Click here for Barry Habib, CEO of Mortgage Success Source Fox TV video, 8 minutes:
Top three: All time most viewed
-
Even with my 20 years in the mortgage business, I double check all guidelines because they are continually changing. I had a call from som...
-
FHA loans in 1991: When I became a mortgage loan originator in 1991, I couldn't believe that there was a loan product which allowed all... -
Know How To Recognize A Good Mortgage Rate Mortgage lenders are often asked if there is a best time of day, day of the week, or period of...
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Bathroom Remodels: 90% return on Investment! WOW!
The economy is showing signs of recovery. In fact, just last week, Retail Sales were reported up for the seventh straight month - thanks in large part to the 6.9% gain at hardware stores and garden centers. If you've been thinking about spending some money of your own at a hardware store for a project around the house but aren't sure you can justify spending the money, we've got two words for you - bathroom remodel.
The Beauty of a Bathroom - You can live without a theater room or a home office, but any house worth buying must have at least one bathroom. This may seem obvious, but take a minute to think about it. Aside from the kitchen, there is no other room that's more utilitarian. The bathroom actually has multiple uses, possibly making it the most necessary room in the house.
Return on Investment - In terms of remodeling a home's bathroom, the returns can be staggering. While many home remodeling projects return only pennies on the dollar in terms of adding value to the home, some studies indicate a national average return of 90% or even more for mid-range bathroom remodels. While the amount of your return will certainly depend on many variables - it is one of the most desirable upgrades in a home, and brings amongst the highest returns.
The Options are Endless - When it comes to the particular upgrades for your bathroom, the options for luxury and function are many. There are two main factors to consider: what specific upgrades will enhance your life, and how much money can you afford to spend? The following are just a few ideas of awesome upgrades that also function as sound investments:
• Make It Bigger. A major trend is to expand the size of the master bathroom. Adding space to this room is a wonderful luxury as well as a potentially huge selling point. An augmented master bath allows you, as well as any potential buyers, the ability to make other additions and upgrades.
• Build for Two. One of the major issues for homeowners with only one bathroom, or couples sharing a master bath, is the inability for two people to use one bathroom simultaneously. If size permits, this problem can be alleviated with upgrades, like a double sink, a separate shower and tub, and a short wall to enclose the toilet area.
• Add a Designer Touch. From tubs and toilets to fixtures and flooring, there is literally no end to the combinations of great looks. These types of improvements are relatively inexpensive in comparison to the dramatic upgrade they give to the look and feel of your bathroom. Walls can be repainted. Old counter tops can be replaced with granite or marble, and vinyl flooring can be upgraded to tile.
• Invest in a Spa Experience. If luxury is what you're looking for, you may want to think about an oversized tub, either sunken or raised, with Jacuzzi capability. State-of-the-art showerheads can also be installed, giving you options like receiving a water massage or bathing under a rainfall. Tile floors, towel racks, and toilet seats with built-in heating elements can bring added warmth during the colder months. And don't forget the fog-free mirrors.
When it comes to updating the look and functionality of your bathroom, the sky is the limit. You could invest very little time and money by merely repainting the walls, changing out your fixtures, and doing a little decorating. You could also pull out all the stops and completely remodel an existing bathroom or even add one on.
The bottom line is that a great bathroom is something you will enjoy for as long as you own your home. It may also add to the home's overall value if and when you decide to sell in the future.
 | |
| Bathroom Remodels are a good investment! |
The Beauty of a Bathroom - You can live without a theater room or a home office, but any house worth buying must have at least one bathroom. This may seem obvious, but take a minute to think about it. Aside from the kitchen, there is no other room that's more utilitarian. The bathroom actually has multiple uses, possibly making it the most necessary room in the house.
Return on Investment - In terms of remodeling a home's bathroom, the returns can be staggering. While many home remodeling projects return only pennies on the dollar in terms of adding value to the home, some studies indicate a national average return of 90% or even more for mid-range bathroom remodels. While the amount of your return will certainly depend on many variables - it is one of the most desirable upgrades in a home, and brings amongst the highest returns.
