
   • Hotpads.com
   • Trulia.com
   • YouTube.com
   • Zillow.com
   • Homescape.com
   • The Mateo Team Newsletter

PREPARING THE PACKAGE

I begin with the following:

1. Fax coversheet
2. Short Sale Cover Letter
3. Hardship Letter
4. Homeowner Financial Worksheet
5. Preliminary HUD-1 from your title company. (Try to keep both sides with the same company).
6. Authorization to Release Information (Already obtained on 1st visit and faxed to the bank, but will resumit with the package).
7. Full Listing Agreement.
8. Full Ratified Sales Contract (Including all addendums).
9. Copy of the escrow check.
10. Copy of the Buyers Pre-Approval letter.
11. Full Listing from your local MLS/MRIS.
12. Full Tax Records of the property.
13. List of discrepancies with pictures and repair bid.
14. Full Appraisal (all pages).
15. Copy of the Appraiser's license.
16. My CMA.
17. Their Docs(Banks statements, paystubs, taxes, etc....)

****Print the loan number and your contact information on top of each page!!!****

Follow up!!!

Once everything is gone from my hands to the lender or lenders (if more than one lender make 2 packages), I call after 72 hours for confirmation that they received something.

Then FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP!!!! NO LESS THAN ONCE A WEEK!!!!

My packages are around 120-160 pages. I have never been told by the lender that they are missing something or that it was too much info.

I obtained approval from:

• Indymac 27 days
• Bank of America 85 days
• SunTrust 60 days
• Chase 45 days

System works but I must give full credit to the CDPE training and certification. Prior to the training it was taking me twice the time. I strongly recommend the course!!!

I hope this helps!!!