In a recent survey, it seems women are more upbeat about the nations future than men. The survey even breaks it down to compare married and unmarried individuals and political parties.
Although the survey concludes men are the more pessimistic, it is very close as a whole. It is really hard to tell what's going to happen, but in my opinion staying positive (but smart) is better for the soul
Click below to read the full article:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/43565078
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Happy June!
June has always been my favorite month. Sunny days, warm weather, and cold drinks make me happy.
This time of year can also be synonymous with house hunting. Open houses and weekend drives are common during the next 3 months for buyers.
As a Realtor, I find it extremely rewarding to help individuals and families find a home of their own to host summer barbecues and other fun activities all year round!
Here are a couple tips for you house hunters:
1. Go to open houses. They are typically held on Sunday afternoons between 12-4, however you can find some on Saturdays. If you are already working with a Realtor, it's still OK to go to open houses without them. Just inform your Realtor as well as the open house agent that you are currently working with someone and fill in your agents name on the sign-in sheet.
2. If you are not working with a Realtor, get one. There is a lot of inventory out there. It's important (and not to mention a huge stress reliever ) to have someone else searching homes for you that fit your wants and needs.
3. Save! The summer tends to make people want to go on vacations, happy hours, and weekend shore trips. But if your goal is to purchase a home, you need to continue to save money for your down payment, closing costs, furniture, etc. I think the summer offers more FREE things to do! Go hiking, window shop in towns that
you may want to move to or go to the shore but pack a picnic.
Already own a home? Here are few things to put on your To Do List:
1. Clean your dryer Vents. You should regularly clean your lint trap but now is a good time to clean out the dryer hose pipes.
2. Clean out the gutters. Leaves and debris collect during the colder months. It's important to clear the gutters to protect your home from mold or rot.
3. Spruce up your yard
-select bright nursery annuals already in bloom
-Fertilize now, if you did not do it in the Spring months
This time of year can also be synonymous with house hunting. Open houses and weekend drives are common during the next 3 months for buyers.
As a Realtor, I find it extremely rewarding to help individuals and families find a home of their own to host summer barbecues and other fun activities all year round!
Here are a couple tips for you house hunters:
1. Go to open houses. They are typically held on Sunday afternoons between 12-4, however you can find some on Saturdays. If you are already working with a Realtor, it's still OK to go to open houses without them. Just inform your Realtor as well as the open house agent that you are currently working with someone and fill in your agents name on the sign-in sheet.
2. If you are not working with a Realtor, get one. There is a lot of inventory out there. It's important (and not to mention a huge stress reliever ) to have someone else searching homes for you that fit your wants and needs.
3. Save! The summer tends to make people want to go on vacations, happy hours, and weekend shore trips. But if your goal is to purchase a home, you need to continue to save money for your down payment, closing costs, furniture, etc. I think the summer offers more FREE things to do! Go hiking, window shop in towns that
you may want to move to or go to the shore but pack a picnic.
Already own a home? Here are few things to put on your To Do List:
1. Clean your dryer Vents. You should regularly clean your lint trap but now is a good time to clean out the dryer hose pipes.
2. Clean out the gutters. Leaves and debris collect during the colder months. It's important to clear the gutters to protect your home from mold or rot.
3. Spruce up your yard
-select bright nursery annuals already in bloom
-Fertilize now, if you did not do it in the Spring months
Thursday, May 26, 2011
U.S. Military
This Monday is Memorial Day. For most people that means family BBQ's, heading to the beach or simply enjoying a day off. We need to keep in mind that this day is really put in place to honor the soldiers for their military service. This month I wrote an article for Delaware County Magazine on some government housing programs that benefit these men and women that serve us and our country. Here is a preview:
"....The most familiar program for our Vets is the Veterans Administration (VA) mortgage loan. More than 27 million veterans and service personnel are eligible for VA financing. VA guaranteed loans are made by private lenders, such as banks, savings & loans, or mortgage companies to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you or a later owner fails to repay the loan. The guaranty replaces the protection the lender normally receives by requiring a down payment allowing you to obtain 100% financing. Other benefits include no private mortgage insurance (PMI), competitive interest rates, and the right to repay without penalty.
If you already own a home and have financed through a conventional mortgage you may still acquire a VA loan. Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing to a VA-guaranteed home loan. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of the property, which is up from the previous limit of 90 percent.
In this economy it can often become difficult to make your monthly mortgage payments. When a VA-guaranteed home loan becomes delinquent, VA provides supplemental servicing assistance whose primary responsibility is to to help resolve the default. However, in cases where the servicer is unable to help the veteran borrower, there are Loan Technicians who take an active role in negotiating with the servicer to explore all options to avoid foreclosure. If VA is not able to help a veteran borrower retain his/her home (whether a VA-guaranteed loan or not), the HOPE NOW Alliance may be of assistance...."
Please contact me for the entire article or pick up a Free copy of Delaware County Magazine
"....The most familiar program for our Vets is the Veterans Administration (VA) mortgage loan. More than 27 million veterans and service personnel are eligible for VA financing. VA guaranteed loans are made by private lenders, such as banks, savings & loans, or mortgage companies to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you or a later owner fails to repay the loan. The guaranty replaces the protection the lender normally receives by requiring a down payment allowing you to obtain 100% financing. Other benefits include no private mortgage insurance (PMI), competitive interest rates, and the right to repay without penalty.
If you already own a home and have financed through a conventional mortgage you may still acquire a VA loan. Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing to a VA-guaranteed home loan. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of the property, which is up from the previous limit of 90 percent.
In this economy it can often become difficult to make your monthly mortgage payments. When a VA-guaranteed home loan becomes delinquent, VA provides supplemental servicing assistance whose primary responsibility is to to help resolve the default. However, in cases where the servicer is unable to help the veteran borrower, there are Loan Technicians who take an active role in negotiating with the servicer to explore all options to avoid foreclosure. If VA is not able to help a veteran borrower retain his/her home (whether a VA-guaranteed loan or not), the HOPE NOW Alliance may be of assistance...."
Please contact me for the entire article or pick up a Free copy of Delaware County Magazine
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