The Options are Endless - When it comes to the particular upgrades for your bathroom, the options for luxury and function are many. There are two main factors to consider: what specific upgrades will enhance your life, and how much money can you afford to spend? The following are just a few ideas of awesome upgrades that also function as sound investments:
• Make It Bigger. A major trend is to expand the size of the master bathroom. Adding space to this room is a wonderful luxury as well as a potentially huge selling point. An augmented master bath allows you, as well as any potential buyers, the ability to make other additions and upgrades.
• Build for Two. One of the major issues for homeowners with only one bathroom, or couples sharing a master bath, is the inability for two people to use one bathroom simultaneously. If size permits, this problem can be alleviated with upgrades, like a double sink, a separate shower and tub, and a short wall to enclose the toilet area.
• Add a Designer Touch. From tubs and toilets to fixtures and flooring, there is literally no end to the combinations of great looks. These types of improvements are relatively inexpensive in comparison to the dramatic upgrade they give to the look and feel of your bathroom. Walls can be repainted. Old counter tops can be replaced with granite or marble, and vinyl flooring can be upgraded to tile.
• Invest in a Spa Experience. If luxury is what you're looking for, you may want to think about an oversized tub, either sunken or raised, with Jacuzzi capability. State-of-the-art showerheads can also be installed, giving you options like receiving a water massage or bathing under a rainfall. Tile floors, towel racks, and toilet seats with built-in heating elements can bring added warmth during the colder months. And don't forget the fog-free mirrors.
When it comes to updating the look and functionality of your bathroom, the sky is the limit. You could invest very little time and money by merely repainting the walls, changing out your fixtures, and doing a little decorating. You could also pull out all the stops and completely remodel an existing bathroom or even add one on.
The bottom line is that a great bathroom is something you will enjoy for as long as you own your home. It may also add to the home's overall value if and when you decide to sell in the future.
Loan Modifications: Pressure from Obama
When I borrowed money to buy my house, of course I expected the lender to just forgive part of my debt. (Ok, maybe not – why should I?) Pressure is mounting on loan servicers and investors to reduce troubled homeowners' loan balances, but Fannie and Freddie do not lower the principal on the loans they back, instead opting for interest rate reductions and term extensions when modifying loans. There is continued press about F&F being under more and more pressure by the Obama Administration to do principal write downs. http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/14/news/economy/fannie_freddie_principal_reduction/
Are you the 58,252,719th richest person in the world?
You're richer than you think, I hope. “The Global Rich List” website (http://globalrichlist.com/) generates a wealth ranking for its users based on their annual income. The median income in the United States in 2009 (half above, half below) was $52,000 and if that was your income you are the 58,252,719th richest person in the world (or in the top 0.97 percentile of all moneymakers). Poke, the owner of the site, assumes that the world's total population is 6 billion and the average worldwide annual income is $5,000.
When qualifying for a loan, if the borrower has less than $428/ month in other debt (over and above the proposed house payment of $1949 per month), with good credit (above 640), an income of $52,000 per year would qualify the borrower for a $311,000 sales price home with FHA financing at 5% fixed interest rate. Total House payment of $1949 per month would be 45% of gross income and total debt (house plus other debt) would be 54.9% of gross income.
The above analysis is based upon and issuance of a Automated Underwriting Approval. Call me for Mortgage questions and options.
When qualifying for a loan, if the borrower has less than $428/ month in other debt (over and above the proposed house payment of $1949 per month), with good credit (above 640), an income of $52,000 per year would qualify the borrower for a $311,000 sales price home with FHA financing at 5% fixed interest rate. Total House payment of $1949 per month would be 45% of gross income and total debt (house plus other debt) would be 54.9% of gross income.
The above analysis is based upon and issuance of a Automated Underwriting Approval. Call me for Mortgage questions and options.
Home Builder Sentiment up!
1:02 PM ET - Homebuilder sentiment rose in May to 22 from a 19 reading in April and was the highest level in more than 2 1/2 years. A reading below 50 indicates sales conditions are poor. The index has not been above 50 since April 2006.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thanks for the best rates and best service-Closing March 26, 2010
Mike and Kristin, thanks again for the opportunity to help you with your mortgage needs and thank you for the wonderful testimonial! Congratulations too for getting the best rate in mortgage history! Your timing was perfect.
Thanks Marty!
Kristin and Mike Neal
Closing March 26, 2010
Marty,
We have used your services several times and you have always come through for us with the best rates and the best service.
