OnPointt.com ! I COMMENTARY I Chic Charlotte Feature I OnPointt Online Magazine

TALKING ABOUT THE SUB-PRIME DISASTER. According to Realty Trac in 2006 (realtytrac.com) the Foreclosure Market Report named the Nation's Ten Highest Metropolitan Foreclosure Cities. From 1 to 10, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Dallas, Memphis Tennessee, Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville FLA, San Antonio, Canton Ohio, Las Vegas. Indianapolis documented a foreclosure rate of one foreclosure for every 69 households, while Atlanta's foreclosure rate was one foreclosure for every 70 households.

Other top-10 foreclosure rates ranged from one foreclosure for every 99 households in Dallas-Fort Worth to one foreclosure for every 140 households in Canton, Ohio and Las Vegas. The nations largest metropolitan area, New York City, documented a foreclosure rate --one foreclosure for every 434 households -- that ranked 59th among the top MSA's.

Where did Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC MSA rank? We ranked 31. Not too bad Charlotte, not too bad at all. So many people are feeling the crunch of the Sub-Prime loans. Everyone has voiced their opinions about the woes the market is facing and homeowners are facing. It is not fair to say that those with less than perfect credit should be denied being a homeowner or that is what happens to people who live beyond their means. People go through bad financial times and not everyone who are facing the sub-prime loan woes should be under attack.

We spoke with and know personally many people who paid their mortgages timely every single month. They were never behind and their less than perfect credit scores were increasing. With the type of loans being offered to them, as rates increased, interest rates have caused many persons with sub-prime loans to at high risk of being unable to keep their homes. Some have taken on second jobs to make the mortgage payments. Sure people should be well aware of the risk involved in high risk loans but when some people want a home, they take what they can. Not a smart move at all but sometimes the want outweighs the risk. Human nature. Flawed?

With the "Woes" in full effect, many predict there will be few first-time home buyers for the remainder of 2007 and into 2008. This will slow housing activity, value of homes won't increase alot, and if you are selling, well it may take quite some time. It's a buyers market. If you have a strong credit score, you can obtain a home with rates that are very competitive. Now is the time for many to work on building stronger credit. This is a good thing.

It is time to take responsibility and get in on a great loan without the sub-prime woes/fiasco. Many subprime lenders have shut down and many others are doing what they can to keep their heads above water. Standards are being raised and it is about time. You can count on stricter guidelines for those being qualified for the buyers market. Unethical practices, lack of proof of income, is a thing of the past now. Standards and guidlines, it is all coming back full circle.

If you have been affected by the Woes of the Real Estate Market, we do wish you well as homeowner in your plight. It is our hope that while the interest rates increase, there will be a way for you to obtain your home. We do advise to watch out for those companies who promise you a way out. Do your research thoroughly because so many questionable companies are trying to get in on the take of your bad situation.

Weigh your options, consult, and talk with reputable persons who will have your best interest in mind. For those considering buying in the 'buyer's market', the same applies. Make sure you are getting the best type of loan so you won't have to go into default - not by circumstances of loss of job but by circumstances of signing over the JOHN HANCOCK to only end up regretting a decision that could cost you dearly. Stay abreast of the market trends/news.

FORMING A STRONG FAMILY BOND IN MEDIA/Charlotte Are You Listening?
There is so much talent in Charlotte when it comes to Media Professionals and we must give some extra KUDOS to those persons of color/African-Americans for doing an amazing job making sure diverse entertainment happens in the QC! Without name dropping right now ( too cliche', if you are on the move then this article goes out to you ), so many people have stepped out on faith, recognize their talents and moved forward putting their dreams into reality. It takes dedication and hard work to achieve your goals ( GOALS, CONCISE & CLEAR ). So you have your business/job going (Promotions/Publicist/Agent/ Publisher/Editor/News Anchor/Restaurant Owner/Club Owner/Event Planning/DJ/ Account Executives/Writers/ Reporters/Television & Radio Personalities/Public Speaker... You get the drift.

We're here in Charlotte and yet, and yet, and yet, and yet...

MANY OF US HAVE NOT BEEN FORMALLY INTRODUCED TO EACH OTHER. This is a big problem when there are so many gripes among us (not yet hitting that glass ceiling) and gripes among the public we serve. How can you be a very effective Media Family when you 'know of' someone? The whole 'know of someone' could lead to some very negative consequences. As cliques happen in every thriving city no matter how up and on it the cities are
( Chicago, LA, NY, LA, DC, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, London UK, wherever ) somewhere along the lines you could get a very 'ill' impression of someone who is totally the opposite of what you 'know of' (especially if you are listening to a hater). We are not in denial here either at OnPointt.com. Hating will happen, the crab mentality thing you understand but it can be overcome as you UP that maturity level. Five years strong we have seen the horror stories and heard the horror stories of hate here in the QC.

