Enough about 'what ifs' and such - I need HELP!  I've got a house I really, really, really need to sell.  I have a couple who saw the house before they were qualified (kinda like through an Open House).  They love the house, want the house and seem to make plenty of money to qualify.  But, they tell me, their credit report (what's the word) STINKS?  They have never owned a house before - so, I know there are programs for new home buyers.  Is there anything I can do outside of a lease-purchase (opposed by my seller) to get the couple into the house?  Is there any programs?  Are there any loan experts that can make this happen?  Is there any creative things available to my clients?   I don't want to gamble; I want to go with the strongest and best approach.  Nonetheless, this one is so important that I don't want to leave any stone unturned.  HELP!

P.S. For what it's worth, I love you guys - so, don't let me down.

I'm thinking about putting out a real estate newsletter.  Some agents have them.  Others think they're wasted effort.  What do you think?  Moreover, if you like them, what do you put in them?  How do you determine circulation, etc?  Please give me some tips related to putting together and distributing an effective newsletter.

Reading Ron Tarvin's "Mumbling Out Loud" and other blogs got me thinking about practices used to increase sells and, thus, reminded me of a strategy used from time to time.  I wanted to see what the general thought of my colleagues might be.  So, here goes.  What do you think about agents who advertise to the general public that they will donate X dollars to a charity in any client's name if the client purchases or sells their home through them?  Good idea?  Bad idea?  Is there something that would make it more palatable? etc.