You really know your stuff and are a pleasure to work with.
We will definitely continue to use your services in future!
Thanks Marty!
Kristin and Mike Neal
Closing March 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 5, 2010-Hellmann's Mayonaise
Hellmann's Mayonnaise - a bit of history.
Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England . In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York . This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico . But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York . The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day. The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as -
Sinko De Mayo.
WHAT??? You expected something educational from me?
Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England . In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York . This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico . But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York . The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day. The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as -
Sinko De Mayo.
WHAT??? You expected something educational from me?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Weber State University Bridal Fair-March 3, 2010
Emily Craghead wins my drawing for a $25 Olive Garden Restaurant Gift Certificate at the all day WSU Bridal Fair!
Hundreds of Brides and Students spun the prize wheel and won valuable prizes and candy bars!
$4591 in great prizes were given away!
A HUGE thank you to the following business partners who helped make my WSU Bridal Fair Booth a HUGE success!
- (2) $400 Home Inspections from View Utah Homes-Jon DeYoung at 801-860-0881 and Stacy Lightfoot at 801-628-6302;
- (1) $400 Home Inspection from Valerie Trujillo at Gage Froerer C-21 at 801-389-6480;
- (9) Free Engagement Sittings valued at $69 each from Masterpiece Images at 801-612-9799;
- (2) $25 Travel Discounts from Rusti Walter-Personalized Travel and Tours-phone at 801-791-8070
- (2) $200 off of closing costs from Marty Qualls at Primary Residential Mortgage;
- (5) $400 Free Appraisals and Free Credit Report and Credit Analysis from Marty Qualls at 801-540-5108;
- (16) $20 Discount on Mary Kay Products and Free Facial from Jalene Weston at 801-721-9663
Call any of us for great value and service, we would love to help!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Marty helped me proceed with confidence with my decisions-Closing April 27, 2010
First American Title with Sue Heiner was a great place to be on April 27th! She was closing on Paul Smith's first home purchase and there was a party going on!
At the closing (party) was Troy Erickson with Coldwell Banker- 2nd from the left - (you can reach Troy at 801-430-7380 or at troyerickson@utahhomes.com), Paul's Father (he was rooting his son on in his first mortgage loan closing), Paul Smith, and Marty Qualls. (Sue Heiner, Escrow officer and world's finest photographer! Thanks as always for a great job of closing, Sue!)
Congratulations to you Paul for your first time home buyer tax credit of $8,000 that will soon be in your wallet, bank account or as new blinds in your new home (!) before you know it!
As a first-time home buyer, I felt lost among all the details involved in getting a mortgage, but Marty went of his way to help me understand the decisions I was making so that I could proceed with confidence. Thanks, Marty!
--Paul J. Smith
Closing April 27, 2010
Closing April 27, 2010
Marty delivers timely and professional service-Closing April 29. 2010
Congratulations Brady Kotter! First Time Home Buyer Credit is soon to be in your pocket and you nabbed one of the best interest rates in Mortgage History! Celebration! Closing April 29, 2010
Jerry Priest at Executive Realty Service (can be reached at 801-710-4151), Bree, Brady and Marty Qualls at Mountain View Title with Angie Chandler, Escrow Officer and Photographer! Great job closing Angie :)
Marty, Thank you for your great efforts in putting this loan together for Brady and doing it in a timely and professional manner. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you again.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Habitat for Humanity House and two Blondes
Lynn and Judy were doing some carpenter work on a Habitat
for Humanity House. Lynn was nailing down house siding,
would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a nail and
either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in.
Judy, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, 'Why are
you throwing those nails away?' Lynn explained, 'When I
pull a nail out of my pouch, about half of them have the head
on the wrong end and I throw them away.' Judy got completely
upset and yelled, 'You moron! Those nails aren't defective!
They're for the other side of the house!'
for Humanity House. Lynn was nailing down house siding,
would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a nail and
either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in.
Judy, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, 'Why are
you throwing those nails away?' Lynn explained, 'When I
pull a nail out of my pouch, about half of them have the head
on the wrong end and I throw them away.' Judy got completely
upset and yelled, 'You moron! Those nails aren't defective!
They're for the other side of the house!'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)