To effectively hit that glass ceiling, you have to form a STRONG FAMILY BOND IN THE MEDIA. We're always trying to reach out as much as we can to those on the 'grind'. Sometimes it's a 'hit', other times it is 'not a hit' but as long as we reach out, we move closer to our plateau (Karma In Kind). So how do we get together? We first set aside time to meet up, and get to formally know of each other. When you can meet face to face, remove yourself from the shadows of the computer/emails/calls then you are really making some significant progress. It is always good to hear from THE SOURCE of what they do, how they go about doing what they do, and maybe somewhere along the way, there could be some collabos down the line.

FORMING A STRONG FAMILY BOND IN MEDIA has so many benefits. Like minds, can move mountains. You have to create a buzz about yourself. As a STRONG FORCE MEDIA FAMILY IN CHARLOTE NORTH CAROLINA, you attract the type of celebrities to your city in a grand way, more entertainment will be coming in, more positive press for everyone on the up and up, and that creates more positive financial outcomes for everyone. We have CIAA 2008 coming up! Two years strong, we've done a good job Media Personalities giving great entertainment options for visitors/residents in the Queen City/Charlotte NC. Yet we can have that excitement, once CIAA is over.

HERE'S A BIG ISSUE...

You must stop black balling our media family when they obtain a venue and you call the venue owners to derail their promo party. That's just plain unprofessional. Account Executives at various radio stations sleeping with promoters you need to open up your minds and get your green and leave the personal in the bedroom and handle your professional. You owe that man or woman nothing by giving them heads-up on another promoter coming at you on the up and up to make their event a success. Say word? Word! WATCH OUT NOW! We have to give up the TOUGH LOVE! We know the streets too. This type of stuff happens in every city trying to do their thing. We must stop having the same theme parties a day after one another OR on the same day. We must try to reach out to our seasoned media family with years of experience. You would be surpised how TOUCHABLE they are. Those who don't want to deal with the younger generation, well move on from them gracefully. We must start going out and supporting other media family when it comes to their events. It's a good look and it shows Professionalism. Team efforts must be applied to all of us, it is just good business sense.

Can we all get ours? Sure we can! So many others cities have issues but the THRIVERS, do their public part and uplift one another. It is too easy to let the green-eyed monster get in the way. You need to handle up and let more of your business smarts come on out. As you go up, as you make it, see who else could use a helping hand. That's not hard to do at all. Talent in the QC? Lots of it but the question comes up. WHY IS IT YOU ARE IN THE STUDIO FOR THE PAST FIVE TO TEN YEARS? Radio could put some of these talented artist on heavy rotation, create the buzz and get it going MAJOR. If artist aren't stepping it up in a big way, no one can tell us that there isn't one person in Charlotte that could give them direction? Come together people, it's time to make it happe 2008!

We don't just point the fingers, we look within ourselves here at OnPointt.com too. It's call evolving and we love that word around here! We simply love it! We all could evolve a lil more, growing, progressing, opening ourselves to know more. Well this is your first dose of a subject we are going to stay on for sure. We want to hear from you too! What's on the mind? Care to share? We love the feedback, suggestions, options. All of that good stuff! This city is still untapped and with saying that there is so much we can do to explode! FORMING A STRONG FAMILY BOND IN MEDIA, has so many benefits. COME TOGETHER WITH THE POSITIVE ONES, KARMA KIND.

"Hi, I'm Chuck and I live in the University Area, no kids... yet, yes I am straight up heterosexual, I love to dine out, catch a movie, and did I tell you, I have a MBA Miss Kisha." Ugggh..... Kisha is not trying to hate but lately I've been running into alot of the MBA brothers in Charlotte, so eager to soundbite that off in my ear constantly.

Not hating at all cause furthering our education is not a bad thing but the MBA'ers I've been meeting have honestly had no type of CHARACTER to them that wanted me to stick around. Boring at best and it's not like I am some daredevil having a date with Mister Risk. It's just that I don't want to hear about all the long process you went through to get your MBA over and over again.

It may not be the same story but it comes up in a different way. I get that you are proud but come on now... can we just talk about other things? You can honestly say that was it, your lifelong goal to get the MBA, and that there is nothing more interesting to you? If so, Mizz Kisha has to bounce cause I am the adventure person, even if I have no money to take me to the places I want to go to, I can go via television viewing, online viewing or reading a good travel book. I like the beauty of simple things, getting to know someone by listening to them talk about their past. I just can't get down with all the talk on the accomplishments, jus seems too superficial to me. If you are wondering, I am working on my PHD but not sounding off in anyone's ear on that. There is more to me before and after that is accomlished.

So like Mizz Kisha, I was doing some reading online, got a call from one of the MBA'ers who I was avoiding the third date like the plague. Brought up how some say the MBA is falling short in Corporate America, which finally led to a conversation where I picked up more intriguing character from this guy. Our third date has been scheduled since that conversation but I wanted to share this with you, especially those on the fast track to MBA, which I applaud. Don't let titles define you but have more conversation coming to the table that reveals more character about you. There is nothing like an eye opening article so read on. Interesting indeed. -Kisha for OnPointt.com